I was gazing through the list for an anime to review. As I clicked onto the Spring 2007 season anime, I realized that there was something that was begging to be revealed. I immediately screamed to Extrange (who was chatting with me online) that it is a wonder that none of the reviewers on the blog has mentioned this anime! It is funny, it is hilarious, it has some emotional drama and most of all, it has appealing quirky characters that will resonate to you.
Despite the lack of shoujo series due to the over crowding of cool shounen series, there are always a few lying around. This one is perhaps one of the decent comedy shoujo. The series, as you expect, is Lovely complex.
Story
Lovely Complex is a love story between a boy and a girl. This series plays on the height issue as Risa Koizumi, the main female lead, is much taller than most Japanese girls at 172 cm. The boy, Atsushi Otani, tips the scale at a magnificent 156 cm. As the two somehow just cannot seem to quit an argument against each other, they are called the school’s comedy duo or the “All Hanshin Kyojin” team. It is also noted that there is an extremely popular comedy duo that plays the height difference.
Risa is a girl who has never been in romance, while Atsushi seems somewhat stunned by his previous relationship where he was dumped. As the two experienced things together, the two finally warmed up as Risa realized that she has fallen in love with Otani. Otani, being the thick skull that he is, is completely oblivious to her reactions. The story goes on, depicting their love story, while talking about the antics of this comedy duo.
Why you should watch this
I know that some people have been turned off by the Kansai-ben dialect, spoken in the Kansai region. I do not know why there is such a hatred in the dialect, since I am no native Japanese. I, for one, like the rich offerings of humor in this series. I cannot remember a single episode where I do not have a good laugh. I do not deny that it is rather easy to induce laughter for someone who likes to laugh. Nevertheless, as a comedy series, it has done particularly well. Even the most stated joke “the height problem” is used sparingly. Jokes can run dry after a while when it is used all the time, and Lovely Complex does not fall that badly in that aspect.
Secondly, it is perhaps the personality of Otani and Risa that helps to make this anime a hit for me. Otani, the shortie, is a hilariously thick skulled guy with a personality that girls can only squirm with cuteness. Risa, despite her emotional fragility being a minus in some parts of the show, is equally quirky and unique. However, a word of caution is that you should not expect great romance in this show because it is somewhat plagued by the same situation that many shoujo anime suffered from: draggy relationships. If you can look over that and see it more as a comedy, this show is definitely for you. I mean, look at the random conversation at the second screenshot. It is classic Lovely complex humor.
With a group of 4 sidekicks (her best friends), Haruka, a trap and Maity-sensei, this is a series where there are enough quirky characters, with funny exchanges to keep you awake for most of the show. One of the huge incentives of the show is perhaps the side characters as stated. Their nosy behavior between Otani and Risa is rather hilarious as they go on all means to push the two together. I remember when Otani finally kissed Risa for real, I smiled. It’s worth the wait.
One more time is the upbeat soundtrack that I enjoy a lot. Both OPs and EDs are extremely happy and cheerful, making it a good after taste. I remember how I used Lovely Complex to cheer myself up after a horrible day at school or when I have an argument with my girlfriend. It tends to brighten up the day just a little, since the crazy antics of the characters is perhaps larger than life. I guess Lovely Complex is a show not meant to be taken too seriously, but good to liven up your life.
20 Comments
>> It is funny, it is hilarious, it has some emotional drama and most of all, it has appealing quirky characters that will resonate to you.
AND it’s in the kansai accent, which is really cool.
BUUUUUT. I absolutely hate the pairing…they do not match at all =.=
I really watched this and thought “meh.” The animation style/color choices and the character designs just turned me off. Plus none of the character’s personalities really connected with me and got me interested. I watched it because I guess you could say it was different, the kansai style and weird nature of the characters made it tolerable for a once a week watch. However, I wouldn’t personally call it one of the top shows this year.
I understand why Impz likes it though, a trap that actually kisses a guy.
LoveCom was god due to the simple fact it’s a love story. (I’m a sucker for lovey lovey stories).
I was funny to watch how much the pair argued with each other, which ironically showed how much they were meant for each other. But yeah, I always though how awkward would be when they try to kiss…
It got boring when they wanted to break up, get back together, breaking up again and so…
When they finally get some time together then the show is basically over and they want to go their seperate ways. Which is boring.
And no, haven´t watched the last episode, got to bored to finish it.
i love this anime mostly because of its comedy. if ur lookin for comedy this is the 1 to watch!!! i would give it 5 stars for comedy but only 3 stars for romance. i’m not really thrilled about the romance part.
I watched this anime up to episode 16, the story was starting to change from comedy to all emo romance at around episode 11.. a bit let down for me
For some reason the kansai made me twitchy.
As in, really twitchy. I absolutely could not get into the anime because of it. It’s one of those weird illogical things which I need to get over one of these days, because the show looks great otherwise.
It’s definitely a show not to be missed! After watching the first episode recently, I just got hooked onto it and instantly finished till the last episode =) And yea, the comedy part is GREAT, but it’s only in the first half. At the end the story begins to get quite tears-jerking as Koizumi keeps crying… But overall, the ending is one of the best in most animes – Light-hearted and joyful.
wtf how can you hate the kansai? That was like one of the highlights of the show for me! Anyways, I loved this anime from start to finish.
It was either the fist op or ed, but one of the songs was on the oricon forever.
First of all, I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE reading your blog! I’m currently watching Bokura Ga Ita & I came across this while looking for an episode summary when the videos wouldn’t load .. & I have to say that yours is very enjoyable.
I am so glad that you mentioned Lovely Complex. I’m just getting into anime & somehow I stumbled across LoveCom and fell in love with it. I agree with what you said about it making you laugh at least once every episode .. even during dramatic moments, the animation was just so hilarious (ie., facial expressions), and that’s mainly what kept me going with the series. BGI is getting a little hard for me to watch because, in my opinion, there’s not nearly enough humor (compared to LoveCom, anyway). But yes .. definitely a memorable series. I’m even getting some of my friends hooked on it & they’re not even into anime. x) That’s when you know a show’s good .. haha.
Thanks for the great reviews!! ^_^
Risa is one of the all-time great heroines of anime. She’s got such a full personality, at times adorable, weird, neurotic, and yet always very real. Akemi Okamura does a fantastic job as her voice, she really helps you feel for Risa and care all the way through to the end of her story.
I think the anime is good and funny, but really so unfair to Otani.
They spend so much time getting together with him acting like an insensitive idiot only to rush through 8 volumes in 6 episodes and finish it. You kind of get the feeling that he didn’t work hard enough for the relationship. I still really enjoy it, but I’d seriously recommend anyone who liked it to read the manga for the full story.
I love both the anime and the manga.
I got so into this show, cheering on Koizumi, yelling at Otani and downright laughing my butt off at both their antics and the expressions Nobu-chan would make watching those two pussy-foot around each other.
For me not only were the two main characters great, but the supporting characters were also very enjoyable.
I really enjoyed the humour and the kansai-ben didn’t turn me off. After all I love Nakatsu from Hana Kimi too ^-^
I love this series although it progressed really slow which Ootani only reveal his true feeling in episode 18. I like the ED especially the pleasant song showing Ootani and Risa walking through the black and white background.Its not like Ai Yori Aoshi where all mushy but this one is good.
I like Koizumi Risa optimisme and never give up attitude. She so rock but I don’t really like it when she cries.
Ootani is sure somekind of idiot, just because a girl is taller than him it does not mean the relationship is impossible. But Ootani is the sensible one among the comedic duo.
I like it when Risa close friend suggest theres such thing as shorty fetish and Ootani remarked to Risa that she loves him for his body only. Maity Sensei is cute when he managed to wield his magic to make Ootani realise that he loves Risa afterall.
How I wish there’s a second season for Lovely Complex which is about Ootani in the University and Risa as a stylist.
@Lily, that would be so cool ^-^ Then we’d get to see jealous Otani I’ll bet as I’m sure Risa would get to be around plenty of ‘tall’ male models lol! ^-^
I think the plot is cool. I dont have a problem with the language… since I cannot understand any Japanese dialect. I havent seen this, though I wish they have the translated copise in the youtube already. Merry Christmas!
I loved Lovely complex, I thought that it was the best anime EVER. The plot and drawings just made me fall in love with it more. Really i think that no other drama was as cute and as good. I mean I spent like 3 weeks trying to find a good anime like Lovely complex and I still can’t find it. Lovely Complex really topped the charts. I hope they make a second season.
oh no!
i love LOvely Complex with all my heart!!!!!!
i fell in love just reading the synopsis, and the series as well!
woohoo!
I *LOVE* this anime! I may be biased because I watched it when I was kind of depressed and in desperate need of humor (which it amply provided), but I still believe it is one of the best shoujos out there. I love love love the pairing, it totally works, and the way they maneuver around the height issue is very clever and it really fits. Definitely watch this if you like shoujo or just a average happiness.
I liked the manga and anime but was disappointed with the live action version but still its a great love story
http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/lovely-complex-lovecom-anime-and-movie/