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Aug 11, 2024
Story - It's starts with a typical BL plot starring around showbiz, with plenty of sex scenes which one may get used to. Yet that's the charming point of Odd Love, as it unfolds the complexity of the story of the two characters and the warped time-line/history both has. Such as around late 10s of chapters we get to see Jaehan's true intentions towards being acquainted to Heegyeom being much more twisted. As the story builds to early twenties of the chapters, where the big event where both characters confront each other, the tone of the story harshly shifts to a hopeless and desolate ambience
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I've seen set in a BL. This change in tone doesn't shift back till the far end chapters and that solidified Odd Love as being not a typical BL story in my experience. It faces an endless spiral of longingness onwards the chapters, as we feel the desperation Jaehan is facing by being tied up in a twisted, complex relationship with Heegyeom. One of the strongest execution of character-driven plot in BL I've laid eyes upon. The story devolves into a character story of the main character loosing control and gives heavy depth onto him as a character. As the twos slow burn, slight misunderstanding develops. 9/10
Characters - This is the rare cases of well-written and well earned character development I've uncovered of the main character in a BL. Jung Jaehan starts off with the typical trope seen in BL often as the toxic, aggressive CEO archetype but with the it's tonal shifts of the plot. More of his internal turmoil is unravelled, seen in his melancholic monologues being more common after chapters in the late 10s. Exposing his truthful nature, the sense of mistrust he feels and the thoughts that almost eat him alive. Which often leads to most readers to have an almost guttural expressions, either of sympathy or empathy. The internal conflict he faces with overcoming his distrust of others such as Heegyeom is well executed, as the back and forth actions or hot & cold attitude he has is often caused by his internal confusion whether to believe in someone or not. As well as that acknowledging that he in fact is a very unhealthy person, seen with the confrontation where he admits the relationship he has with Heegyeom is twisted and sad, is one of highlighting scenes showing his growth as a character. I'm not exaggerating when saying this is one of the best downward spiral I've seen a main character faces, making him much more layered as a main character than other mcs in BL. Not only does the main character tackles his internal conflict, yet also develops due to holding himself accountable for his actions. Shows that he is very well-written for a character introduced with a stereotypical trope assigned to him. Yet incredibly fleshed out. 10/10
Enjoyment - I wouldn't lie but reading this made me not feel very fulfilled to experience, the sudden tonal shifts to a much bleak story and atmosphere definitely intensified the story. The constant misunderstandings both faces can feel frustrating yet expresses very well what the characters may also face, as well as the tone the writer was trying to execute. As an enjoyer of slow-burn thrill of romance stories I may admit I felt heavy joy when reading the story unfold as the longingness and desperation was heavily felt. Not only that the nature of the manhwa quite common in BL has topics that are quite uncomfortable with the nature of characters being varied in toxicity, mainly Jaehan at the start. So if you are interested in well written slow burn angst and can handle uncomfortable topics, I’d recommend. 8/10
Art - As well as the character development, the art development of the story was heavily evident if you compare the later chapters to older chapters. The use of better line art can be evident and easily spotted later on the story, yet prior chapters still had satisfying art as well to not leave me disgusted. Yet the nuances of better colouring and use of finer line art can be easily spotted. The only issues I had is the excessive blushing the artist would draw. 8/10
Overall - If you're getting bored of the BL genre or want a new experience in BL manhwas, Odd Love is a great BL that will keep you enjoyed if you're looking for surprising tonal shifts, character-driven plot and well written main characters.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 20, 2021
As a fan of cut throat environments I was excited to see an anime set in this sort of atmosphere.
Story (7) - Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School, dedicated to instruct the future generation of people that will support the country in the future. Allowing students to get what job they want and what university they want to go to. The story follows the perspective of Kiyotaka Ayanokoji who enrols the school and is placed in 1-D to find that he is the class of the 'scums' of the school. The story then escalates to 1-D completing tests not only on academic skills so that they
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can be 1-A. As I said the plot was the selling point for me, I enjoy cut throat environments. My own problem is how it fails to adapt the light chronologically. There was an episode inspired by beginning of volume 4 from the light novel. When the whole season goes up to volume 3.
Art (8) - As expected of the a renounced studio (LERCHE). The animation is pretty mesmerising to see. Shots of the scenery, characters shots are executed well and higher than standard. I like how the character designs are pretty unique especially their distinct eye colours. That really stood out to me. The background is truly exquisite to me, I love shots of scenery as it was highly detailed and the architecture wasn't done will little passion.
Sound (8) - I will forever not stop saying this but COTE has one of my favourite osts of all time. I really like how diverse the ost is, my personal favourites being the ones in disk 1. Rock, jazz, dreamlike, synth-heavy the list goes on. As diverse the genre is the instruments are varied too, going from piano, organ, saxophone, guitar and violin. Personally I wasn't expecting much from a school, slice of life anime ost but COTE never fails to wows me. I've never heard a piece from an organ piece in a school ost. Hats off to you, sound director!
Character (7) - Another disappointment with the anime adaption is that they didn't give Ayanokoji the personalities he had. They made him socially awkward, boring then at the end he's cold and calculating. In the light novel he's more interesting as his monologues is amusing to read and that he is a human, not some cold character. As for the other characters they did a good job adapting them correctly if only they did that to the main character, which should've been the obvious and right answer.
Enjoyment (7) - As much as I love the ost and animation, if they make Ayanokoji bland, my enjoyment will drop. The only thing that's pulling it together is the tests they do. It was fun seeing the tests being done and the character's ways of trying many techniques.
Overall (7) If Lerche followed the original source and made Ayanokoji less boring and how originally he should've been, COTE in terms of popularity would've been in the same level as Oregairu or Hyouka. Personally it isn't the worst adaption I've seen but it has improvements to make. For now I'll be listening to Luxury one of my favourite pieces in the OST.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jun 25, 2020
Some may call it a rip off of the monogatari series and say it's a full carbon copy. Though I don't believe it is.
Story - 8 When Sakuta finds himself an attractive former celebrity wearing in a sultry bunny girl uniform. He finds himself being involved with her and her situations. The synopsis is pretty typical for an anime however you will not find yourself bored when watching the series. The series explores a rather strange phenomenon where the teenagers are affected with supernatural abilities. You may be thinking this is exactly like (lists some anime). However the beauty of Bunny girl is how the
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story is very character driven than most others. If we were to strip the characters, it would be pretty boring. Seeing how XYZ became did, how she got this power, what she's going to do with it, how everything is relates is caused due to Bunny girl's character driven plot. Though I wouldn't say the synopsis isn't unique or mind blowing, the character driven plot is very interesting to see and executed correctly. Props to the light novel author and the script writer of the anime!
Art - 8 As expected of the sub-division of A-1 pictures. Clover works animation is pretty mesmerising to see. Shots of the scenery, characters shots are executed well and higher than standard. Each frame is done with precision which is clearly seen by the audience and the character design is vastly similar to the light novel. Although there are other anime with better animation than Bunny girl, yet Bunny girl art doesn't slack off and keeps with the standard through each episodes.
Sound- 5 Though I'm not a huge fan of the opening or ending. The anime does have some pretty good soundtracks during the best moments. The background sound is kept to a standard, and settles the mood. If I were to enjoy the opening and ending I would've rated it a 7 since the background soundtracks are very up to standard.
Character - 9 When I say Bunny girl has the best dialogues in anime. I'm not exaggerating it is only done due to the characters. I'm personally a huge fan of most of the characters baring a few however even with my 'disliked' characters I still find them very neutral not even disliking them despite me calling them disliked. (Yes I'm a hypocrite.) The characters in Bunny girl are very 3 dimensional and very realistic which makes me think, this really is a realistic show about teenagers despite it's supernatural themes. In my opinion bunny girl has one of the uniquest personalities like for example Sakuta. I've never came across a character who's perverted yet smooth with it and being cool when he said 'I'm a virgin.' Plus the character dynamics especially with Mai and Sakuta are so intriguing and enjoying to see. Therefore it deserves a nine.
Enjoyment - 8 Now I'm not a huge fan of the plot, I'm not fan of supernatural themes due to a lack of scientific explanation. However I really enjoyed Bunny girl due to the characters, their dynamics/relationship that it made me actually care about the plot which is helping the girls from adolescence syndrome. As well as seeing characters on screen or rooting for someone, I am intrigued to see how they solve the syndrome and the characters backstory. Futaba being my favourite, the poor girl T_T. Along with other factors it's refreshing to see some scientific explanations (mainly pseudo science) behind the supernatural themes. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoyed each episode.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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