JUST WATCH IT. i simply cannot recommend this enough. it honestly doesn't matter if you're a fan of the shoujo genre or not, this is a wonderful, wonderful, uplifiting, hilarious, heartwarming series for all.
my main qualm with the typical shoujo romance storyline is the incredibly unrealistic amount of opposition/ interferences the two main protagonists usually have to battle against (again in a completely unrealistic way) in order to be together. in my opinion this just ruins the story, even if i find it truly engaging at the beginning. this is also what somehow ruined Hana Yori Dango for me. but in all honestly itazura na kiss does NOT fall into this incredibly annoying formula. sure, there are the occasional obstacles to overcome but they're all resolved in a believable way and they're not dragged out for so long you start pulling your hair out in infuriation.
yes, the initial plot falls into the typical shoujo formula, but it's what the mangaka DOES with the forumla that is so refreshing and engaging. you really do feel so invested in the characters and you form a real emotional attachment and engagement with them that is hard to find in anime usually. sure, there is some one-dimensional quality to some of them at first but even the supporting characters develop and grow as the anime progresses.
what underpins the anime as a whole, and the reason why it is so endearingly wonderful is the relationship between the main characters. they really do grow and develop as people throughout the series and the trials and tribulations they encounter are mostly very relateable and real. of course, the absolute hilarious situations and unique characters all add to the enjoyment of the series, but it's the relationship of the main characters that really carry it through and (for me anyway) elevates it above the poloi of shoujo animes.
so, what i'm really trying to say is that just because the series initially falls into the typical shoujo setup shouldn't deter you from at least trying it out, because what's done WITH that shoujo formula is what makes it a truly remarkable, touching series that will stay with me for a long time to come.
