The story behind this show is about a high school student that just wants to get over his “Dark Magic” phase from his middle school years. He even chooses the only school where he knows that no one will know him from his past. While it seems that fate would not let him leave that era of him behind because on a fateful night Rikka Takanashi (Pictured) drops down onto his balcony. He helps her down and she continues on, leaving him confused only to wonder what happens next. Well Rikka decides that our protagonist (Yuta Togashi) is the one to help her on her spectacular quest to find the Invisible Barrier Lines. Yuta was hoping to leave this life of Magic and Imagination in the past, but Rikka and company are going to make sure that isn’t what happens. Overall, it is a tale of wanting to grow up, the sacrifices we make, and the choices of who dictates our happiness.
The art direction in this show is absolutely gorgeous. Everyone moves very fluid and there is purpose with every single movement. The faces show emotion rather than just spit out words with a stone face. Their hair moves with the wind and them as they speak, and overall it is a pleasant viewing experience that helps one invest in the characters. Each character has something that makes them unique and identifiable and that’s something I really appreciate. I found myself drawn to one character or another for various reasons that made the entire cast as a whole so easy to relate to. Also, it is important to add that while fan art might show a lot of fan service, there is really little to none in the show itself!
Music is something that is important to have in any show, but especially in a show like this where there are quite a few key moments that without proper music would fall short of the amount of emotion that is trying to be conveyed. And this Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions hits the nail on the head with it’s music. Both the opening and the ending tracks are fantastic (I prefer the opener myself) and I found it hard to skip through them when I was short on time trying to watch an episode or two.
When I first encountered this show as an ad in the back of a magazine, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. “The art style is cute and the girl had an eye patch so that’s a bit weird” is what I thought. I put it on my list and forgot about it for a while. then finally, some months later I find it after a string of shows that are just fantastic and with high hopes I went into Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions hoping to be dazzled, and this show did not disappoint. It was hilarious exactly where it should be and at times I nearly began to cry because of the events unfolding. I felt so connected with this show that I began to only think of how I remember my Chunibyo phase (if I got out of it is for another time I suppose). But I urge those reading this, we have all been the kid who is cosplaying at 12 years old and fighting the monsters from our favorite shows in the backyard, and some of us still do it today! The point is this show will tug at your heartstrings and it will make you want to bring out the Chunibyo that is still deep down.
Overall Rating: 10/10
