ItaKiss
Synopsis
When her newly-built home is razed to the ground by an earthquake, low-achieving, clumsy, and troublesome third-year high school student Kotoko Aihara is forced to share a roof with the school's—and possibly Japan's—smartest student, Naoki Irie. Kotoko is not actually a complete stranger to Irie-kun; unfortunately, a single love letter that she tried to give him in the past has already sealed her fate as far as he is concerned. Throw in some quirky friends and a meddlesome mother, and Kotoko might not even have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the older Irie boy's heart. Yet Kotoko remains optimistic that, because she now lives in his house, her unattainable crush on the genius since the beginning of high school has never been more within reach. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is heavily divided. While some appreciate the show's long-term depiction of a relationship and its comedic elements, many are critical of the unhealthy dynamic between the main characters, finding it to be abusive and promoting a negative message. Kotoko's character is polarizing, with some finding her determined and others finding her pathetic. The series's fast-paced storytelling is also a point of contention.
Strengths
- Follows the couple beyond the initial romance, showing their life after marriage.
- Enjoyable romantic comedy with well-integrated comedy and drama elements.
- Some viewers found it heartwarming and appreciated the characters' development.
Weaknesses
- The relationship dynamic is often seen as unhealthy and abusive, with the female lead being constantly belittled.
- The main characters can be annoying, with Kotoko's persistence and lack of self-respect being criticized.
- Inconsistent pacing and character development; story can feel rushed.