I was really skeptical about this show both before AND even after the first episode. It is definitely an experience and it moves so fast. One minute we’re getting a cute opening scene with Mari getting used to her school life and the next, Hidaka’s in heat trying to fuck her. I did think the romance moved extremely fast here, but it’s so cute and pure that you just kind of roll with it? The great art direction also makes every single moment so much more heartfelt and emotional. Objectively, Mari and Hidaka falling for each other so hard after like 1-2 meetings is crazy, but in the context of the story you just get swept up in the whirlwind romance as well. I guess in hindsight, some of the most iconic relationships in fiction have been similarly short. Romeo and Juliet, Titantic, etc., so it’s not unprecedented, but this show does move at a lighting pace. Narratively, the two leads’ relationship is a device used to analyze the wider societal discrimination Beastfolk face. He and Mari’s relationship is a literal and metaphorical bridge between the two races and a path towards coexistence. Hidaka’s mere presence at school creates some tension and I enjoyed seeing him gradually win over his classmates. Often times we prejudge people based on what others have told us or selectively curated news articles and then when we actually get to know people we realize we had it all wrong. Same thing here, the school is extremely anti-beastfolk at first before welcoming Hidaka as one of their own, culminating in the last two episodes where the class’ trust in him is put to the test. The romance is cute don’t get me wrong, but that was definitely my favorite part of this series. Again, it’s something that can be taken and applied to the real world too. I know personally, when I got to grad school and got to interact with people from various countries around the world of which I’d previously had negative opinions, I completely changed my opinion. No one’s above learning and expanding their horizon and this show really drives that home! Get to know people, talk to them and realize we have more in common than different.
The supporting cast is really good here too! I was initially sour on Yukihiro because he kept pursuing Mari even though he knew how she felt about Hidaka, but I was pleasantly surprised with his character development at the end. They didn’t drag things out too much and actually had him be very thoughtful, understanding and even proactively helping Hidaka and Mari’s relationship succeed even at the cost of his own feelings. Respect. Kisara was basically the same, but for Hidaka. For a one cour show that has so many horny scenes, there’s a surpassing amount of character development by the end and a very clear trajectory for story progression. I do wonder how the rest of the story will go after the ending of this season as it felt like we were really just working up to Mari and Hidaka establishing something together. I hope the author continues to focus on the wider social issues in the universe.
This show has absolutely no business looking as good as it does! It’s an absolute treat for the eyes, the character designs are amazing, the animation is incredible, the art direction.. it’s all just top notch and some of the best of the year. This is also from the same studio that did isekai cheat skill which had God awful CGI and great 2D. Luckily, no CGI here so it’s just great 2D throughout which honestly, is a big reason this show is as good as it is. Anime is ultimately a visual medium, so if something looks good, that helps a lot.
Overall, one of the biggest surprises of the year and worth a watch. Not the best romance or story in the world, but it has some real world lessons, great production values and the ships do just hit in a way you have to experience for yourself. It’s one of them shows that you’re like “ok I’ll give it one more episode” and before you know it, you’re hooked and in love with the cast! Great watch.
Kimikoe gets 8 muzzles out of 10.
