Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san

Not good... Ok, so before I start, you must know that I'm a sucker for a good romance or a rom-com. It's my favorite genre for sure. The bad (what I didn't like) - - Role reversal (MC acts like a girlfriend and the FMC like a boyfriend) - The show is too sappy. - The MC is too weak and I mean toooooo weak..!!! - There's no plot to speak of - Zero chemistry between the main couple - I didn't care much for the side characters - Lack of physical affection between the main couple The good (what I did like) - - Great OP - Great animation - Izumi 'steal your girl ' Motoko Final thoughts - My biggest issue with the show was the main couple and that is because they don't behave like one. They are both supposed to be 17 yet they behave like they are still in kindergarten, they have little to no physical affection, and they blush from the dumbest things, plus they don't have any chemistry or sexual tension at all. Other than that the show felt like a bait and switch to me, I mean, how is this show a Shonen? it should be a Shojo for sure, it's definitely directed towards girls than boys. All they did was take the female and the male and switch their roles and called it a Shonen. Do you want a rom-com with great chemistry, romance, and sexual tension? I recommend THE TEACHER CAN NOT TELL ME LOVE manga.

Shikimori san is a complete masterpiece(I WANT ANOTHER SEASON!!!) To most, it's seems like another rom-com, but in reality, it's quite unique. Instead of the man always taking the lead- it's the other way around. And there's many cool-beauty's in anime, but shikimori is completely different. SHE'S JUST TOO COOL!!! All throughout the series, I was going fangirl-mode-crazy. Like I was jumping and screaming. ah!!!! You never really know what to expect. 'Will she be cute or cool?' (Both are great) At first, I was gonna give this a 8-9 but then, after that last episode, its deserves a 10!! Way too good! (No spoilers intended) This series is underrated. It deserves so much more(10 as a score isn't needed, just a 7-8) Amazing art and interesting story that just somehow works. They make the cliches of anime/the troupes work well. 'Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san' isn't your typical rom-com, it's deeper (at times) and is unique. It's different. It's wholesome and cute and amazing. I really do hope there is another season. Well, time to go read the manga!

Me and my brother watched this together and felt this show was geared a bit more towards a shounen romance crowd with some of the themes Early on in the anime it was really hard to tell if this anime was going to be good or not there was very little I felt going on. I really think where this show shined was towards the later half and especially towards the end. Most of the flaws in the show can be found with the main character being way too unlucky for it to make him a relatable character. Some parts of the story early on were good but not amazing but after the halfway point the story improved greatly. The artwork and scenes were great with only slight odd choices here and there. Characters mostly great characters besides our leading character. The show was okay in early episodes and after reaching the halfway point became very enjoyable.

With Kitagawa, Marin sweeping the popularity polls in the spring season, many speculated who would be the new face of summer; and Shikimori-san was a strong contender. Keeping it simple, Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san is a slice of life / romcom in its purest form. The series starts with our protagonists in an already established relationship, with this, the first chapters focus on showing us the role of each one within it yet, a lot of people didn't like the dynamics this duo. Shikimori-san would be the dominant one in, whereas Izumi was much more passive (a bit too passive). It seems that the series would only show us the same formula: Izumi, a pathetic and miserable being, would be safeguarded by his girlfriends assertiveness (AKA "she's so cool"), but it couldn't be further from the truth. The plot is simple, being a slice of life, the story revolves around mundane events, but relevant for are characters; you know, we got the school festival, the summer vacation trip, the sport festival, the "date" episode"; where even the smallest moments take a big roll for its narrative. There really are no major conflicts, though some chapters have a deeper tone with little drama, but ultimately is resolved in a satisfactory way; In addition, it does a great job exploring side characters, which already is a huge improvement for a lot of slice of life animes, being more than support cast, the viewer actually cares for them. As if that were not enough, visually it is very striking, with vibrant colors and very well done backgrounds, it also has great directing in key moments. That, accompanied by a spectacular opening, make this anime one, if not my favorite anime of the season. Definitely recommended if you like slice of life.

I caught up to the manga a few months before the anime aired, and I can say that the anime studio adapted the manga quite well. They captured the best parts of the anime, and they chose the right stories to show. They also added some meaningful things that the manga didn't have (best example is showing Shikimori's brother more). I think the anime is slower-paced and more cheesy overall compared to the manga, but in a way it adds to the wholesome and romantic feel of it. This anime is for the most part your typical high school romantic-comedy story, but the chemistry between the main two leads (Shikimori and Izumi) is a stand-out feature. They don't fit the classic stereotype of soft-girl-and-tough-boy, and the anime shows us that it's a thing to be proud of. Their relationship is a healthy one, as even though Izumi is constantly struck by bad luck and being helped by Shikimori, he doesn't use it as fuel for self-destructive jealousy and pride, but rather to push himself to be a better person and also to cherish Shikimori even more. It's an entertaining dynamic that never feels too one-sided despite Shikimori's prominent personality, as Izumi constantly shows his best self (or at least tries). The anime portrays the relationship in a decidedly cheesy manner, and it might be too sweet and lovey-dovey for some. For me, it hits the right spot for a high school love story. The side characters are quite the entertaining crew. Among them are Izumi's parents: a lovely, supportive couple that will make you smile as they can't help to be so charming. Izumi and Shikimori hangs out with their three good friends, and they are also a vibrant bunch: a short girl with semi-permanent neutral face and relatable demeanor, a dependable Bakugo-esque boy, and an athletic girl that is the energetic core of the group. And there are a couple more that I won't mention. All of them have their own moments in the spotlight, and their mini story arcs support the main ideas of the anime quite well: themes of friendship, love, and the understanding of self. The cast of characters are well-voiced overall. I particularly enjoy Hidaka-san's performance as Hachimitsu (the short girl I mentioned before), as she perfectly conveys her silly personality through a neutrally-toned voice. The animations and visuals of anime are solid enough. It uses slideshows pretty often, but for brief moments. Most importantly, they nailed the look of eyes of the characters, especially for Shikimori. There are a couple moments featuring individual characters that are superbly animated (thinking of Shikimori eating dessert during their summer holiday, you know it right away when you see it). The plot overall is a slice-of-life story following the main two leads' high school life. This season of the anime goes through the early chapters of the manga (approximately the first 20-30%) of it, and it ends in the perfect spot that I won't spoil. Hopefully more seasons are to come by the same studio, as I think they truly understands the manga's qualities.

It was nice. It had significant problems like romanticizing toxic behavior, unfunny jokes, unrealistic situations, weird resolutions, and many more. But what mattered was "Did I enjoy" and heck yea I did. It's your average rom-com in which they have tried to add some spice or something but have failed to make a mid-tier romance anime. Some moments were actually cute but some others were just... damn, how can a rom-com trigger me so fricking much. I have mixed feelings regarding this one. I thought it would be a nice slice-of-life type high school romance anime but it was a weird slice-of-life type high school romance type where the boy and girl switched the stereotypical traits. 7/10 Conclusion: Give it a try if you like rom-coms and have nothing other to watch

I perceive Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie as another display of your run-of-the-mill anime of the season. Creative and original, however, will be eventually forgotten because of its lack of intriguing elements. Though, to be frank, I particularly do not dislike the anime while I do agree that the criticism is irrefutably justified, the anime is somewhat enjoyable even with all the mediocre setting and overused jokes gave the fact it’s a rom-com. Warning: Minor spoilers ahead. The bulk of the story heavily emphasises how the main couple is going on with their daily high-school lives. It’s an episodic romantic comedy primarily focusing on how the heroine saves the protagonist from a plethora of unfortunate situations, no matter how ludicrous or insane it gets, though it does follow a continuous storyline at times. Eventually, it changes up the formula by providing more screen time to the side characters, (though they never develop to a satisfactory degree or invoke a sense of attachment to them.) or exhausting the main guy’s screentime, which is always a good thing since I don’t like the main guy. I am aware that it is overly reliant on the main guy’s absurd bad luck since that is what drives the plot or to be more accurate, it is an essential plot device to eventually allow other characters to stand out. Although, the story feels like some sort of fetish catered to viewers who can’t help but think of their significant others as overly dependent babies. Either you hate this series, or you will find it alright. If you hate it, it’s mostly because of Izumi or Shikimori, who are conveniently written to portray as the author intended. Though, as I have stated, the result is a weird fetish being brought to life with bright colours and a light-hearted environment as if you were inside a dream. The anime can be somewhat enjoyable because while the protagonist needs saving is horribly hard to watch, the overall story and positive tone are done a well decent job if you can forget about the main selling point of the anime. It can easily fix that if the main guy is provided with a lesser role like being a side or sporadic character in the anime (or rather be superseded by another character) and shift its whole focus onto Shikimori being cool to everyone else she meets instead of saving her boyfriend just because her spider senses were tingling. Shikimori is written as this domineering, aggressive, and attractive significant other who will lead her man while Izumi is portrayed as an effeminate, meek, and soft man who requires someone to rescue him since he is the damsel in distress due to his extraordinarily bad luck. To further tell you what Izumi is, he squeals whenever he gets spooked, he gets complimented for his hair being beautiful (not the word cool), and is more associated with indoor activities like cooking, reading, watching light movies, etc. They were destined to be together; people seemingly think to write them off as bland or dull, but from my point of view, they are not as they claimed. Instead, I would say these are characters who overly play their main characteristics as jokes in a superfluous manner, and it falls short because of its mediocre writing and weak timing. I admit, this show does get a few giggles out of me, but most of the jokes unsurprisingly fall flat. Even though it establishes the main couple as already in a relationship, it somehow manages to put a little of NTR just for poking fun at the main couple. Although, I can’t help but think that the premise is not being optimised to its full potential. Izumi can be made more interesting if it utilises his bad luck to involve the characters that are going through their own crisis that must be taken seriously rather than being used for comedic effect or pushing forward its main agenda. But then again, it is at its core a romantic comedy, so any of these dramas would hurt the light-hearted tone it displays and would somehow turn Izumi into a villain, rather ugly to say. While it does display Izumi's attempts to solve his internal issues, it never seems to be utilised or proven on how Izumi attempts to change himself for the better since the anime is fixed on showing the comedic side of things and never undergoes any major developments. In the end, every character that exists in this anime feels bland and makes the show a chore to go through. The side characters are poor if I’m being honest. Inuzuka is one of the side characters which I like but he is basically the inferior version of Karma and never goes through any substantial development unlike the two other side characters, which I will get into now. Additionally, Nekozaki is quite deplorable since her screen-time is comprised of her shouting admiration of Shikimori being not just a cutie and being the girl who has the supposed mindset of a grade-schooler who can’t think of anything but fun. Hachimitsu is assumably the self-insert character because everyone seems to be able to relate to this character being lazy and cynical. Besides that, the other side characters either have one or two purposes worshipping Shikimori as their idol (“I can’t believe this is a girl’s game!” or “That girl is so cute/cool!”) or corresponding to Izumi’s antics in his everyday life, regardless of their purpose, their main existence is to become fodder for the characters to shine. On the other hand, it introduces similar characters with identical features (for example, their parents) to show their specific origins. Therefore, whilst our knowledge expands further but it becomes thoroughly clear to me that the author ran out of ideas. The only character that I know had me intrigued was Kamiya, another female character who’s also a high-school icon, who acts as the foil of Shikimori, though similarly athletic and attractive, she’s aloof and not quite the friendly type, unlike her counterpart. It helps add another layer of interest to both Kamiya and Shikimori but then later the mystery died with a whimper after it reveals that Kamiya is affectionately interested in Izumi, an extraordinarily monotonous character and acts indifferently to her suspicious enthusiasm towards him. It is a shame to have its only decently written character be reduced to a girl who unconditionally likes the main protagonist. From an art standpoint, there’s not much to say about it. While the character designs and background environment are vibrant and dazzling thanks to Doga Kobo, there are times when 3D animation is used, for instance, whereas the 1st episode where pins are animated differently, may be due to budget issues. Other than that, you have your classic rom-com with a few spectacular scenes that may contain fluid choreography or beautiful close-up shots. There is a bit of a payoff if you take the time to rewatch the first few episodes. For instance, Shikimori calls her boyfriend Ijumi-san in the 1st episode. If you watched the 11th episode, it would then make sense why she would call him that. This somewhat grants the show some replayability but the timing is also slightly bizarre since it’s so far off and subtle. It’s also quite a stretch since the show somewhat expects you to come back and rewatch the series. Even though that’s eventually what I did. To conclude, after rewatching some of the episodes and discerning the series, the anime is decent at best. It is not some dumpster fire or cringe-fest that people seem to declare about this anime, after all, it’s a mediocre comedy with stagnant romance progression even after establishing their relationship as they’re dating. It flamboyantly tries to entice viewers with the role reversal play and fanservice only to be downplayed by the repetitive jokes and shallow characters. Thank you for reading.

Shikimori is a simple but enjoyable experience. It is slightly unusual in the genre with the fact it actually starts with the main couple together right from the very beginning, although you do see how they get together. It's pure and sweet in it's simplest form, there's no angst or drama of the sorts. It's purely an incredibly charming girl and her unlucky boyfriend just having an enjoyable time with each other and their lovely friends. The plot is a classic slice of life with them getting into situations and by the power of true love they resolve said issues. It's not a "it will change the medium!" anime however that is not to say it is bad and it is still good and effective and it knows what it does well and does that, it's an enjoyable way to pass a few hours seeing a sweet romance with no issues or drama. Just pure good vibes.

As far as slop romance anime goes, this one's pretty alright. I would absolutely despise this show if the main couple didn't start it being together. I appreciate how some of the episodes focus on relationship troubles that don't stem from any external problems and focus on the characters themselves bettering themselves and getting over their own inhibitions to be a better partner. It was about halfway through the season when one of the episodes barely had Izumi in it and I realized that I actually hate him and his deku ass dub voice and that this show would be a million times better if it focused solely on Shikimori.

I’m not one to normally write this type of stuff but honestly this show makes me feel so comfortable like I’m not waiting for anything to happen or drama it’s just good fun. Of course parts of the show are cliche but it makes me feel so warm. It’s not anything groundbreaking or super experimental but it does what it sets out to do perfectly so an 8/10 for a comfort show that hits most boxes seems like a perfect fit! It also really grows on you over time I didn’t like it much in the beginning but by the end I was smiling ear to ear:)

In my opinion, it was a pretty cute anime. It would have been better if it had a second season. Uzumi is really badly written, and Shikimori is the one who saves the story. But definitely, Shikimori is a character who could compete with Marin and Alya. I admit the story wasn’t great for the first season, but if a second season is made, it might get more points. The art style and details are very good, in my opinion. Side characters like Kamiya were well-written, and the last episode was very satisfying. I would definitely watch it just for Shikimori and the last episode. Don’t expect much from the story, but it’s not bad enough to be disappointing.

First, this anime is really good if you want some cute wholesome and laid back romance, but already tired of stupid drama and endless "will they won't they" bullshit because both main casts are already dating early on. The fact that both MCs have unusual dynamics with its role reversal make their relationship standout and cute. Shikimori and Izumi are pretty much in love with each other, willing to be better to make their relationship works, communicate properly when in problem, yet also still clueless and embarrased like the actual teenager in relationship for the first time. Its side characters are also pretty fun and fits overall theme of this anime. You will see how solid their friendships are and how they enjoying their daily life. In addition, Izumi is actually not a self insert at all. If anything, he is pretty much not your usual shounen romance MC even if many of you don't like that. Like how he is not the usual loner dense dude and actually act normally to girls, not an introvert despite being more shy than Shikimori, has overall good fortitude and generally kind-hearted. TL;DR = I personally recommend this anime if you looking for wholesome romance with cute couple and fun side casts, but not if you still have narrow perspective of how boy and girl should act.

Honestly, I went into this anime thinking it'd be just another generic rom-com, but oh man, was I wrong! Shikimori completely stole my heart with her adorableness and fierce loyalty. I mean, who wouldn't want a girlfriend like that?! Izumi's awkwardness was so relatable, I cringed and laughed at the same time. Their interactions were pure gold, and I shipped them so hard! But what really surprised me was the depth of the characters. Shikimori's not just a cute face (although, let's be real, she totally is); she's got a rich inner life and a wicked sense of humor. And Izumi's vulnerabilities made him so human. I loved how the anime explored their insecurities and fears, making their relationship feel genuine and earned. The supporting cast was amazing too! Nekozaki's sassiness and Inuzuka's weirdness added so much flavor to the story. And that finale? Perfect. I was grinning like a fool, feeling all the warm fuzzies. Overall, this anime is a hidden gem that'll capture your heart with its humor, charm, and authentic characters. Trust me, you won't regret watching it!

This anime has made it to the top of my list to recommend to romance/slice of life newcomers! Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie is such a sweet anime with only currently 12 episodes about a couple and their friends enjoying high school. But what sets this particular romance anime apart is that they are already dating starting from the first episode. From all the romance anime I've watched I do love the story of how a couple gets together and seeing the different ways they woo each other. But it is so refreshing when the story starts out with them already together and you just get to watch them be in love. The only disclaimer I would give is that this anime is very wholesome so if you're looking for some naughty vibes that My Dress-Up Darling gives off then you won't find them here. It's almost like a lighter-hearted version of Horimiya. Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie is such a feel-good anime with all likable characters that you get to see grow a little throughout the show. I highly recommend it and would love another season!

oh hell naaaaahhh... the whole show is about some guy being a wuss that literally cant do anything without his gf. thats literally it. the M mc (Izumi) is just the type of guy that need his parents to go to the bathroom with him in the middle of the night at the age of 16. YES 16 years old. the show is so bad i dnt even wanna say their names Story: 2/10 In every episode is exactly the same generic thing, we will see the male mc not be able to do anything while the his gf does almost everything perfectly, each episode goes like: the M mc (Izumi) gets saved by F mc (Shikimori) , M mc watch F mc does smt cool, M mc goes "my gf is so cool, i cant believe she is my gf." the anime claim itself as romcom but i dnt see any comedy in this show, it were filled with lame jokes that cant even get you to smirk. what the directors wanted to do was to portray them as a normal bf and a protective gf but instead they portrayed them as a newborn baby and a dad... the whole show was cringe, embarrassing, and awkward. the idea of this show was good, they tried to be original, but they executed in a bad way Characters: 1/10 there were no character developments, each character are super boring. the only impressive thing the mc has done was cutting onions and everyone went "woooow, no wayyy". to make the M mc feel somewhat useful, the directors purposely made his gf unable to go up the stairs so he had to carry her. the M mc talk to himself in every episode how he wants to be the one to protect his gf and not the other way around but in the end he refuses to do anything. (well duh since there were no character development, from epi 1 to 12, the little wuss is still being a wuss) now the background characters: every character are like The Elder Scrolls npc. they spawn in, speak some non-sense, goes away. the gf's brother only appeared in total of about 3-4 scene, but still did more than the M mc and prob the only character thats watchable/enjoyable. Animation: 5/10 one of the only decent thing about this show was the art and the animation. it wasnt unpleasant and you can cope with it. Sound: 7/10 best thing out of this show so...

Just a really simple and fun to watch anime that is super easy to follow along with. It executes its simplicity perfectly and every episode just makes you feel good. The light-heartedness of it is really cool. I will say I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to anime (especially this genre) but yeah its good: don't expect anything out of this world. Not every anime needs to be a masterpiece to be really good. Also all the characters are really likeable which is nice. I've seen a lot of people complain about the MC but I personally don't need every MC to be a badass or insanely competent to like them. Def worth watching.

At first I just expected it to a cool reverse trope which will be a light fun watch and it is exactly that the 1st half but the friendship shown in this anime, the surprising depth of characters and the mature way it dealt with relationships, first love and friendship is just so unexpected and so good. The colours used in this anime gives such a refreshing feel. They just make me smile when I watch everything going on. The Male lead shows how someone as unlucky as him has such happiness in his world because of his family, friends and of course his girlfriend and is just so strong and has such willpower. The FL is seriously so cool and cute and not as OP as I expected. Highly recommended. This anime is such a pure, happy, relaxing watch with memorable characters(including even minor appearances), with MCs who we want to see happy and overall good plot. It gets a 8/10 from me.

I'll just voice my opinions: This is your typical, generic, slice of life romance show. Nothing in the story stands out, and while the main girl is great, cute and cool, the male lead is of course not interesting, with much of his personality being easily flustered and apologetic about his bad luck. But that being said, when you see anime like Tsuki Ga Kirei being rated an average 8.00 in here despite BOTH MCs being bland as hell and barely having any infatuation or interaction with one another, you gotta question why this show got rated lower than that. This show does what it sets out to do: Depict a wholesome, slightly awkward relationship of a very cool girl and a lame guy in high school. That's it. But at least you can see a little bit into why the girl likes the guy (In episode 11). And no matter how stupid the reason is, you have to admit that stupid reasons for liking people is common in romance. A series like Takagi-San bears a highly unsurprising resemblance to the dynamic shown here, with Takagi being seemingly psychic at times with being always one step ahead and Nishikata being your lame, pathetic male MC. The only thing that might put you off this show is the fact that they're highschoolers instead of middle schoolers, but the same dynamic from the Takagi series is here nonetheless. My only complaint is that the girl flips too often from being cool to being shy. It feels like she behaves inconsistently at times, but after a while, it's easy to get used to it. All things considered, this is an okay show if you don't mind just switching your brain off for a bit and you do want to look at wholesome simple things. I'd personally rate it 7/10 but in the interest of being the devil's advocate to the low ratings, I rated it at 8. Don't expect too much, but atleast the main characters have a sliver of chemistry. More than in Tsuki Ga Kirei, and that's a low bar to pass.

I'm not into long reviews so like this show, I'll keep this review simple and sweet. Oh, and spoiler free. If you want to be reminded how maidenless you are and want to commit sudoku by giving yourself diabetes, watch this show. It's a simple, very sweet, very wholesome story about Izumi and Shikimori, two adorable characters who, unlike many romcom couples, are already in a relationship. Also unlike many romcoms, there isn't that much drama and conflict. Don't like love triangles and misunderstandings? This show is the one for you. I will say though, that the show is pretty slow and stress-free so if you're not into these kinds of shows, I suggest romcoms such as Kaguya-sama and Rikei ga koi. If you are though, then enjoy. Now for the score, I was going to just give this show a 7 but Doga Kobo really brought their A game with the stellar art and animation, couple that with the wonderful OP and ED made me bump the score up to an 8. Regarding the OP and ED, while they might not be the number 1 OP and ED of Spring 2022 (those titles belong to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Bibitto Love respectively) they were catchy enough that it made watching the OP and ED a pleasant experience every episode.

tl;dr tries too hard to be great and ends up mediocre; Starting from the first episode I held a latent irritation that never really came to a head even as I finished the show. I thought about it for quite some time before penning this review and to be quite honest I'm still not completely sure why I feel this way. I can't name any big ticket issue; it was really more a collection of minor grievances that led to this unfulfilled feeling. I think many of the problems people will have with Kawaii dake ja Nai are going to about the two lead characters and I can see where they're coming from. The writer had a brilliant idea to reverse the typical romcom gender roles and it was honestly looking quite promising at first, but somewhere along the line they forgot to give Shikimori and Izumi actual personalities beyond "cool" and "nice but unlucky" respectively. It doesn't help that all the character development for those two happens in flashbacks in the latter half of the season. Izumi's bad luck is funny for the first few episodes but quickly becomes a frustrating roadblock when he tries to plan or do something cool. As others have noted, the show is also very trope heavy. Moments in the show that should have been deep and meaningful are instead replaced by generalities that could have been uttered by any other pair in any other romcom ever.This gives it a very false taste and greatly detracts from the positives of the show. And positives do exist. I for one really liked their three friends and how all five of them fit together and interacted with each other. In addition, while I think the Kamiya arc was a bit heavy-handed her character is very interesting and I would have loved to see more of her in the show instead of simply being a catalyst for more virtue signaling by the two leads. The art was pretty good. Not the best I've seen and a bit overdone at times (just like the cheese) but for the most part relaxing and cute. I really liked the VA's as well. Overall, it wasn't bad. But it was just lacking that crucial spark, some kind of special chemistry between the leads perhaps, that would have set it apart.