The comedy might feel weird at first.
Summary:
- For many otaku, the first episodes of Kaguya-sama are too weird.
- The comedy style isn’t something people are used to.
- If you keep watching, you might end up liking it.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War (Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen) is a series that has a reputation of one of the best modern romantic comedies in anime. Despite that, many people who start watching it catch themselves feeling weird — the style of comedy is certainly not something most fans are used to.
However, it’s not like the entire series is bad. It might be hard to get into Kaguya-sama at first, but if you are unsure if the anime is for you, just keep watching. Chances are, you’d like it way more by the end of the first season — and watch the rest of the franchise after it.
Comedy Style of the Anime Is a Turn-Off for Some Fans
The back-and-forth comedy style of Kaguya, constantly narrated by an impartial “voice from above,” certainly catches anime fans off guard. Many newer otaku aren’t used to this kind of comedy and these setups, and there are even people who feel like the narrator is detrimental to the series.
The narration, however, is very important to the series. It adds a certain charm to the comedy, and there’s a stark contrast between the often bizarre and unusual behavior of the characters and the deadpan delivery of the lines by the narrator.
Still, it’s not even about the narration. The entire setup of two people who are obviously attracted to each other but don’t want to show it doesn’t sit right with many people. That said, it does have a reputation as one of the best romances in modern anime as well, so, surely, it changes over time, right?
If You Continue Watching, You’ll Get Used to It
Actually, Kaguya-sama does shift its genre — it becomes less of a comedy and more of a straight-up romance. However, that happens very slowly, and the first two seasons were still mostly comedic in nature. The reason why it’s so loved is simple: even if you don’t feel anything in the first episodes, you become more accustomed to its style later on.
If you don’t like it at first, just continue watching it: chances are you’ll find the comedy less weird as you watch more and more episodes. This kind of premise is not common in modern anime series, and that’s why it might feel weird at first. The characters and the dynamics between them make it much better, though — that’s why it’s so beloved.