Kobato

About Kobato

Here is what Kobato (こばと。) is about, retold in plain terms: a comedy, drama and fantasy anime by MADHOUSE (2009). In short: Sweet and naïve Hanato Kobato came to Earth on a mission to collect and fill a bottle with 'konpeito,' which appear after healing a person's heart that is suffering. Kobato collects these because it is her wish to go to a certain place.

Also worth knowing: Despite her strangeness, Kobato turns out to be well-suited for this assignment as her heartfelt sincerity in helping others earns her the love and admiration of everyone she meets. However, she is not allowed to fall in love with anyone whose heart she heals.

In a comedy series like this, timing, character chemistry and running gags decide whether it lands. Kurogane (Tetsu Inada) and Hiroyasu Ueda (Tomoyuki Higuchi) are two of the characters you will meet early. It will appeal most to viewers who want something light between heavier series. The run is 24 episodes in total, so you know what you are signing up for.

Production & Appeal

Animation is handled by MADHOUSE, so the studio's house style defines how Kobato looks and moves on screen. The comedy focus matters here: timing, character chemistry and running gags decide whether it lands. At 7.6/10 it earns a solid reception, a safe pick for fans of the genre. Voice casting, including Tetsu Inada as Kurogane, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. Released in 2009, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.