Alternative TitlesEnglish: Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions Synonyms: Chu-2 Byo demo Koi ga Shitai!, Regardless of My Adolescent Delusions of Grandeur, I Want a Date! Japanese: 中二病でも恋がしたい!
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 12
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 4, 2012 to Dec 20, 2012
Duration:
24 min. per episode Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing company
StatisticsScore: 8.201 (scored by 48877 users)
Ranked: #2742
Popularity: #132
Members: 81,715
Favorites: 1,505 1 indicates a weighted score
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SynopsisYuuta Togashi suffered from chuunibyou while he was in middle school. When he graduated, he put that dark history behind him and forgot about it... or he was supposed to. High school was smooth sailing and full of enjoyment—until the unavoidable, sad event occurs. The event that locks Yuuta into a contract with Rikka Takanashi and disrupts his desperately ordinary life.
(Source: adapted from the back of the first novel) |
Related AnimeAdaptation: Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai!
Side story: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Lite, Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!: Depth of Field - Ai to Nikushimi Gekijou
Sequel: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!: Kirameki no... Slapstick Noel, Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! 2
Summary: Takanashi Rikka Kai: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Movie
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Reviews
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Veronin
219 of 422 people found this review helpful
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12 of 12 episodes seen
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| Overall |
7 |
| Story |
6 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
Growing up is not an easy process, and there are always moments that one looks back upon with a sense of embarrassment and regret. One might ask what it is that truly marks the transition into adulthood: the ability to live independently, or maybe the conformity and adherence to social norms. Are the people who remain true to their childhood interests not grown up, then? Perhaps. But is there anything wrong with that? It's hard to say.
There's a strange term used in Japanese internet culture. "Chuunibyou", or more literally "Eighth-Grade Syndrome", refers to matured individuals with an absurd self-created persona. Remember the times as a child when there was a TV character you found appealing and you pretended to possess their superhuman abilities in real-life? A chuunibyou is a teenage or adult form of that, but to such an extent that the fictional persona defines their entire lifestyle. Certainly, behaving this way in public would make for some embarrassment, and recovering from such a past even more so.
Poor Yuuta.
It's an experience that he knows all too well. After suffering from chuunibyou throughout middle school as the "Dark Flame Master", he makes the decision to move on from the past and attempt to live his highschool years as a normal student. To ensure victory and start anew, Yuuta applies to a high school where none of his middle school classmates are attending. It may have been a successful plan, too, if not for the unusual appearance of a beautiful girl on his balcony.
Her name is Takanashi Rikka, a current chuunibyou, representing everything that Yuuta used to be and desired to forget. Worse, she recently moved into the same apartment complex and overheard Yuuta's last days as the Dark Flame Master, ensuring that it is not a past he will escape so easily. He unwillingly gained Rikka's interest in him as a result, and his attempts to make a pleasant first impression at his new high school are interrupted by Rikka's chuunibyou provocations. The fact that Yuuta wants to forget and start anew is irrelevant, because for her their relationship is a destiny revealed through her "Wicked Eye". Perhaps she wasn't entirely false, either, occult terminology aside.
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai, shortened to Chuu2-Byo, is a title that stands out for the interaction between these two characters. It's nostalgic (and often times embarrassing!) to see the characters act in silly ways reminiscent of childhood, though without the endearing cast of characters this would probably seem like little more than a neat gimmick. Yuuta and Rikka are what make the anime, and their interaction is nothing short of adorable and hilarious. Both of them have substance and play off of each other in creative ways, such as Yuuta using his abandoned Dark Flame Master persona in order to cheer Rikka up when she's feeling depressed, or her playing around in awe with his old gear. It's definitely cute, and cuteness is something that Chuu2-Byo has no shortage of.
An important addition to the character dynamic are the side characters who each fulfill their own role in the series. Sanae Dekomori, ace middle school student and proud chuunibyou, behaves as servant to Rikka and her Wicked Eye, possessing a weapon of considerable danger in the real world: her excessively long pigtails. Kumin, a senior with a fondness for napping, and Isshiki, Yuuta's jealous male friend and classmate, also highlight the cast. The most important of these characters, however, is Nibutani Shinka. Despite initially being the only character in the anime truly definable as 'normal', she is actually an ex-Chuunibyou herself, much like Yuuta. When her dreaded past is discovered by Yuuta, she throws away any notion of kindness in order to keep him from spilling the truth. As Rikka develops her own feelings for Yuuta, though, Nibutani begins to display a much more compassionate and benevolent side to her personality, even going as far as to use her old persona to help them progress.
Appearances often mislead, and Chuu2-Byo is exemplary of this. What seems to be a cute slice of life revolving around the chuunibyou lifestyle is actually structured as a love story. Comedy is predominate during the first six episodes, but hints of Rikka's feelings for Yuuta are consistently displayed as the series progresses. Love is an emotion that she is not familiar with, and amidst the confusion there is often an overlap between her sensitive side and her chuunibyou side, often using this persona to hide her embarrassment. It's very endearing to watch her feelings develop as she realizes that these are emotions not of respect, but genuine love. The romance is exceptionally subtle, while consequently there is no overbearing drama used to advance their relationship.
At least for the first half.
There's often a problem with drama in anime, especially since it tends to hit the viewer with all the subtlety of a speeding subway. Titles like Toradora and AnoHana are a couple examples of drama on overdrive, and occasionally Chuu2-Byo can feel a bit like those titles in the last six episodes. Is there anything inherently wrong with excessive drama in an anime? Certainly not. After all, it depends on the execution itself and other aspects such as the characterization and dialogue. But what when the drama comes from nowhere, undermining the appeal of the series and turning it into something else entirely? This is where problems occur in Chuu2-Byo. What starts out as a lighthearted comedy with subtle romance becomes an exhaustive high school drama in the second half, and it really hurts the series as a result.
Why change it, then? It's a question that I might never find the answer to. It's not as though the anime was lacking in substance before that point, or that it needed to make a sudden switch to develop the characters and their relationship. Yuuta and Rikka were steadily progressing, and there were still the occasional dramatic moments that felt natural to the show. While there isn't so much an issue with the execution of the second half (exaggerated crying and yelling aside), it is a problem when the anime feels like two entirely different shows in one. It might have been less of an issue if aspects of the first half still subsisted, but the comedy is unfortunately tossed aside in favor of drama. Which is disappointing, as the lighthearted character interaction is what made the first half of the anime so special.
There are also some other minor complaints if one were to nitpick, such as Kumin being a pointless character and adding nothing besides a few cute scenes of her sleeping, or the contrivances of some of the dramatic situations (receiving a letter written years ago at the most convenient time — really?), but on the whole it doesn't do much to detract from what is an otherwise well-written and heartwarming experience.
On a more positive note, the lavish production values customary of KyoAni do a solid job of enhancing the emotional value of each scene. Character designs are appropriately cute while the animation has an extraordinary level of polish and finesse, particularly during the faux action sequences often illustrated whenever Rikka has a confrontation with another character. More commendable, though, is the storyboarding of some scenes. There are a few moments in the anime that are truly breathtaking, such as Yuuta and Rikka quietly sitting together under a bridge and watching the lights of society shine and flicker along the river.
A fundamental piece to any good love story is the presence of an emotional soundtrack, and Chuu2-Byo does not disappoint with its music. Fitting tracks are used for both the lighthearted and dramatic moments, and there is a particular piano piece that will manage to pull your heartstrings a bit whenever it is used. The opening and ending sequences are also quirky and memorable, and these songs will most likely be glued to your head for quite a while afterwards. With that said, it's always a little amusing during the second half of the series when the upbeat ending song plays immediately after a dramatic scene. It really represents the disparity of the two halves.
Chuu2-Byo is certainly not a miraculous or flawless anime by any means, but it is easily above the vast majority of anime out there (the romance genre especially). Perhaps the drama won't upset you nearly as much as it did with me, or it could possibly enhance the experience for you, even if changing the entire tone of an anime midway through will no doubt cause some concern.
But if I'm to be rewarded with a genuinely heartwarming story, six episodes of unadulterated fun, and one of the best romantic pairings in the past few years— is it worth a little bit of frustration? Probably. read more
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Stark700
262 of 540 people found this review helpful
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12 of 12 episodes seen
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| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
7 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
I like to laugh. Who doesn't? I like to smile. A smile always brightens the day. I like to watch some high school kids pretending who they are not and cosplaying as characters like the Dark Flame Master. Oh, I guess this is the right place then because Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! can do all three of those things. Killing three birds with one stone, awesome isn't it?
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! (Regardless of My Adolescent Delusions of Grandeur, I Want a Date!) is an anime series based on the novel of the same name that is produced by Kyoto Animation. Some fans of Kyoto Ani (Clannad, Hyouka, Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu) will definitely rejoice because the Japanese studio is already well known for its rich visuals and aesthetics. They have been involved with many series with the typical high school life being turned from normal to abnormal and they did it once again!
The series takes place at a typical high school setting. It involves a young boy named Yuuta Togashi who is suffering a case of...chuunibyou, or “Middle School 2nd Year Syndrome". In technical terms, it is a condition in which an individual deludes themselves as being a smartass and looks down on others. They also believe they have some sort of “special power” that excludes themselves from the normal society. It's actually quite common though. I don't know if you ever felt this way but a lot of people do weird things in high school. I mean, it's like how you used to believe yourself as a superhero like Batman or Superman when you were younger. Good days, good days.
And of course, high school has it all: drama, comedy, romance, delusions, cosplaying, and all that other good stuff. So without further ado, let's introduce the two main characters:
Rikka Takanashi – forget that eyepatch. This girl has that syndrome I'm talking about. She visions herself with the “wicked eye”. (which sadly is just some colored contacts) Unlike Yuuta however, she still has the chuunibyou. She is the girl who gets the most abuse but also the one that brings out the most laughter with her absurd yet comedic stances throughout the series. Take for example..that random scene when she bounces around like crazy during the pilot episode or those Lelouch-like poses.
Yuuta "Dark Flame Master" Togashi – he USED to have the chuunibyou syndrome. But now, it seems that his past is haunting him once again when he meets Rikka. He used to believe himself to be..the Dark Flame Master. I'm trying to envision myself exactly what is the Dark Flame Master. Does it have flames? Is it a master of the underworld? Or is just some villian who can emit cool flames. At any rate, his high school years becomes abnormal after meeting Rikka.
There's not too much of a story to be honest yet. The series is more about comedy and the events that surrounds the main characters. They live their high school days like normal teens although the majority are anything but normal. For example, Sanae and Rinka has this Tiger and Dragon rivalry. They fight in absurd ways that is beyond normal by the way they delude themselves. Yes you got it, they also have the chuunibyou as well, or at least used to. Later on though, the series takes some more emotional turns with a few insights into the past, especially those into our main female protagonist, Rikka-chan.
The artwork of the series is glorious like most of Kyoto Animation's other works. Its background settings of rich visuals are there and reflected upon every delusion, every action, every laughter, every chuunibyou-like behavior. Kazumi Ikeda who is involved with the character designs of the series brings out the M in moe from the characters like Rikka, Yumeha Togashi (Yuuta's cute little sister), and Kumin Tsuyuri.
The soundtrack is also quite lighthearted that reflects upon the comedic mood of settings and characters. When there are battle scenes though, it swiftly changes to a more fast paced rythym to make it looks like it's real despite the fact that it's just a delusion. Now as for the OP song..wow, just wow. "Sparkling Daydream" by ZAQ sure got their point through. The opening song of the series induces eye seizures. Every time I watch it (even upon now occasionally), the scenes flashes back into your head and makes your eyeballs follow them endlessly. Of which, the OP song is also catchy with the silly pose of Rikka-chan. The stance of “(σ O ω・)σ←↖↑↗→↘↓↙←↖↑↗→↘↓↙←↖↑↗→↘↓↙←↖↑↗→↘↓↙← “ is ridiculously catchy and there have been many parodies on the net to mimic it. On the other hand, the ED song "INSIDE IDENTITY" by Black Raison d'être seems ordinary with a nice melody.
Ultimately, Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! is a very entertaining series to watch. It's not like the usual harem with a pathetic protagonist who can't make up his damn mind. But rather, it involves a kid who tried to escape from his past but ends up living it now with his new friends at high school. Entertainment is not so easy to bring these days especially with a lot of already used ideas but this one here is executed pretty well in my opinion. So, give it a shot.
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Recommendations
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Both have characters with embarrassing secrets from their past that they are trying to hide.
Both are about a girl that finds out a boy's secret. Therefore the boys have to stay around them so other people won't know about it.
Both have ex-chuunibyou characters.
- Dark flame master
- Burning fighting fighter
both "chuuni" main characters
A few simple words...
Chuunibyou Syndrome.
Both of the main male leads have ex-chuunibyou syndrome and then a girl appears who finds out their secret and so they stay together.
Although in Chu2byou Koi Shitai the girl has chuunibyou while in Oreshura she doesn't.
((I actually haven't finished Chu2byou yet so uhh... I'll update this when I finish both.))
Both main characters trying to move on after have 8th grade syndrome and moving to High school.
-The Delusions
-The "Crazy Hard To Watch" Factor
-The "Secret" that I won't tell you
Each of these stories revolve around the characters suffering from their past "8th grader syndrome" only to be bribed or threatened into helping the female protagonist, Each have that light hearted comedy aspect as well as the main character fighting his feelings for the Main female.
If you've watched and liked Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai then Oreshura should already be on your list seeing as they're both very similar anime that give off the same feelings as you watch with a good flow of enjoyable and serious moments to keep you following along.
The same:
Both involves guy who was one chuunibyou and found himself blackmailed of having his secret expose.
Not the same:
One has an extra harem genre, while the other has romance as it's main genre.
Both series have very similar plots, characters, and humor. If you like one you will probably like the other. Chu2 is not a harem but but still feels similar and the MC has mostly girls for friends. While Ore no Kanojo is definitely harem but shares many recurring themes with Chu2.
if you liked oreshura you're probably going to like chuu2 as well. both of them have a guy who's trying to hide from his immature past.
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Both series are really similar with the idea of a male protagonist being pestered/bullied comically by a very strange/publicly embarrassing female protagonist that believes in the occult. Both girls make hybrid clubs which a few characters join for various reasons, and along with these people the main protagonist must figure out the story behind this strange girl in order to help her.
-Both male protagonists have to take care of a peculiarly eccentric girl
-Both animes are school life that have a balance of comedy/romance/drama
Our normal hero gets dragged into a weird club by the main heroine and other seemingly normal people join in the clubs crazy antics. Not only to form outstanding friendships but even love.
Both involve a guy who more or less prefers a normal life, at the start.
Weirdo girl who does as she pleases, and forms a club.
Both Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! and Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu are base off novels from the main guys point of view.
Also both series are about a guy trying to move on from his past involving supernatural and occult things.Then get the exact opposite when the main girl protagonist comes in and drags them along into making a club to help them search for and do supernatural and occult things.
Same studio, both feature male protagonist that meets a strange and hyper girl and form a club
Both shows feature a weird girl and a normal boy. While Haruhi is a firm believer in the supernatural, Rikka thinks she has supernatural powers. Both series will make you laugh from their randomness.
The similarities in these two series are quite alike in my estimation.
First of all, both series takes place at a school life setting that have been adapted from a novel. Both series also employs the same studio hence the similar feeling and atmosphere.
In regards to characters, both series has a fun cast to get to know with. The main male protagonist is a normal boy who has to deal with the strange personalities of the other characters namely the main female protagonist. The main female protagonist in both series are strange and has a strange fascination with a mind strange of ideas.
Both series has great comedy, drama, fictional delusions, and a little romance here and there.
both have a normal guy taking care of a weird girl, or he trys to in haruhi lol
they both act like they dont want to be involved with her but they're always there supporting or guiding her. (or trying to guide her)
Almost the same plot :)) Male protagonist drag into creating a weird Club then start going there because of beautiful of girl
Both tell the story about a fairly normal, socially conscious boy who meets a girl with strange obsessions and is near enough forced to hang around with her, and he may even fall in love with the mysterious girl.
Female protagonist is very similar to Haruhi, both in her delusions of extradimensional grandeur and her domineering personality. Both involve useless, quirky high school clubs. Chuunibyou is definitely more light-heated, but fans of Haruhi will enjoy.
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Opening Theme"Sparkling Daydream" by ZAQ
Ending Theme"INSIDE IDENTITY" by Black Raison d'être (Maaya Uchida, Chinatsu Akasaki, Azumi Asakura, Sumire Uesaka)
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Related ClubsAnime Manga Otaku (A.M.O), The Fukuyama Jun Fanclub, ~*Insignificant classmates & background characters*~ (IS~BG), Anime Music Video World, CLOSED, M⑨echan, Make a recommendation for..., Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!, Thigh Highs FC, Anime Buddies!, Anime Adapted Light Novels/Novels, MAL Synchtube Theater, Lyos Anime Gif, Rikka Takanashi FC, School Life Club, Tsuyuri Kumin FC, Romance+, The Magic Society Napping Club, Chuunibyou Role Play, Romansu Anime/Manga FanaticsOverrated or Underrated Animes and Mangas, Far Eastern Magic Nap Society of Summer, Cardinal Leger Anime Club 2012-13, Anime Indonesia, Cute and Sexy Anime Fanclub, Slice of Life Club , Romantic comedy Anime <3 (RCA<3), Satone Shichmiya FC, All the Hot Guys from A&M 2, Jakerams has good taste., Go Kyoto Animation! see all
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