Romantic Killer

OTOME GAME but in actual anime???

Route 1: A kuudere male.
Route 2: The childhood friend.
Route 3: A narcissist male.
Special Route: ????

Romantic Killer is an anime show that is modeled after an otome game. One day, a wizard named Riri appeared out of nowhere in front of Anzu Hoshino, the main heroine, and deprived her of her three daily life necessities, Momohiko, her pet cat, video games, and chocolate, to force her into the situation of actually finding love interests and dating, as her love life was essentially non-existent prior to that??? I know what I just said is in the synopsis, but it is just the ... beginning and only scratches the surface of what to expect from the show.

We see Anzu Hoshino having random encounters and triggering flags from Riri's antics, and Anzu Hoshino trying her hardest not to fall for the traps set by the said wizard as her life becomes more flowery and resembles that of an otome game. The comedy is what distinguishes this show from other romcoms because it was the main highlight of the show and the romance was just the icing on the cake, minimal but there is actual progression, which mimics that of actual otome games. We learn more about the backstories of the main characters, side characters, and the main routes (the ikemens). In terms of romance, I wouldn't say all of the encounters were particularly realistic, but they do resemble those of VN games. There were a few references to other shows here and there, and there isn't much to dislike about the show.

The OP and ED fit the vibe the show wants to emit and give to the viewers, and as you watch more and more episodes, you become more and more invested. The only thing I didn't like about the art was the 3D animation and art style, which felt strange and out of place, even if it was sometimes intentional, but in the case of 2D art style, the transition from realistic to comedic-ish was actually nice and really blends well with the vibe and adds to the overall enjoyment of the show.

This show is better than I expected, which is not surprising given how low my expectations were for the show. In all honesty, I'm sure many people are turned off by the 3D in the trailer and actual art style, but if you give the show a chance, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. If you like romcoms or reverse harems like Hamefura's, then this show is for you. It was a fun ride from start to finish, and a sequel is definitely a possibility.

Finally a new romcom anime that focus heavily on comedy! the comedy itself is hit and miss, but the presentation is full of energy. I love it's over the top expressive art style breaking continuity. When the comedy hits, it slap hard with that kind of delivery. Overall the comedy is quite entertaining.

Being dating sim parody the meta joke is thrown a lot (it's funny), but also because this premise i can't take the romance seriously (even though it actually have decent romance), especially at the beginning, the plot device literally manifested as a real character, they also introduce new character like introducing ... NPC, it's too cliché & unnatural that i can only think their relationship as a big fat joke. it's fun and i laugh at it, but it become a problem when the show bring 'serious' moments, especially toward the end, watching how it become 'not a joke' just feel really weird.

But after all, this is a comedy show, and entertaining is what matter, it's actually quite good netflix show, you should give it a try! some of you will love this type of comedy & delivery, but if you don't feel like it after watching several episode it's okay, it's not for everyone.

ROMANTIC KILLER is my favorite anime of 2022

now— I already get that’s gonna raise a lotta eyebrows— even more so 'cause I went so far to make a MyAnimeList account just to talk about it— and I'm legitimately surprised at how many people are already watching and talking about it— something that makes me more happy than I can even say and— to me— really speaks to what makes this show so good

‘cause that’s right— in the year of CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS, MOB PSYCHO III, and fucking CHAINSAW MAN— this goofy-ass reverse harem parody anime is my favorite

“wow this bitch really sucks at watching anime” you’re ... probably saying

and— like— ok— yeah— I get it

but lemme explain

ROMANTIC KILLER isn’t necessarily better than those other anime I mentioned— or even a lotta other anime most would usually consider “great”— but what it is is really fuckin’ good at the hyper-specific thing it’s going for and— to me— it’s the exact kinda anime I didn’t even know I needed for the longest time

so let’s talk about it

how did I stumble upon this hilariously heartstring-pulling harem hidden gem? (I know it just came out but I’ve already got a feeling it’s gonna be way too overlooked)

I— like many others on any given day— was scrolling Netflix’s anime selection— it dawning on me (as it always does at the end of the year) that I’ve been really bad about catching up on this year’s new anime

ADHD tangent— for a bit of context— I’ve always found Netflix’s anime to be somewhat of a unique beast in that they’re one of the most prominent streaming services to actively seek the rights for Western distribution of anime— outside of other non-anime-centric streamers like Hulu and HBO Max who just get selections of what’s airing from Crunchyroll— nah Netflix goes outta their way (fitting in a “fuck Netflix” here just so I don’t forget to say it) to license anime that— when it’s a miss: we get at best enjoyable trash like HIGH-RISE INVASION— but when it’s a hit— fuck me do they hit: as I can weirdly enough say that a lotta my favorite anime of the past few years have come through Netflix— DEVILMAN CRYBABY, AGGRETSUKO, DOROHEDORO, STONE OCEAN, the films of Studio Colorido— and yes— ROMANTIC KILLER

but believe me when I say that I (like probably most others) found it by complete accident

I was actually planning on watching something more universally recommended to me (like CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS which I swear I’m wrapping up before the end of the year) but ended up getting recommended Netflix’s most recent anime offering at the top of my feed— and what can I say? the trailer looked fun— I dug the high-concept premise— it looked stylized in a me-core way— and, in full transparency, I’ll admit that I was probably looking for something a little more laidback: life’s been rough lately!

little did I know that my life was about to change

what I didn’t know prior to watching was that the original manga actually comes to us from Shōnen Jump Plus— aka— the place where a lotta the most exciting new anime are being adapted from— given the platform’s more experimental offerings that’ve blessed us with SPY X FAMILY, KAIJU NO. 8, DANDADAN, and Part 2 of CHAINSAW MAN

and ROMANTIC KILLER absolutely fits among those quickly beloved titles— even holding its own with a similarly stellar premise: Japan’s birthrates are declining and so a cupid (whose entire economy is based around making children’s dreams into reality) forcefully takes away a teenage girls videogames, chocolate, and cat until she finds a boyfriend amongst many potential candidates like a dating-sim

and if that premise alone interests you enough— for real just go and watch at least the first episode— ‘cause this show comes outta the gate swinging

yall— the opening episodes of ROMANTIC KILLER are easily the hardest an anime’s made me laugh in a long time— maybe since, like, BOBOBO-BO BO-BOBO— it really is just constant joke-a-second stuff here with a lotta really kinetic and stylized mixed-media formalism (aka extremely my fuckin’ shit) to make it land

I also didn’t know going in that the show’s animated by DOMERICA— who actually did THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU THE ANIMATION— and while that nor this aren’t necessarily the best looking shows— I feel like this one utilizes its budget well to make something that looks good and knows where to direct its resources to make a moment land

and it’s not just that laugh you do outta your nose by yourself humor— it’s real laugh out loud stuff here— with everything from great fast gags to a solid sense of setup and payoff involving layering jokes— like one in one of the early episodes where Anzu is afraid of cockroaches
* first the cockroach is pixelated
* then it’s visually represented by a cake (with a narrator announcing every time “roaches are unseemly, so instead, cake: you’re welcome”)
* and finally— Tsukasa kills the roach, he holds it up, and says “piece of cake”— and I lost my fuckin’ shit laughing so hard

but if there’s humor to spare here— then it’s weird to say that ROMANTIC KILLER also has its fair share of horror— a lotta what Riri does is straight up nightmarish— creating circumstances where the world is constantly out to get Anzu— even going so far as to isolate her from her parents in what no joke plays out like a nightmare I used to have when I was about to graduate high school

and it’s not even just fantastical stuff like that— I won’t go into spoilers— but let’s just say that there’s a late-stage plot development that— for somebody who had to deal with a stalker (and completely understands the more complicated mental illness that often goes into it and acknowledges that while the show probably could’ve done it better it’s nothing offensive at least to me)— made things feel like a full on horror anime

and yet— for all the humor, all the horror— what surprised me most about this show— one of the main reasons I’m spending so much time talking about it— is the heart

something I’ve failed to really bring up so far about ROMANTIC KILLER is the characters— and that’s ‘cause I really feel like I could just spend so much time talking about them— how strongly they’re established, how real their growth feels, and how I full-heartedly felt for them the more the show went on

Anzu is easily my favorite anime protagonist in ages— a hilarious lead who’s not afraid to tell it like it is as she pushes through shōjo bullshit left and right— but gradually starts to break down more and more of her own walls as she does the same for others— revealing a friend for life

the same could be said for Tsukasa, Junta, Hijiri, Saki, Tsuchiya, and even Riri— all characters that blatantly start out as caricatures but— as the show goes on— become just these real people— each with their own traumas to work through— that you really get attached to by the end

and that’s honestly what surprised me most the longer I stuck with ROMANTIC KILLER

it starts out as this over the top romantic comedy but— the more it goes on— becomes almost less about that and more about just living life— less of about falling in love shōjo style and more so one about just growing up, having to take care of yourself, being thrust into societal expectations, and getting by through caring for yourself and others— all of which made me sob so many times

let’s just say— if you go into the show rooting for Anzu to get with a specific person— you might be surprised

and that’s the best thing I can say about ROMANTIC KILLER— it really surprised me— and I’ve already got a feeling that it’s gonna be a new favorite anime for me <3

The fall 2022 season has brought great romance anime, which my favorite by far has been Romantic Killer. The characters, the pacing, the plot and the development are amazing, and they don't force romance on the MC, as ironic as it may seem considering she was forced to fall in love in an otome setting. It has the feel of a reverse harem, but every character has its own pacing and development. The backstories are deep and I grew attatched to every single character. However, I would have enjoyed a backstory for Hijiri, since he was supposedly part of the harem and he didn't get ... as much spotlight as Tsukasa and Junta, so I wasn't as fond of him as the others. An argument that made me substract a point on my rating was the ending, which felt a bit rushed, but I'm hoping for a second season, which was implied with a "to be continued...?"- which I'm hoping isn't a lie ( ；∀；).

!!! As a warning, the series may touch sensible subjects like SA or stalking, so it may be triggering for some (and I don't think the SA had many consequences as I would have liked).

Best Reverse Harem I've seen.
Cute, funny and wholesome with interesting characters. What a treat.

I just binged this anime in one sitting because I enjoyed it so much. I caught myself laughing at episode 2 and pretty much smiled throughout the whole show. There's definitely a lot of cliche situations - but the show is very selfaware and pokes fun at the romantic anime stereotypes. The characters seem like your typical stereotypes at first but quickly become very likable and interesting and you can't help but kind of root for every single one of them. I love the synergy the characters have together. Even though ... all the relationships seem forced at first it's extremly wholesome to see how the characters become closer, grow together and interact with eachother.

Best way to summarize how I feel about the show is that it simply made me happy. (But also sad because I finished it - I want more)

What an absolute banger of an anime.

The heroine is so refreshing and relatable - while others around her spend a lot of their time pursuing romance, she just prefers spending her time with what she loves: mainly, playing games, hanging with her beloved cat and eating chocolates.

That is until one day a “wizard” ropes her into a game, and forces her into romantic encounters after romantic encounters.

This series is insanely funny, and the wizard (who has no clue about how human romances work) trying to force romance on someone who is just not interested is very relatable to how society often reacts when someone is ... just not interested in dating. I loved that the heroine’s immediate reaction to being co-erced into doing things she didn’t want was to rebel and do everything in her power to make the plans fail. Why wouldn’t she? She didn’t agree to have her life upended. And I love that the anime’s main message followed in the same vein: just because certain situations can be forced, feelings can’t. The only times there were some romantic developments were when the characters were allowed to just exist and be themselves, without any sort of external powers trying to intervene. There were some unexpectedly deep themes covered as some of the love interests have darker backstories. I really hope there will be a second season, one where the heroine is allowed to just figure out what her new life can be without others meddling in it. I adored the love interests and the recurring characters- I just wish we could’ve spent more time with them, especially in the second half.

Refreshing, refreshing, refreshing!! Netflix did such a good job!! I was skeptical when starting this show, because a lot of anime Netflix has made has not been the best. But I enjoyed Kotaro Lives Alone and Komi Can't Communicate, so I gave this a chance! This show was so enjoyable, and the animation was really good in my opinion! I love how there wasn't any overload of fanservice, that's fine if you want that in a show, but sometimes it's nice to watch a rom com that isn't ecchi, and this one was perfect.

I feel like it's hard to find harem-themed lead lady romance ... anime that are a great watch, but this show was really good! It does have tropes that are commonly used, but it does not feel aggravating or forced. It is pretty much considered a harem (even though I would say it's more so a love triangle) but the show actually focuses more on the character development with the characters as friends than the actual harem itself.

The MC is great. She's an "anti-heroine", so not your typical girl you would see leading a romance anime. She's smart, funny, and she does not care about the attention of boys, which is so refreshing. She cares more about her friends, gaming and her cat. Hence the title "romantic killer". The storyline is also very clever, there's a magic entity which shows up in the MC's life and forces her into this dating simulation style life, which the MC is completely against. So, essentially the show starts out with the MC trying to ruin the romance she is being set up into, but then it turns into a wholesome story about friendship and love. There's also drama towards the end of the show which was great.

The boys in the show are great characters too. It's pretty obvious who has the highest chance of the MC falling for them and he's obviously the best boy! *cough* Tsukasa *cough*. Riri the magic entity is sooo funny and I loved the dynamic between Riri and our MC Anzu. There's drama, comedy, romance and the show actually hits deep topics as well (like sexual assault and our society's obsession which good looks). I don't want to give too much away, so I just think you should watch this if you like rom coms!

I also wrote a review because there potentially will be a season 2, which is hinted at the end, and hopefully if the show gets good enough ratings Netflix will do a season two!

If anyone is curious why the synopsis is misleading (the part of the synopsis where Anzu, the non-heroine type MC, is transported to a world full of hot guys) is that the anime made some slight changes from the first chapter of the manga where Anzu was actually sent to somewhere that resembles real life. But it is technically a reverse isekai since Riri the wizard came from the magic world AKA another world.

Aside from that, I highly recommend this show because the concept is unique where a magical being forces relationship and the heroine must avoid falling in love and Anzu's facial expressions ... make me laugh.

I write this review with great regret because the same person who watched this show at 9PM and would give it a 3 would never believe the person who finished this show and gave it a 10.

I was so sure after 7 full episodes that this was the most annoying and glaringly tone-deaf romance anime I'd ever have the displeasure of watching. The "trope subversion" was so painful to watch alongside the very "not like other girls" comedy that the anime was dishing. I could not care about any character, especially hating every moment Riri would show up and wishing every five seconds that it ... was written better.

I promised one more episode and we'd finally drop it and shelve this hate-watch for good. But episode 8 actually felt fun. It was nice and it was reminiscent of the things I usually love in shoujo romance anime.

Onwards from there I really could not believe at all that the same person wrote the first seven episodes. Everything that I wanted to be better actually happened and we ended up with actually really developed, human characters that I really liked. I went from disliking everyone to enjoying seeing all of them appear on screen again. It was insane to me to see myself love all the character dynamics and even the heroine that annoyed me to frustration for so long.

This anime deals with some very sensitive subject matter over boundaries and consent and I was extremely skeptical that it would ever handle it with the delicacy it deserved, but as the anime went on I really got to see it grow and my doubts laid to rest. I trusted the writing.

I know that objectively, if I averaged my ratings on a per episode basis, I should NOT be giving it a 10 by any means. I still hate the first 7 episodes (less than i did when i first watched them but still) and the latter half should not make up for it enough to make it a masterpiece, but it would be a disservice to say anything less, denying the way it made me feel. I started it hoping to like it, became painfully disappointed throughout, and then ended feeling the most visceral emotions I've ever been evoked from a media.

I've never seen a writing redemption like that in any media. Much less did I ever expect it from a 12 episode Netflix anime. Stuff like that usually takes several seasons. I'm glad I gave it that one more episode. I feel really weird to have such a heartfelt review for something like Romance Killer but anime is funny like that I guess.

I love Anzu. I love Riri. I love Kazuki. I love Junta. I love Hijiri. I love everyone in this anime. And I would not have believed that just a few hours ago. All the character dynamics feel so genuine and earnest and the entire story was wrapped up so well that I felt like it left my heart in such a safe place.

Romantic Killer was a rollercoaster of emotions for me, but it was a watch I don't regret. I felt so much and I laughed and I cried and I loved statistically every other second of it. It is good.

I'd like to think I have very high standards. I'm admittedly a bit of a snob when it comes to anime. I really like Romantic Killer. I don't think comedy was it's strong suit—I actually think it's one of the show's weakest aspects (minus the CG ikemen scenes those are great I love them). But the characters and their relationships in the latter half really managed to pull through.

Give it a watch if you think you can trust me, but you have to watch it all. Back to front. If we share the same taste, you'll love it to pieces. If we don't then I'm sorry and I hope you at least enjoy the next Chainsaw Man episode on Tuesday.

Romantic Killer Review (8.8)

The story is funny because he met a lot of men who became his friends. Cool animations but sometimes things are different. Even though the characters are serious, suddenly there is a funny scene and their character development is really on point. Good music but not for everyone.

STORY:9/10
It's a good story about how a gamer girl can find a lover. There are many funny scenes but even though the topic is serious, they still put in a funny scene.

ANIMATION:8.5/10
The animation is pretty cool but there are episodes that seem ugly but the animation of their reaction faces is funny HAHAHA.

... CHARACTERS:9.5/10
Her character development is good because a normal girl who loves games, chocolate and her cat and promised not to have a romantic relationship is slowly changing.

SOUND:8/10
The song is good, but it's not just that it's pretty good to listen to.

I haven't come across such a good comedy romance show in agesss but this one was it!
i cant tell u how much i enjoyed binging this!
this is not your typical romance comedy and i loved that.
i love how different this anime was and so creative with its story. every episode was so fun to watch <3
the show doesn't revolve around comedy only, it touches on important topics in the final eps which i think was really heart felt.
the art style is really cute and nice, i love how well the shows animated (chefs kiss)
the amount of funny scenes got me crying like ... hell.
All the characters are like-able and yeah i don't really have anything to complain about.
i do hope for a s2 in the near future cuz id love to see all of them again.
this is a must watch :)

It's been a while since I watched such a wholesome show. It's extremely funny how they play with cliches and it's a new perspective about love I really needed to see!! I love how this anime, above all, teaches the value of friendship and true connections.

The female protagonist is one of the best I've ever seen. She's funny, relatable and super charismatic. I'd love her in real life too, she's a badass. I also love Riri's character (surprisingly!) They'll grow on you as the episodes go by. My favorite charater!! (Even though I hated them at the beggining)

Overall, PLEAAAASE watch this!!! You won't regret ... it. Might be my favorite Netflix production along with Aggretsuko.

This anime brought out the wake up at 3:00 AM to answer texts from cute anime boys in me. Loved this show. Honestly, I was iffy about it at first. Expected some sort of crappy romance that I’d drop after 2 episodes. Its cliche but who even cares. Reminded me of when I was 10. Squealing and kicking my feet in the air rn. Definitely recommend this anime if you ever had that ‘God that anime boy with the black hair and red eyes is so sexy’ phase, or just any phase where you were obsessed with an anime character. This will give you ptsd ... flashbacks from your cringe 10-12 year old self, you’ll love it, trust me. Rated a 9 since it’s a bit cliche, but woo, nonetheless good. It’s pretty funny too, haven’t laughed while watching in anime in a while. The style is pretty nice too, it’s just overall easy to watch and get into. Need me a Junta though.

It's been pretty a long time I've seen a rom-com with no ecchi or lewd fanservices, this anime is a lifesaver for rom-com nowadays. Since nowadays rom-com is full of... romance targets teasing/& annoying the MC.

This is not isekai, but a creature is counted to be reverse isekaied.
The hardest part to clear is the wizard and project introduction. Too damn long, hope it can be compressed to just 3 min.
In terms of character exchanges, this anime did a good job. I love how Anzu is so shounen trope, and the others came from shoujo tropes.

A creature, Riri the wizard came to Anzu's place and set ... up things like in otome game so Anzu can get love. Because Anzu's 3 greatest needs got robbed so that she can get serious in the program, Anzu got stubborn and defied all the flags Riri sets. Still, she got surrounded by hot guys anyway.

Still can't really bear with how competitive Riri is. Too many scenes to make him look annoying, but a good guy in the end. It's kinda like forced. In short, I didn't like his char... or they, whatever that creature's gender is.

Story is like a breath of fresh air. The last time I enjoyed so much shoujo with comedy was in 2007 anime : Lovely Complex

Really reccomended, its funny its cute and the MC is awesome. She is strong, smart, know what she wants but she is also have a lot of emathy and know how to be a good friend and good human being.

Its only twelve episodes but after watching last episodes you feel that everything you needeed was delivered.

Even though its netlifx anime the art style fits the story.

If you are looking for good, funny anime with character ... that are not annoying this is for you :)

I heard some good things about this anime from someone and was curious to try it out. I don't usually watch RomComs because I dislike the unrealistic setups and the development of relationships. Yes, the setups are still unrealistic in this anime, but because it's a parody, and because the execution is so hilarious, it doesn't ruin the atmosphere at all. Never have a seen a RomCom make the female protagonist so aggressive and masculine before. It was hilarious and really created a very realistic and grounded woman. Honestly, I think that's what sold the series for me, the strong willed heroine, who has lots ... of comedic moments.

The animation was also top-notch. Perhaps this is due to it being an ONA. Presumably the studio had more time to animate the series. And because it's an ONA, the anime had excellent pacing, allowing the episodes to flow nicely and breath. They did this by adjusting the length of the episode as needed. Sometimes hitting as long as 30 minutes for an episode. Never did I feel like the pacing was a bore, or was moving too fast. On the whole, it was great pacing, and really made for a great binge watch.

Overall, it's a great anime that really cheered me up with its upbeat and fast-paced antics. Made for a great anime with great character and relationship development.

in terms of shojo teen romances, romantic killer is at the top! the main character isnt clueless with a shit personality, she knows when people are interested in her but draws her boundaries. she doesn't shit on other girls for being "weak" and even though she has the "im different from other girls" trope, its portrayed in a way that doesnt tear down other girls. she protects the weak while still being able to be vulnerable herself. she makes poop/pee jokes and doesnt care about being lame. the love interests are also very good! they arent toxic or have a fierce ... rivalry. one has a mysterious past while the other is her childhood friend that can accept other people having feelings for her without being toxic. romantic killer does a good job of exploring the side characters' pasts while still tying it into the main character.

Spoiler-free should-you-watch review:

Romantic Killer is sweet. It reminds me of Kaguya-sama with its ham-fisted comedic romance premise, but with a stronger grasp on the romance and drama, and a self-aware reverse harem twist. It's light enough to be *very* bingeable, but heavy enough to make you care when it counts. Nobody is objectified by the lens of the show, no children are casually sexualized, and while the protagonist's hardcore gamer personality can be a little cringey, I don't think it is at all fair to call the show tone-deaf. Maybe it isn't the *freshest* breath of fresh air, but it does smell really good.

From reading ... reviews of other series, I know some people don't sit well with the self-aware use of tropes; you can make fun of tropes, or you can use tropes, but you can't have your cake and eat it too. I don't agree with this, and I think Romantic Killer is a great example of my reasoning. The core premise, as I'm sure you've seen, is that a highschool girl is magically put into a "dating sim" experience against her will, surrounded by hot guys. It clearly takes a strong influence from dating sims and harem anime, but despite putting its characters into similar situations, Romantic Killer maintains a fundamentally different attitude thanks to its main character. Anzu is well aware of these tropes because she's familiar with that kind of game, and although the impetus of the plot is kind of ridiculous and handwavy, her spitefulness gives you a window of realism that peeks into both her personality and the world itself. Sure, the "point" of the premise is to convince her to pursue romance like a typical harem protagonist, but the role reversal allows Romantic Killer to maintain its identity even when submerged in harem shenanigans. It works well.

I also have to say, I quite like the art style, especially the main character's design. It is just quirky enough that it doesn't feel generic, but it's still quite attractive overall. The voice acting for the dub was also good, no complaints except for maybe the weird yellow creature, which I could take or leave. Big props to the performer for Yukana, who I thought had an outstanding performace with a ton of nuance.

The story was great. Yes, it's another high school anime. Yes, it's a reverse harem. But those are just words and labels. The fact is, Romantic Killer takes the time to make you care about its characters and understand their feelings, so when things get kind of dramatic, it matters to you. I suspect the perspective of the main character is what sells me on the romantic elements, but the real meat is in the well-developed drama. The comedy and fantasy did a good job of knowing when to give and take, always in good balance without ruining the pacing or plot (a big problem with similar series). I'm also happy to announce that the comedy wasn't just regurgitated anime character overreactions, there was plenty of setup and payoff, and a good bit of understandable absurdity. I watched, I laughed, I felt some feelings, and while I'd be happy to see more, I'm also pretty satisfied with the story ending where it did.

So that's about it, I'd recommend Romantic Killer to just about anybody, bonus points if you're familiar with corny dating sim tropes.

Well, It was definitely something.
I have to say, for a show that was supposedly supposed to resemble something of a Otome game. The idea of an oh so magical wizard named Riri appearing in front of our star of the show, Anzu Hoshino, banning her three daily necessities and her greatest desires, video games, chocolate, & her cat Momohiko. Now forcing her to find a love interest if she ever intended to see her precious belongings again..didn't exactly spark my interest, but this, this was a lot better than what I expected.
Lots of newly introduced characters every few episodes starting with the popular kuudere ... Kazuki Tsukasa, the childhood friend Hayami Junta, & the know-it-all narcissist Koganei Hijiri all eventually lead to incredible character development. Each episode has one wondering which of the three charmers, our star, Anzu Hoshino will actually end up with and which would be the one to win her over by the end.

The comedy wasn't incredible but it most definitely wasn't cheesy, after not having motivation to watch any anime for the longest time the wholesomeness and heartwarming feeling throughout the time that was spent watching this was very satisfying. I'm glad I took time out of my day to watch this.

Romantic Killer did something special here. Not only did it shatter my perception that all Netflix originals (except Violet Evergarden) are trash, it also reinforced the claim that reverse harems are SO much better than "normal" harem anime. Romantic Killer joins the likes of Fruits Basket and Yona of the Dawn as romance shows that prioritize wholesome and genuine moments/story-telling over fan service and blind horny.

Starting with the protagonist, Anzu is easily one of the best characters that I have seen in anime. The main reason being that, while she admittedly does not change much throughout the course of the story, her presence impacts the ... world around her in a healthy way and moves the plot forward. She is the type of person who is extremely likable, because she looks out for her friends in a non "holier than thou" kind of way and is a very genuine person. She's got her quirks and turbulent moments that make her come across as a realistic character as opposed to a fictional, "perfect" one.
Another refreshing take on her character is that, while she is modeled after the shut-in neat archetype that doesn't socialize and simply plays video games all day, she is not a complete social outcast and still retains a presence in the classroom. Perhaps it is simply a double standard (the idea that introvert girls have an easier time being accepted by their peers as opposed to boys), however it nevertheless comes across as a nice change of pace to this genre. In a way it normalizes the existence of "gamer girls" in a non-fetishized way, which is an interesting concept to think about.

As for the other characters, they all have a clear purpose in the story and are honestly all likable in their own ways (save for the obvious antagonists of the last arc). The way that they end up gravitating towards Anzu and develop a desire to look out for her is done in a very wholesome manner, because they are repaying the kindness that they received with their own forms of kindness. The viewer is encouraged to cheer for each and every one of them as they go through their personal battles, many of which are relatable. Even the talking magic potato had a "real one" moment towards the end that made me reconsider my opinion of them in a positive manner. The three main love interest also have their moments and appropriate screen time (considering it was only 12 episodes) that developed them into complex characters, and honestly I would not be angry with any of them "winning" the romantic polygon.

If I had to pick a negative for this show, its that the last arc felt a little too serious for what was up to that point a goofy and comedic show. Not that the plot material was bad or irrelevant, just executed in a manner that seemed too drastically different. Nevertheless, the last arc resolves adequately and leaves the viewer with a satisfying conclusion while teasing for the possibility of a season 2.



P.S. I highly recommend that you watch this in the Polish dub. It was thoroughly entertaining and a lot better than I was expecting.