Genre: Romantic Comedy
Setting: Japan, High School, Modern day
Late Night Otaku Rating: 2.5 Stars/5
Synopsis: My Little Monster follows Mizutani Shizuku, a studious, friendless, teenage girl, who meets Haru Yoshida. Because Haru refuses to go to school, starting his high school career with a fight, Shizuku is recruited to deliver his homework to his home. And that is where the ice meets spring. Where Shizuku is generally apathetic, Haru is an overwhelming eruption of emotion. Situations unfold that force Shizuku out of her comfort zone, ultimately calming Haru down enough to be a sensible enough member of society. The plot follows their relationship, new friends, and life's little hiccups. While you are never left feeling the two won't get together or that the relationship itself is in much danger, its all the externalities that keep you the viewer engaged.
Personally, I felt that the contrasts between Shizuku and Haru's personalities is how the author made his statements abut the way relationships and life should be handled. All the other plot variants bounced off of these two forces. Shizuku, while gernally apathetic, I also introspective and intelligent about the way she deals with the different encounters in the series. She is constantly questioning herself and those around her in an attempt to make sense of it all. She doesn't have a lot of practice with people, having spent most of her childhood stuck in books, but all this studying has given her a sharp wit and self awareness. I imagine the thoughts that are going through her head that we are privy to during the series is what makes her a relatable character. Her doubts and concerns were very similar to questions I would ask of myself growing up, and her level of self awareness is a virtue.
On the other end of the spectrum is Haru,who acts without thinking. But his redeeming virtue is brutal honesty and candor. You don't have to guess hat Haru is thinking - he is going to tell you either loudly or with his fists. With such a character it isn't hard to move your plot, and have it feel natural as Haru's character is established quickly. Violence aside, if more people were as vocal and forthright about their feelings the world would be far less complicated.
With their "star virtues" clearly laid out, Haru and Shizuku provide a romantic comedy that is more than just one part romance and one part comedy. We also have a coming of age story, quests for friendship and the right way to build relationships, all packaged together with a rooster. Yes a rooster. Why the rooster is a running gag, I'm not sure but he was worth a cluckle or two. (see what I did there?)
I've been reading other review sites lately, attempting to establish the "market standard" and expectations and it seems like I'm meant to comment on the art or music of the series. What do you want? It was an anime. The art was just whatever. It wasn't fantastic, but it didnt' look like the studio had a parent kid work day either. With modern technologies, I find commenting on the art of most tv shows pointless as the level of consistency and quality is much greater than shows from years ago. The music was also appropriate, but nothing special.
Overall, the anime was worth watching. In terms of the spectrum of animes I've seen it would only fall somewhere in the middle. Romantic Comedies are my favorite genres, so I tend to be biased. Its lack of over the top themes mean I would use this series as a good gateway to anime for someone I wanted to get into anime and was used to other romantic comedies. Its short and while the ending is typical of a 13 episode series based on a manga that is ongoing (whew that's a mouthful), the ending was still appropriate and worked.
No comments:
Post a Comment