In "Oremonogatari," the heroine Yamato calls herself "uchi" in a flat accent, which makes many people feel a little strange.
"Uchi" as a personal pronoun for females is originally a dialect in Kansai region. As a Kansai dialect, its accent is on "u." Yamato's accent of "uchi" is flat, and she speaks with standard Japanese intonation typically used in Tokyo area which is quite different from that of Kansai dialect. In Tokyo (and many other non-Kansai regions), women usually use "watashi," but recently some young women use "uchi" like Yamato, so it is contemporary and natural for girls (this anime is based on a manga for girls). There are different stories about the origin - TV, magazine, etc. Anyway, for adults, it is still strange.
Personal pronouns for men are different. Generally speaking (except for dialects), boys use "boku," many teenagers use "ore," and adults use "watashi" formally but "boku" or "ore" informally. In "Oremonogatari," both Takeshi and Suna use "ore, " which implies they are basically ordinary male students.
There are many personal pronouns in the Japanese language. Each pronoun implies the speaker's role in a society or human relations, and/or the speaker's decision of taking a certain role in a society or human relations. Fictions use personal pronouns as basic character descriptions. "Ore" implies masculinity, one's higher status or familiarity. "Boku" implies innocence or obedience. "Washi" is for old men. When men use "watashi," the situation is formal.
In "Nagato Yuki-chan no Shoushitsu (The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan)," Kyon, an ordinary male student, uses "ore," while Koizumi uses "boku" as an obedient servant of Haruhi.
In "Arusuran Senki (The Heroic Legend of Arslan)," young Arslan uses "watashi" because he is always in a formal situation as a prince.
In "Danjon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?)," Beru-kun (Bell Cranel), an entry level adventurer, uses "boku."
Now, do you know what does the goddess Hestia use to call herself?
Oremonogatari, 9th episode
(June 22, 2016, link updated)
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