'Making a rom-com anime is simple, but making a simple rom-com anime is the hardest thing there is.' - Otaku Cruyff........ Though that was a playful twist on Johan Cruyff's wisdom, it encapsulates what I loved most about 'Astro Note'. That is its simplicity. This anime's charm lies in its straightforwardness, mirrored in every character it portrays. 'Astro Note' is a must-watch, especially if you're nostalgic for the 90s or simply a rom-com enthusiast. Plot (7/10): The core of 'Astro Note's' plot is reminiscent of many classic anime, employing the familiar 'living under the same roof' trope. In this regard, 'Maison Ikkoku' notably comes to mind. The young,beautiful female lead who is a 'Mibo-jin,' the presence of a pet dog—these similarities can't be mere coincidences. Yet, despite these parallels, 'Astro Note' carves out its own unique identity, steering clear of being a mere 'Maison Ikkoku' clone.

The characters are compelling, and the situations they navigate are engaging. This rom-com doesn't just spotlight the main couple but delves into the lives of the side characters as well. Such depth is rare these days, given the constraints of a typical 12-episode season, which often struggles to develop multiple relationships fully while giving minor characters their due. 'Astro Note' faces some challenges because of this approach, but it also gains significantly by making its world feel more real and its characters more relatable. On the other hand, the sci-fi elements in this anime don't play a significant role in the storyline for most of the show. In conclusion, 'Astro Note' is primarily a comedy anime with some romance and a touch of slice-of-life.

Characters(7/10):

Like many other anime series featuring a group of people sharing a house, 'Astro Note' has a cast of eccentric characters. There's a jobless adult who always stays in his suit-and-tie attire, a boy who wants to crossdress, a small old man, an unsuccessful and depressed idol, a professional chef who just lost his job, and a couple of actual aliens. Each character receives roughly the same amount of screen time. Perhaps Aoi-chan, whose situation adds complexity to the main couple's relationship dynamics, gets a bit more focus towards the end.

Each character's story feels genuinely believable, and the creators handle some complex topics quite nicely. However, amid all these stories, the development of the main couple feels neglected. Their relationship receives much less focus than it deserves, making the eventual romance feel rushed and underwhelming.

In addition to the main cast, there are other characters, some of whom impact the story significantly, while others do not. The old hag, for instance, is primarily there to add humor. Unfortunately, not every joke delivered through her character lands well, and her antics become tiresome over time.

Animation (7.5/10):

As this is an original anime, there's no reference point for comparison. However, the art style, while unconventional, was neither bad nor strange. It was acceptable. I appreciated the character designs, and the studio consistently maintained the same quality throughout the anime's runtime.

Audio and Soundtracks (7/10):

Though perhaps one of the least popular shows of the season, this anime featured experienced and prominent voice actors, resulting in solid voice acting. The opening and ending songs were decent-not the best or particularly catchy, but they weren't bad either. The effort put into the visuals of the opening sequence was evident and paid off well.

Overall (7.2/10):

While I can't say 'Astro Note' is particularly unique or jaw-dropping in any aspect, it achieves what it intends to: keeping the story relatively simple and laid-back while focusing on the humor of the show. It does a good job in that regard. 'Astro Note,' as a comedy and slice-of-life anime, is a really good watch. However, if you are specifically looking for a sci-fi or romance anime, you might not enjoy it as much. In the end, 'Astro Note' manages to wrap up things quite nicely, making it an anime worth calling 'underrated' (it's rated 6.57 at the time of writing this).