Ranked #3198

Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai.

NOTE: Again, this review is only based on the anime. I haven't read both the light novel and the manga.

EDIT: Some grammar check and minor addition of content. My opinion regarding the anime still remains the same.

After I and my ecchi-addicted friend watched the first episode of "Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai" (which we simply watched since I saw it here on MAL that it's like High School DxD), we both know that there's no sparks out there, trying to hook us - its watchers - to get into the anime. Despite that, we still continued to watch the anime. Although finishing the anime could be rewarding, I doubt that most people will have enough patience to last that long, with the anime's first four episodes not deviating from the usual ecchi anime formula, (with the clothes melting off and "OOH, BOOBS!!!") and the laughs simply not enough.

The male lead character, Ryousuke, is also your usual male lead character: a lecherous wimp of a teenager (though he gains some sort of powers, the first one - making him regain ero-energy - I find cheesy ). At least I find Lisara, the female lead, a good character, serving as a foil to the pervert Ryousuke.

The art and character design is very much similar to High School DxD. Not that I have any complaints about it since it actually looks nice and all.

What made the first four episodes "lacking in sparks" is that 1) the first episode basically showed all of Lisara's powers as a shinigami, and 2) the following episodes follows the usual plot developments of the usual ecchi anime, which has become, simply put, predictable and bland. By that time, some - if not most - of its viewers would've dropped the series, thinking that it shouldn't take half of the series' worth of episodes to get them hooked to the anime (unless all they're looking forward to is more boobs, that is).

The latter half of the anime features a genre shift from mostly ecchi/harem to more of action (although the fan service still is there), and by this point until the last episodes (which features another genre shift to romance), the story actually starts to have an identity of its own (and also, more sense to comprehend).

Unfortunately, this anime's problem - overall - is that it plays safe and by doing so, it actually became something that is trite and banal, so if you're going to watch this seeing that it's like another (albeit inferior version of) High School DxD. If, on the other hand, you haven't seen much ecchi in your whole life (or you simply just wants boobs, boobs and more boobs in your anime), then perhaps you might just enjoy this one. read more

If you're looking for an ecchi show, one that's filled with fan-service, one that has a perverted teen in his puberty years thinking about lewd thoughts, or a High School DxD clone, then look no further. So, I Can't Play H (also known Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai) is a series about a group of breasts with a perverted protagonist who makes the deal of his short life with a beautiful Shinigami, or in English terms, a grim reaper during a wet and rainy night.

~ The Deal

Or maybe known as the story. Well, the overall tone of the story is predictable and filled with common cliché, gags, and fan-service. The young boy Ryosuke Kaga (also better well known as Ero-suke, which in my opinion is the better name that suits him considering his nature) plays the main role of the protagonist. He is a perverted at some degrees but at the same time surprisingly funny to watch for his charms and will to protect the girls, or in his words “girls are to be treasured”. He is sort of the middleman compared to other perverted protagonists of the common gag in today's anime industries. For one thing, yes..Ero-suke is perverted but at the same time has a heart of gold, especially towards the shinigami he made a deal with.

Surprisingly though, there is an actual plot to this series. Can you believe it? An actual plot for an ecchi series! Well, foremost, there are tentacle like beings in the beginning that seems to come after the duo like pouring rice. Later on though, a more direct plot seems to develop and mysteries fill the void.

~ Goddess and the Servant

One of the main focus of the series is the interactions, relationship, and bond between main protagonists Ryosuke/Ero-suke and Shinigami Lisara Restall. With her deep scarlet hair and eyes, she is seen as a beautiful goddess of death. It is seems at first glance that she just wants to use Ryosuke for her own purposes. Later on though, we see that she does in fact cares for her dear servant, showing tendencies of care and even jealousy. Oh boy, my tsundere sense is tangling.

~ Others of the Daily Life

Of course, there are other characters that drives the series. We have the childhood friend who has boobs that evokes the jealousy of the other female cast. We have the Shinigami rival against Lisara who lately have developed a sense of lust and love towards Ero-suke. We have an idol who is seen as the mascot of the series.

Talk about daily life being turned upside down for our poor protagonist.

~ When life gives you money, you make fan-service

Being an ecchi show, it is no surprise that the theme of tentacles comes into play. In fact, the first episode and nearly every one so far shows this theme. And of course, clothes being shredded in combat, Ero-suke supplying his powers towards his partner through eroticism, and the inflatable boobs of our teen star idol also gives the show its gags.

Strangely though, this series actually makes sense through its usage of fan-service. Can you believe it? It's actually part of the story. As clothes gets shredded, it symbolizes a loss of power and weakness. As it comes back together, so does strength and the will to fight again! And of course, curtsey of AT-X, the series offers uncensored (yum) for those who wants to avoid the dark shades, light, and fog of the series that hides our guilty pleasures.

The art and music of this anime series is just average although some of the character designs actually seems to be quite appealing, namely Lisara's Shinigami outfit. If you don't believe me, just look at that beauty. Some of the soundtrack also plays its role to convey the battle moody actions in the other world against the tentacle like beings while other times just seems to be there and not really noticeable.

Well, that's not entirely true. "Platinum 17" by yozuca (the Ending theme song of the series) seems to be quite noticeable. It seems to show a possible future romantic relationship between Ero-suke and Lisara, a “forbidden love” between master and servant. The flower, the bath, the bedroom, it's all there. Unfortunately though, he doesn't really manage to flower the pot.

~ The verdict

Well, to enjoy this series, I would say that focusing on the story and characters seems to be the key factor. Yes, there is fan-service. Yes, there are the gags. Yes, there is cliché. What did you expect? If you can't deal with it, then hit the drop button now. However, it does seem that the verdict is not carrying its bar so high. With some of the latter factors as well as the dull plot coming around, this series seems is going downhill. It's not as hot as it originally was before and that's not an understatement. Ultimately, this series is one of those guilty pleasures to watch but for those more into the advanced plot settings with more insightful characters, then look elsewhere. read more