Reviews

So basically, my thoughts on the series should wait until I see season 2, but think of this as a checkpoint. But from what I've seen in season 1, it has a personable artstyle, the music is good, production quality is top notch. My main issue goes to everything that's wrong with cliche high school anime, in how the main character has a selection of girls to choose from, but ends up doing nothing in the end, oh goodie. BUT, what I do like is that you see the conflictions that Raku goes through, he likes Onodera, but over time starts to take a liking to Chitoge. That's something that's realistic and I could see that happening. I also didn't get the usual "He's a total dumbass" going through my head as often as other series (believe me though, he does do some pretty fucking stupid things). Even with that, his inability to take confidence in himself as well as read Chitoge's feelings bogs down Raku into my category of "alright" protagonists. Not unbearable, but not great either. I'd put him on the same level as Kodaka from season 2 of Haganai, where it's a slightly more fleshed out protagonist that doesn't quite escape the grips of average-ness. Onodera is pretty much the "Oh I like Raku, but I'm too shy to confess my feelings". Nothing much more than that. It's even more infuriating that Raku also likes her but he does nothing as well. Chitoge is essentially Kirino with no eroge playing. Like, that was the exact vibe I got from her. A more stark comparison would be Azusa from Henneko. Still, that makes Chitoge one of the more interesting characters in the show, and thank Sonic 3(my version of God) the series is aware of that because she gets the most screen time out of every girl. Marika sort of shows up near the end, you expect something to happen with her, but nothing does, I guess until season 2. She brings along with her a major rift in the plot, but nothing was ever done with it here. The supporting cast is also generic. Perverted best friend, short girl with glasses that shows little emotion, etc. The comedy is also alright. What Nisekoi does well is create a great setup, and the way things play out is generic, but it's not offensive. It was a decent watch, but probably something that's not going to stick with me after finishing the series. I'd recommend giving it a watch if you're bored and want one of the better high school animes.