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May 12, 2025
Another very wholesome romance from Yamada that mixes up gender norms. I came from their Sweat and Soap/other series. I'll try to keep spoilers vague, here is my review:
This was a very cute, very sweet series about two adults navigating toy design (careers), dating, and learning to be true to yourself. For Subaru's case, it was his secret crossdressing hobby. For Kasane, it's her creative job and the challenges that come with it ("failing" as a professional artist, and being a woman that likes boyish things and how that effects her art and her job). They're both actually quite genderfluid, Kasane's not particularly girly and
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Subaru's not traditionally masculine. I love stories that change up gender norms so I was hooked.
The main gimmick of this manga is crossdressing, so many story issues surround that subject. Despite being about quite a "fetishized" hobby, it actually didnt go that direction. It dove into the insecurities that could come with that hobby (especially doing this as a man in a Japanese society). Kasane's issues aren't focused on as heavily, but Yamada did give her some gender-related ones as well--liking blue and green vs pink, sexual expectations, etc. Vague for spoilers.
As for romance, it is so sweet and adorable. You can tell they care a lot about each other the deeper they fall in love. Kasane pursues his hobby with such supportive enthusiasm, and then Subaru throws that same amount of support back to her. It's not all sunshine and daisies for them, as the story does touch upon themes of miscommunication and jealousy. It's not a dramatic rollercoaster but it's a beautiful pattern of nervousness, happiness, catharsis, and growth as a couple. The milestones did feel rushed, but more on that below.
I loved Kasane's character and design so much--I saw a lot of me in her. I'm also quite "boyish," and an artist that loves gacha toy designs (I also look forward to working with a company soon). I swear, she's an alternate universe me. Of course, I'm not exactly like her but she felt like a real person that could exist. I found Subaru to be adorable but he did feel more like a manga character than a real person (mostly because crossdressing is just not that common in my area, I also have not met a man that has a passion for it, hopefully soon, haha!). This does not impact the story negatively however.
However, what does impact the story negatively was the change of pacing around chapter 30. Before that, we had pretty normal "arcs" that focused around a certain event or theme that the characters grow from afterwards. The arcs felt fleshed out and the character development felt complex. However for some reason around ch 30, the pacing became a bit jumbled, it would move fast or slow (in my opinion) with the series ending quite abruptly with some loose ends. It wasn't a bad ending, but it left me wanting more development and content.
I had a feeling that maybe the creator was notified their company chose not to continue the series much longer (or however this works for Yamada's works) so the ending and romance milestones were rushed. (Spoilers ahead) The "loose ends" were information about his family/past trauma and what became of Kasane's roommates, and well, seeing what happened to all the characters. Both characters back stories weren't fleshed out that much, Subaru's was touched on but didn't have a heavy focus. I would have liked that. Call me sadistic, but show me the character trauma! Like, more of it! How did Kasane become an artist? What's her family like?
I would have loved to see information about each character a lot more fleshed out because I really liked these characters, even more than Sweat and Soap's. Even the side characters seemed unique. I think this manga's story was just a victim of cancellation or deadlines, because it was actually quite with it's storytelling.
Overall, it's a very cute, wholesome romance about two adults navigating their troubles together, but it's not as fully fleshed out as I wish it was (but I'm the type of person to like those kinds of stories). The storytelling and romance is endearing, and I fear the author just didn't have enough chapters to fully express these character's lives. I'll miss these characters! Worth the read.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Sep 10, 2020
I'm really happy to find a "h*ntai" kind of aimed at women? I say kind of because it's not really..."good" p*rn. LOL. However, I support the further production of these types of anime because:
1) It has a pretty nice "shoujo" look to it; in most frames the art is very cute and not sickeningly "anime" like everything else out there. It's kinda rare for me to like a cutesy anime style.
2) It's not as crazy as usual h*ntai, which I am sick of, lol. If this was meant to be aimed at women, I'm all for it!
I actually found this from looking at drama CDs
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and it makes me really happy for a drama CD to get an anime, so that too!
Criticisms (objective):
Now, important to note, I came in with pretty low standards because I knew it was a dirty show, and that episodes were 6 minutes long!!! A production like that will definitely not be perfect. However, they have a surprised me a bit with their appealing art style. Now onto actual criticisms, some frames there are awkward proportions, and some of it isn't animated that well (because well, animation is hard) so they took some shortcuts. The low standards also extend to the story's writing, the story isn't that deep, but it does have some wholesome tones.
Subjective Criticisms: I actually don't like that it starts with s*x right away, each episode's s*x scene is very sudden LOL. Like woah! Already? Even though I'm probably the most perverted woman on earth lmao. Of course, if given the budget, I believe they could make a fleshed out anime with gradual romance growth and by extension, more "satisfying" s*x scene(s). To be honest, the characters aren't that bad. You have your shy protag (typical though, I'm willing to cut it some slack), and chubby-kid-turned-ikemen, and another (rival?) that falls in love with her more naturally (so cute!). To be honest, I was kinda rooting for him. They seemed more innocent and genuine, and even had the same interests!! Games!!! versus the main guy. Anyway, I would have fallen in love with the anime if it was an actual story, heck, I'm fine if it became a shoujo that just had ecchi scenes (that's the best of both worlds T.T). It'd make my day if a parallel anime was made where the girl was actually the more dominant one, and they were in love of course.
Should you watch it?
No if you're looking for a "good" romance/ecchi anime. However, it is very short and I legit just finished it before typing this. Not even an hour spent. So...even if you did, it wouldn't be that much of a waste of time. If you're a girl that's into (dirty) drama CDs (i.e. boys drooling over you LOL), and men that kind of take more control during s*x, you'll probably enjoy it more than me! To be honest, the missionary(?) positions were really cute! I liked those moments the most, as a p*rn I guess LOL.
Verdict: Doesn't have all the parts needed to be a "good" romance/dirty anime, but I'm happy it was even made because it looks very shoujo and its p*rn (seemingly) aimed at women, which we need more in the world. Don't watch if you're looking for a fleshed out story, do watch if you like ecchi romance stuff. But again, don't have any high standards.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Aug 26, 2020
Watch Toradora if you want to waste your time. I'm really sorry but I did not like it at all. I was jumping in with the impression that it was a good romcom (even a friend recommended it to me) so I was looking for a well developed romance, and already kind of felt these characters were the type to have a very strong bond. I'm really into that so I was excited! But no...I guess the writing is to blame for what a letdown this anime was. I genuinely can't understand how people can give this a good rating, I dont know if it
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was the hype when it came out, or the age range of who watches it or what. I'm a 24 year old female who is a sucker for romance anime. I love seeing characters slowly build their relationship with some good story writing. Romance anime usually at least feels a little sentimental, or fun to watch even if the writing isn't that good. But...sigh.
The biggest problem here was the female lead. I love assertive/dominant girl characters, but she was just straight up abusive. And not even in a "cute tsundere" way. Was all the times she hit him supposed to be comedy? Are people supposed to dismiss it because she's a short anime girl? I feel like this type of trope could still work, only if she was written better. She's just straight up a bad person. I'd fight her with my bare fists, if I swung low enough *maybe* I would land a hit. Here's why she's a terrible character, or is at least introduced badly.
[Spoilers]
First episode in she harasses the male lead, and then BREAKS INTO HIS FREAKING HOUSE AND TRIES TO BEAT HIM. WHAT THE? Also why wasn't he scared for his f*cking life realizing someone broke in, and is now swinging at him? This man is cursed to never react to anything at all. At any other times she abuses him, he doesn't have a reaction, he doesn't get mad at her, he doesn't tell her to stop treating him like shit. And what's worse...he does SO much for her. He cleaned her place, and continues to cook for her. Everyday!!!! She doesn't even say thank you!! (she can in a some tsundere way!) She goes around continuing to be AN ANGRY CHILD, even to other characters. It's...it's not even cute at this point. I was gonna look past this single character trait she had until the show displayed some kind of redeeming quality for her. But no, she just continued to mooch off Ryuji (male lead) as he continues to not bat an eye to her abuse. She can be a tsundere. As long as there are moments where that "wall" is broken down and shows she's actually human, and actually likes his company and the effort he puts into her.
If she was a real person, I honestly can't understand who would even like being around her. She's angry and has child-like levels of impulsive, and extremely spoiled with getting her way. Like I said, I literally love assertive female characters, but only if Taiga was actually a decent human being. She doesn't even treat Ryuji like a person, he at least deserves that for the effort he puts into improving her life.
Another gripe I have with the anime, is obviously no one reacts like how they kind of should react. Ryuji, of course, is the biggest offender. Would you make food and care for someone who constantly hits and insults you? No? Just me? Another part is...there are times he's around his crush, left alone. This boy literally fantasizes about making wholesome memories with this woman, she's the light of his life (at this moment), yet he's not nervous. He's not trying to strike up a conversation with her or get to know her. He. has. no. reaction. Yes there are parts he blushes if she's in the conversation/etc, but why isn't he nervous if he's left alone with her? Why isn't he trying to get to know her? Why isn't he acting like a normal person? WHY DID THIS ANIME USE THE LOCKED UP TOGETHER TROPE IF NOTHING HAPPENED??
You know what, I''m sure the reason is the creator didn't bother trying to make it believable since Ryuji and Taiga were planned to get together. These characters don't act like high schoolers at all. Or maybe it's better written in the manga, idk.
But what am I expecting out of an anime? At least some human f*cking connection, in a romance anime, no less. Taiga's an asshole and needs get off her high chair. Ryuji needs to actually put his energy into someone that's actually cares about him. Like I said, you can keep the tsundere/aggressive trope, if she actually showed hints of her real self, or hints of actually caring for Ryuji.
Anyway, when it comes to romance anime, if I end up disliking anyone, it's usually a male character (usually the cold, mean type), but this is the FIRST time I've disliked the female character, and an assertive one at that. I actually thought I was going to dislike the male character. But, I really grew to like Ryuji, he's a good guy that's misunderstood (I guess that only mattered in the first episode though -_-), who helps people out who he thinks deserve the help (uh, well...maybe he missed the mark with Taiga there though...). I love male characters that choose to cook, clean, etc, and just an overall wholesome dude who's in love and shows it! That's really rare! But he's wasted in this anime.
TLDR; Female lead is a terrible person, but her bad actions are somehow dismissed and not confronted, yet the male lead continues to help her. The male lead has good traits himself, but he's basically babysitting and caring for this angry child of a female lead.
It's like the anime grabbed some tropes to run with, but ended up tripping at the start of the race, then walked off its own direction dragging the tropes on the ground. I really wish it was written better.
Reviewer’s Rating: 1
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Jul 8, 2017
I first started the app then got curious about the movie...turns out I really liked it!
It shed some light and background about Potk. Its an insanely interesting series idea (I want to see more so bad) and this movie works well as a prologue. Therefore, dont expect a full story watching this. Ill try to be vague about spoilers.
The story is confusing in some areas only because they didnt explain every detail--but you can basically fill in the blanks. Its a post-apocalyptic world in which the remaining population has to turn to risky experimental mutation in order to gain the upperhand over beasts,
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the mc is one of these products and his fate doesnt look too good. Also, besides the beast aspect, its not a cliche rpg anime. After sifting through handfuls of substanceless rpg anime & apps, it was a breath of fresh air. In this, the guy isnt all-powerful and the girl character doesnt just sit there. I f**king love the girl main in this!
Which leads me to characters: this anime has a tasteful aesthetic (dark, red, and hopeless) and im lovin' it. From the app, I already thought the girl character was bomb, and then in the anime turns out she was of huge importance to the plot! Even better ^q^. In this short movie a good amount of character is expressed for both the mc and girl, but again, dont expect entire character arcs. It really is great for just a prologue. Rpgs usually have big casts, but this anime doesnt, and its up to you if you wanna consider that bad thing. Im a fan of big casts, but with this time frame you run the risk of dulling characters because theres no time to showcase them. So, it was good to focus on the catalyst characters of the main story. Later, more characters are alluded to!
TLDR: The story isnt 100% explained, but its still easily understandable, and shys away from being a cliche rpg anime. It really is just a prologue, so if you watch this as a stand-alone anime, it will not be satisfying.
If you liked it, try the app. It is in its early system stages so bear with it, but marvelous art and tons more characters.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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