Tokimeki Tonight, or what it was called in the Arabic dub, Ranze the amazing (رانزي المدهشة) I grew up with this anime back in the 80s so it was a real throwback to come across it again 40 years later. The show masquerades as a shoujo anime but it's really a circular gag show, similar in style to Urusei Yatsura by Rumiko Takahashi (of Ranma 1/2 fame). The characters are introduced, they fall in love, the relationship never advances past the introduction and its used as an excuse for comedy to happen. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it was inspired by Urusei Yatsura as the characterdynamic and situations are pretty close.

Summery = Ranze is the daughter of a vampire father & werewolf mother. On her first day of highschool she falls for Shun, the bad boy. Because he's human and she's a monster it's considered forbidden love. Love rivals are introduced to complicate things and hijinks ensue.

Plot (7.5/10) =

Episodic by nature and very character driven. A situation is set up and the characters are left to run amuck. Similar to Urusei Yatsura (and Ranma) regardless of what happens no lasting harm is done and the relationship status quo is maintained. The episodes are memorable though, If I can still remember some of them including one off characters over 40 years later then the show must be doing something right. Ending was rather lackluster as it was made up for the anime (The manga was still on-going at the time), I always thought the arabic dub stopped at an odd point so imagine my surprise to find out they were actually faithful to the OG.

Characters (9/10) =

This is the show's strong point. Not only are they solid but memorable, they're not stereotypical at all. If anything every single character is created with some form of conflict in mind so the relationships and interactions are very dynamic, explosive in some cases.

Ranze's mother is headstrong and tries to force her daughter into a more traditional marriage, which is hilarious when you find out that she herself rebelled against her parents and married for love. A man she now uses as a punching bag during the 3 days when the moon is full. (gee I wonder what that symbolizes... subtle...)

Ranze herself has a strong sense of self and doesn't let anything or anyone get her down. She is sure both of herself and her parent's love (to her and to each other) & very internally motivated. More than can be said for 90% of modern heroines sadly. She also challenges shoujo tropes because she isn't the faithful childhood friend, she's the rival that pops up one day to steal the boy's heart with whatever dirty trick she can use. The Childhood friend is the antagonist!

Even Shun the love interest, I didn't like him as a kid as it seemed like he was just leading the girls along. Well yeah he is, but he isn't your typical bad boy jock either. He actually has a personality and just because he is the show's love interest doesn't mean he HAS to like the girl back or just look pretty for the camera.

Art and animation (7/10) =

So... yeah. This came out in 1982 with the typical low to moderate budget animation of the time. I suspect it was funded by what change they found in the couch cushions...

Characters often walk in space. Backdrops are missing in none essential shots. repeated animation to cut on costs...etc.

They did try to stylize it though. Lots of English signs to hint at this happening in the west and the characters will often drop english words randomly. The backgrounds have a stylized look, style of something drawn by a 5 year old sure, but still stylized.

The characters have this long thin body with a large head typical of 70s animation.

It's a dated look but even with all that it's still charming with a lot of attention to detail. The characters expressive and the animation matches the show's energy.

Sound (8/10)

Another strong point for the show. The music and sound are really catchy and memorable. I would score it higher but I feel like the japanese voice acting brings it down a little.

Fun Factor (8/10)

This is a cute show with lots of gags that still land. It's of it's time but a cheap laugh is still a laugh. Also while the characters can be a bit much at times they are never unlikeable.

OVERALL (8/10)

A cute gag show from the 80s, good characters and doesn't take itself too seriously. It's of it's time for sure and more a curio rather than a hidden gem. Still I love it and will alway recommend it to anyone curious.