Heroines Run the Show: The Unpopular Girl and the Secret Task
Synopsis
Freshly graduating middle school, energetic 15-year-old Hiyori Suzumi moves from her coastal hometown to Tokyo, pursuing her dream of being a track and field runner. Unfortunately, as soon as her first high school year begins, she faces an imminent problem that ultimately causes her to find a part-time job to cover living costs. After searching through countless prospective workplaces, Hiyori stumbles upon a posting looking for event staff, to which she gets accepted against all odds. It is revealed that she will be working as a manager-in-training for LIPxLIP, a rising male idol group composed of Yuujirou Someya and Aizou Shibasaki—both of whom are coincidentally her classmates. Despite this shocking revelation, Hiyori is resolved to do her best with balancing her studies, her ambition, and most importantly, her role as LIPxLIP's attendant. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is mixed. Many enjoyed the initial episodes, character interactions, and music. However, the final arc, particularly the stalker storyline and its resolution, was heavily criticized for poor writing and problematic themes, significantly impacting the overall impression. While some appreciate the focus on friendship over romance, others found the plot disjointed and the characters underdeveloped.
Strengths
- Enjoyable character dynamics and chemistry between the main characters.
- Good music, especially the ending songs, by HoneyWorks.
- Refreshing lack of romance triangle, focusing instead on character development and the idol industry.
- Fluid 2D animation during dance/idol scenes.
Weaknesses
- Poor handling of the stalker arc in the last episodes, including victim-blaming and a lack of consequences.
- Rushed and shallow resolution to the drama in the final episodes.
- Misogynistic portrayal of women, particularly the heroine's appearance.
- Lack of focus on the struggles of the idols and the showbiz industry.
- Inconsistent pacing and a disconnected plot.
- Shallow character development and underutilized side characters.