Kaguya-sama is an extremely beloved anime, but some fans are annoyed by the everpresent narrator commenting on the events.
Such narration, while not a common trope in Western media, is not unique to Kaguya — and is an important part of the show.
The dub changes the narration to a style Western fans are more used to, without detracting from the show.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War was released just a few years ago — and instantly became a classic among romantic comedy shows. It’s loved for its characters, stellar direction and a unique brand of humor.
However, not all fans are happy with all aspects of the show. Namely, one part that occasionally gets criticized is the narration which accompanies the skits. Many fans complained that it ruined the anime for them, and that it would work better without it. Others argue that it’s an important part of the show and one of the reasons it works so well.
Not a common trope in Western media
This type of narration is uncommon for Western shows. In anime, however, it’s been a trope for quite a while. Yes, it is less popular in modern shows, which might be why fans are struggling to get accustomed to it — newer otaku were not exposed to this type of anime humor. Another point of criticism is how overdramatic the narration often is, which may be annoying to some.
Kaguya-sama anime needed a narrator
The narration, however, is integral to the anime. Commenting on the events and characters, the narrator often creates a hilarious sense of contrast between what is actually happening and characters’ reactions to it.
The overdramatization is also an intended effect. Besides, the anime wouldn’t really work without it in the first place: the manga is extremely text-heavy, and omitting that would make the adaptation much worse. The dissonance between the narrator’s overdramatic comments and his apparent lack of bias creates an extra layer of humor.
The anime isn’t worse because of narration
Ultimately, the narration doesn’t really make Kaguya-sama worse. It may make it harder to get into for newer fans, but the anime is still incredibly popular, indicating that it’s not that big of a deal. Many fans also commented that the dub makes the narration more palatable for the fans that perhaps couldn’t get used to the original, adapting it for a different audience.
The English narration is way closer to the style of comedy many people are used to, with the narrator being way more invested in the actual events, actively rooting for the characters. Yes, that’s a bit different from how the original works, but it’s a case where an adaptation like that doesn’t make the anime worse. Perhaps you should try the dub if you’re unhappy with how the original is narrated — or just get used to it; it's not that hard.
Would the anime work better without it?
Summary:
Kaguya-sama is an extremely beloved anime, but some fans are annoyed by the everpresent narrator commenting on the events.
Such narration, while not a common trope in Western media, is not unique to Kaguya — and is an important part of the show.
The dub changes the narration to a style Western fans are more used to, without detracting from the show.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War was released just a few years ago — and instantly became a classic among romantic comedy shows. It’s loved for its characters, stellar direction and a unique brand of humor.
However, not all fans are happy with all aspects of the show. Namely, one part that occasionally gets criticized is the narration which accompanies the skits. Many fans complained that it ruined the anime for them, and that it would work better without it. Others argue that it’s an important part of the show and one of the reasons it works so well.
Not a common trope in Western media
This type of narration is uncommon for Western shows. In anime, however, it’s been a trope for quite a while. Yes, it is less popular in modern shows, which might be why fans are struggling to get accustomed to it — newer otaku were not exposed to this type of anime humor. Another point of criticism is how overdramatic the narration often is, which may be annoying to some.
Kaguya-sama anime needed a narrator
The narration, however, is integral to the anime. Commenting on the events and characters, the narrator often creates a hilarious sense of contrast between what is actually happening and characters’ reactions to it.
The overdramatization is also an intended effect. Besides, the anime wouldn’t really work without it in the first place: the manga is extremely text-heavy, and omitting that would make the adaptation much worse. The dissonance between the narrator’s overdramatic comments and his apparent lack of bias creates an extra layer of humor.
The anime isn’t worse because of narration
Ultimately, the narration doesn’t really make Kaguya-sama worse. It may make it harder to get into for newer fans, but the anime is still incredibly popular, indicating that it’s not that big of a deal. Many fans also commented that the dub makes the narration more palatable for the fans that perhaps couldn’t get used to the original, adapting it for a different audience.
The English narration is way closer to the style of comedy many people are used to, with the narrator being way more invested in the actual events, actively rooting for the characters. Yes, that’s a bit different from how the original works, but it’s a case where an adaptation like that doesn’t make the anime worse. Perhaps you should try the dub if you’re unhappy with how the original is narrated — or just get used to it; it's not that hard.
