Episode 03 – Tragic Past - かこ、哀々と (Kako, Aiai to)
To me, while this show might be JC Staff’s replacement for the recently finished Kaichou wa Maid Sama series, Otome Youkai Zakuro already looks like it will turn out much better. The main difference between Kaichou wa Maid Sama and Otome Youkai Zakuro is that, unlike Maid-sama, Otome youkai has enough material to have a continuing plot and story. There was a little too much blushing in this episode for my tastes, but this installment of Otome Youkai was actually relatively decent at developing the Zakuro x Agemaki relationship.
The story is straightfoward, with Zakuro and Agemaki being assigned to investigate the “spiriting away” of young girls from an isolated village. The episode does delve into how half demons are born, which really helps us understand more of why Zakuro is so paranoid of her existence as a half demon. Interestingly enough, this show continues to explore the youkai-human prejudices, though I sometimes wish JC staff was more subtle with it at times.
That being said, Agemaki really pushed all the right buttons with regards to his relationship with Zakuro, with his attempts to understand her perspective really showing throughout the episode. Even with his cowardly antics at points, I’m starting to warm up to both Agemaki, and his relationship with Zakuro.
There was a lot of chibi humor this episode, which once again, really reminds me of Kaichou wa Maid-sama’s chibi humor. I got some good laughs out of Zakuro’s paranoia with sleeping in the same room as Agemaki, and the scene where Agemaki chickens out in the impending fight, but overall this episode explored the main couple’s relationship here and there.
Overall Enjoyment: 3.9/5
P.S. Is it just me, or does Zakuro look much better without her hair tied up in pigtails?
Screenshots are later in the post.
Next Episode Preview: Timid Distance – きょり、怖々と (Kyori, Kowagowa to)
Distant Paradise 
