TV-Series
Description
Born on September 21, Shunso comes from a prestigious family but lives as a freeloader at Ougai Mori's residence, an arrangement initiated by Ougai after witnessing Shunso fervently painting a cat. He is the third of seven siblings. His narrative centers on a supernatural black cat escaping from one of his paintings, visible only to those with spiritual sight. Initially dismissive of help retrieving it due to its importance for an upcoming exhibition, he gradually accepts assistance. Concurrently, he develops romantic feelings for Mei Ayazuki, a time-traveling high school student. This complicates his dynamic with Ougai when Mei pretends to be Ougai's fiancée to evade arranged marriages. Shunso conceals his jealousy out of respect for Ougai, a tension escalating during a Rokumeikan beauty contest where Mei participates. After the contest, Shunso flees with Mei, confesses his feelings, and they begin a relationship.
A subplot involves his deteriorating health, including headaches and concentration difficulties later diagnosed as symptoms of kidney disease (nephritis). Fearful of potential blindness ending his career, he initially avoids medical consultation. Mei's tearful intervention persuades him to seek treatment. The black cat spirit eventually returns to his painting coinciding with the resolution of his health crisis. Depending on choices, the story concludes with Mei either returning to her era or remaining in the Meiji period with him.
In the sequel *Twilight Kiss*, Shunso and Mei encounter an antique inkstone housing a tsukumogami (artifact spirit). The spirit possesses Shunso, making him uncharacteristically aggressive. After the spirit transfers its possession to Mei, Shunso deduces its origin and negotiates its peaceful relocation to a new owner, his friend and fellow artist Taikan Yokoyama. The story concludes with Shunso and Mei establishing a home together, including an additional scenario depicting them vacationing in snowy mountains.
His character design and narrative incorporate elements inspired by the historical painter Hishida Shunsō (1874–1911), including his name (meaning "spring grass"), artistic profession, association with Yokoyama Taikan, development of the "moro-tai" (vague style) technique, renowned paintings of cats—particularly the *Black Cat* featuring in his supernatural storyline—and the historical parallels of kidney disease and fear of blindness.
A subplot involves his deteriorating health, including headaches and concentration difficulties later diagnosed as symptoms of kidney disease (nephritis). Fearful of potential blindness ending his career, he initially avoids medical consultation. Mei's tearful intervention persuades him to seek treatment. The black cat spirit eventually returns to his painting coinciding with the resolution of his health crisis. Depending on choices, the story concludes with Mei either returning to her era or remaining in the Meiji period with him.
In the sequel *Twilight Kiss*, Shunso and Mei encounter an antique inkstone housing a tsukumogami (artifact spirit). The spirit possesses Shunso, making him uncharacteristically aggressive. After the spirit transfers its possession to Mei, Shunso deduces its origin and negotiates its peaceful relocation to a new owner, his friend and fellow artist Taikan Yokoyama. The story concludes with Shunso and Mei establishing a home together, including an additional scenario depicting them vacationing in snowy mountains.
His character design and narrative incorporate elements inspired by the historical painter Hishida Shunsō (1874–1911), including his name (meaning "spring grass"), artistic profession, association with Yokoyama Taikan, development of the "moro-tai" (vague style) technique, renowned paintings of cats—particularly the *Black Cat* featuring in his supernatural storyline—and the historical parallels of kidney disease and fear of blindness.