When it comes to doing a review of this show I can't help but make comparisons to the TV version from the OVA version. The OVA version of the show did get released first and it's just unfortunate that our first time we got to enjoy Masuo's hopeless attempt at finding love was from a very lackluster product, but at the least the tv version of the show from my personal interpretations was much more enjoyable. The overall plot between the OVA version and TV version of If I See You In My Dreams remains the same but at least in the OVA version weget to see the absolute beginning of what started Masuo's love life journey to begin with unlike the TV version in which Masuo was already aware of who Nagisa was and started hanging out at her school just to see her. In the OVA, we get to see how Masuo meets Nagisa for the very first time while he was walking down the street during a rainstorm and as another man was crossing the street knocked into him sending him to the ground and he ended up spilling his briefcase with all of his papers getting wet. Nagisa lends a helping hand by helping him retrieve his papers and giving him a handkerchief so he doesn't catch a cold and this act of kindness makes him completely fall in love with her and therefore starts his journey with regards to him trying to win the affection of Nagisa. We also get to see Masuo visit the fortune teller that tells him that he'll never have a girlfriend which absolutely crushes him and it was actually nice to see that playful interaction because it was unfortunately missing the TV version of If I See You In My Dreams.

The funny thing is while the tv version may have 16 episodes with each episode being about 7 minutes long for a total length of 112 minutes it manages to cover a lot more ground and make the series much more enjoyable because the OVA version of the show is 3 episodes with each episode being about 25 minutes for a total length of 75 minutes for the show. The OVA certainly has better animation and a much better musical score full of beautiful keyboard synth tracks and ambient jazzy tunes. The opening song is absolute fire and really a wonderful treat to listen to. The quality of the animation and the music are certainly the best parts of what this anime has to offer.

I think the biggest strike again the series as a whole is that it is nowhere near as funny or enjoyable as the tv series. There is only so much you can do in three episodes and the other girl (Miho) that is interested in Masuo doesn't really take an important part in the story until the 3rd episode of the 3 part OVA. I don't know if it's my personal preference when it came to dating as a whole in my youth but I think I would rather pursue the girl that actually wants to be with me and likes me for me then to pursue a girl that is overly emotional, irrational, and quick to anger. Nagisa really comes across incredibly petty, unlikable, jealous and rude throughout the majority of the anime. We do get to see her sweet side when it comes to her interactions with the kids that she teaches and when Masuo shows her kindness and also tries to win her respect and admiration. She has this disdain towards men in general just because she went to an all girls school throughout all of her life. Masuo uses all of the resources at his disposal in order for him to get close to Nagisa but for every kind act he performs for her, his constant lies end up making her hate him without giving him a proper chance to explain. Throughout the entire anime there are actually two other men that Masuo has to deal with that are trying to win the affections of Nagisa. Masuo does some really crazy things to try to get Nagisa to forgive him such as chasing down a car that Nagisa is in with another male rival that he ends up crashing his bicycle and goes to the hospital because Nagisa refuses to listen to his explanation and she is also incredibly stubborn.

Despite the problematic nature of the story line throughout this 3 episode endeavor, unlike the the tv series this version of the story does have a happy ending where Masuo does end up with one of the ladies that is prevalent throughout the anime's story. I think that is probably the best part of the story with regards to what is presented towards the audience. Surprisingly there is no nudity in this version of the story unlike the TV series where there was quite a bit of nudity.

I think if the OVA spent more time with Miho and showed more of Masuo's interpersonal conflict between what girl is truly right for him I think the story could of been a lot better instead of spending so much time with the men in the series that are also looking to charm Nigisa into their lives. These other male characters are far from being interesting and I don't think they add much to the story.

Overall, the OVA version adds a nice visual and audio quality to this story which makes it look nice but not even a heavy amount of gloss or polish can save the anime from a very unlikable female lead, little to no humor and a shallow cookie cutter story. The TV series is the one worth watching but the OVA is still worth experiencing for a definitive happy ending, great music throughout the series, an upgrade in animation and a really enjoyable opening song.