If you’re someone with a short fuse and low tolerance for non-sense, I can tell you right now Renai Flops won’t be for you. Its first episodes are intentionally trope-y and very generic. But if you’re too quick to drop the show, you’ll miss out on seeing how the show actually deconstructs some of these generic tropes. While the first few episodes largely feature your usual harem shenanigans, the second half contains a pretty major plot twist that turns the world upside down and changes how you look at the reality these characters are living in. Many of those generic tropes from earlier episodes will take on a totally different meaning if you’re able to stick it out. The closest thing I would compare it to is Muv luv, of which it clearly takes some inspiration and in a way parodies.
While I am a sucker for ecchi fan service moments and harems, I actually enjoyed the second half of the show more. I thought the fan service was a little half-assed and weak compared to other shows like this, so getting an actual good story that made sense and fleshed things out more was welcome. The MC is actually pretty solid which is a rarity in shows like this as well. While he is not Kiyopon or Yuichi levels of cool, he’s pretty competent and makes smart decisions which is nice to see.
I enjoyed the art style and designs of the characters a lot. The girls were intentionally made to appeal to different peoples’ “ideal” and they did a good job of making a diverse set of looks for sure. I’m very partial towards Mongfa, but the other girls are good as well.
While Renai Flops may seem like a mediocre show that you can skip, I really do highly suggest checking it out if you’re into big plot twists and the intersection of technology/reality. There’s some legitimately good writing in this show that has unfortunately been under appreciated.
Renai Flops gets 8 out of 10.
