Bae in Review: Mineo Enomoto, Collar x Malice

[not_krys]

This is my second route for Collar x Malice and, compared to my first route, this one was much more relaxed and laid back, something that I’m greatly appreciative of.



For my previous Bae in Review, check out my profile page for a complete list of all the games I've completed thus far.

Like I stated above, this was my second route for this game, and I do have to say that I found myself enjoying the game more this time. The route was a lot slower, not quite as much going on (still chocked full of things going on, but at a much more manageable pace).

I think it also helps that the bae for this route, Mineo Enomoto, also had this kind of easiness to him. He's got this naivete to him that makes him more endearing and approachable. It also helps that he's a complete dork in pretty much everything he does.

More in-depth thoughts below the cut, plus be wary of spoilers!

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Enomoto starts off the route as not trusting us. Understandable, considering the circumstances.

Yet, you couldn’t help this sense that he wanted to trust Ichika, just that everything else was getting in the way (most specifically, his pride). He takes his manliness very seriously and never misses an opportunity to make sure everyone else knows it.

Except he sometimes doesn’t have the maturity or tact to back it up, leading to some hilarious and adorable encounters.

If I can summarize him in a few words, he’s a very traditional man, believes in doing the right thing, being kind and courteous, and to apologize when you know you did something wrong.

However, this sense of duty and tradition about him doesn’t mean that he is all cool and suave as he’d like himself to be. He has a few self-esteem issues, but some kind and encouraging words usually turn him around, usually leaving his face as red as his hair.

And, boy, does he blush.

A lot.

Multiple times, in fact.

But, just because he’s traditional in his methods and has a shy side, don't think that this boy is timid. Oh goodness, no.

First moment (sort of) alone with him, Ichika and him bicker. Quite loudly. In the street.

Let it be known that Mineo Enomoto is a man that won’t back down from a fight. It doesn’t matter who it is, he’ll take them on. Fight on, Enomoto!

His transition to maturity in the route is probably the most sympathetic part of the route, where before he had quit being a cop because his superior, someone that he had admired and looked up to, had been murdered in one of the X-Day incidents, uncovering some painful truths about his admired superior. He learned to face the fact that, even if someone has the most admirable and good form of justice, that someone can still have some really nasty flaws. Something we tend to learn as we grow and mature.

The reversal is also true, as we find out later in the route when facing against Ogata, the 9th X Day executioner, that though a person has done some terrible things, that doesn’t mean that they are a completely terrible person. Not everything is as black and white as we want it to be.

Makes you think, doesn’t it?

This route also has my favorite level of bonding with Kazuki, Ichika’s younger brother. I didn’t get a great sense of the two growing closer last route, and that is disappointing (but I don’t blame you, Kazuki, I had a hard time with Okazaki too), but you could definitely feel Ichika's and Kazuki's relationship being repaired in this route.

Before, the two had been mostly distant, at best. Ichika looks after her brother who is going to high school while she does her police work. Kazuki, being a teenager, isn't exactly thrilled about the current state of affairs in Shinjuku, so, against both his and his sister's better judgment, he goes out at night while the city is very much on lockdown because of the X-Day crimes, and does very teenager things (like join a band, because he wants to be a musician). Through Enomoto, the two siblings started opening up to each other more, talking about how much Kazuki loves music, making and writing it, and how scared he is because his big sister is a cop in a time it's probably a bad idea to be carrying around a police badge.

On the relationship, I love when Enomoto acknowledges Ichika as an equal, both as a police officer as well as a romantic partner. (Side note: Yu-Gi-Oh! has forever ruined the word 'aibou' for me, so whenever I hear it elsewhere, especially hearing Enomoto say it, I get a little giddy. Probably more than I should). I love how it shows his growth and maturity into becoming the man that can be respected and how now when he wants to stand up for what he believes in, he can do it with confidence and self-assurance now. How now he can stand in front of Ogata and talk him down from committing another murder. Though he still gets injured in the end, it's still great to see his maturity and confidence when he comforts Ichika. It's also cute to see him, though still getting used to the idea, so blushing ensues, when he rejoins the police force and calls Ichika his girlfriend.

Pros and Cons:
PRO: He loves knowledge, especially history and a little bit of math. His favorite kind of history is Japanese History
CON: He will try to emulate these grand historical figures, including the grand gestures and manner of speaking, wearing an eye patch (one of his favorite historical figures being Masamune Date, obviously), and carrying around a paper fan. And yes, he will do this in public. I apologize in advance.

PRO: He is quite a chivalrous and courteous, almost old fashioned, in a way. He will apologize when he knows he’s done wrong.
CON: He will be harsh on himself because he had done something wrong. This includes punching himself in the stomach so hard that he knocked the wind out of himself, and prostrate himself for the tiniest mistake.

PRO: He likes to treat his friends and loved ones well, including going to fancy restaurants and summer festivals.
CON: He can’t say no to anything when his manliness is brought into question, even uninvited guests crashing his dinner date with his partner. I'm especially looking at you, Okazaki, you snake.

PRO: He will be the first one to jump up and defend your honor or to stop a raging criminal that’s going to attack you, others, or themselves.
CON: He tends to jump in without thinking or without a plan, which lead him to punching a declared innocent criminal on a streaming internet video and grabbing the business end of a knife. Yikes.

PRO: He loves home-cooked food, so if you’re into that kind of stuff, he’ll love and admire you forever.
CON: He tends to get huffy when his least favorite is on the plate in some way or form. He gets especially huffy when you try to sneak his least favorites in in a way that he won’t notice, like cut up really small or mashed together with something that’ll mask it. But he knows. He always knows.

Bae Rating: 7/10

He was really sweet and funny and I had a few laughs along the way. His balance of childishness and maturity was a tipping scale through the route and while it was admirable to see him grow and change, immaturity is not a big thing for me. Nothing against him personally, just a personal bias. Seeing him grow was definitely a plus for the route, how he learns to overcome his insecurities and grief. He’s perfect for first route material, to get a new player settled into this game and into this world. He’s the route that I wish I had taken first, so I recommend him first for first time players for Collar x Malice, to get you used to the world and the game mechanics.



Remember, the most up-to-date list of games and routes I've completed thus far is listed on my profile page. Once I complete updating my reviews from tumblr, I'll start making new reviews, and maybe start taking requests for Bae n Reviews.

Have a good day, lovelies, and remember to touch all the butts.