Back to jxthree's Profile jxthree's Profile

The reason I chose to watch this anime was because it seemed to be highly recommended by others, so I feel like it is partly my duty to give a differing point of view since I really didn't like this anime at all.

This shoujo comedy centers on Kotoko, a character who is nothing new to the genre: pretty, but not too pretty, stupid, determined, feminine and someone whose whole being revolves around the guy she likes. Unfortunately the guy she happens to like is mean-spirited when he's not being completely indifferent towards her, rude (and of course incredibly good-looking), arrogant (and also the smartest ... person in school without even trying), a complete jerk (who is capable of doing anything he puts his mind to including sports). It never becomes quite clear how it is anyone could fall in love with him beyond his looks and top exam scores, but we're also not supposed to believe that our female protagonist is so shallow as to only want him for his outwardly appearance and therefore it doesn't ever seem to make sense how she could love him so much when he treats her so poorly. As we become aware of Kotoko's strong will and determination when it comes to all things to do with getting her guy, we are also left puzzled by the fact that she doesn't use it to make more of herself independently of him.

I forced myself to sit through this anime till the end no matter how bad it was so that I could form a justified opinion on it, I was also perhaps hoping that Kotoko would come to her senses, realise she could do better and dump the guy. But instead we have a character who singularly focuses her life around a man who never truly respects her.

I should be fair by saying that this anime did elicit a few chuckles and it starts off amusing enough. The artwork is fairly average. There are quite a few decent secondary characters who keep the plot moving forward and who are a main source of comedic value. But as the anime progresses the main problem I've outlined above becomes a glaring impediment to enjoying the protagonists' romance.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this anime to anyone who likes to see their female characters with an ounce of self-respect, but if you want light-hearted romance and you don't mind what sort of message it conveys about and to girls and women, then by all means watch Itazura no Kiss.