Maithri Nimm

The show seems like a typical shojo at first. I think Kobato really wins you over though, and through each episode builds depth to the characters. Kobato herself starts off as a typical rom-com heroine but you see her wishes and personality build and shine through. The show's ending really makes you feel something too.

At first when I saw the show and even in the first couple episodes despite my elation for seeing representation of an Indian American girl I found the show to feel a little stereotypical and cheesy. As the show went on though and I started to revisit the dialogue I felt that those perceptions defied to be true. Yes, the show has an Indian character who is a smart, try hard. Yes, the show has an ark about teenage girl fantasies especially about gaining popularity. But, as you watch the show you realize that these ideas are not represented in the typical one dimension way that they usually are in tv shows but are actually given thought and a sense of reality. Devi really is an overachiever who cares, not some half hearted cultural stereotype of a nerd. She is also a girl dealing with grief and using cheesy teenage fantasy as coping. The show gives such comforting representation especially the episode where Devi realizes her shame about her trading Indian culture and accepting that it's problematic. I also as an Indian teen felt and understood that. The show does have moments though where there are some cheesy Netflix references and jokes. The episodes featuring scenes from Riverdale spend way too much screen time literally playing scenes and dialogue from the actual show. Even though the show and references at points allow the characters to achieve realizations it still feels forced.