Balladeer wrote:Right, what am I missing with Kaguya-Sama? I'll admit to watching only the first episode, but it looked so much like generic anime romance trash that I dinghied it without a second thought. What does it do well? If I felt contempt for episode 1, is it possible it'll still win me round? I enjoyed Komi, which I think it was recommended to fans of, well enough.
Character growth and development. It grows beyond the prideful battles between the main couple, the core student council expands with great new additions who bounce off eachother and the existing characters very well. Side characters weave in-and-out of the story further adding depth and plot progression and it soon becomes a rom-dramedy.
It's not going to be for everyone - but if you like the funny little games, actual relationships blossoming during the events rather than being a final chapter/episode tease and multiple character arcs progressing rather than constantly stalling/resetting it's the one to read/watch. My only issue with the anime is that the first season in particular rearranges the chapter order a little too much that it feels a bit random or disconnected. The author also likes to poke fun at typical romantic comedy manga/anime in a number of chapters.
It can be funny, cute, surprisingly sad and anything in between. I always come away satisfied and I'm a miserable old git most of the time.