The Rom/Com genre has become infested with moe or cookie-cutter character types. Try and find a Rom/Com these days that has no Tsundere, no shy fragile girl, no genius girl etc, or of course the Ryu male lead - or all of them for some spicy harem-goodness. While you scramble to prove me wrong, I'd like to point your attention back to the Anime in question.
My Little Monster is a story about a introverted girl that appears to only care about her studies - quite frankly, she is plain - and a boy that by all accounts is the complete opposite: a quick-tempered, outspoken and violent young man with no regard for his education. The best part about the pair is that, by all accounts, they appear to be... human (revolutionary stuff, right?). I won't be 'that guy' and spoil the plot in a review, but the characters in this Anime truly feel genuine. They have no idea how relationships work, they seem fascinated by each other but appear unable to articulate their fascination. Dare I say... they are average, confused youths, and by golly is it refreshing. It's like taking a shower under a pristine waterfall on a hot day, like taking a random nap in the afternoon, like taking a wizz in the morning... you get the point.
What more can I say? Thus far Tonari no Kabiutsu-Kun appears destined to leave a positive mark on Anime culture, here's hoping it helps to shift the industry out of its repetitious rutt it finds itself in. Watch it, follow it, enjoy it.
Animation: 9/10 - Highly polished, smooth visuals. Superb character emotion animation.
Sound: 7/10 - Sound for me is the complete package. Intro song got on my nerves, and some of the sound effects were unnecessary, so it brought down the score.
Story: 8/10 - Too hard to judge after 4 episodes, but refreshing and intriguing so far. Watch this space.
