If you take a moment to ponder, life is as strange as fiction. Even though some things and experiences may seem impossible to you, somewhere, someone is living in the exact same situation. Likewise, depending on the circumstances, someone will happily welcome a situation that you perceive as problematic in their life. During the premiere of You Are Ms. Servant, this is the setup for one of the cutest shows of fall 2024.
You Are Ms. Servant Volume 1 — Summary
Before I get into any part of the story, I must point out that Maid-san is very beautiful. Felix Films decided to use their entire budget on her voluminous hair and I fully support that decision. Putting aside the thoughts of someone who hasn't touched grass in a long time, what would you do if a maid came to your door and asked if she could work for you? Most people would tell her. However, Hitoyoshi Yokoya is not like most people.
But his hospitality is short-lived: when he questions Yuki (Maid-san), she reveals that she is an assassin. And she's quite skilled at what she does. Realizing she might be in a lot of trouble, Hitoyoshi tries to persuade her to leave. But as she did so, he noticed the ornament in her hair and hastily returned it to her. He was so preoccupied with that mission that he didn't see Truck-kun and almost got isekai.
She saves him and Hitoyoshi feels obliged to welcome her into his home as a maid. But that job suits her just as emotional frankness suits a tsundere. However, the two quickly found a comfortable life together, but it's easy to see that they both have deep hurts.
Welcome to the Not So Wonderful World of PTSD
The human mind is such a complex thing that we really don't fully understand how it works. Most people can live with a lot of trauma, but how well they live is another story. While You Are Ms. Servant Volume 1 sets up a humorous story, making it easy to see that beneath the surface there are some deep waters. From what we learn and can deduce, Yuki has been training to be an assassin for most of his life. Although her physical state adapted to it very well, her psychological state was quite fragmented and damaged because of it.
Simple things seemed to make her thoughts spin, and the things she did weighed heavily on her mind. Anyone who's struggled with trauma and depression knows one little statement can be enough to start seriously putting yourself down. And Yuki seems to do this often.
Some time ago, I watched a program in which people in conflict zones dined with their former enemies or invaders. I can't remember the name anymore, but there was an episode that delved into the Bosnian War. In it, a woman in Sarajevo during the siege recounted the story of the best meal he had ever had. Two years after the war, after surviving on tasteless meals, she found some mustard to eat with a piece of bread. She said it was the best thing she had ever eaten because it had flavor when other things didn't. That haunts me. It's one of the most realistic displays of humanity I've ever seen. So, seeing Yuki shed tears from the taste of tonkatsu sauce was touching. I'll give you a standing ovation because that's how you overcome trauma.
You Are Ms. Servant Volume 1 — General comments
You Are Ms. Servant seems to be promising a love story. On top of that, it seems like we have a scene where two people help each other overcome harmful things in their lives. Both the voice acting and art style are enjoyable. Someone in the animation group has profound aichmomania. And to them, I say, yeah, I understand you. I am also known to have that special passion.
So far the entire Fall 2024 season is stacked. I always think the best shows of the year air in the fall or winter, and this season has reinforced that belief. Yuki is definitely one of the cutest waifus this season so I'm quite excited to see where this story goes.
Screenshot via Crunchyroll
© Shotan/Shogakukan/Kimi wa Meido-sama. Production Committee
Anime Corner has been provided with an enhanced presentation of the anime.