SAKURASOU NO PET NA KANOJO

DESCRIPTION

CAST

NOVEL ComedySakurasou no Pet na Kanojo
MANGA ComedySakurasou no Pet na Kanojo

REVIEWS

• 

  aabir

  85/100
  A look at a fairly amazing series. Really though, I'm unsure how to do this summary thing.

  My first reaction to Sakurasou no Pet no kanojo was more along the lines of despair than anything. Despite its beautiful artwork, it looked just like harem/ecchi anime No. 13214. Yeah, sure, it said romance on the tin, but will it even be executed? Thankfully, it was. Despite my original distrust and even hostility towards Sakurasou, I was pleasantly surprised by a deep romance/borderline tragedy story. I can't really say that Sakurasou has wasted potential, but I can't really say it doesn't either. While it had a somewhat good execution, I guess it just wasn't my flavour of romance. Despite that, I can't deny that Sakurasou is by far one of the better romance series that you can find. I was actually glad that the harem didn't get pulled and that ecchi and forceful scenes were restrained and that things didn't go south. But I'll get to that in the story section, Let's go in order for now.

  

  Artwork - (19/20)
  The artwork is, without a doubt, one of the best things about this series. The sheer amount of detail and work is almost awe inspiring. First, let's start with the heart of the Slice of life genre - The character models. The character models were great overall, and especially the facial features were quite good. The best girl (Mashiro) was the very embodiment of cuteness, and won an overwhelming three spots in the internationalsaimoe community vote. That goes to show that she was -by far- one of the best and most detailed characters in 2013, and that in turn, is saying something. Still, it felt that as though the entire time was spent on Mashiro herself, since no one looks anywhere near as great as she does.

  Moving on, the environment. Wait, I can't put it in words, let this sink in.

  

  See, if you don't call that shit great, then I don't know what is. Of course, that is just an isolated example. While the rest of the series does look great, it just doesn't look that great constantly. The environment is good, if a bit sparsely detailed, but I'll take a beautiful landscape any day over a detailed one.

  Now, the animation. The animation is pretty fluid, but its overkill considering that it isn't exactly needed as much. There aren't a lot of fast moving scenes to cover, but eh well, whatever. Can't really complain about things being too good, now can I?

  And, how can I forget the fanservice? Sadly (or, thankfully) the fanservice is constrained. Its pretty loose the first 4~ episodes, with Mashiro constantly appearing in only a T-Shirt, but it fades away into obscurity as the plot picks up its speed. That may or may not be a good thing based on who is watching. For someone who has seen plenty of good shows completely wrecked by fan service, its a good thing, but for the sexually repressed teenager, yeah, it sucks.

  Sound and Music (18/20)

  Let's start with the voice acting first. while the voice acting was almost flawless in the massive flagship of Mashiro (and to some extent, Sorata), it was faded at best everywhere else. Now, I'm no expert at japanese, but for me, the entire voice acting section is about how well the emotions are communicated - even to a different language. While Mashiro and Sorata succeeded in this, most of the other fell flat. The biggest example was Nanami. Her voice acting could constantly not keep up with the emotions and they seemed strained - almost forced. This was most pronounced in the "crying in the rain" scene, in which her emotions didn't convey worth shit. I felt nothing, and that was mostly because of how forced it was. It was all I could do not skim that part.

  

  Moving on, the music. The OP01 wasn't exactly good, but I got used to it. The OP02 on the other hand was great -and to a lesser extent, so was ED01. ED02 was fairly bad though, and I never really played it more than one time.
  Sadly all the music videos are fairly boring. The OP01 atleast has something in the AMV, but it gets boring after exactly one replay.

  Plot - (14/20)
  Arc based stories have a way of becoming too....predictable. And that is precisely what's wrong with Sakurasou's plot. Its too predictable for its own good. While it does have some good surprises, it never really seems to grip the viewer or take him for a ride. Which is, really, really bad. While the plot has some fairly decent (and shocking) surprises, it pretty
  much follows a straight line, with most of the character actions resulting in no consequence.

  

  That is not to say that the plot itself is bad, it just isn't engaging enough. But I'm focusing too much on the main storyline, see, one of the major components of Sakurasou is the romance, and as a sucker for Slice of life/Romance anime, I must say that its great. I was actually happy that after so long, a decent anime with a decent romance component aired, and my happiness only grew over episodes as the episodes ticked by. The romance picked up steam and I actually just adored the fact that it was a love triangle. Sadly for me, the romance put a gun on its head and then pulled the trigger. It didn't resolve. It could have, but it didn't. It replaced resolution with filler episodes, and there is no greater crime in the history of romance. You make a romance anime with great visuals and awesome pull, but then as you approach the end, you flip out and waste episodes on flashbacks? Why? The job was already done, all you had to do was end it. I suppose it was just a drive to make people go buy the novel to read what happens next, and that is just pitiful.

  Another sad thing about the story was how it used plot devices EVERY SINGLE time. As I already pointed out in another review of mine, plot devices aren't wrong to use, they are almost necessary. But thinly veiled plot devices only serve to wreck the user experience, and no plot device is as thinly veiled as that of the rain. Almost every single time that someone cries or something depressing happens, the weather decides to start raining. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. It isn't an isolated case either, it happens so often that I actually promised myself I would watch one episode of Boku no Pico if it didn't rain. I didn't get to watch it.

  Next up, we have the comedy. But comedy has two sides, one is the side of intelligent comedy - stuff like Non non biyori.
  And then there is random comedy, which is funny because its so RANDOM. I would have picked an anime example, but let's step towards the world of disgusting 3DPD - Hollywood. The hangover. Why was it funny? Because it was random. A naked chinese guy jumping out of the car trunk is funny because it is random, unreasonable and unlikely to ever happen because of how stupid it is. The same is true for Sakurasou, its comedic effect relies solely on randomness, and as such, it just might attract people who love that sort of stuff, but even worse, most comedic stuff pulled off in Sakurasou has already been done before. The guy waking up to panties-in-his-face, the girl acting like his wife for no reason whatsoever and the tsundere character. Still, I can't deny that laughed at it, some jokes were fair enough, but overall it was all forced.

  

  But, I focus too much on the downsides to actually talk about the upside. While I make it sound like Sakurasou's plot is the worst thing since allowing furries on /b/, it is actually pretty good. The drama is great and despite its many flaws, the story actually progresses - which is more than I can say for most anime. Despite its predictable pattern of doing things, Sakurasou shows a healthy move towards a deeper story while created drama by shattering multiple bonds, which is commendable to say the least. Not a lot of series are able to break away from the 'tried and tested' formula that gnaws at the anime production today, but Sakurasou does a great job repulsing the pull and creating something quite unique. For that, I am eternally grateful, considering a new approach is something that is always neglected. Sakurasou also shines in the way of creating friction between characters. The logic is solid and the reasons understandable, all the while doing its best to swerve away from needless melodrama. The end result is something quite special, a story that actually progresses, new, deep, appreciates its characters and still not boring. Seriously, what more can a guy ask for? Despite all my nitpicking on its faults, I can safely say that Sakurasou has a good story, it just could have been better.

  

  Characters (17/20) -
  The characters are, by far, the most surprising thing about Sakurasou. I never, honestly, for even once believed that the characters could change, that they could become better. After all, it was all there in the first episode - MC wakes with his face in some pronounced canine teethed girl's panties who then says that she could become his wife and then MC asks her to stop being so annoying. What can possibly change? A whole lot, that's what. After the initial stupidity of the first four episodes died down, the characters started changing and the development took me by surprise. Despite its cliche start, Sakurasou's characters soon start branching out and as more and more of their past is revealed the characters become more and more lifelike. Most reasoning actually goes a long way in helping the viewer understand - nay, connect to the characters on an entirely different level.. Yeah, sure some reasoning is stupid, but that is what reality is - A lot of people just don't have a good reason to do the things they do. The character development also shines in the way of changing everything. And I mean every single thing. If you actually sit down and compare things at the beginning and at the end, you will realize how much has actually changed, the atmosphere, the people, the relationships. But at the same time, you will never see the change at all in its watching order, after all it seems so....natural.

  But, I do have my fair share of complaints about the support crew. It was neglected bad. Like, really bad. No character in the support team got even a teeny tiny bit of development. While some would argue that Ryuunouske did, I say he didn't. That is because his entire "development" is based on absolutely nothing, it lacks substance and it lacks reasoning. Rita loves him, and he doesn't reciprocate her feelings. Still, she hangs around a cross dressing dude who doesn't even want to talk to her and doesn't reply to her mails, or calls, or her flying in from london just to see him. Why she does this, is not explained. Why she loves him, is not explained. I can understand that proximity and time can create sparks, but he had neither and he isn't exactly prince charming. "love is blind" is a terrible argument at best.

  Enjoyment (17/20)
  While Sakurasou was an enjoyable experience, it could have been better. I constantly kept noticing little flaws and that ruined by experience. In fact, Sakurasou is a great series that just lacks polish, its great and all but it could have been a masterpiece, maybe even be something to look back on, but it didn't. Its own plot swallowed it and despite all its great artwork and characters, it was unable to stop making little mistakes. Hopefully though, maybe there will be a second season and maybe it will be able to improve on the mistakes of its parent, and if all goes well, it just might realize the true potential it had. Until then, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

  
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• 

  JuneCoffee

  100/100
  I'd give the show a 9/10, really enjoyed watching it. Folks do not miss this show, its a Keeper.

  This is one amazing piece of work. The anime itself is rich with mesmerizing artwork. The story revolves around young Kanda kun who is in fact as normal as an anime character could get. His entire life changes on meeting Mashiro chan. Most people drop this anime on watching the first episode thinking the series is eechi. Don't folks, coz your missing out on on hell of a show. The main theme of the show can be "Genius vs Hard Work" with a mix of romance and a whole lot of comedy. Each episode is gold, not a single bad episode.

  Characters are well designed. Each with a rich backstory and that too good ones. My personal favorite is that of a girl called Nanami. She is exactly what inspires people to get down to work. The hot teacher san is yet another good character that you don't see much in anime (May be a personal thing). Well all characters are pretty darn good, the story does miss a good villain (no complaints there!).

  The show has a mix of emotions. The comedy in the series is one among the best that I have seen.
  Some emotions depicted are real life and I my self have experienced them. There comes a time in once life where hard work does not pay up, and we are forced to watch loved ones succeed above us. Well watch the anime guys, it show us what must be done and how.

  Adding to the list of attractions is the music and OST's. The very first opening "Days of Dash" of the show by Konomi Suzuki is pretty catchy. Same goes for the ending.

  Something i felt off was some things in the anime, like the AI character or some facts about the ending.
  Not complaining because the show as a whole is pretty good. The exact word would be "touching".

  Another catchy part of the show is "cats". People who love cats get right into the show the very first episode. Me being one , was captured by this aspect of the show. Pink seems to be the theme of the show (Dau, its Sakurasou!!!)

  My personal favorite of the show would be episode 06 . :P

  Like all awesome shows, at the end you wish there was more.
  Do not miss this one, its a keeper.

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• 

  nflstreet

  85/100
  More than being a good rom-com, Sakurasou shows the natural conflict between 'average' people and prodigies

  

  Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo is a romantic-comedy anime about finding one’s self-worth and the struggle it takes to accomplish what one wants. The main character, Sorata Kanda, is sent to Sakurasou, a run-down dormitory, after being kicked out of the regular dorms for housing cats. At first, he wants to leave Sakurasou, seeing himself as the only normal person in the building, but slowly changes his mind after Mashiro Shiina arrives. Shiina, not knowing how to take care of herself, is dependent on Kanda’s support. Through taking care of Shiina, Kanda finds a reason to stay at Sakurasou and to peruse the goal of making a game, even if he has no natural talents or skills related to game making.

  The anime revolves around Sakurasou, a dormitory where ‘problem children’ are sent to. Kanda originally wanted to leave because of the reputation it has. The students that reside in Sakurasou are all eccentric in their own way, from the level of talent they have to the way they live.

  

  Being the main hub of most of the activity in the anime, Sakurasou is where all of the main characters live. At the beginning of the anime, Kanda, Misaki Kamiigusa (a very energetic girl who’s very good at drawing), Jin Mitaka (a ‘playboy’ who writes scripts to Misaki’s anime(s)), and Ryuunosuke Akasaka (a shut-in who’s a programming expert) are housed at Sakurasou. Shiina arrives in the first episode, and Nanami Aoyama (Kanda’s friend and aspiring voice actor) moves in later. These six are the only ones that live in Sakurasou (besides Chihiro-sensei, the dorm teacher of Sakurasou).

  Being a romantic-comedy themed anime, the relationships that form in-between the main characters are the main draw to the show. From the get-go, Misaki’s love for Jin is shown, although Jin deliberately ignores her confessions. Kanda and Shiina also form a close relationship, mainly due to Kanda being the only one that is willing to perform ‘Mashiro Duty’, or take care of her every need. The pairings in the show can be convoluted and frustrating at times, but not to the degree to which it takes away from the show; it just shows the character’s flawed process of thought.

  

  More than a rom-com, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo is also about the concept of ‘hard work’ against ‘natural talent’. This is mainly shown through Kanda and Shiina. While Shiina is a prodigy in the art world and is naturally good at painting and drawing, Kanda has to bust his ass making a game proposal just to have a chance of getting it to pass the first round of a game creation contest. Even if she doesn’t recognize it, Shiina is miles ahead of Kanda when it comes to raw talent. The main reason why I like this anime is because of how it shows this dilemma. Kanda is frustrated that Shiina can have the natural talent to excel at anything related to the art world, while he has no talent and has to get her help just to increase his chances of winning the competition. Does Kanda give up and wallow in his misery, or does he get more self-determined and motivated to work even harder next time?

  Kanda isn’t the only character that has to deal with failure; Nanami also has to take two years of demanding voice acting classes just to get a chance to become one, which she has to take along with having multiple part-time jobs. Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo shows the struggles of average people like Kanda and Nanami, who have to give 110% to try to accomplish their dreams, while in comparison to Shiina, who is an artistic genius that’s already at the top of the art world.

  

  While I’m giving Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo a high score, the anime was just average for the first third of its run. If you can get past that, then you’ll enjoy the other two-thirds, which are where it gets great.

  Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo is one of the better ‘rom-com’ anime, more than likely because there’s way more to it than the main character’s prospects of love. The concepts of natural talent and hard work are as prevalent as the rom-com elements in the anime. Sakurasou as a space for all of the main characters to interact and chase their dreams is also vital to the story. Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo isn’t only good because it pulls off ‘rom-com’ decently, but also because it shows actual challenges relatable to all of us, without falling into clichés (most of the time). Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo is definitely worth a watch.

  ---

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