The reason why I say “yes” is because if you’ve seen a few harem anime before, you will most likely be able to predict how the story will end from the first episode. There's no concluding ending (probably because it's setting the stage for a second season). This series reminds me a lot of Nisekoi: the story isn't too amazing and doesn't stand out too much, so you most likely won't like them if it you don't like harem anime in general. The reason why I say “no” is because this isn’t actually a typical harem anime because Masamune-kun (main guy) does actually turn down potential love interests in this season. Also, the route that masamune-kun takes to get to the ending is a new one that I haven’t seen in any other other harem-like anime, but the characters are all pretty much dumbasses in romance. The story's not bad unless you really just don't like harem anime.
TL;DR at the end
Story: 7/10
The story is actually pretty good and relatively unique among harem anime, but it's not anything spectacularly different at all. For example, this anime’s plot is a bit special because rather than trying to find his old love interest and win her over to live happily ever after, Masamune-kun actually trains to become a very “hot” and “muscular” guy that seeks to win her love... and then he wants wreck her (Adagaki Aki’s) feelings as revenge for rejecting him as a kid while giving him the nickname “piggy”. Luckily, she doesn’t recognize him, but she is extremely difficult to win over since she is well-known for turning down everybody that asks her out and giving them terrible nicknames.
The story starts out with a series of convenient coincidences and some random one-time only pantyshots occur (did somebody say plot convenience panty shots?! mmm... my favorite…), he then discovers an embarrassing secret about Adagaki Aki that actually makes it too risky for her to just give him a bad nickname, which sets the groundwork for this series’ progression. There are a good amount of plot twists, which allows the anime to put you through the wringer with suspense occasionally. The pacing was great, the comedy was entertaining, so I really believe that the story deserves an 7/10.
Art: 7/10
The art’s not particularly impressive. The background art’s pretty good and relatively detailed, but I don’t think the characters were detailed and/or expressionate enough for me to give this category a higher score. The visual effects, angles, and lighting were all pretty good. The animation’s frame rate is low enough that you can see some lack of fluidity, but it’s fluid enough that you probably won’t be able to notice it unless you really look for it.
Sound: 9/10
The characters are all voiced well and their actors/actresses fill the roles very well. The music in this series is great! This is another factor that I think sets this anime apart from other harem anime. The background music style ranges from this one dramatic flamboyant orchestral piece that sounds like music played when a really fat noble is walking, to other orchestral and harpsichord pieces that are all just generally pretty great background music overall. The opening fits the anime and sounds pretty good. The ending sounds pretty generic, but also fits. Sound effects are good enough. Overall, I think the sound deserves a 9/10 overall.
Character: 7/10
I actually enjoyed the characters in this series. Masamune’s character actually sucks pretty badly (because he turned down best girl), but all jokes aside he’s a pretty solid character and is actually pretty funny. Adagaki Aki is pretty much just a generic small breasted tsundere, but she’s not voiced by Rie Kugimiya, so that’s always a plus. Koiwai Yoshino… she’s essential to the plot and has lots of PLOT material herself (if you know what I mean). The characters get pretty well-developed by the end, but they are still pretty generic. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the characters in this series.
Enjoyment: 8/10
Overall, I think the series was pretty entertaining. The story kept me in suspense as we watched Masamune kun teeter on the edges of getting caught during his revenge and all of the various plot twists that came up. It was actually a pretty enjoyable series to watch!
TL;DR
Overall: 7/10
At first glance, Masamune-Kun seems like a generic harem anime but it has elements that sets it apart from other harem anime: while the characters are indeed generic, the story line has a major difference from other common generic harem anime (it reminded me of Nisekoi, but without Shaft’s studio skills). This is definitely one of the better harem anime out there, so I feel that it does deserve a 7/10. The art’s good, the characters are good, the music’s great, and the concept of revenge sets this anime apart from other harem anime.
Bottom line: Should you watch this?
If you like harem anime, then of course.
If you want to see an unusual harem anime, then yeah.
If you like dramatic romance anime, then ehh you can give it a shot... but both the drama and the romance weren’t really central elements of this anime.
If you like tsundere small breasted characters, well… this series has you covered.
If you’re looking for some mesmerizing inspirational story or serious anime romance, drama, or anything other than a romantic-harem-comedy, you’re definitely in the wrong place.
Hope this helps you decide! If it didn’t help, or you disagree, feel free to let me know by sending me a message so I can be better next time!
