First Impressions – Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru
Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga shur- [character limit reached]
Basically.
I’ll be honest, watching OreShura was more of “why the hell not!” type of decision, but don’t let the long, generic LN title fool you! The story, a backwards romance with an obvious destination isn’t much to write home about, but the strong, likable characters and colorful (though washed-out) presentation style more or less make up for the lack of originality. Kidou Eita and Natsukawa Masuzu (voiced by Ohsaka Ryota and Tamura Yukari, respectively) are a breath of fresh air as far as characters go. Kidou’s actions are not driven by his second head, and Natsukawa has more on her mind than romance, and while Natsukawa’s intentions remain obscure, Kidou’s goal-driven personality is a pleasure to watch. If you’re tired of the dull, tiresome male leads that seem to plague the genre, then OreShura might be a good fit.
OreShura doesn’t avoid all staples of its series type, however. Enter the childhood friend! OreShura avoids attributing the typical, down-to-earth personality that these characters seem to almost always have, but if I’m to be honest I have to say, why fix what’s not broken? Harusaki Chiwa (voiced by Akasaki Chinatsu) is fiery and airheaded, and unlike Kidou and Natsukawa who are, or at least have the potential to be strong individual characters, Chiwa’s entire existence feels like an extension of Kidou. Factor in the annoying quirks of her personality and the inevitable hostile role she will undoubtedly play, and you have what I consider to be a flaw. Of course, that’s all from a subjective point of view, everyone has their own favored personality traits. There are still two main characters yet to be introduce, but I’m hoping they’ll add more to the diversity of the cast.
Plot twist, Natsukawa is actually a ghost.
The voice acting in OreShura is definitely one of its strong points. Yukarin’s voice is as irresistible as always, and despite my dislike of Chiwa, the character is well acted. You might also recognize Kidou’s voice actor, Ohsaka Ryota, who voiced Yuki in Tsuritama. Kidou’s voice doesn’t quite have the same expression as Yuki did, but considering the difference in character type it makes sense. Hisako Kanemoto, of the Squid Girl fame for one, and Kayono Ai will also be joining the cast in the coming weeks and as a fan of both I’m looking forward to it.
The path OreShura is taking will likely lead to a very predictable end, like I mentioned before, but despite that, it’s the journey to that end that we’re watching for. With Kamei Kanta (director of Usagi Drop) at the helm of direction and the curiously unromantic-romance that has been formed between Kidou and Natsukawa, it should be one hell of a ride! There were a couple times Kidou’s sexuality was mentioned, and I genuinely feel like this show would have been a lot funnier and less predictable if he actually was gay and was going along with Natsukawa to avoid the social effects. Think of all the misunderstandings!
The multicolored arrows pointing at Kidou’s lower body are a red herring I guess.
A1 Pictures is handling the presentation of the show excellently. The final scenes in the shade of the park were especially a pleasure to watch. One moment in particular, when Natsukawa flips her hair back, captured my attention. I’ve never seen a show use a transparency effect on hair before, but it does give it a sense of depth rather than being a blob of color. My only complaint, although minor, is the lack of vibrancy. Simply by looking at the artwork at the top of this post, and then any of the screenshots below you’ll notice the colors seem a bit washed-out, especially in brighter scenes. I wouldn’t say it’s a flaw, but rather a style choice that I’m not the biggest fan of.
In all likelihood I won’t be blogging OreShura regularly, but if anything is to be taken away from what I’ve written I’d want that to be “give this show a chance.” Despite the comically long title that might tell you to skip this, OreShura’s premiere was very promising, and chances are we have a competent, entertaining romcom to look forward to.
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POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
What a title for a show and here I thought OniiAi’s own was ridiculously long. Verdict on this first impression: I like this anime and luckily, I decided not to skip it. Interesting lead characters are set up here. Kidou Eita strikes me as a male Shizuku Mizutani from Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. Buried in his studies while ignoring social worries like falling in love. He also has similarities to Mayo Chiki’s Jirou concerning girls. Truth is, there are actually people who don’t believe in love so it’s new to me that they’re trying out a male lead with such a mindset.
I’ve been deceived. Masuzu seemed like such a sweet girl, the innocent princess type but, boy, was I wrong. LOL. She’s the definition of “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. Blackmailing Eita just after meeting him makes her such a bitch but you got to admire how well she did it. She and Mayo Chiki’s Kanade Suzutsuki could be best friends.
The setting for this is predictable yet we always continue to unconsciously watch similar shows. Well, we’re here to laugh at the misunderstandings while he digs a hole so deep he can’t get out.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
I’m with you on being deceived! I was expecting a Takane Shijou-esque character and though Masuzu might have Takane’s elegance, one is much more evil than the other.
As common and predictable as school settings typically are, they’re so hard to resist. I hope you’re right about the laughs!
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
People have been throwing out words like ‘evil’ and ‘bad’ for Masuzu, but I think she’s just pragmatic. 🙂
Chiwa’s definitely going to be the loser in this show, and probably The Butt Monkey. And not many people are going to like her character. I know I don’t particularly care for her after the first episode, liking Masuzu much better, even if she is manipulative and Machiavellian.
I too didn’t really care for the washed out look. I actually watched CR’s stream, and then looked for a TV rip to see if it was just CR’s that was washed out (cause it’s something I’ve felt before from their streams) and it wasn’t, really. The color palette is *similar* to Sakurasou’s, but Sakurasou’s much more saturated colors give it a much better feel for me.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Hm, yeah pragmatic would be a good way to put it! I still think there’s a hint of super villain underneath though. XD
Poor Chiwa, she’s destined for failure! I haven’t read the source so I don’t want to assume, but it just seems obvious.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Not a bad first episode! I really enjoyed the bright fun colors even though it felt like I was watching Precure which is usually filled with all kinds of colors~
The main characters so far are very entertaining like Masuzu and yeah she is probably the generic busty new chick in town, but she reminds of Tsukasa Ayatsuji from Amagami SS aka the nice girl at school but totally the opposite out of school xD
I can’t wait to hear Hisako Kanemoto’s character! After reading her bio it has me excited to see how her “special” traits come into play.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
*now imagining the OreShura girls as precure*
I heard Kanemoto’s character is a Chuuni which instantly makes me excited. Seems like her character is a quiet type, so it’ll be interesting to hear Kanemoto tackle the voice acting. (I’m so used to Ika Musume and Yayoi …)
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
I find this series a bit weird. Not sure as to whether I want to continue this series or not… I’m guessing that they will eventually realise the wonders of love whilst being with each other and fall in love.
I find the colour palette to be a bit…whats the word…washed out? As Highway mentioned, it is sort of similar to Sakurasou, but I think I prefer Sakurasou’s colours better.
p.s
Did anyone notice that her hair was transparent in the scene where her skirt was flying up?
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
3 episode test might help! You might be more interested once the rest of the cast is introduced.
Yes! I actually thought that was a nice effect, since like I mentioned, it adds a bit of depth. It did look a little weird though, I don’t know how to put it …
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Her hair was in the scene?
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
Not sure if has potential or just trolling.
But on a serious note, I don’t know what to think of it. If I was to ask myself, what makes this show good? I can’t answer. If I was to ask myself what makes this show bad? I can’t answer simply because I couldn’t care much about this show walking in and walking out of it. It can go in so many directions and I wasn’t a fan of Sakurasou. Though I did like Mayo Chiki. Even so, Mayo Chiki was my guilty pleasure when it aired but I just don’t feel the same way to OreShura as I did with Mayo Chiki. Sure there’s the seiyuu’s and etc but when it comes down to it, I think the deciding factor is how interested you personally are in watching the show and right now, my interest in this show is quite low. But hey, Kokoro Connect did a great job trolling us and turning out to become a great series and maybe OreShura will do the same. Finger’s crossed? (I have hardly any shows in my watch list >< Feels so… empty…)
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
I know what you mean Tofu! There aren’t many aspects of OreShura that captured my attention either, and I’m only continuing for the potential it has to be something more. I’d say give it a couple more weeks, maybe it’ll pick up a bit!
That reminds me, I have to watch Kokoro Connect …
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
YES YOU DO! xD
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Kokoro Connect is great! Nice drama and character development. I’d say it’s similar to Sakurasou, with less comedy and more drama? Inaba!!!
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 175 comments
1ep in yea keep in check for see how it goes give 13eps series
& yea feel like tonari this with male person version of shizuku + chunibyo give male person has secret past tried to hit til forced do things + anti-love person = eita
with got wonder expect later to see masuzu vs chiwa yea it’s so on.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Chiwa is going to have a tough time taking on Masuzu! Not only is Masuzu skilled at manipulation, but she’s also like twice as tall. XD Maybe Chiwa has a secret weapon? kukuku
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Chiwa’s special talent: annoyingness. 😉
Really, tho, she’s got the annoying part, without the endearing part so far. It’s like if they tried to ship Mayoi as a love interest for Io in Acchi Kocchi, competing with Tsumiki.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Hmm, I don’t know if she’s annoying, but I think she fits the the stereotype people have of childhood friends who are boy and girl. Never seen people like that though, all the childhood friends I know that were guy/girl are pretty laid back and chill, without all that cutesy act tossed in.
Mayoi has like zero love interest towards Io though. Her and Sakaki would make a more likely pair (think of all the potential fun situations!). Tsumiki really annoyed me near the end to the point that I was hoping for an open-ending. I really liked Hime; but since she didn’t have a pairing I was rooting for Hime being Hime ^^
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 192 comments
I’m afraid I have to disagree with you assessment of Chiwa. She does have a volatile personality, but she just seems more…grounded or realistic to me, compared to the exaggerated angel from hell Masuzu. To each his/her own, I guess. =)
I really wish that they had used more of the vibrancy and camera angles when Masuzu revealed the notebook. Would’ve made a rather average show stand out more. And I can’t help but feel a Senjougahara vibe in that scene…
On the show as a whole, I can’t say much other than it has potential (don’t they all? XD). 3-episodes it is for me.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
“angel from hell” – Hah I love that! Perfect description of Masuzu, and now that you mention it she does remind me a lot of Senjou with that blunt, unpredictable personality of hers. I hope Chiwa will grow on me over time, if the show’s potential is ever met that is. XD
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
And just like Senjougahara, Masuzu looks like she’d heartlessly dispose of him if anything happens that displeases her.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Senjougahara? She certainly has unique (and extreme) ways of showing her love, but she wouldn’t dump Arararagi-kun.
Though when I saw the notebook, my first thought was Mori Summer!
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] the second for the most part in this post. As it wasn’t covered in weekly episodics after First Impressions at the beginning of Winter, I took it as my duty to do a series review on […]