Wolf Girl & Black Prince

2014

Original language: Japanese

animation
comedy

The story

Fed up with her friends’ constant bragging about their boyfriends, high school student Erika Shinohara decides to make up one of her own. When her lie starts unraveling at the seams, her charming schoolmate Kyoya Sata agrees to be her pretend boyfriend, seemingly saving her reputation. She won’t get off that easy, however, as she soon discovers her white knight is actually a blackhearted prince! Now Erika must be at his beck and call or risk her lie being exposed. But is Kyoya really as blackhearted as he seems?

What it’s like

Bright, glossy cel animation with sunny school hallways, pastel-tinted classrooms and rooftop skies, and a palette of soft pinks, mint and clean whites that turns sharp whenever the hero's smile goes cold. Comedy lands through exaggerated reaction faces, quick cuts and sudden chibi gags, while the score is light and bouncy, with plinking piano and cheerful pop-rock that dips into ominous strings when the charming boy shows his teeth. The mood is sweet, flustered and mischievously tense: a warm, playful romcom that rides on banter and tiny moments of blushing rather than real danger. Its pacing is brisk and episodic, settling into the rhythm of a weekday after school, and its central relationship moves from forced pretending toward something tender, with the teasing slowly shading into affection. Violence is limited to slapstick and mock-threats; romance stays at hand-holding and near-kisses, with only mild innuendo. It suits a cheerful comfort watch, background viewing during homework or chores, or a light evening of giggles. For viewers who love shoujo romance, school-life comedy and an ongoing will-they-won't-they with a delightfully bratty male lead.

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