One of the most important things to get out the way when watching this show: The place and role of the main characters, in this case the male and female leads, Miketsukami Soushi and Shirakiin Ririchiyo. Miketsukami is a 22 year old incarnation of the Kyuubi, the fox spirit, and Ririchiyo is a 15 year old high school student. Keeping in mind that this is a clear 7 year difference in age, one cannot blame the casual anime watcher feeling a bit uncomfortable in a situation like this. Seeing as how Japanese culture views older male partners coupling with younger girls and women as acceptable, this is not a fault within the show itself. Although again, it may be odd to some, hence the confusing mix of feelings one feels as he/she completes this show. I say a confusing mix, because Inu x Boku, admittedly, presents a very solid storyline that fulfills its goals and generally feels satisfying. The characters are fleshed out, the humor is original, the animation is very good, and the situations are unique to themselves. There would seem to be a paucity of complaints, but it is because it is such a solid show that problems arise.
The big one, and this may not be a problem to most (much more of a personal problem). The age gap between our respective love couple. The reason for such discontent with the romance aspect of this show is because the show presents such a deep past that links together with the present to create a meaningful, not-spur-of-the-moment love that is justified in all sense. The feelings of loneliness, lost identity, and the need for "reciprocation" between one another in the process of healing, are all perfectly identifiable and explainable in every sense. As people, the love is honestly genuine. But yet, I just can't seem to rid the thought of, "What if the age gap was a bit smaller? Would it feel more... relatable? More 'romantic'?" Of course, all of this rests on the subjective opinion that the closer you are in age, the more likely you are to understand your loved one. It may be true in some sense, but the show sets up the plot so that it proves such an idea otherwise, which I find impressive and also a bit frustrating. For me, at the end of the last episode, it felt unbalanced even when the show went to great lengths to make sure that it didn't.
"Happiness from love transcends age difference". I wonder then, where the line is drawn, if at all?
One thing Inu x Boku had going for it was the small cast of interesting SIDE characters. Although their own stories were trivially small compared to the main leads', it kept the show moving and respectably created an atmosphere full of personality and purpose. Aside from the 'main' side characters(yes, main side characters), some of the side characters made relatively few appearances, which wasn't a problem necessarily. But, I would have liked to have seen all of them more equally. However, the interesting personalities of the characters that DID make recurring appearances were enough rapports to continue on the main storyline.
Perhaps the personality of the main male character simply did not resonate with me, but I found his obedience and extreme level of devotion somewhat dull and expected. It became a punchline that quickly grew old a few episodes in, and I felt that they could have done a much better job of refining his personality.
The sound was not particularly noteworthy, and I don't remember any of the musics played. Looking back, it almost seemed like an afterthought, like it blended a bit too much into the background.
Inu x Boku is an original love story, but could have most definitely stood out more than it did. Short and sweet, but nothing that popped out.
