Nisekoi
2014
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- comedy
The story
Raku Ichijo is an average high school student. He also happens to be the sole heir to the head of a Yakuza Family called the Shuei-gumi. 10 years ago, Raku made a promise… a secret promise with a girl he met. They promised one another that they will “get married when they reunite.” Since then, Raku never let go of the pendant the girl gave him.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated anime colours with bouncy, exaggerated character design: big expressive eyes, sudden squash-and-stretch reactions, and clean cel-shaded backgrounds in sunlit classroom corridors, cherry-blossom streets and pastel bedrooms. Its comedy runs on quick cuts, reaction close-ups and a jaunty, synth-tinged opening theme that sets a busy, playful pace. The vibe is light, chaotic and warm, a sugary romcom with a sprinkle of gangster gag. Episodes move fast, with running jokes, misunderstandings and escalating love-triangle mix-ups, and the emotional beats stay easygoing rather than heavy. Intensity is low: slapstick scuffles, a few yakuza-flavoured scenes with stern men in suits, some mildly suggestive teasing and fanservice-style camera shots, but no real gore and little genuine danger. It suits a comfort-binge on a lazy afternoon, or background viewing while doing something else. It is for viewers who want an upbeat, silly school romance with a crowd of affectionate characters, a fake-relationship setup, and plenty of lighthearted chaos.
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