Okay first off this anime is pretty new so I might be obliged to change my review if it changes pace or stops being so lackluster.
The story of Hananoi and Hoturu. While Hotoru's friends are hitting their average teenage horny selves and finding mates, she is baffled by it. The problem here is there's nothing more to explain why she feels this way? She doesn't understand the need to have a boyfriend or even love for that matter. Is it some form of autism or she's A-Sexual? Nothing is explained in that regard and she comes off as a pretty generic yet kind hearted protagonist. Enter Hananoi, the pretty boy that acts the part. Seems like the kind of guy that would be putting notches on his bedpost. All show and no substance. His personality seems to go all over the place; especially when he declares his love for Hotoru. He presents her with an experiment to see if she can find out what romance and love and all this dating these kids are doing can pertain to her... and that right there is the biggest problem.
The characters are absurdly unrealistic and even naive to a point of stupid where you want to just smack them upside the head. Even if anime fantasy romance, a good anime will show some light on how harsh this time of life really is. People are shallow and most just want sex. It's not a point of view, it's the human condition. I'm not trying to state my own point of view but if you can't see the facts in the lines, you're either oblivious or just stupid. I'm also not saying there are exceptions; that there are GOOD people out there. It's just that it's in the minority of people that type of attitude/behavior exists.
So back to how this applies to the anime. It feels so stoic like they're stuck in some sort of G rated world that is so stale you could choke. It tries VERY hard to come across as romantic but tries so hard that it is just cheesy and cliche. I don't mind the animation and I feel they got it right with Hotoru as she's very plain looking but still has a cuteness about her. However, this exists in that cartoony generic type of anime. We don't really see anyone that's actually "ugly". As for Hananoi, his look is all over the place. Rugged looks, pierced ears and so big and manly! Yet in real life this type of guy would be more of a date rapist. In here he comes off as another hopeless romantic which just feels out of place. I don't know if I feel pessimistic about it but I'm sure being as honest as possible. Hopefully it gets better. 4/10 (me being generous)
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