Review of My Love Story!!

Unlike most love stories that involve 2 characters seeing if they’re meant for each other. This anime takes a different approach, where it explores on the actual relationship of the characters through the dating. But let’s make the 2 lovers very different from one another. (The video review is up on my channel, here is the written) Story - 9/10 The entire premise of the plot is can we get two completely different looking characters and make them a couple. And so comes in Takeo Gouda a very big looking scary guy. But he is quite the softy, he is a really nice guy, and a lotof people just get the wrong idea about him. He just can’t seem to get a girl because of his appearance, in fact most of the girls he falls for, all end up wanting to date his more handsome friend, Makoto Sunkawa, but even his friend has no interest in the girls that fall for him. So Takeo has a history of always failing in finding someone to like him, until he met Rinko Yamato, who he saved from a molester on a train. Now initially Takeo with his mind thinking a girl as good as her cannot fall for him, and mistakenly thinks she has fallen for his friend, he’s goal is to get them together. But let’s scratch that, because after a few episodes in, everything is confessed, and Takeo and Rinko change their relationship status from ‘single’ to ‘in a relationship’ with each other.

I love the premise of the story, it’s different to what we are used to seeing. At first it may look rather standard, with just the fact that the characters look completely different to each other. It is not a simple story of can the boy get the girl. It’s a story about their relationship, and how they build their relationship. One big common theme, is being able love someone in the inside. Because it did feel like the relationship came a bit fast, but then it left room for the characters to learn more about their other half. Even though the story is played out very well, through the characters, there are times in the plot where it felt unnecessary or just a distraction. Also there are times where small monologue text pop up on screen, and it’s kind of annoying you have to pause during those times to read them clearly. Some story plots didn’t feel like they made an impact later on. But regardless it is a beautiful story about two lovers learning more about each other.

Characters - 9/10

The main protagonist is Takeo Gouda, a big scary looking high schooler, who obliviously scares almost everyone he sees. But he is gentle and kind, as he always puts others before him, as he tends to help people all the time without a second thought, never asking anything in return. He is one of the biggest bro’s in anime. Over the course of the anime, Takeo gets a lot of development as he learns, more about himself, because he usually doubts himself just because of his appearance, but he learns how to get along with more people and grows more confidence, in his relationship with Yamato. Albeit is quite dense, so the development takes quite a bit of time.

The other half of this relationship is Rinko Yamato. She looks cute and innocent, but she is just awkward. She fell for Takeo at first glance after he saved her from a molester, but due to Takeo being quite dense, their relationship started off awkwardly. However after the misunderstanding, she of course becomes his girlfriend. Rinko is the type of person who always feels guilty for not return something in return after being helped, and since Takeo always seems to find a way to help her, she always bakes him cakes afterwards. Her development goes at the same pace as Takeo, as it is about their relationship. However she realises Takeo, is quite dense, and accepts that, because she knows how much the people around him are important to him, so she is very patient with him. But as the story goes on the more development we see from her, and the more she starts showing herself.

The other main character of the show, that needs some attention for being the best bro, wingman and best third wheeler, is Makoto Sunkawa or also known as Suna. He is a calm, charming, charismatic and kind individual, who rarely shows a lot of emotion, more a kuudere I guess. He like Takeo puts other before him, as he is always looking out for Takeo, as always rejecting the girls that ask him out, because he knows Takeo likes them. He also helps Takeo hook up together with Yamato. He gets small development however, only towards the very end do we see some change, it’s because he is always focused on helping Takeo, hence being the biggest bro and third wheel in anime.

Even though I love all the characters in their own way, it did feel like the characters were always just in the way of Takeo and Yamato. Because they’re time on screen are interesting, but they don’t really add much to the overall plot in general. Its more played out as how does Takeo and Yamato, react to this certain character’s experiences, and unfortunately, even for how interesting some are, they are really never seen again for the rest of the series. However this story is about the relationship between Takeo and Yamato, and I love almost every interaction they have with the other characters, and how the other characters help with their relationship. However, it does feel like every character is sort of nice to them, regardless. There is not much variety in their actions.

Animation and Sound - 7/10, 8/10

The art style uses a lot of bright colours and lighting, to really show off the soft sided part of this show. The animation itself is fine, it’s nothing too special. If there is one thing, that is really noticeable with some of the designs, it’s the cake designs that Yamato makes during the show, they look amazing. Now Takeo and Yamato are 2 characters that really stand out, because they look completely different from each other, but they look different from everyone else. To honest, most of the character designs are quite similar. Just because you have one character that looks completely different, doesn’t mean, that every other character should be similar looking to make him feel left out even more. And some of the characters look off. But for the most part the scenery really does a good job of setting the mood.

The soundtrack is rather nice, it does a good job of setting the scene and its really nice to listen to. There are some very cute tracks and some very dramatic tracks which really adds to the majority of the comedy in the anime. The opening song is very nice to, setting up the show. The ending is quite a slow song, that does it job. The voice acting is great too, Takeo and Yamato’s voices are completely different to everyone else and it just shows how much different these characters are.

Enjoyment - 9/10

I really loved watching this show, its cute and interesting. It is refreshing to watch a story about the relationship and moving forward rather than the wait to see if two characters can get together. The comedic moments are really entertaining, and are huge benefit to the show. The story is very touching and cute and its cleverly done. All the character interactions were entertaining, because of the majority of the reactions are completely over exaggerated. And no matter you’re always routing for the happy couple to solve their problems and further than relationship, than it already has. Yes there is some distractions along the way, but those distractions are enjoyable to watch as well, because sometimes other characters need some spotlight. Something to keep in mind, is that some of the jokes are re-used quite often.

Verdict - 8.5/10

For the story, I give it a 9, because the concept is really unique and they pull it off very well. The story touching and cute, and really well done. It does tend to get distracted here and there. But the plot is really enjoyable.

For the animation and sound, I give it a 7 and 8. The art suits the themes and the animation is fine as well, not great though. The majority of the characters however just look to similar to each other. The soundtrack does a great job of complimenting each scene and they are nice to listen to. The opening song is really good, the ending could be better buts not too bad.

For the characters I give them a 9. I love the relationship and development between Takeo and Yamato. Every character interactions helps build their relationship and there a lot of interesting characters. I just wished they were shown more after later on during the series, rather than being forgotten.

For my own personal enjoyment, I give it a 9. I love watching just about everything in this anime. The character interactions and story was well done. I was just routing for this couple to all the way to build their relationship. There are a lot of cute and funny moments in the anime, even though it gets distracted from time to time, those moments are enjoyable.

So for the overall score after rounding it up, I give My Love Story!! A 8.5/10. I recommend this anime to people looking for a good romantic comedy, it’s nice that the story is all about relationship building rather than gaining the confidence to ask each other out.