Chiyo Sakura is a cheerful high school girl who has fallen head over heels for the oblivious Umetarou Nozaki. Much to Chiyo's confusion, when she confesses to her beloved Nozaki, he hands her an unfamiliar autograph. As it turns out, the stoic teenage boy is actually a respected shoujo mangaka, publishing under the pen name Sakiko Yumeno! A series of misunderstandings leads to Chiyo becoming one of Nozaki's manga assistants.
Throughout the hilarious events that ensue, she befriends many of her quirky schoolmates, including her seemingly shameless fellow assistant, Mikoto Mikoshiba, and the "Prince of the School," Yuu Kashima. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun follows Chiyo as she strives to help Nozaki with his manga and hopes that he will eventually notice her feelings.
The Anime Critic’s Review: Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun!
Imagine the ever sweet, romantic high school setting, add a dash of twist, a sprinkle of comedy, and sprinkle a bit of the unexpected – that’s “Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun” for you! Our Cherry-blossom-haired protagonist, Chiyo Sakura, has a massive crush on her stoic, clueless schoolmate, Umetarou Nozaki. One fine day, she musters the courage to confess her feelings only to be mistaken as a fan because, surprise surprise, Umetarou is a renowned manga artist, going by the pseudonym Sakiko Yumeno, best known for the popular shoujo manga, “Let’s Fall in Love”.
Through a series of humorous events, Chiyo unwittingly gets tagged along as one of the manga assistants, hoping this would bring her closer to Nozaki. Stepping into the world of manga creation gives Chiyo a whole new perspective on love and friendship. The anime, in its hilariously endearing ways, offers a delightful peek into the highs and lows of manga creation, along with imbued romantic thickenings all served on a platter of tongue-in-cheek humor.
STORYLINE & CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
“Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun” treads on the delicate and exciting premise of comedy and romance in an original manner. The anime perfectly balances the humor and romantic elements, which has us viewers constantly riding high on laughter while secretly rooting for Chiyo’s unrequited love. While the main storyline follows Chiyo’s “almost there” romantic endeavors, the engaging sub-plots involving the eclectic cast are equally captivating. Makoto and Seo, Kashima and Hori, Mikoshiba – all these characters seamlessly blend to create a hilarious carnival of sorts whilst giving a satirical reprieve of manga clichés.
ANIMATION & MUSIC:
From the vibrant visuals to the elaborate designs, the anime stays true to the manga roots. Surprisingly detailed backgrounds and fluid motion combined deliver truly appealing animation. The OST is notable – the opening track, “Kimi Janakya Dame Mitai”, and the ending theme, “Ura Omote Fortune”, beautifully capture the anime’s essence. Both the tracks, catchy and upbeat, resonate perfectly with the show’s spirit. Exceptional voice-acting also adds cherry on the cake.
THE FINAL WORD:
“Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun” is a delightfully crafted anime ticking all the right boxes – humor, romance, charm, quirkiness, and vivid storytelling. It has breathed fresh life into high-school anime genre with its unique premise of manga creation and the tongue-in-cheek inspection of clichés. Offering consistent chuckles and lilting heartbeats, it serves a refreshing divergence from typical high-school rom-coms.
If you’re a fan of rom-coms with a twist, or just craving for some good laughs, don’t hesitate to rent, buy, or stream “Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun”. It’s a manga enthusiast’s paradise with unexpected turns, guaranteeing laughs and a light-hearted diversion.
ANIME CRITIC’S RATINGS:
Storyline and Character Development: 9.5/10
Animation and Music: 9/10
Overall Rating: 9.3/10
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