* Based on Takeda Hinata's Ikoku Meiro no Croisee (La Croisee dans un Labyrinthe Etranger) manga The story takes place in the second half of the 19th century, as Japanese culture gains popularity in the West. A young Japanese girl, Yune, accompanies a French traveller, Oscar, on his journey back to France, and offers to help at the family's ironwork shop in Paris. Oscar's nephew and shopowner Claude reluctantly accepts to take care of Yune, and we learn how those two, who have so little in common, get to understand each other and live together in the Paris of the 1800s.
I remember seeing this show when it first aired last summer. I didn't decide on watching it back then because it really didn't seem that interesting. I then came across it again last month and decided to watch it. Well what do you know.... it was really good! The first thing that caught my eye was the animation, it truly is splendid to look at. I really enjoy it when the animation gets all chibi and simplistic during the comedic moments of the show. And of course you can't forget about Yune-chan and no matter what she does she looks super cute doing!! Also the whole setting to this anime is really great and, of course, refreshing. The story here isn't anything too major. Just learning about Yune as well as Claude's past with his father and other members of the neighborhood. However I rather enjoyed the direction they went with the story, it felt appropriate. I feel that if this ever got licensed and released on dvd it should have a French dub. I think it would be rather interesting and give it a better feel all around. So if you're a slice of life fan, then I double recommend this anime to you, you will enjoy every last minute.