Score: A

I can certainly see why people were hyping this show up well ahead of release. But I just didn’t have time until now to actually watch the first episode. Summer is kind of ridiculous this year. This show absolutely has potential to be one of the best shows of the season. All the pieces are there for a really cute romance. I think they nailed both the visuals and the voice casting. With everything coming together this should be a show that is exactly the kind of show people would want it to be.

He’s given up on himself a bit

This has all the right pieces for a great Romeo and Juliet kind of romance. Just with presumably far less tragedy! Rintarou is a solid lead for this kind of thing. He’s a sweet guy that has constantly been judged for the way he looks. The type of person with a stern gaze, but nothing hostile beneath it. And naturally he’s built up walls around him. Even his friends aren’t as close to him as they’d probably like to be. Rintarou is used to things going bad so he just doesn’t get close enough to be hurt by it. But he’s still hurt and so it becomes this lose/lose situation.

He obviously needs someone that will see him for who he is. Kind of needs love to be blind since he is a bit intimidating. But that’s fine since everyone deserves a chance at being accepted by someone. The guy is honestly tough and clearly in good shape. He took that smack against the petal barrier pretty darn well. But he’s not a violent person. Never throws a single punch in this episode despite a lot of hostility being out there. It just helps that the people he runs into are slimeballs. They’ll pick a fight with an innocent girl or his less intimidating classmates. But they’ll run away with their tails between their legs when he just shows up at all.

Determined eyes right there

Kaoruko is just an angel. One with a seriously deep stomach! But there is nothing wrong with having an appetite. This girl is just an ideal taken form. Kaoruko isn’t just unmoved by the rumours about Rintarou, she gets offended in his place. These guys refuse to try to learn anything about Rintarou directly and are happy to spread utter rumours. They are truly unlikable slimeballs. She does of course take a serious risk in saying all that to guys that are very much willing to abuse someone weaker than themselves. But she’s got pride and I can respect that. Thankfully Rintarou was there to bail her out of that situation.

It’s taking very little additional effort for Rintarou to get Kaoruko’s heart skipping a beat! I thought she simply ran away earlier in the episode because she was embarrassed at being seen eating so many cakes. But it’s clear she’s had her eyes on him for a while. Maybe it’s a factor of her being from a lady’s only school and not having many guys in her life. So the first guy she sees on the regular (when she’s grabbing food) got on her mind fast. Regardless of the reason though, she does understand what good qualities he has. And no surprise that a girl being that sweet and accepting would get Rintarou to start falling for her as well.

That’s impressive levels of disdain

The whole thing ends with the “oh no” reveal that clearly got Rintarou’s mind spinning in a bad way. I feel the biggest thing will be the old “she’s from that school and I shouldn’t get involved with her” kind of thing. But at the same time I don’t see Kaoruko letting that sort of thinking stand for too long. It’s not like Rintarou can easily escape her either. Their schools are right next to each other and she’s a regular at his family’s cake shop. She will get her opportunity to break down those walls herself.

I will also say that it was almost comical how snobby some of the other girls at Kaoruko’s school were in this episode. Geeze people! The guy picks up a handkerchief and is basically told to throw it out because he’s contaminated it! Wow! I won’t necessarily blame Rintarou if he’s hesitant to get involved with Kaoruko. These other students have given quite the bleak impression of what kind of girls attend that school. I won’t blame him too much anyways. Clearly Kaoruko is a distinct person and should be judged on her own merits.

This will be fun!

No doubt that I’ll be checking out episode two when I have some time. I probably won’t pick up the show though since there’s already too many shows I’m debating on covering this season. And I have a feeling this show very much won’t fall through the cracks. But it definitely had a strong start. I look forward to seeing how things play out for this cute couple. They’ll have their challenges though doubt. But the potential here is excellent. Seems to have more than enough ability to live up to the expectations I’ve seen around for it.