"Another romance / comedy anime? And another eyepatch girl? Please spare us... "
I beg to differ.
Hello fellow anime fans, my name is Gillis. This is my very first anime review and I mainly decided to write it as this anime seems to have been overlooked by many, and I at least want it to catch your attention. Heck, another eyepatch girl, some may think when they see the picture of the anime. I am like that too, but if you miss this series I won't forgive you.
I have been watching anime for a long time, all the way back in grade school. When I started
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there was already a lot of great classics to watch, and I was the self-proclaimed local Anime-guru back in the days. In the recent past two years though I've watched many new and old series, never finding anything I have liked (there are some rare, few exceptions). Usually I just pick up a new anime when I am about to eat and then I drop it after maybe 2 episodes. In fact, I have actually dropped over 100 series (yes more than my list) and the biggest reason is that: Either it does not hook me from the start, or it just got no story. My taste is all-round, it can be anything... as long as the plot is good, not necessarily unique. The art does not have to be excellent either. For me, as said, it's all about the quality of the story.
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Presentation
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With that in mind, enough of my background. About 1 week ago, as I was about to sit down and eat I was lurking around on a anime stream website and picked up a random anime I had not seen. "Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!". As usual I did not expect much. I just wanted to watch something random while eating my food. Heck, the only recent masterpiece I had seen most recently was Steins; Gate... and that was quite some time ago. However, as I started watching Chuunibyou I was in for a surprise. The introduction of the anime presents the interesting disease called "8th-grader symptom" or in japanese "Chuunibyou". To summarize, it is the difficult age we've been going through as teenagers where we do some really silly things that we all want to forget. As the explanation of this disease continues we are introduced to one of the main characters of the story, Togashi Yuuta, which was practically a textbook example of the Chuunibyou disease when he was younger, calling himself "Dark Flame Master" or in japanese "Darku Flameu Masta". Jokes aside, the start really piqued my interest in an instant. I want you to notice that I am very skeptical as I watch new animes. That is, until I am completely seduced by it.
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The First Episode - *WARNING - SPOILERS* (Skip this section if you want)
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Now, the episode continues with Yuuta, having a flashback of his embarrassing past and we come to realize that his Chuunibyou state is over in the present. As he goes to dispose of his past at the balcony a rope is suddenly thrown down from the floor above and down climbs an eyepatch girl named Takanashi Rikka, the other main character of the story. Immediately, as skeptical as I am, I facepalmed right away as the scene was shown to me. "By default" I muttered dissatisfied, recalling about 10 other animes that had started in a similar way. Anyhow, my interest and attention had already been caught by the presentation, so I continued to watch.
Rikka appeared as a really weird girl, wearing an eyepatch and some gothic clothes. Of course, weird and strange overall by climbing down from the third floor on a rope. Certainly not very original though. After this short event the opening starts and afterwards we appear on the next day as Yuuta is about to make his debut into high school and on his way, at the train station, stumble into one of the other main characters. A cute girl named Nibutani Shinka but most importantly into Rikka as well. Yuuta recalls the event that occurred the day before and realizes that she goes to the same school as he does. Of course at that moment, my skeptical sensors turns alert mode: "Oh no, another harem romance show". However, my negative impression was short-lived as in that moment the train arrives and Rikka opens the automatic doors with a large swing by her arm, displaying her mental powers. With a complacent grin on her face she walks into the the train in a really cute and childish manner. Yuuta, being shocked by the moment, manages to miss his train. By this little event I was already starting to be charmed by the series.
Moving on, Yuuta barely arrives in time after having missed his train. As he take a peek into his class he sees that he knows no one in there. Perfect, just as planned! Apparently Yuuta had chosen a different high school that his middle school classmates would not choose. Obviously so that he can get rid of his past filled by his miserable time as a hopeless Chuunibyo case and start a new, normal high school life. But before he enters the class he first walks to a remote area, where he speaks his catchphrase back when he was the Dark Flame Master and "seals" it. Though he thought he was alone, a girl could hear him. Which is with no doubt Rikka.
Back in class he sits down and almost immediately gets on good terms with guy named Isshiki Makoto and soon realizes that the beauty from the train station, Nibutani, also is in the same class as him. What a blessing for his new high school life... only to shortly after find out that Rikka is in the same class as well. As if that was not enough, she suddenly creates a dramatic and embarrassing scene as she stands in front of Yuuta, grasping her eye under the eyepatch as she screams out in pain, saying something about her eye resonating. Under this sudden scene Yuuta realizes all too well what is wrong with her. It can only be a grave and serious case of Chuunibyo. On top of it, he is practically forced to take her to the infirmary where he once again confirms that she really is a dangerous case of Chuunibyo. Whats more, Rikka tells Yuuta that she had found out about his identity, namely "Dark Flame Master". Now Rikka was a presence which could threaten his new dear high school life. Correctly so, later at the day he is invited by Makoto to hang out and eat lunch with some classmates. Oh the joy! What a great start to his new high school life... but the opportunity quickly vanishes as the teacher calls Yuuta in, asking him to help Rikka home as she has lost her train card. If you recall, she lives at the same building as Yuuta. Depressed, Yuuta does as told and declines the lunch invitation. And from this moment on the episode is more or less Yuuta and Rikka interacting and getting to know each other. And I must say it is more interesting, cute and funny than you would imagine.
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*END OF SPOILERS*
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Quality, Plot & Characters
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That pretty much sets the comical and romantic aspect for the series. Being Yuuta having to take care of this impossible case of Chuunibyo, namely Rikka. And shortly after 2-3 episodes I was already in love with the series. As far as the first episodes progress we mainly get to know the main characters better, and it is actually more comedy than there is romance. There is not too much to the story neither at first, as we mostly get to know more background of the main characters. Though if that is something which would keep you bored, fear not. The comedy is really decent and as you probably have discovered, the Chuunibyo disease (8th grader symptom) is already an original part in this anime which separates it from the mass. It is an ingenious idea and the author exploits it really well to create some great comedy which made me laugh out loud a lot. It is an idea that would not run out of quality even if this anime had been made into 24 episodes or more... which in fact, makes me very angry that it isn't. Also, if it is your preference, I can tell you that the animation is really great too. And the soundtrack makes up a lot of the series. But of course, this is not all there is to Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!. Remember, I am all about the plot.
After a few episodes of getting used to the main characters, the anime switch much more focus unto Yuuta and especially Rikka. I must really say I love these two characters. Yuuta is the kind of person trying to fit in with the rest, trying to be normal and fit with the group. Though, he just cannot abandon Rikka even though she is embarrassing and acts wrong, which is the biggest reason I like Yuuta as a character. Of course, he plays a huge role in the comedy factor as he is the only reasonable person among Rikka and her Chuunibyo followers. Rikka too is the comical aspect of the series, trying to draw Yuuta in with her wild fantasies. At the same time she is also very cute, kind and a bit mystic. Though there is more reason to her Chuunibyo state than just age...
As said, shortly after some episodes of getting to know the characters we get to the main story line which contains a lot of romance, but also a lot of drama. Yes, drama. How I love drama. Of course it is necessary to like the characters to create good drama. You could say the first episodes are preparation for it. We get to know Rikka's background a lot better as Yuuta finds out more about her. Her background contains a lot of drama and Yuuta tries his best to understand Rikka and help her in any way he can. Although he does a lot of mistakes and it is truly touching seeing how both the main characters grow together, understanding their faults, understanding what they feel and what the other feels. Too much of this would be spoilers, but it takes a truly dramatic turn and at the end of the anime I was deeply touched. What a great show! I had never expected it when I started watching the anime two days ago. Actually I was so caught up into it that I watched it all in one night, having to face the consequences on the next day. But it was just that good. I am considering if it was worth it though, since afterwards I have been feeling really depressed. Perhaps because I watched such great series all in one night and now there is no more episodes for me to see. Or maybe I am just saddened by my miserable life compared to how they live in the series. Why can't I have such a wonderful occurrence? Or maybe I fell in love with Rikka. Which of these it is, I do not know. But what I do know is that this anime became one of my top favorites and has refreshed my mind. It is truly a masterpiece for its genre, and I highly, dearly... more than recommend it.
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Score
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I do not know who the fansubers for the series are. Still trying to find out who my favorite fansubers for this anime is. I do know though that Unlimited Translation Works (UTW or URW for short) subtitles are okay but I do not recommend them.
Plot - 9/10
Comedy - 9/10
Romance - 6/10
Drama - 7/10
Story - 9/10
Characters 9/10
Art - 8/10
Sound, Music & Voice - 7/10
Pace - 8/10
Overall - 9/10
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Dec 24, 2012
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
(Anime)
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"Another romance / comedy anime? And another eyepatch girl? Please spare us... "
I beg to differ. Hello fellow anime fans, my name is Gillis. This is my very first anime review and I mainly decided to write it as this anime seems to have been overlooked by many, and I at least want it to catch your attention. Heck, another eyepatch girl, some may think when they see the picture of the anime. I am like that too, but if you miss this series I won't forgive you. I have been watching anime for a long time, all the way back in grade school. When I started ... |
