This is also known as “Love*Com.”
Synopsis: Lovely Complex is a story of a boy and a girl. The girl, Koizumi Risa, is 170 cm tall – much taller than the average Japanese girl. The boy, Otani Atsushi, is 156 cm – way below the average height of the average Japanese boy. They are known as their school’s comedy duo because there is a popular comedy duo that has a similar height difference. One day, a very tall transfer student shows up and Risa immediately falls for him, as she has had bad luck with boys in the past because she is tall. There is a girl that Atsushi likes as well, so Risa and Atsushi decide to put aside their differences and help each other get their love interests. But as they get to know each other better, Risa’s feelings for Atsushi begin to blossom.
(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovely_Complex)
Genre: Romance, comedy, shoujo
Status: Anime – Completed (Apr to Sept 2007)
Manga – 17 volumes, completed.
Thoughts / Review:
TO START OFF… The opening theme, “Kimi + Boku = Love?” by Tegomass, is pretty catchy and I think it is quite fitting based on the story. The opening animation is colorful as well. The ending theme is “Kiss ~ Kaerimichi no Love Song” by Tegomass. I’ll just do a quick rundown on the characters, a bit more comments on the 2 main characters (Koizumi and Otani) , mention the others in passing, and share my two cents about it . Shall we?
AND THE CHARACTERS ARE… KOIZUMI RISA is the tallest girl in her school and she has some issues regarding this because boys often get intimidated that she’s taller than them. She’s outspoken and impulsive. She does have a soft spot, a really nice and kind girl. OTANI ATSUSHI is quite short in height for a boy. He can also be quite outspoken and a bit rude, but despite that first impession, you’ll learn that he’s really a kind and thoughtful person. The other characters include their circle of friends NOBUKU (Koizumi’s bestfriend) and her boyfriend NAKAO (part of the basketball team along with Otani), CHIHARU (Koizumi’s other bestfriend) and her boyfriend SUZUKI, and there’s also HARUKA (Koizumi’s childhood friend who really likes her).
MY IMPRESSION… Koizumi and Otani are sooooo funny! One of their teachers called them the comedy duo “Hanshin-Kyojin” and it got stuck… Lol. I can’t help but giggle everytime that is mentioned. Moving on, Koizumi is a really nice person, and her reactions are just so hilarious! She’s quite emotional and outspoken. Probably, the only thing I don’t like much about her is that I think she cries a bit too much publicly, but that doesn’t bother me to the point of annoyance. I still like her character! She’s strong-willed and motivated. Otani is also the type who speaks his mind. He’s very skilled at basketball regardless of his height. He is also hilarious! They’re not coined by the teacher “comedy duo” for nothing! Haha. They’re all out when they’re going on about each other and saying insults back and forth, like a bickering old couple. (They kind of remind me a bit of Heiji and Kazuha from “Detective Conan” when they bicker… so cute and funny!)
I also kinda like Haruka… I know, I know… He’s a bit rude to Otani but still you can’t deny the fact that he looks pretty! Hehe. I also feel a bit sorry for him too because he really likes Koizumi but she likes someone else. Ouch.
The animation is quite good and the colors are nice. The dialogue isn’t too sappy or overdone to the point of cheesiness, I think it’s just about right. One of the reasons I liked this (besides it being so darn funny!) is that it struck a chord in me. I can see myself in Koizumi’s position being all confused and emotional like that sometimes. It’s so funny but it’s also realistic enough that you’d get to relate to one or more of the characters and identify yourself with them in most of the situations presented. It has tons of comedy, it has romance and it’s share of tears.
I think I enjoyed this a little too much intertwined with moments of sighs and a tinge of sandess. I love to have a good laugh every now and then and I’m rather fond of comedy and the “not-so-serious-all-the-time” kind of shoujos so this is just about right for me. I think the elements of comedy and drama are well balanced in this one. I also find Otani quite adorable so that’s a bonus for me! Lol. I love it when he grins and it just about melts me when he goes all thoughtful. Seeing him and Koizumi enjoying themselves together is just so fun to watch! (hehe… the rickshaw, Umibouzu concerts and pool slide is just LOL, their facial reactions are just priceless!) Did I say it was funny? Lol.
If you don’t mind laughing too hard or to get a bit on the emotional side once in a while, you’d definitley like this anime. It’s really fun to watch! ^-^
(PS… Btw, if you’re into comedy, you should also try “Hayate No Gotoku!” I break into fits of giggles every few minutes!)
Have you seen it too? What do you think? 🙂
I liked the manga and anime but was disappointed with the live action version but still its a great love story
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