Review of Don't Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro

So what happens when a boy with debilitating social-anxiety disorder has a girl fall in love with him who has no settings between OFF and HIGH? I have to admit that this anime was a breath of fresh air. It's pretty common for shows to introduce a shy, reclusive male protagonist, who meets a girl, then over a couple of episodes "gets over" his social phobias in order to get the girl and confess his feelings. In reality, for those with severe social phobias, getting over these feelings is all but impossible. But, it's not unheard of for people like this to catch the eyeof someone who falls head over heels for them. The character of Hayase is one such character. After carefully rewatching the series, it becomes apparent that she is more flirting with Senpai than actively trying to torment him, but the show remains in the point of view to Senpai, so we see not what is actually happening, but how he perceives it. This is a really smart and even mature way to handle a love story of this nature, showing that there's two sides to simple flirtation. The most heart-warming parts come when Hayase begins to see how her actions are affecting Senpai and she begins to change, keeping some of her earlier taunts to keep him on his toes, but becoming more aware of who he is as a person.

The end result is a slow burn, a love story that develops slowly, naturally, and awkwardly at times. A story about two people learning each other's boundaries and learning to respect them, while drawing gradually closer together. It's not a love story for everyone, but for what it is, it's a good example of an unorthodox yet heartwarming high school love.