Reviews

May 4, 2023
Romantic Killer did something special here. Not only did it shatter my perception that all Netflix originals (except Violet Evergarden) are trash, it also reinforced the claim that reverse harems are SO much better than "normal" harem anime. Romantic Killer joins the likes of Fruits Basket and Yona of the Dawn as romance shows that prioritize wholesome and genuine moments/story-telling over fan service and blind horny.

Starting with the protagonist, Anzu is easily one of the best characters that I have seen in anime. The main reason being that, while she admittedly does not change much throughout the course of the story, her presence impacts the world around her in a healthy way and moves the plot forward. She is the type of person who is extremely likable, because she looks out for her friends in a non "holier than thou" kind of way and is a very genuine person. She's got her quirks and turbulent moments that make her come across as a realistic character as opposed to a fictional, "perfect" one.
Another refreshing take on her character is that, while she is modeled after the shut-in neat archetype that doesn't socialize and simply plays video games all day, she is not a complete social outcast and still retains a presence in the classroom. Perhaps it is simply a double standard (the idea that introvert girls have an easier time being accepted by their peers as opposed to boys), however it nevertheless comes across as a nice change of pace to this genre. In a way it normalizes the existence of "gamer girls" in a non-fetishized way, which is an interesting concept to think about.

As for the other characters, they all have a clear purpose in the story and are honestly all likable in their own ways (save for the obvious antagonists of the last arc). The way that they end up gravitating towards Anzu and develop a desire to look out for her is done in a very wholesome manner, because they are repaying the kindness that they received with their own forms of kindness. The viewer is encouraged to cheer for each and every one of them as they go through their personal battles, many of which are relatable. Even the talking magic potato had a "real one" moment towards the end that made me reconsider my opinion of them in a positive manner. The three main love interest also have their moments and appropriate screen time (considering it was only 12 episodes) that developed them into complex characters, and honestly I would not be angry with any of them "winning" the romantic polygon.

If I had to pick a negative for this show, its that the last arc felt a little too serious for what was up to that point a goofy and comedic show. Not that the plot material was bad or irrelevant, just executed in a manner that seemed too drastically different. Nevertheless, the last arc resolves adequately and leaves the viewer with a satisfying conclusion while teasing for the possibility of a season 2.



P.S. I highly recommend that you watch this in the Polish dub. It was thoroughly entertaining and a lot better than I was expecting.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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