Anime-Kdrama-Cdrama-WINS

(10+) So hard to rate this one, because the animation is gorgeous, the story is long and smartly done, all the characters are likeable, and I really admired how deeply the series dived into the sports played by the characters: badminton, basketball, and gymnastics. If just for those factors, it's an easy "10"! But, but, but... I really DON'T understand the male protagonist's choices when it comes to the romances he's offered! At all. I think the gymnast should have been an easy call, but it wasn't, and I thought she was the most likeable and interesting BY FAR. A second season has been announced, and I will be 100% watching it, but I was not thrilled with how everything shook out. Props to the two male sidekicks, both were great, as was the addition of a female secondary character in the last 4 or 5 episodes. Lots to work with for another season! Two points off on this season, though: 1 because I think there should have been a more definite end, and 1 because I'm still thinking the best character in the series didn't get a fair shake!

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(16+) Very good series but is basically a retelling of an anime trope that has been done many times before. What sets this series apart is that the animation is brilliant, and the story itself has some extremely good episodes. Unlike many of these types of tales, it makes sense why the male protagonist is in such demand... he is a genuinely nice, moral, strong, and upstanding character with no real flaws. Lots on innuendo but no action makes this a sneaky type of sexy comedy romance, and while he definitely ends up with someone (and no one knows who yet) I'm terrified it might be with one of two I couldn't see him having ANY spark with! (The Quintessential Quintuplets come to mind and that train wreck of a coupling at the end that came out of nowhere. Ugh!). I hope this series doesn't follow the same path as that one because there is a clear winner for the M. P. in my mind, with two others very close seconds (which I could totally understand) along with two "no ways". Please, not another anime that ends with a "No Way!" Great series, though, and a good watch!

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(14+) I really REALLY thought this was a "10" until the last couple of episodes... and even they were good, just not great. I reserve 10's for those series that don't miss a beat, and I thought this anime lost a golden opportunity at the end of episode 11, beginning of episode 12 to really make an impact on the watcher and on the overall character development and story arc. That being said, this series is a solid "9" and very much recommended! Just a sliver away from being a "must watch" in my opinion! The male protagonist is awesome, and it's so rare to have an older protagonist it was a real breath of fresh air! Also, the main female protagonist was incredible, too, and I'm rooting for her for sure!! Season 2 has already been announced! Can't Wait!

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