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This show is really cute and fun, but there's one problem really holding it back. The characters are well written, the art style is cute, bright, and bubbly, the characters are pretty well written and feel realistic. I read the manga a long time ago and quite liked the story, and I think they did a wonderful job transferring the characters to animation. This is a pretty normal genre in anime now, a nerdy boring quiet guy whose life is changed by the Japanese version of a manic pixie dream girl - only, in this show particularly, neither of the protagonists fit that genre. The love interest *isn't* just another vessel for the main character. Her story feels fleshed out and she has her own interest - and she's passionate about that interest. And the male lead has another artsy, interesting passion that he's dedicated to. Neither of these characters' interests feel hollow - I believe that they're passionate about their work, and that passion enables them to help each other. This set up is refreshing compared to some of the other shows and manga and I think the writers did a fantastic job making these characters feel deeper than the typical romantic comedy anime. I really like that they introduced these two because of their passions as well, instead of the typical "I sat next to you and now I'm in love with you" story this genre typically adopts. It feels natural, even if it moves a bit quick.
If that was my entire review, this show would be a solid 8/10. I'd consider it one of the better recent romance anime and I'd put it up there with Ore Monogatari, a cute show and manga that moves at a slightly quicker pace than this one.
However, there is one thing really holding this show back: The Fanservice. Sloppy and completely unnecessary, it takes a cute, funny show to a weird and creepy one. I should preface this by saying I don't enjoy fanservice in any anime - however, it feels even more egregious here because this show would be good, if not great, without the fanservice. The other problem I have with it being present here is that, while there was fanservice in the original manga, it was really only present for a few chapters before being abandoned - as it should've been here.
I don't dislike the show, but the fanservice is so over the top and uncomfortable that I can't in good faith recommend it without mentioning it. If you don't mind fanservice, this may be a great show for you. For me, it soured an otherwise cute and wholesome romance.
