[ Episode 6: The Clumsy Maid Girl That Doesn't Look Back ]

Nothing like scaring a girl to death by inserting her the shocking images if she was flat-chested.

Secondary characters in comedy anime can either help a lot or ruin the entire pace and humor… Thank god this episode lacks any characters besides the 4 main characters (yes, that includes Kosuke). Thanks to that, this episode of Kamen no Maid Guy was simple and wasn’t confusing or felt rehashed in any way. Because of the simplicity, I can say it’s best episode of the show since the 2nd episode.

This episode is divided to two stories, but unlike the 11th episode of KimiAru, there is an actual connection between the two. First, Naeka is shocked to learn she is an excess weight when she tries to get in an elevator packed with people, so she declares a diet regime in the Fujiwara house, much to Kosuke’s dismay. This leads to Naeka’s decision to fast, which Fubuki agrees with her as it turns out she isn’t as nimble as she appears to be. It’s up to Kogarashi to convince the two girls that fasting isn’t the answer and it’ll lead to their biggest nightmare: SMALLER BREASTS!

The second story picks up when the first one ended, Fubuki feels sick after the fasting and from a prior cold. Naeka decides to help her, but as we already established by this episode, whenever she tries to help, chaos ensues. It’s up to Kogarashi to gather Fubuki the herbs she needs in order to recover. I won’t say exactly how that turned out, but you can expect it’s anything but normal.

This episode, despite the initial emphasis on Naeka, is centered on Fubuki. Throughout the episode there are notes that have the rules of a maid written on them. They explain the basis on how she complies to her masters completely, and also emphasize that, and I quote, “no one will remember her when she dies”. I also think the narrator of those notes is the same Seiyuu who does Kenpachi in Bleach, but I am not 100% sure.

The funniest scene in the episode was courtesy of our fat otaku Kosuke. At first he embraced the diet regime and as a result it showed excellent result with him not only looking thinner, but sounding like a hunk. It was even funnier to see his appetite hasn’t change despite that and it took a few coke bottles for him to revert to his original fat form. Kogarashi didn’t get that much screen time, but it was funny how he made himself light during the weigh-in. Everything this guy does is abnormal and in a way I see an Onsokumaru in him. Sure he is much kinder than the perverted blob, but when it comes to insanity and presence you can easily put them in the same league above everyone.

Despite the lack of Kogarashi, it was a simple and fun episode. Next episode is going to mark a new arc (In that kind of a show? wow.) so we’ll see how that goes.

7.5/10

P.S.

I decided to stop blogging To LOVE-Ru. I found the last episodes to be ridiculous and downright unfunny. I will still watch it and probably review it in the end, but as of now, Kamen no Maid Guy is clearly better.

[ Episode 5: The Queen's Written Challenge ]

The hell?! To LOVE-Ru is an acronym?! Someone is pulling off a Gundam!

This is the obligatory “snobby girl enters the scene and is jealous of the main girl and tries dirty techniques to dethrone her”. That is how I can explain this episode of To LOVE-Ru. The only thing this episode does somewhat well is to introduce a new character: Saki, voiced by one of my least favorite seiyuu Ayako Kawasumi (who voices the already annoying Chizuru from Kanokon), but she at least gives the cast spice that is well needed to an overall dull performance.

If there is a thing I liked about the episode is Saki’s continuous laughing sequence in which she moves her hand close to her mouth and laughing maniacally like a proper snob. Sure maybe have done it, but by this episode this is her character trait. It’s also nice Saki just wants to have popularity and not the usual cliche of falling in love with the maid lead, although she did try to seduce Rito in order of getting Lala’s attention.

The second half of the episode involves Saki and her posse infiltrating Rito’s house that is well secured. It was funny seeing how Saki was suffering throughout this operation, but the addition of Lala and Mikan’s shower scene to add complete contrast was unnecessary. Do we really need to know that a warm shower is better than getting molested by a tentacle monster? What is it with to LOVE-Ru and tentacles?! After she does manage to infiltrate, Saki accidentally activates the escape pod (which is actually Rito’s room) and sends both her and Lala to outer space. Saki almost falls and dies and Lala saves her.

However, like the episode before it there are two unanswered questions I doubt if they’ll ever be answered. 1. What happened to Rito’s room? and 2. When Lala left Saki at a random neighbors’ pool, how did Saki became naked if Lala never used her teleporter? I guess the guys who live there that they’ll strip a young girl from her cloths. No surprises here though. Saki is pretty much the same as Lala when it comes to her sex appeal. Where Lala expertise is boobs, Saki does Legs. This episode had too much close ups on her legs of all everything, but it’s a nice change from boobs. Oh, I forgot the butt scene, my god that Rito has to be gay if he doesn’t feel anything after both Lala and Saki show him their assets.

This episode was cliched, but it was clearly better than episode 4. I just hope there’ll be more interesting characters around the corner with more detail under their cute shell, because the cast really needs to shake up.

5.5/10

[ Episode 4: The Universe's Love Apron ]

Attack of the stereotypical CG-Sea Monsters!

I knew it. I knew there is going to be a point during viewing to LOVE-Ru that I am going to say “aw man, not this again”. I think that show has reached its peak in the first episode and by now, we already know all of the antics and the characters, and the sad realization that they are mostly one dimensional. Even Zastin cannot save this episode.

This was another episode that emphasized how much the show ran out of ideas. Rito is frowning upon the idea of him marrying to Lala and have to attend the duties of an intergalactic king such as conquering other planets or defending his own territory. As a result, Rito coincidently concocts a plan to get rid of Lala by saying if she doesn’t cook well enough, she might as well go back to Deviluke. At this point when you see Lala storming out of Rito’s house, oneself might think that Lala is showing a different emotion that over-zealousness, which is a blessing by now, but alas. She stormed only to look for more ingredients to cook Rito the perfect meal. Oh, and guess what? Chaos ensues!

You can clearly tell I didn’t like this episode because it follows every single cliche of not only the show, but the genre it belongs to. Characters that don’t show development? Check. Inventions, Magic of anything the lead “unique” girl tries to do but fails miserably? Check. Anti-Climatic Ending? Oh boy check! I just hate it when the characters get into a trouble, all of them are in a pinch and nothing is resolved! It is even more annoying if the next episode starts as nothing has happened and there is no actual connection!

I still hate CG in anime and LOVE-Ru takes it to a whole other level, and a low one. The Tentacle Sucker is one thing as it didn’t look that different than the other backgrounds, but you can clearly tell the sea monsters that Lala has stored in her tank are taken from either MAR Heaven or Dragonaut. At least their design was decent, but it doesn’t help the fact the episode was pretty mediocre despite that.

I am really doubtful about to LOVE-Ru as of now. How can they extend this premise throughout 26 episodes? You can just look what it did to the first two seasons of Da Capo. This episode not only didn’t change anything in the plot and felt like a filler, but it was dull, unfunny and simply tiresome. I am not a guy that gives up that fast on a show, after all I still blog Shippuuden and now it finally starts to show signs of improvements. If that can improve, to LOVE-Ru has a chance as well… I hope.

4.5/10

[ Episode 2: Triangle Relationship ]

Lala Cosplay Edition

Call me a simpleton or what not, but I am a sucker for a cute and hot anime character wearing skimpy outfits, that’s the reason why I liked this episode of to Love-Ru. THAT being said, it is probably the worst episode so far of the show due to the fact it leans heavily on stereotypes of the comedy genre.

Rito is not content with Lala attending his school, as she cause bad luck whenever she tags along with him. In order to cheer him up and to show Lala more around earth, Mikan suggests to take the two to sightsee around the city, and she happily agrees. After an unfortunate encounter with Haruna, she tags in with the three and they go to an aquarium. While Lala and Mikan are looking around separately, Haruna and Rito are left by themselves. Haruna tells Rito that she always looked for him and appreciated his kindness and Rito feels ever more pressured since the girl of his dreams actually likes him back despite all the unfortunate events. Before the two manage to confess, Lala manages to flood the entire aquarium and ruin the perfect moment.

The bad thing about this episode it follows the “magical girl” cliche all the way. First you see Lala being clearly stronger and gaining more attention than anyone else, and then she does something outrageous that causes mayhem around. It was funny the first time with the Tentacle Sucker, but the Elephant Squirter (at least that’s how I call it) was a bit too much. Even the guy who works at the aquarium had a weird reaction by first panicking about the fish not being in their water tanks but later after Lala floods the place, he talks his suit off and actually tell her to go swim naked in the pool. What? For god sakes there are sharks and other creatures there! Who on their right mind would go there. And after the water gush throughout the entire place, I am surprised no one demanded the place to be repaired. This is the thing about the magical girl shows: everything is destroyed but it resolved like nothing happened. I also don’t like it in stuff like Bleach where the Shinigami fight Hollows or Arrancar and no one wakes up from all the explosions, but maybe I’m reading too much into this now.

I liked the scenes in which Lala changes to different costumes attempting to blend with the environment. She goes through many unique costumes that will probably cause most guys in the neighborhood to have an erection, but finally manages to find something appropriate after Rito feels uncomfortable. There is logical problem, though. When Lala found the outfit, it is suppose to hide her identity as an alien. If that’s so, why no one notices the fact SHE HAS A TAIL!? Am I the only one who see something weird with the picture? It’s funny how Rito and Peke ask Lala to keep her identity secret, but her tail, after her hair and boobs, is her most noticeable feature. Why did no one found out? The guy that works at the aquarium really takes the cake when it comes to ignorance by not saying anything to a sprinkler that generates water from absolutely nothing and drowns an entire aquarium. I know I shouldn’t over analyze shows like to LOVE-Ru, but I had to get it out of my system. That, and the nice selection of Lala’s coplay pictures!

It wasn’t a bad episode though, because there were some cute moments. While Lala became more cliche, I was actually surprised by Rito. He was obnoxious the first time, but by this episode he is a lot more devoted to his relationship with Haruna. In fact, the best parts of the episodes were the confrontations between the two as you can cut the tension with a zanpakuto (another Bleach reference, yay). In most shows the romance part takes a back seat, but it was set beautifully in this episode. I love the moment in which Haruna held Rito’s hand and in his mind time just stood still, as this is his premiere moment in life because he would never imagine she will address him. It is an interesting love triangle, and it saved the episode from being a complete disaster.

To LOVE-Ru, by now, is a mixed bag. It is funny and charming, but after a while you can easily see how cliche it can get. The characters start to have more substance and the story seem to make sense. I never really mentioned the manga is drawn by Kentaro Yabuki who created Black Cat. Then again, the guy who did the art for Hikaru no Go did for Death Note later so I am past the weirdest transition. Even so, I still hope it won’t go down as a cliched show, despite all the articulate muscle behind it.

6.5/10

[ Episode 2: Engagement Canceled?! ]

Rito seems to attract falling objects.

If you don’t like fan-service show, chances are you are not going to like to LOVE-Ru at this point, especially after you hear the subject of this episode. Me, on the other hand, have trouble hating the main character, Lala, because I find her the most adorable female character I have seen in a long time. I think that without Lala or her crew, LOVE-Ru will lack charm, which is the only reason why I don’t degrade it like the other shows in the genre.

Rito is not excited about the fact Lala is part of his life and he is even more worried when Zastin, the flamboyant commander from the previous episode, bursts in Rito’s room and tells him he and Lala are engaged. The most surprising discovery was the engagement was set the moment Rito touched Lala’s boobs, no joke. Rito realizes his life will only go downhill from here, so he manages to scheme out information about recalling the engagement. Rito learns the only way to do so if he touches Lala’s boobs again before tomorrow night. Even though Rito attempts are to no avail, it’s all the more complicated when he finds out that Lala is going to join his class…

If you liked what you read in the last paragraph chances are: A. you love boobs and B. you will watch shows with the stupidest premises. It’s a little ridiculous how a short scene that was mere coincidence for the two lead characters has sprout an entire episode. I expected an episode where the Rito was trying to fend Lala off who wants to touch him, but in the end he is the one who wants to touch her. Lito shows more character this time around as he really wants to save his relationship with Haruno without harming Lala’s feelings. Even if he is a good guy, it’s noteworthy that he is the unluckiest male lead in an anime. First the guy gets teleported naked to the girls locker room with Lala while his love interest is watching, and then gets slapped to the face! He is also the source of physical humor, as this is the second episode in a row a plant has smashed on his head, and now he got hit by a damn car. Last character I saw getting hit by a car was Gintoki in episode 1 of Gintama, and it’s no surprise that he survived, but man for a 16 year old boy, Rito is a beast. He is not the best lead in the genre, but his accidents makes him at least more likable than, say, Kanokon’s Kouta.

Takehito Koyasu made the episode funny in my humble opinion. I know I may sound as his fanboy, but his character, Zastin, showed the most versatile personality. I thought in episode 1 that Zastin is going to be the authority figure who symbolize menace and destruction and he is not a force to be reckoned with. Episode 2 showed us that Zastin is actually a lot goofier than any of the characters in the show. Rito even managed to trick him into telling how to waive the engagement, which shows that despite his demeanor, he is not that bright. Takehito himself voices the character in two different ways, menacing and friendly, similar to what he did in Majin Tanei Nogami Neuro, and while this anime wasn’t up to cut, he at least made this episode of Love-Ru fun.

While I like Zastin, I can’t say the same about Mikan. In anime, and even in American cartoons as well, there is always the little sister or brother that acts 4 times his age in order to feel superior to his elders. Mikan acts that way when she puts down her brother every chance she has. She also the only one who notices Rito’s awkward behavior, which doesn’t necessarily state her intelligence, but the other characters’ ignorance. Little kids should act playful and innocent, not judgemental or know-it-alls, and the mangaka thought it’s okay to make the kid the only character who realizes everything. It is almost as cliched as a good guy who powers up before he dies in order to turn the table on his opponent. ALMOST.

Lala and Zastin are entertaining to watch and the goofy accidents Rito is being pulled off into makes to LOVE-Ru fun. For those who don’t like fanservice shows, please remove 2-3 points from my score. Nothing has changed to dissuade you from thinking it’s just a juvenile vile show for a less sophisticated crowd. Like I said, I agree, it’s pretty stupid. That being said, it’s at least fun enough for me to keep watching it.

7/10

ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
OP: “forever we can make it!” by THYME
ED: “Lucky Tune (ラッキーチューン)” by SANTOS ANNA
Production: Xebec
To LOVE-Ru

[ Episode 1: The Girl Who Descended ]

THIS IS SO UNFAIR. How come male characters in those shows can fondle with breasts as much as they want and don’t get their balls kneed to the groin?

I have been hearing a lot of negative feedback about to LOVE-Ru, saying it’s juvenile, trite and filled with fan-service. To be honest, it is everything I just stated. Even so, I can’t help but liking it, as it’s somewhat became my guilty pleasure this spring season. The first episode wasn’t anything me, or anyone of you, haven’t seen before, but for those who like the genre can find some enjoyment thanks to the slapstick comedy. How many anime do you know where there are jiggling breasts during a space chase scene?

First of all, the main guy, Rito, is without a doubt one of the most boring lead males I have seen in recent memory. The only thing special about him is that he is in love with another girl from his school, Haruna and throughout his middle school years he failed to express his feelings, failed miserably. When he meets with Lala, the alien princess, and witnesses her being attacked by her bodyguards, all the guy has to think about is as she trying to get loose from their grasp, she grinds her shoes and make his carpet dirty. Come on, I know he doesn’t suppose to like her right away, but this is kind of stupid. What’s even more stupid is a second later he gets some balls and saves Lala. So he is very uneven, and the only thing that makes Rito mildly entertaining is the humorous situations the guys gets beaten up or screwed. Probably one of the best scenes of the episode was him getting run by an elephant stampede before confessing.

Now let’s move on to Lala, the brighter spot of this show. I had to sit through Steel Angel Kurumi, so I have had my fair share of overly happy busty pink-haired anime girls. Even so, I find her voice and personality a lot less grating thanks to the effort of the newcomer Haruka Tomatsu. I also love her design, her outfit is adorable and you can’t just help it and give her a hug, even though when she is transforming to that outfit, it seems to be more… “painful”… than it should, if you know what I mean. Design asike, instead of acting like the moe girl Kurumi is, Lala shows more of a personality as she does want to live independent life with no interference from her father who wants her to marry in her young age. Oh yeah, that’s the premise of the show if you guys didn’t know, sorry for leaving it out.

It is also one of those shows that the girl has some weird gizmo that helps at first but causes mayhem a moment later, in that case, the “vacuum-kun”, or how I call it, the “Tentacle Sucker”. Not only I have seen inventions that go wrong a million times, even in American cartoons, adding insult to injury is the fact that the Tentacle Sucker was made in CG. I am going to state it only one time here: I HATE CG IN ANIME. It’s cheesy, detracts from the overall animation quality and simply unnecessary. It has lots of boobs and CG, but if that turns into another Dragonaut I’m going to be pissed, and it’s rare to get me pissed that much about anime.

What else? The vocal talent is pretty much composed of newcomers with one exception: the busiest Seiyuu of them all, Takehito Koyasu is there as the commander of the Lala retrieval platoon, Zastin. You know if that guy is an anime, you sense his authority even if his role is minor. You know the guy likes to have fun when he is menacing at one moment, and goofy when he is sucked into a giant octopus vacuum. I also liked the OP theme “forever we can make it” by THYME, though I have yet to hear about them. It’s a catchy song filled with all the girls of the series wearing bikinis, revealing outfits or plain naked in the case of Lala. The ED is much slower, but it has a nice beat to it when the chorus kicks in. The soundtrack overall is nothing to write home about, but since I don’t mind pop-ish songs, I don’t hate it either.

I’ll stick to “to LOVE-Ru” for the time being as despite all of the glaring flaws, like how obvious the next episode is going to deal with Rito avoiding Lala because the alien princess wants him to marry her, although the entire thing is a misunderstanding. I am a little worried that the show is suppose to last for 26 episodes, which isn’t ordinary. All I really want of to LOVE-Ru is to rely more on the slapstick jokes than the fan-service, and if they do have to resort to that, at least no every five seconds please.

7/10