Ned’s Review of Kaguya-sama Love is War: Ultra Romantic (and the series as a whole)
It’s been a while since I’ve written a review on a show, but I’ll do my best to get my point across without restating myself. Kaguya-sama Love is War: Ultra Romantic is a modern masterpiece. I HIGHLY recommend this series (and will try to convince you otherwise if you’re reluctant). This show, especially the final season, has solidified a personal top 10 placement for me.
I cannot attest to the quality of the original work, but this show has some of the most brilliant storytelling and I must acknowledge the obvious being
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that comedy is subjective. I will argue though, that the author has really done their research in terms of what kind of humor works with society and I applaud how thought out and well planned the references are placed within the series.
Even if you’re not a fan of romcoms, I think this show would be enjoyable most anyone. This series is my current favorite romcom WITHOUT A DOUBT. Its humor was so enjoyable, I found myself cackling just about every episode throughout every season. Whose to say its for everyone? (Well…definitely not me…but it’dbecoolifyouatleasttrieditoutsoIcouldhavesomeoneelsetogushaboutitwithinsteadoflecturingmymomabouthowawesomeitisthatsomebodyprobablyspenthalfaweekoftheirlifeanimating5secondsofafictionalpersonspiralingintoinsanityafterabandoningallhopeofbeinginarelationshipwiththeirloveinterest.)
Music
What can I say, I’m a simp for a groovy beat and a stylistic animated sequence. Who doesn’t love Masayuki Suzuki?
OSTs resembling jazzy neo-noir spy music to match the suspense
OPs so groovy you can’t help but shmove in sync
EDs so nice and conclusive that always bring a smile
All that needs saying here.
Narration
Now why might this be relevant? It normally wouldn’t be to me, but I thought it was unique to this show that I had to include it.
It does everything necessary to explain things to the audience, giving context for the more obscure concepts without feeling condescending while adding to the comedic nature of the show. The narration is an incredible aid to the transitions from each part to the next.
Structure
One of my favorite aspects of this show is how each episode contains multiple parts (equivalent to chapters in the manga), with each having decided ‘winners’, ‘losers’, or none at all for each dilemma. this not only adds a competitive element to the ‘war’ at hand but makes it approachable to watch casually with low commitment necessary. Now that it’s finished airing it’s also easy to binge! Since the arcs are short, I find that there aren’t many cliffhangers unless multiple parts roll over into the next episode as seen with the last few episodes of s3.
The only downside I can see is that any potential for development of the characters or plot may seem worthless if everyone has come to a resolution by the end of each part. However, since past events remain fuel for the fire, the characters must continuously strategize their next move considering what has failed them in the past. We are reminded of these occasionally adding to the overarching theme of ‘Love is war'
Characters/plot/whatever else. I don’t feel like separating criteria at this point:
I don’t feel like getting that into it because it doesn’t seem too necessary since most of my major persuasive points have already been addressed but take from it what you please.
The main cast consisted of some egotistical teenagers attending a snobby academy working as the student council…two of which actively plot against the other to force a love confession while maintaining subtly!
At the top of her class, Kaguya, Shinomiya (aka the Ice Queen) is a naive, pompous, contemptuous highschooler with little faith or trust in humanity, looking down on those around her while thinking of ways to use them for her own benefit. She is at the top of her class (aside from Shirogane, one to rival her in academics).
On the other hand, we have the confident, humble, situationally oblivious student council pres. Miyuki Shirogane coming from a poor background, set on besting Kaguya in order to prove his worth. He's in love with Kaguya, the school council vice president, but refuses to express his feelings to her because he thinks that the one who confesses to the other is going to be the weaker person in the relationship.
As you may imagine, this might make for some interesting interactions and scenarios. If they weren’t enough for each other, the others really complete the show and could be considered main characters of their own in a way.
Romance
Okay, maybe one more category wouldn’t hurt. After all, it is about the gushy gushy romantic subtext, right?
Honestly, as much as the main plot rides on this ‘romantic subtext’ I wouldn’t say it’s there to keep the series alive. Compared to other series where it is made obvious early on to the audience there is the implied intention they will slowly fall in love after getting to know each other, Love is war likes to play with your desire or expectations for mutual understanding and completely flip them over. Misunderstandings blown out of proportion, degrading comments, and impossible circumstances make this show so entertaining to watch and keep you questioning, “will they really ever get together, Or will this ongoing comical squabble continue on forever?”
I have to say, personally, I would not have minded if it did.
Overall score: 10
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Jul 2, 2022
Ned’s Review of Kaguya-sama Love is War: Ultra Romantic (and the series as a whole)
It’s been a while since I’ve written a review on a show, but I’ll do my best to get my point across without restating myself. Kaguya-sama Love is War: Ultra Romantic is a modern masterpiece. I HIGHLY recommend this series (and will try to convince you otherwise if you’re reluctant). This show, especially the final season, has solidified a personal top 10 placement for me. I cannot attest to the quality of the original work, but this show has some of the most brilliant storytelling and I must acknowledge the obvious being ... 
Jun 8, 2020
They finally did it. They referenced the GOAT of gymnastics, Mr. Kohei Uchimura. I couldn’t possibly give this show anything lower than a 10 as it would be a disgrace to the amazing sport and the show’s unbelievable attention to detail.
Enough said. But I guess it wouldn’t be a review if I didn’t write a little more so I’ll talk about the good stuff. Story: 8 Recycled high-school-after-school-club shenanigans but with a bit of a twist. The two main character fight psychological battles with each other to see who will confess their love first!! The character insights are really nice because we, the audience, are able ... 
May 1, 2020
Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo.
(Anime)
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Is it okay if I scream at the top of my lungs?!!It’s been a while since I’ve watched and anime that made me feel this emotionally vulnerable. Maybe unstable is a better way to describe this. I thought it impossible for these childish and embarrassing feelings to take over me. If it wasn’t 4:38 am on a Thursday morning I would be outside making a fool of myself, however, I cannot deny that every part of this show made me feel this way. I will admit to much criticism that the show, in and of itself, is outrageously unrealistic in a lot of ways that ... |
