When I first started watching, I was already following Say 'I Love You', and I must admit, the initial impression I was left after three or four episodes with was mixed. One of the strengths of this show - and this is already strikingly clear from its first episode which was a very strong start - is the amount of content and fun it can cram into 20 minutes. However, I was a little bemused at the ...
When I first started watching, I was already following Say 'I Love You', and I must admit, the initial impression I was left after three or four episodes with was mixed. One of the strengths of this show - and this is already strikingly clear from its first episode which was a very strong start - is the amount of content and fun it can cram into 20 minutes. However, I was a little bemused at the first-glance appearance of the relationship.
The relationship: Haru's casual rape threat in the first episode, and repeated use of his physical strength to have his way made me wary, given Shizuku's remaining at his side without much objection. The relationship definitely has some interesting moments and eventually becomes much more appealing and less tasteless than it seemed at first - both are very interesting, flawed characters (especially Haru, whom you might not even end up liking much) and their differences certainly enrich the experience. Shizuku is by no means a weak lead character. However the underlying truth
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is that, despite all of the teenage turbulence, ups and downs etc. their relationship hasn't really gone anywhere throughout the show so far. Shizuku can't be straightforward and sees the distribution of her energy between Haru and studying as a zero-sum game in which the latter is more important. Haru is alarmingly frank about his feelings but is repeatedly self-sabotaging in his attempts to unravel her defences and by the end, since the first episode, we feel that he has in a way made almost as many steps backwards as he has forwards. At this point, much of our attention is captivated by the other characters.
Normally, a romantic primary plot that doesn't really get anywhere wouldn't be a problem, but it actually becomes fairly noticeable in this show simply because of how pumped-up the content is - a fact that the very exciting first episode only exacerbates. Sure, quite a lot can go on in a single episode and this is definitely, overall, a forte in terms of fun, laughs and subtle developments.
However, the big problem is that the fact that there is such a limited sprinkling of the dramatic, and the fact that our character's stories only change very gradually somewhat trivializes most of the content. I consider myself a fairly patient viewer, but by the end I was really hoping for some zest, some drama, some passion, which I think would really add completion to MLM and bump it up to a 5-star rating, but which never really surfaced in these first 13 episodes. This isn't really a big deal though, the high-school setting managing to overcome the absence of feels quite passably and charmingly. Besides, MLM is quite full of laughs and it isn't a dull show. You will be enjoying yourself.
Secondary characters and relationships: These are the hidden strength of the series. You can relate to MLM's secondaries quite strongly. They emerge gradually in line with the show's "fast but actually slow" pacing and as I said before, at the end they have somewhat forced their way onto the centre stage alongside the primary relationship. Jaded romance-viewers might find the character line-up a little standard, but I think they were overall well-handled and endearing. Things have not been predictable. Despite this, the sluggish progression of significant events means that we haven't really seen much more movement with the secondaries than we have with the primaries, even though they are all well fleshed-out. It seems that this season has been a big preparation - ie. gradual introduction of characters etc. which will precede the crescendo.
Music and animation: Visually, it's very pleasing. The art is superb and sometimes the movements are quite impressive. Character designs are solid, expressions are good. No complaints here. Music is also fitting, OP and especially ED are both great.
Overall: MLM has some great moments hidden within. It's highly entertaining, and I think that as of now (episode 13) it will only get better. The lack of both potent drama and linear progression have been the main weaknesses of this season, but they are not significant. It's a solid and fun watch and deserves its 4 stars. If the writers put its potential to full use in the next part, this might even improve.
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