Review of Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
Hot damn, what a good anime. Just finished my second run through it after about a year and feel like a review is necessary. Firstly, I'm going to briefly mention what sets it apart from other anime of the same genre. 1: It doesn't take place in a learning institution of any kind. 2: All the characters are working adults. 3: Relationships are established in the first episode. 4: Basically no drama or tension whatsoever. I'm just going to stop there, they've basically committed every sin in the rom-com formula book by violating those 4 principles. It's a breath of fresh air isthe point I'm trying to make. Shouldn't be such a rare thing but it is and damn if I don't appreciate the **** out of it.
This anime is adorable. About 90% of the episodes ended with me grinning from ear-to-ear with my heart full of warm fuzzies. This adorableness is largely due to the fact that this anime doesn't waste screen time on bogus drama and tragedy. Don't get me wrong. I like my bogus drama and tragedy. But this anime says NO to it, Blue Submarine #6 style, and it's a wonderful, beautiful thing. The focus of almost every episode is essentially to develop teh pre-established relationships. Since there is no nonsense backstories or dramas to deal with, this anime is able to focus on comedy. Maybe 2% of the entire anime is like backflash or some kind of explanation for something which is fucking awesome. Which brings me to my next point of why this is the bees-knees.
The characters... They're grown ass adults and there is very little traditional "character development" to be had. Screen time is dedicated mainly to involving these personas in interesting and fun situations, specifically geared to give you the giggles and the warm fuzzies.
You know, I'm just going to stop this review here. My only complaint about one of the best shows I've seen in awhile is that it was too short and had no conclusion or defining story arc, which honestly might be a good thing. Definitely got my heart yearning, YEARNING FOR MORE, and I'll be reading the manga for sure. -1 point for being too short.