It seems love at first sight. Unlike some traitional rom-coms, there's an overemphasis on their first meeting. The first episode spend a great deal of time on their chemistry. Despite coming from completely different backgrounds, the two are drawn towards each other like two peas in a pod. Some people may also compare their encounter like red strings of fate, a legend that two people are tied and destined to be together. The author wrote the story with their relationship in mind, and it's the core of the show.
The creator of the series Kai Ikada is relatively unknown, a fresh face in the manga industry. Translating their work into anime medium should be celebrated as a major accomplishment. The spotlight shines on the super adorable gal konwn to us Minami. With a dazzling smile and sparkling personality, she turns heads from both genders. This is pretty much the anti-thesis of our male protagonist Tsubasa, who despite being an overachiever, tends to keep to himself. What happens when you pair these two up? The simple answer is a relationship based on curiousity and trust. The latter comes later once the two understands each other more. However, the first episode has a spellbinding opening in the cold weather of Hokkaido. It's almost bedazzling to see Minami dressed in such cold temperate. Mind you, she's in a skirt dressed casually and seemingly embracing the cold weather. My impression is Minami is protrayed as a larger than life character, at least compared to the rest of the cast.
While I'm not entirely convinced how long their relationship can evolve or last, it's no understatement that the first episode makes a strong showing. It's probably the episode that get the audience hooked because we can find out so much about Minami just from her background and emotional expressions. That is, Tsubasa seems more like the underdog. The show later introduces other main girls such as Rena and Sayuri. To set them apart, Rena is protrayed as the opposite of our adorable gal. Reserved, serious, but can also sensitive, her relationship with Tsubasa starts off rocky but gradually improves. Somewhere in the middle is Rena, who is introduced as a shy yet talented girl. While these two characters are given on-screen time, their presence serve more as main supporting roles. Why you may ask? That's because Minami is given the greenlit to be the star. It's obvious from the beginning when she's protrayed as the poster girl. Sorry folks but if you're looking for Tsubasa building a relationship with others on the same level as Minami, then you'll be in for a disappointment.
Nonetheless, this is a rom-com that doesn't take too many risks and settling for delivering an youthful experience. Our main characters are high school students who are just beginning to enter the age of adulthood. The show takes them to places besides the classroom walls and allowing them to experience what relationships are about. It's honestly very straighforward that uses common sense to tell its story and relationships. There's no deceptive twists or complex plot that throws the viewers off guard. To put it simply, it's a rom-com that gets straightforward as it can be. Obviously, you're going to see how characters experience human feelings that ranges from insecurity, jealousy, joy, awkwardness, anxiety, among others.
The location of the show is part of the anime's title and it represents a bit more than just what it sounds. Hokkaido has beautiful scenery that is natural, and a visual feast to the eyes. This is mostly represented by cold climate and snowy weather throughout most of the season. It gets repetitive after awhile but ultimately gives an unique look to the setting. Similarly, each of the gals in the show have feminine features. Minami stands out the most as she has the classic 'gal' look. Unfortunately, Tsubasa's presence is always overshadowed because he is just too normal.
Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable is a show that is exactly what it tries to be. Nothing overly complicated and down to earth for what it shows us. That of course, we meet the adorable girls of Hokkaido. Sometimes, a simple show like this can be enjoyable especially when it just uses common sense to tell a charming story.
