One of the problems with harem rom-coms these days is the tendency to try and be creative in unusual ways. The problem, specifically, is that the writers and mangaka assume that by simply including something like aliens, youkai, body switching, etc, etc, then the story automatically becomes new and innovative.
Fujiwara Sato, the creator of the manga upon which this anime is based, decided to adds cats. No, not catgirls, just cats (although girls are present in the story as well).
Nyan Koi follows the life of one Kousaka Junpei, a high schooler who lives with his mother, sister, and pet cat, but who suffers from
...
a severe allergy to all things feline. One day he accidentally knocks the head off a statue belonging to the local cat deity, and from then on he can understand everything every cat is saying. His pet Nyamsus tells him that he has been cursed by the cat god, and that unless he helps 100 cats he will be turned into a cat himself.
The only problem though, is that his allergy will kill him at that point.
Now, I will admit to a certain bias here. This past year I have been following two particular manga dealing with cats and humans - Nyan Koi and Koi Neko, and of the two, Koi Neko has the better story. That's not to say that Nyan Koi is bad in terms of it's plot, but it does suffer from a certain genericism brought on by the fact that it's a harem story. That said, the anime adaptation follows the manga pretty well up to the last couple of episodes, at which point it goes off at a tangent.
That's not a bad thing mind, but in the case of Nyan Koi it feels more like an attempt to entice the viewer into watching the second series, especially as, aside from one or two hints, the events in the show don't really support most of the final episode.
However, the plot does have some redeeming qualities in that the humour from the manga has maintained, especially where the cats are concerned. The scripting is also well handled for the most part, barring a few odd inconsistencies come the last few episodes, however this should be no surprise given that much of the show is the anime form of the manga.
The bright and cheery colour scheme reflects the fact that this is a fairly simple harem comedy. The animation is well handled and choregraphed, and the show makes good use of different animation techniques to emphasise the humour. That said, Nyan Koi does suffer from a degree of genericism when it comes to presentation. Certain scenes are reminiscent of many other harem anime, and the characters themselves are formulaic in their designs, and this includes the cats.
In terms of sound the series is well served with it's cast of voice actors, all of whom are very talented in their own right (for example, Tanaka Atsuko, who plays the role of Nyamsus, is also the actress behind Kusanagi Mokoto of GitS: SAC, 2nd Gig, 2.0 and Innocence). The one problem though, is that their talents are underused, however this is purely an outgrowth of the fact that this is a comedy show rather than a serious tale. That said, they do portray their respective characters well, especially in the more humourous moments.
The OP is a simple J-Pop ditty sung by Sakakibara Yui called "Nyanderful" that, while being upbeat, is nothing particularly special. Likewise the ED, "Strawberry ~Amaku Setsunai Namida~" (sung by Imai Asami), while being a more melodic than the OP, is again, nothing to write home about.
In all honesty the music, although being reasonably well composed, is fairly generic throughout the series, and while the choreography is fairly well handled, there is a certain lack in terms of impact because of this.
As far as the characters go, they're all pretty much what one would expect from a harem comedy. That's not to say that they're bad though, as they're nicely presented for the most part. It simply means that they're formulaic and, because of this limitation, they are only allowed to develop in certain ways. However, given the mass of harem comedies appearing over the last few years it has to be said that while Nyan Koi does have generic characters, they're nowhere near as bad as some I could mention.
One thing I will point out though, is that the addition of cats, and their effect on Junpei, is actually beneficial for the series as a whole. While the overall effect isn't really telling to the viewer, the relationship between Junpei and the various felines he helps allows the viewer to relegate the harem aspect of the series, and this allows the humour to come to the fore.
Now I will admit that I did find myself chuckling to this show, as many cat owners might find themselves doing in certain scenes. While I'm not a big fan of harem anime in general, the cats allow one to appreciate the humour in amore defined manner, and the show has less of a need to place the lead male in various ecchi sitautions in an attempt to get some laughs - something which is a big plus in my book.
While the series isn't a complete transposition of the manga, it does have the benefit of allowing the viewer to appreciate the visual humour in a way that the manga just couldn't convey. That said, the last few episodes, being anime originals, do suffer because the writing in them just isn't as good as it is in the rest of the series.
Fans of harem comedies may be of two minds about the show to be honest. There's a number of good points to the series, however there has been no real attempt to step away from the generic nature of the typical harem anime, and this places limitations on what can and can't be done. This is actually one of the reasons why I prefer Koi Neko over Nyan Koi as, while both include cats talking to humans, Koi Neko takes a completely different approach.
Nyan Koi is enjoyable though, and it's the humour that most will appreciate come the end of the series.
It's just a shame that the lesson of Ai Yori Aoshi (i.e. the lead male doesn't have to be generic, mediocre, or a loser), still hasn't been learned.
Alternative Titles
Synonyms: Nyankoi
Japanese: にゃんこい!
More titlesInformation
Type:
TV
Episodes:
12
Status:
Finished Airing
Aired:
Oct 2, 2009 to Dec 18, 2009
Premiered:
Fall 2009
Broadcast:
Unknown
Licensors:
Sentai Filmworks
Studios:
AIC
Source:
Manga
Duration:
24 min. per ep.
Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Statistics
Ranked:
#36202
2
based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity:
#906
Members:
264,799
Favorites:
594
Available AtResourcesStreaming Platforms | Reviews
Filtered Results: 43 / 44
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Your Feelings Categories Dec 18, 2009
One of the problems with harem rom-coms these days is the tendency to try and be creative in unusual ways. The problem, specifically, is that the writers and mangaka assume that by simply including something like aliens, youkai, body switching, etc, etc, then the story automatically becomes new and innovative.
Fujiwara Sato, the creator of the manga upon which this anime is based, decided to adds cats. No, not catgirls, just cats (although girls are present in the story as well). Nyan Koi follows the life of one Kousaka Junpei, a high schooler who lives with his mother, sister, and pet cat, but who suffers from ... Dec 21, 2009
“Yo Kou-baka, I heard you’re cursed. Wahahahaha!”
If you were like me, not sure whether to try watching a show about talking cats, then rest assure because Nyan Koi is more than your average pet-talking anime! Produced by AIC, it should come as no surprise if Nyan Koi manage to remind viewers of another “semi” AIC production known as Seto no Hanayome. Both are considered rom-com harem and they share many common traits in my humble opinion. Thus it is very tempting to make comparisons between them, but I will restrain myself to the best of my ability to not do so too often in the ... Dec 18, 2009
Mmmm, I see quite a few of Nyan Koi! reviews being presented at this present moment, and to be fair, if you want to read a well written review; read Archaeon's review. My review will not be as fluffy, nor as well written.
Now let's start with Nyan Koi!'s biggest problem; it's a harem. Apart from harem fanboys, are there actually people that watch anime fairly objectively who enjoy harem anime? No, probably not. You know there's this thing about harem, mmm,..... what's it called? Generic? Ah yes, generic. This anime is no exception, it's generic, has a weak storyboard and try to save this already ... Jan 9, 2010
Nyan Koi! is a harem anime which tries its best to do something new, but unfortunately, it turns into just yet another bland series with the usual touch of supernatural in it.
The plot revolves around the male lead, Junpei, and his quest to help a hundred cats to avoid turning into a cat himself - due to a curse brought about by his own clumsiness. So every episode or so we get to see a new cat with some trouble, and our allergic hero trying his best to help the poor cat. Now unfortunately it isn't as promising as this might've sound. Nyan Koi! is ... Oct 20, 2009
A very good anime although when i first saw it i was certain it would not appeal to the average person. Turns out I loved it and most likely so will everyone else. Has a good story but i'm not gonna spoil it in case you havent read it. If you like to laugh then this anime will have you laughing quite a bit. Although i wouldnt necesarily call it a comedy anime it certainly seems to have a good bit of it. All in all it's good enough to satisfy the girl that's in love with dolls and the guy that likes to drive
...
Dec 19, 2009
I must say that after the first 3 or 4 episodes I was really going for an 8 (Very Good) , but slowly I dropped at 4-5.This "romance/comedy" anime was one of those dissapointing shows where the producers failed miserably to develop new and unique ideas that could attract watchers.
Story: 3 - Poor Yes it's the same old storyline with a boy , that is surrounded by girls and has an unexpected experience that changes the way he interacts with others.Nyan Koi has by far 1 or 2 romantic moments and the "comedy" moments can only make you laugh about how bad these scenes were made. The ... Dec 18, 2009
And thus ends of the best and most underrated comedies of 2009. Nyan Koi is a complete work of art.
==[Pros]== - Humor. This comedy doesn't fail to deliver on its most important aspect. Whether it's the sudden change from Mizuno's dramatic yakuza ringtone to a completely serene scene or a shot of Junpei and the twins licking popsicles, Nyan Koi never disappoints. The humor in this show is both crude and refined, direct and indirect. Nyan Koi is funny, and isn't afraid to show it. - Junpei. He is a great male lead - one of the greatest I've ever seen. ... Dec 20, 2009
Every season has it's own corresponding harem and ecchi anime. This was 2009 fall season's harem, and definitely an improvement to the usual. Nyan Koi! it's not an upgrade to the harem formula and doesn't add anything new to the lot but, at the end, managed to deliver lots of fun and, as a result of that, quality.
Almost everything in this show it's a bit chiché, take for example the fascination that japanese people have for animals like foxes or dogs. Now it's the cats turn; meet Kousaka Junpei, a typical 2nd year high school student alergic to cats that has been cursed. In order ... Apr 29, 2011
Well, I just finished Nyan Koi! and well I thought it was really cute at the beginning, near the end I was just watching it non-stop to move onto something else. (I like to finish what I start, okay?)
Other than talking cats, there's really nothing new here. It's just a generic anime about a guy who for some ungodly reason has a plethora of cute girls are who are into him. Like a lot of harem anime, there are moments of big-breasted-ness, panty shots, accidental groping and purposeful groping (girls groping girls) but most of the comedy in this series is supposed to be from ... Dec 12, 2009
My first impression of Nyan Koi! seemed to be a lighter franchise filled with.. well.. cats. Please read the synopsis before reading this review to familiarize yourself with the story.
This anime (short-lived only 12 eps long) is just average for an anime series. First off, a show entirely about cats is bland. There are all sorts of information pamphlets and such about cats, how they behave, and there are even ways to communicate with them. For the over-the-top cat lover you might find some interest in this story. Furthermore, this show is heavily accented with fan service (in the opening ... Dec 18, 2009
Nyan Koi had me hook, line and sinker at the part about cats. In fact, that was the sole reason I picked this up, blinded by my usual bias towards these kinds of things. Which is why I had no idea what I was getting in to. Arguably, it was probably for the best, since I wouldn't be expecting too much out of it.
Despite the fact that most of the story was episodic at best, there was some semblance of a plot. Given the premise of our fearless protagonist trying to remove a curse from himself all the while trying to ... Dec 16, 2012
First of all, i must said, this review based on my opinion and the enjoyment i got from the anime, if you think i am wrong, well,,, thats just my opinion.
and i am gonna just straight to the point without any babbling in my review, so, here we go! Nowdays, harem is the kind of mainstream genre that easily can make it into a top anime. since, what do you need is big boobs, pantsy scenes, and of course beautiful girl.... well, thats the truth. Including Nyan Koi, this harem anime is maybe like another harem anime that you've ever watch, BUT WAIT! how about harem + ... Dec 18, 2009
Nyan Koi isn't an awful show, however it isn't good either and it certainly doesn't deserve rating it has currently which is almost "Very Good". Perhaps it just a form of Stockholm syndrome that some people can't objectively rate something when they've invested so much time to watching it. Or maybe I'm just a jerk who rates things lower than most people.
Anyway... Story wise there really isn't much. A harem anime with cats as the gimmick(Somewhere along the line they add demon fighting for an episode.). The show claims to be a romantic comedy but it isn't really romantic or funny. The climax ... Apr 2, 2010
I was very skeptical about watching Nyan Koi. I have a weakness for romances and that is what pulled me into watching it. I thought it would be jam packed with cute talking cats and I would give up on the first episode.
Well I didn't. I enjoyed it all the way through. It's a very funny anime and I always anticipated the next episode. The main characters are all hilarious. You have the cute girl everyone loves, the tsunderes, and the idiot boy who doesn't have a clue anyone likes him. Yet, they all still seem refreshing in their own way. You'll fall in ... Feb 1, 2015
While this anime is not one of the most popular comedy ones out there, I had a great time watching this. An anime about a high school student who gets cursed by the statue of the cat Jizou and suddenly has to grant the wishes of a 100 cats isn't very appealing, although it's really worth a shot.
Story (7/10) The story doesn't look very appealing and I wasn't expecting much of it but boy, was I proven wrong! They managed to keep the plot interesting until the end. There weren't any ridiculous plot twists (Alright, actually there were but they were funny as hell). There weren't ... Nov 22, 2014
Nyan Koi is a comedy anime with a somewhat typical story, decent art and sound, good characters... However, none of the above makes this show memorable. There is something else special, very special about this anime. It's very very very relaxing, funny and hilarious.
This anime is about a boy who got cursed for breaking a cat statue. He has to help 100 cats or he will turn into one. Along with helping them, he also helps some girls and they in turn have some feelings or him. The ways the story is told, they ways the character act, the ways the events happen... are extremely ... Feb 24, 2010
Story: 9/10
A typical Harem stuffed with cats, either love it or hate it (I loved it !) Character: 10/10 One of the strong points of this anime is the characters, each character has there own personality and background and soon you get a strong connection with them Art: 9/10 The art was not completetly orignial, but it was extreamly beautiful and colourful to look at Sound: 9/10 ... Sep 26, 2015
WHAT THE TACOS IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?
I actually enjoyed and loved this anime!! I've watched it like 4 times or so. One of my favourites! (I'm canadian so it is "OU" >.> ) This anime revolves mainly around cats & comedy :D It's suppose to have romance, and it does but it doesn't overpower the anime with JUST ROMANCE so don't get confused and be like "ughh another anime with a random guy and all the girls want him" because IT IS and it turned out pretty cool! Asides from other animes (shounen or harem whatever) this one comes up with reasons .___. not ... Dec 18, 2009
Brief Summary: Rating: 7 (Good)
A consistent Rom/Com harem with a solid love triangle, fueled by a quirky premise. Long Summary: Nyan Koi! is about a boy, Kousaka Junpei, that becomes cursed and can now talk to cats, and has to grant the requests of a hundred cats or else he'll turn into a cat himself. Naturally, he's allergic to cats, and even more naturally, he can't tell anyone about the curse or else it'll make the curse even worse. This hinders his plans at pursuing the girl of his dreams, and causes other girls to enter his life. This may sound like a typical Rom/Com harem, where ... Apr 7, 2019
DISCLAIMER: this review is intended to be read after you finished the show, so you can see some idiot who dropped the show after 7 episodes ramble about the tropes he does not like.
I feel as if these types of romantic comedies are exactly the same. We've seen all the same tropes countless times. I usually enjoy these tropes, but in this show, they're completely boring, and almost painful to watch. Please excuse me I am not a native English speaker. Story The story is rather average, a lot of things are very predictable. I laugh at the show occasionally, it is funny but like I said ... |