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A famous German literature critic, Marcel Reich-Ranicki, once said that a good book is a book that doesn't bore him. And this is exactly why I really like this show: It is a fairly original take on the "absurdly overpowered lead character" genre which doesn't bore me one bit.

In general, it is fairly difficult to maintain any kind of tension or drama in a show where the lead is nearly omnipotent. Therefore, the core of the overarching background story isn't about fighting and power, but rather about gathering knowledge. About investigating the past - what happened, and why. It gives a decent structure to the ... show, which otherwise offers the mix that adherents of the genre like: Cute and gutsy girls, irritating villains and the lead meting out demonic justice.

If you can't take the genre for what it is, don't waste your time (like over 100 people who watch every episode to vote it down to 1, while the other several hundred viewers love it). If you want some enjoyable escapist anime for easy consumption, I definitely recommend it.

This review is based on all 36 available RAW chapters at this time.

It is very easy to dismiss the show based on the earliest chapters, especially if you generally don't like the romantic comedy genre in the first place. The characters can be annoying, the lead MC seems like an indecisive whiny jerk, the humor is a bit hit-and-miss... so why would you read this?

In a nutshell: Because the setting (rental girlfriend) is fresh and original, and the storyline is built on bit by bit in a very logical way. The implications of what it actually means to gradually fall in love with a _rental_ ... girlfriend (hints: it is extra hard on the MC) are developed with great sensitivity and care, in a way that makes sense. As you will see, the show will develop a significant drama element which is generally missing in this genre. Also, developments are permanent - it's not "issue of the week", and then the reset button slapped so that nothing really changes.

+ If you're looking for a romance story with gradual, permanent developments, in a fairly original setting, this is for you.
+ If you're looking for a show with great art (Mizuhara is nothing short of stunning), this is for you.
+ If you enjoy strong-headed characters bickering, compromising and in the end cooperating, this is for you
- If you hate embarrassing situations (like me), you need a tolerance for pain.
- If you're the impatient type or dislike the romcom genre, stay away.
- If you're looking for the next Nisekoi or To-Love-Ru, stay away.

It sure gets my recommendation, and I didn't ever expect to give it when I started reading.

This show is very different to most other romance/drama type of stories, and consequently, in order to judge it fairly, it needs to be considered differently from the run-of-the-mill standard.

Its overarching premise is "Unrequited love". People fall in love with others, but their feelings are not reciprocated. We see the characters hope and despair, persevere and suffer, try and fail. This is no string of happy occasions, where justice wins, villains lose and the story ends in celebration. If you watch the show, be aware of that and be ready for an _ordeal_. This is no light entertainment, this is a masochistic marathon leaving you ... drained.

For those however, who are willing to invest the time and are not scared of emotional bruises, this show is a total treat. The direction and technical execution is fantastic, the soundtrack exceptional, the art very nice and the storytelling exemplary. Romance drama is usually a string of corny, cliche-ridden scenes which follows a predictable path. Kuzu no Honkai is anything but. Once the introduction of all characters is completed around episode 6, I daresay that no single unspoiled viewer would be able to predict how the show was going to end.

I always want to add that viewers who already had own life experiences with unrequited romances will be able to connect much better with the show's characters. Myself, I could see traces of three characters in me. Those people who criticized the show the most had no experiences of their own to gauge the show's characters against.

So, if you are primarily looking for a story with typical characters going through the romance/drama motions in the typical drama arc hoping for the typical happy ending, Kuzu no Honkai does not only not deliver, it betrays these expectations. If on the other hand you want to see a character study of various forms of unrequited love, what people think, and why they do what they do, as ugly as it may be, this show will be a fantastic experience. Very instructive, very touching at times, and extremely unusual.

Coming with my highest recommendations.