Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai

I have never seen a show so uninterested in itself. Like genuinely this show is so unenergetic. Like with most shitty anime rom coms, the issue is it’s too energetic and it gets annoying. But this shit had me dozing off. Like Kubo is supposed to be this tease who messes with the protagonist, the cheeky one y'know? But even she seems sleepy. I don’t know if it’s just the acting or what but everyone sounds so bored. This is the most white bread anime I’ve ever seen. I’m not even sure if I finished it, not gonna lie. There was a weird hiatus when it was coming out where they only released half the season before taking like a month to release the rest. Like they just forgot to upload it. And honestly, nothing could be more in the spirit of this show. It’s like an asmr video kinda. They make jokes but the jokes are so flatley delivered. And it’s not deadpan comedy, it's just “here is the joke, laugh at it or not I really don’t care”. I don’t know if this was an adaptation issue or not, once again I don’t really read manga, but no one this show gave a shit. Or it could just be the voice acting, I honestly have no idea. Also the premise is stupid. Still it didn’t make me angry or anything and it was kind of inoffensive, it was just odd to see such a low energy show.

Romance stories are a dime a dozen, inflicted with the ever-so-overdone tropes of rom-coms alike, that hearken one to just say that "if you've seen one, you've seen them all", and that is a fact wherever one goes. So then, what makes mangaka Nene Yukimori's Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai a.k.a Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible, which the manga has recently seen its "much-needed" closure, stand out among the rest of the rom-com pack? I'm going to tell a harsh truth here: people come in all kinds of conditions, the obvious, the not-so-obvious, you name it, you probably missed out on some things that just make the uncommon who they are. And for one, the male MC Junta Shiraishi, is just that character: someone who's akin to an unnoticeable side character, more commonly referred to as a mob character in a video game. Nobody ever notices his presence in school, and no matter if he is or isn't in school, he's not much worth calling. I feel a terrible inch of Shiraishi in myself, because I used to be that classmate who would sit at the back and not care about my surroundings, much less interact with classmates who once had the potential to become friends for life. However, there is a sleight of hand of luck within Shiraishi: the rumour stating that those who spot him will be blessed with good luck, similar to when a god shows up unannounced to bless one when one prays at a temple and seeks good luck in his/her life (that's more of a supernatural thing than anything else). And somehow, Shiraishi's peace is interrupted by one lone girl who finds him fascinating: Nagisa Kubo, who just happens to be his classmate seated next to him right at the back of the class. And what happens thereafter is what you'll typically find in most rom-coms, though this relationship interaction is as sweet as pie itself. No doubt that this is the story of the relationship between Shiraishi and Kubo, but for a rom-com to work, there are the same factors that you've come across time and time again: school and family. In school, Shiraishi is really not noticed much that he has already obtained his mob status in school by himself, but it's Kubo that finds him each and every time, playing games with his heart and feeling her own in the process through the never-ending teasing that makes the former shrug with feelings that he's just beginning to register for the very first time, all while Kubo always has the pouting face that is always cute to watch. Also, while Shiraishi has little to no friends, Kubo has a few that are close to her: Hazuki Kudo and Tamao Taira. But really, while they are a minor occurrence early on in the manga (which the anime adapted decently), they play a pivotal role in both Shiraishi and Kubo's getting together antics that flutterkick the heart. And although the private moments in school are nice to see, it's those of family that really show who the eventual couple will be: Shiraishi's younger brother Seita, along with Kubo's older sister Akina and cousin Saki (the latter of which makes minor occurrences at this point too). The hallmark of a well-endowed growing young boy/girl can be seen from home, and Shiraishi's guise as the older brother and taking care of Seita is just about what I would expect for a respectable family child, being light-hearted and still ignorant of his surroundings. On the other hand, Kubo has her stingy older sister Akina, who quickly catches on to her younger sister's antics when she is dealing with Shiraishi in her cutesy ways, making for the typical sibling moments of jealousy that's like a never-ending infectious drug of diabetes. Regardless, it's clear that while Shiraishi and Kubo's relationship may be seen as-is, it's the small moments that make it count for their lovey-dovey moments, inching towards each other...albeit slowly but surely. Despite being a studio that has registered some polarising rom-coms to its name, mainly of 2017's "Rom-com Misunderstanding the Animation" of Summer's Gamers! and the preceding original show of Fall's Just Because!, while those shows were the studio's first noticed undertaking, they have aged poorly, when it comes to Pine Jam. With the studio now dabbling in many forms of different genres, from the suspense thriller of Glelpnir to the theatrical Kageki Shoujo!!, and even with last year's "CGDCT Do It Yourself!!" it seems like Pine Jam is trying to be a "Jack of all Trades, (but) a Master of None". With Kubo-san, the studio is tapping into its beginning roots of rom-coms, and in just 6 years since the very day when Gamers! aired, Kubo-san has become one of Pine Jam's newest triumphs in adaptation and screenplay. I just love the bright and light colours given to lift the manga right into the anime space, and for the most part, did the servitude right to respect the manga at its finest, because for all that Kubo-san is worth, it's fluffy like sheep-laden shaped clouds in the sky. Though the male side is a bit of an unknown, VA Kengo Kawanishi is more used to the side character roles (Hey! Just like Shiraishi himself!), the popular ones being Dr. Stone's Gen Asagiri and more recently of Demon Slayer's Mist Hashira Muchiro Tokito. However, you can always trust HanaKana when it comes to her VA roles, and her veteran status does not disappoint when trying to bring Nagisa Kubo to life with her angelic voice. That brings us to the character-focused OP, which is sung by HanaKana herself, which I feel is just fine and nothing remarkable. What's remarkable, however, is DIALOGUE+'s ED, because I can tell you for life, this idol unit has been recently gaining lots of traction with Anisongs that are just great songs in their own right, and Kubo-san's ED is no exception to the rule, being one of the best songs that I've heard from the girl group. Along with the watercolour-like visuals that are just nothing short of striking, and really, I am deeply enamoured and touched by the cute ED that's a cohesive and wonderful listen. When all is said and done, it's a great song. As someone who lives and breathes rom-coms for a living, it's sad to see this show go into hiatus, no thanks to COVID. But that hiatus is thankfully shortlived since it's only temporary for a season's push back, and greatness lives once again, only to the cusp of those who still remember that this show existed before COVID took all of the attention away. But, as a rom-com connoisseur who can tell the good from the bad, Kubo-san is, at the very least, a decent rom-com that, at first sight, may be nothing special, but pry it open, and its romance magic will set you on a path to purity. Even though the manga has already been completed since March of this year, there is no doubt that the anime has lived to see people press on to read the source material, which is good in its own right. Dull, boring, awful — Kubo-san is not. It's fun-seeking pleasure in every regard.

Sometimes the word for a show like this can be just one word. "Fine". Sometimes it's nice to have something fine. There are lots of wholesome romantic comedies that all feel the same and this one rose a bit above the chaff of the others. For me, it's the art style, the music, and the two leads' chemistry. But still, by the end, it runs its course like every other and maybe overstays its welcome. Oddly enough the delay in production gave me just enough time to want to return to it. Halfway through you think "can you get much else new from these characters? From these calm serene wholesome notes? I should jump back in and finish it then" The answer is "No and it wouldn't have made a difference", but I was still okay with that. Side note: it was difficult to compete with the more energetic and warmer (and better) Skip and Loafer so I had to revise my viewing order to not run out of steam. Ultimately my view (and probably my memory) of the show would not have changed much had I stopped at episode 6 last year. Simply stuffing my Tuesday with 23 more minutes of cute digestible fun just for the sake of watching won't help make the experience any more memorable or lasting or important. My hippocampus will probably discard the entire show's memory folder in 2-3 years. But some forms of media, some forms of entertainment are just going to embody that role. I don't make reviews often (or hardly) so perhaps writing this piece is a way (a small way) to help keep this memory. So when I though "this is a 6, right? 6 is a passing grade" it made me think about my feelings on shows like these and the wider anime viewership's opinions and where we may differ. While others might find it more important or more foundational to their growing sense of appeal (heck I know this is gonna be many's first anime ever!) I get it. I get you. I'd take this over the dozens of harem types many of you vanilla lovers despise but I wouldn't want it to overtake or replace those shows either. Cause then we'd just have an oversaturation problem of a new nature. Really there could probably be less romance anime (or just less anime overall) to come out year after year. But there's nothing here to criticize really. No points to deduct for something the show does wrong, mostly. It's just difficult to not be desensitized to this or that trope or after a while too many show's with this type of clean pastel calming energy can start to feel like white noise. And then you just happen to want (or need) more (or sometimes less because life can get you overstimulated too). So for those reasons, this is obviously an imperfect opinion/review but I don't think anyone can really make one. Like most times you can say "This didn't work for me because of X decision" but here's a show that barely makes any really interesting or complicated or ambitious decisions so there's not much to say or dive into in terms of misteps or mishandlings. It just coasts on this very specific thing, this vibe that a lot of people like and you just need to know how much you want before you get off the ride. Because this show is a ride that feels like it's designed to go on forever. Even though the manga has an ending you feel the endlessness in each new series that arrives inspired directly by shows like this and continue to offer that same old vibe-based economy of enjoyment. I think I've both ridden that ride and written this review for too long now so... 6/10 :)

Plot Summary: The story revolves around the lives of two high school students who seem to fade into the background. Shiraishi is one of those unnoticed and unremarkable students, labeled "mob" in Japanese high school lingo. His life becomes brighter when the titular character, Kubo, decides to befriend this inconspicuous classmate. Kubo is a cheerful and enchanting girl who goes against the norm by choosing to recognize the value in those easily overlooked. Thus begins their unique friendship, and we explore the daily lives of these two characters who are often thrown into various amusing and heartwarming situations. Characters: Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai presents a wide range of colorful and relatable characters. In the spotlight are Shiraishi and Kubo, two high school students who find solace in each other's company. Shiraishi is withdrawn, lacking self-confidence, and often considered invisible. Despite this, he has a kind and warm heart. On the other hand, Kubo is vibrant, assertive, and possesses a genuine desire to help others. The chemistry between these two characters is utterly captivating. As the story unfolds, we witness the growth of both individuals as they learn from one another, overcoming challenges and discovering their own unique strengths. Animation and Art Style: The anime adaptation of Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai would ideally feature a light and heartwarming atmosphere, with an art style reminiscent of the original manga. The animation should project warmth and vibrancy, encapsulating the range of emotions showcased in the story and breathing life into its memorable scenes. Close attention to detail should be paid to the character designs, staying true to Yokota Takuma's creative vision. The landscapes and background art would also be essential to immerse viewers into the world of these high school students. Themes and Life Lessons: Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai addresses themes of self-worth, friendship, and defying societal norms. One of the core messages is that everyone has their own unique value and strengths, regardless of popularity or social status. As Kubo helps Shiraishi and other "mob" characters to realize their hidden potential, viewers are reminded of the importance of recognizing and nurturing the talents and qualities of those around them. Conclusion: Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai, in its projected anime adaptation, offers a delightful blend of relatable characters, engaging narrative, and valuable themes that resonate deeply with viewers. It shows us the beauty of embracing our uniqueness, forging meaningful connections, and believing in our individual strengths. With its heartwarming content, Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai stands apart as a captivating story that reignites our appreciation for the nuances of high school life.

Rating: 6/10 This predictable anime full of sweetness but also frustration. While the anime showcases adorable interactions between its two protagonists, the romance element leaves much to be desired. The lack of significant romantic development throughout the season can be a letdown for those seeking for deeper connections between the characters. And speaking of the characters, Kubo's portrayal feels one-dimensional, lacking the depth needed to make her truly stand out. Her sole purpose seems to revolve around following Shiraishi, leaving her with little individuality or distinct traits. Similarly, Shiraishi's character seems to be dull and boring, which stays consistent and unchanging from start of finish. Additionally, his obliviousness to Kubo's super obvious crush remains an ongoing annoyance. Moreover, Shiraishi's invisibility trait feels overly exaggerated, pushing the boundaries of realism. This overwhelming characteristic can become tiresome and detracts from the overall viewing experience. Despite these setbacks, "Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible" still delivers moments of cuteness and wholesomeness, which this show is FILLED with. So this anime is great for those wanting a fluffy anime to watch. However, the lack of character depth and the unfulfilling romance leave the anime feeling somewhat unremarkable and incomplete, leaving us questioning the true reasons behind Kubo's affection for Shiraishi.

Ok here it is. This anime is AWFUL. It has no redeeming qualities. In fact, it has negative qualities. No one should ever watch this anime. It could be okay for people with autism or something I guess, but that's pretty much all. So first of all, there are 0 serious themes in this anime. Not one thing that can be considered 'adult' in any way. Characters, tropes, ideas, situations, events, conversations - anything and everything that is presented in this anime is from the most basic, surface-level feel-good perspective. There is nothing of substance to be found here for a human with any level of maturity, and by that I mean teenagers. If you are already 13-14 years old, there is no other way to view this anime except as absolutely childish. So then I must assume the target audience is children no older than 12. Keep this in mind. And what does this anime present to its audience? Supposedly a high school romance story, right? Lets investigate. First I will start with the girl or female main character or FMC. FMC is a nice girl. She seems smart, she is playful, she takes actions that move the plot, she has a goal - which seems to be to get the MC's attention - and she works toward that goal throughout the whole show. She is clever and positive, but also very normal and shows expected emotions every now and again. She may not be a complex or deep character, but overall she is a completely fine character and perfectly servers her purpose in this show. Why does she like the MC? We only find this out in the last 2 episodes or so, and I'll share it as it's not really a spoiler - she just found him mysterious due to the fact he seems 'invisible' to most people around him, and so that made her interested. Normal and understandable. So far can't complain at all, FMC is pretty solid. Now lets check out the MC, shall we? He is a quiet guy, doesn't talk with anyone outside his family, doesn't have friends, and is figuratively 'invisible' - as in the title of this show - and that's the whole gimmick around him, that people literally don't see him even when he's right next to them, because he has so little aura basically. Now although this is boring and unoriginal and has been done to death in this genre, it is still not a bad jumping point for character development, so you could build an interesting show around such a character if he starts from 0/10. But that's not what happens here. MC is dumb to the point of retardation when it comes to social awareness. He is supposedly 16 years old (the show mentions this) but his behavior is something you would not expect even from 5-year olds. After tens and tens of times where FMC shows obvious interest in him, he continues to be surprised every time when she engages with him. She is the only girl he has ever spoken to in high school, the only person he interacts with, and we get a valentine episode where she leaves him chocolate on his desk, and he can not figure out who left him chocolate. It doesn't even cross his mind it might be the ONLY GIRL he has ever spoken to, that talks to him every day and sits next to him in class. Now I have seen my fair share of clueless dumbass male anime protagonists, but the retardation level here is just too much. The MC is stupid, has no personality, no goals, no friends, no interests (other than 'reading manga'), no desire for anything. Even though he is not a complete pussy/wimp/simp, which is usually the most infuriating part of romance anime MCs, he is so lacking of personality and so retarded that it makes it impossible to watch. But the worst thing about him is that he never does anything. 100% of things that 'happen' in this anime are initiated by FMC. For 12 whole episodes, there are 0 times where the MC does anything/moves the plot/relationship in any way. ZERO. And so you get this worthless MC, who is less than nothing, who never needs to do anything at all, and he gets to be chased by a cute, smart, fun and normal girl. Just because. I said I'm perfectly fine with FMC being interested in the guy because she doesn't know him and he seems mysterious. But then she gets to know him. She admits herself he is much easier to read than she thought. She continues interacting with him every day. He is no longer mysterious. He has zero positive qualities. He doesn't have negative qualities, I can give him that, but he does not have ANY positives ones either. He is just nothing. Yet FMC continues to show romantic interest in him, strikes up conversations, organizes dates and situations where they can be together and interact. And this is why the show is awful. What's the purpose of entertainment media? To entertain, and possible to educate/provoke. This anime does none of those things. It has nothing interesting going for it, there's no story, no drama, no life lessons presented here, really juts nothing at all. And what does it teach its audience? That you can be nothing. You can have no friends, no personality, no goals, never take any action in your life, and a cute girl will magically fall from the sky into your arms and love you and want to spend all her time with you. This is a disgrace. This is the worst possible thing you can teach to young children. And obviously I mean boys, cuz why would a girl ever watch this show? It doesn't work as a self insert / wish fulfillment male fantasy, because it is generic, bland, boring, basic, children-level show. But it doesn't work as a children show either because it teaches the worst lesson possible. It is a disgrace to humanity that this anime exists, that it has such a high rating, that real people made it, that real people allowed it to be made. If you're wondering why I watched it all if that's what I think about it - it is because so I could write this review. Also I'im a degenerate incel weeb with too much free time. Anyways. This anime is a symptom of the fall of human civilization. 1000% certainty that the 'its okay to be a worthless nobody' culture presented through the MC in this show is part of the reason for Japan's declining birthrate. Everyone involved with this should be put on trial and removed from society forever.

What I love about this kind of Romance-Anime is its ability to crossover both fiction and reality. Kubo-san won't let me invisible is a straight forward anime as the title implies. We are introduced to a beautiful heroine named Nagisa Kubo and a main character that chooses to be a side character named Junta Shiraishi, through Kubo-sans persistent attempt of talking to Shiraishi we are introduced with this lovely series. Truth be told, if you've watched plenty of romance anime some elements will be repetitive for you, however I do believe that this series has its own charm. Growth is the essence of this anime, throughout the series you can just casually ignore and have fun watching the two main characters' interaction and call it a day, but if you critically watch the characters their growth would be evident throughout the show, I will not spoil the entire series because that is for you to watch whether you decide to give this a short or no. Overall, this anime is very good what kept me from rating it at 10 is probably because of the fact that there are some repetitive elements as I have watched plenty of romance anime already, nevertheless if you are planning to delve in to romance anime and this series will be your first I believe you will enjoy watching this anime.

I really enjoyed this anime but its hiatus didn't do it any favors. The story is very cute and the characters are easy to root for. When it premiered it was one of my favorites. However, when it returned, it had to compete with The Dangers in My Heart, and frankly I liked The Dangers in My Heart more, which affected how I perceived the remaining Kubo episodes when this anime returned. That said, this isn't a bad anime. It's still very cute and light. It's very easygoing and calming. I still like it even though it had competition upon its return. I also enjoyed the manga which I finished not long ago. If you're looking for something cute and calming then this will be a good anime choice.

Anime romcoms follow a formula, with only a few exceptions. Is this one an exception? We don't know. Here we have something a little bit like "Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro," and a bit like "Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out," and like those we don't know if or how it will turn out, This season has a cute and bittersweet ending, leaving us hoping for a second season while fearful that the second season -- if there even is one -- will advance things rather than so many anime, who spend the second season treading water. We want a second season that at least makes it to the silhouetted kiss with the festival fireworks in the background. We want to follow then a bit longer, but we want them to take us someplace, too. The opening song in all but the last episode is sweet and wistful. Enough, perhaps, to leave it a little pensive how itball turns out. It's as if it's a hint that the story is a reminiscence, perhaps even a sad one. But anime are sometimes like that.

We need to protect Seita-kun at all costs. That aside, this is pretty good anime if you have nothing to do and/or want to watch something stupid yet insanely cute and light-hearted. Though MC here is literally the worst MC I've ever seen in my life, the rest of the cast are balancing him out pretty good. Especially those cute pouts by FMC. But MC here is actually not that M as a C, he's just a walking joke to build the world around him, yet he does his job pretty well (at least for me) despite being sometimes way too dense or straight up annoying with his dumbness. All in all, it's a good anime to give you a feeling of warmth and overdose you with it's cuteness. Just don't expect some serious romance or drama - you won't find it here for the reasons listed above.

There are a lot of anime that feature high school protagonists that have little to no presence. However, Shiraishi in this takes that to a whole other level. People won’t notice him even if he’s literally right in front of them. When he’s in a photo, even if people are specifically looking for him in said photo, they still won’t be able to find him. His classmates view spotting him as a rare event that brings about good luck, even though he’s never missed a day of school. It’s downright supernatural. With that said, this isn’t actually that important. It’s played for comedy quite often, but it’s pretty much the exact same joke again and again so it gets kind of old. Beyond that his role in the story is pretty much the same as any other low presence protagonist without anything that uses the unique extremity in any meaningful way. As such, this is a pretty standard highschool romance with a loner protagonist being approached by a more proactive female lead. The execution is pretty good. The female lead, Kubo, is pretty amusing and loves teasing Shiraishi, though in ways that aren’t meanspirited in the slightest. For his part, Shiraishi has pretty amusing responses to her with him being thrown off balance with the slightest provocation. Their chemistry is decent enough. Though as is generally the case with such romances, it is incredibly slow burn and while there was quite a lot of puppy love romantic fluff, there wasn’t actually all that much progress as far as the season got. There are also a few side characters that play into things at times. Most interesting were definitely their respective siblings. Shiraishi’s little brother is adorable. And it’s fun seeing Kubo be the one that’s getting teased when her sister enters the picture. The familial bonds between each of the leads and their siblings is focused on somewhat, but they’re pretty minor compared to the main romance. The art and animation are solid enough. I get what they were going for, but the style felt a bit too plain at times. The designs are pretty basic as you would expect from the setting. The OP and ED are decent in terms of the music and visuals, but are not all that memorable. The soundtrack was a bit too dramatically symphonic for what was going on to the point it was kind of strange. It definitely stood out though. tl;dr: A standard highschool romance with a pretty good execution.

Teasing Master, Kubo-san. Between all the slice-of-life high school romcom’s about cute popular girls poking and prodding lonely, insecure and gloomy protagonists out of their shells that you’ve probably watched in the past couple of years, I wouldn’t blame you if you looked at Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible and thought “Yep, that sure is another one of those”, which it is, just to clarify. However, just because it is “another one of those” doesn’t mean it’s not good, and the central gimmick of the protagonist, Shiraishi is such a nothing nobody of a background character that he might as well be invisible to the people around him, to the point where his classmates believe he's an urban school legend, is very funny and the show gets a lot of mileage out of that premise. Of course, the only person who can see the seemingly invisible Shiraishi is classmate and desk neighbour, Nagisa Kubo who is endlessly fascinated by Shiraishi’s lack of presence to others around him and gains gleeful entertainment out of watching him interact with a world seemingly parallel to his own or the world's reaction to his presence whenever he goes out of his way to be noticed. Although, her being the only person who can notice him suits her just fine, and can you guess why? That’s right, she does have a very obvious crush on him for some reason. The story is very light-hearted and charming. Kubo and Shiraishi’s interactions are very wholesome and the gags and goofs are fun thanks to some incredible (sub) voice-acting talent and a surprisingly beautiful soundtrack. The visual gags stand out as fantastic thanks to the show’s (and the manga it’s adapting) simple yet strong and beautiful art and animation adapted by secretly underrated Studio Pine Jam. There is also a wonderful side cast too. We learn more about Shiraishi through his pure, innocent and wide-eyed little brother who thinks his big brother is just the coolest when he does superhero poses for him. Kubo’s family are a little more of a mixed bag. Her elder sister Akina is funny and very good at getting under both her sister and Shiraishi’s skin, but she’s a bit too willing to get hammered and make advances on Shiraishi (a minor) which feels very out of character for her, uncomfortable and out of place in this very wholesome anime. Honestly, that whole episode is this show's biggest flaw. Despite some questionable writing decisions, overall, Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible is a very wholesome show with a lot going for it. Sure, it’s “another one of those” slice-of-life high school romcoms where the girl's feelings towards the male lead are obvious to the oblivious male lead, but I never once thought “I wish these two would just hurry up and confess to each other already” which in my opinion, is a sign of a good “another one of those”. It won’t blow your mind, but if you’re into this genre I would recommend it. 7/10 Good.

The Romcom genre is one of the most exploited genres to make a quick buck: Introduce the worthless MC, pair him with the best girl of the school and stuff 24 minutes with overused tropes. You give it a cute artstyle to hide the subtle imperfection to trick people into thinking this is quality. Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai is an example of money that can be used elsewhere. I'm a person who speaks from the heart, words are not my thing so please, bear with me on this one. All romcoms have their MC stand out on one thing and our little guy doesn't shy from his features: he's invisible. Junta Shiraishi leads a very quiet life with his "curse" of being invisible to everyone; they don't notice him on his classrooms, they don't see him buying stuff...even on his school photo the poor dude was left out because they thought he was absent during that day when he was clearly visable on the photo. But our hero has his luck: Nagisa Kubo, the best girl in his class, is aware of his existance. The two go on about their days socializing with eachother. Throught the series, you'll see plenty of reminders that Shiraishi doesn't exist and Kubo-san's teasing. This should work to be cute but it doesn't work to be very romantic. For me, the anime lacks the "com" simply because Shiraishi doesn't know what love or even a friend is. The more you watch, the more you begin to feel dissapointed in Shiraishi's behaviour at times; he's a normal kid that's stuck to his little world uncapable of understanding what Kubo-san means to him. He's just there, existing. Kubo-san on the other hand gives you energy, gives you life. She's very sweet and knows how to get the best out of Shiraishi, teasing is her expertise. But im not fond of her easy going side...if Shiraishi gave her something, she would jump of happiness the same way you give out your first kiss; it's not rewarding from a viewer's perspective when you know Shiraishi is as romantic as a wall. It would help the series if it had side characters but unfortunately, their cameos are only good for about 10 mins. Kubo-san's older sister is the star here, she's teasing Kubo alll the way, just to keep her in place hehe..though, she has that one weird moment you'll notice. Shiraishi's little brother is another special shout, little guy has a good future. But the rest are just background characters, they add nothing to the story...just there to add minutes. Like every romcom now, the anime looks good; its almost effortless to even give points because it all looks the same. The big points go to Kana Hanazawa. She was the PERFECT role for Kubo! You watch this anime, just to listen to her performance. Her soul was really dedicated to this character, big part of why i kept watching was because of her soothing, happy and "blushing" voice; it adds up to Kubo's cute personality. Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai is a series that satisfies those who just want to come home and relax. Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai is also a series that doesn't have much romance because of Shiraishi himself. Given he consumes lots of manga, you would have thought he would understand how people socialize at least at the lowest of levels but the author doesn't make an effort to change him which impedes me to give this series a higher score. Its limited fun.

Objectively bad, The whole premise of the show revolves around, the main (background) character, being invisible. It ridiculously stupid, i mean, seriously its really stupid, maybe if the setting was in some fictional world with idk magic power or something like that. Personally i found this "main point" being nothing but a hassle. The "invisibility" is basically made as an excuse to why the love interest a.k.a the cutie would even dare to look at our MC. She basically got the power to actually spot the guy, and she is basically the only one capable of that, so she is intrigued by him and his superpower or super curse. It also was attempted as an "gag" moment jokes, but in my opinion most of them are just cringe. Whatever, you see what i get at, the romance is kinda bad, if you are for it then its meh, the jokes are okayish but the are meh. The premise is so stupid it makes you cringe at times, and that is at least 5 times over an episode. Oh and the MC is denser then a black hole, i mean forget about the actual dating stuff, he was not realizing she was his FRIEND, even tho he was her friend for over a year. That another level SAINT, he is basically a WIZARD just like me. I mean it's watchable, but if you find anything else to watch you would probably not miss much.

Just a disclaimer that I've read the manga until the end, so there might be some bias. Junta is a guy who was blessed with Stealth level 100. No one notices him even if he's nearby. He might make a good spy or a thief. Nagisa is a normal girl, but with the extraordinary talent to notice Junta without much effort. The story is about their interaction on their little world where only the two of them are part of. Well, even if they wanted to get other people into their world, rarely will anyone notice Junta. And due to this, it becomes a playground for Nagisa to fool around with Junta without others butting in their cute interactions. So far, the romance aspect is there but it's not as much. But given how the manga is a slow-burn, it's expected. Although of course, some people might not like that so I'm already letting you know. This is more of a school slice-of-life than romance between two school kids. And there's still a lot of ground to cover in case they go for more seasons. If you're into binge-watching, the ending might be unsatisfying as it's more like a filler. I wasn't satisfied myself, as I mentioned, I read the whole manga and this season felt like nothing much happened. Still, I would recommend you to try it. Thanks for reading my review and God bless.

Very very enjoyable for me even i'm not the RomCom lovers. I'm start watching this cause i'm very bored and i don't know what to do. Since i have friends that an weebs so i asked him such a good anime, and then i found this... The story is fine for me even it's teasing me cause i'm single. I confused when see shiraisi's character design was drawn/animated very common and unique at the same time, but since i read the manga i can understand why. I wan't to say thank you for the staff who worked on this such a good series. Greatly waiting for 2nd season! since the manga has ended...

Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai is a slice-of-life show pouring charm out of its seams. It's an anime about a guy named Shiraishi who's so invisible that he's rumored to bring good luck to anyone who sees him. But there's one person, and somehow her entire family too, who doesn't miss him: his classmate Kubo, who's determined to make him come out of his shell. The show is charming, funny, and heartwarming. The characters are all well-developed, and the animation is top-notch. But what sets it apart is that it explores the themes of invisibility and self-acceptance. The animation and art style are top-notch, creating a vibrant and visually pleasing world for our beloved characters to inhabit. And let's not forget about the soundtrack, folks. The OP, "Dramatic ja Nakute mo" by Kana Hanazawa, is a catchy and upbeat song that perfectly captures the show's blend of humor and non-dramatic, heartwarming moments. The ED, "Kasuka de Tashika" by DIALOGUE+, is a more mellow and reflective song that perfectly captures the show's themes of invisibility and self-acceptance. I also love the beautiful and atmospheric watercolor style of the ending animation. I wasn't expecting to love the show this much, but I am a sucker for this genre. So, if you're looking for a no-drama and heartwarming anime, I highly recommend Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai.

German text below -------------------------- The 12-part love anime Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible unfortunately offers more of the same. The premise is charming, but the execution remains conventional. Junta Shiraishi is invisible to everyone: he doesn't stand out in class, he's constantly bumped into on the street, and in stores he's only noticed when he throws his goods on the counter. But in his new class there is a girl named Nagisa Kubo who keeps “discovering” him and befriends him. The usual stories unfold from this constellation. Unfortunately. The rest is then unfortunately just familiar flirtations, without the relationship really growing or surprising us. Nagisa is of course really cute, always scoring points with funny faces – especially her pouting face when she puffs out her cheeks remains memorable. All in all, the anime is cute, but not particularly special. -------------------------- Der 12-teilige Love-Anime Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible bietet leider nur mehr vom Gleichen. Die Prämisse ist charmant, aber die Umsetzung bleibt konventionell. Junta Shiraishi ist für alle unsichtbar: In der Klasse fällt er nicht auf, auf der Straße wird er ständig angerempelt und in Geschäften wird er erst bemerkt, wenn er seine Ware auf die Theke wirft. Doch in seiner neuen Klasse gibt es das Mädchen Nagisa Kubo, die ihn immer wieder „entdeckt“ und sich mit ihm anfreundet. Aus dieser Konstellation entfalten sich die üblichen Geschichten. Leider. Der Rest ist dann leider nur bekannte Liebeleien, ohne dass die Beziehung wirklich wächst oder überrascht. Richtig süß ist natürlich Nagisa, die immer wieder mit lustigen Gesichtern punktet – vor allem das schmollende Gesicht, wenn sie die Backen aufbläst, bleibt in Erinnerung. Alles in allem ist der Anime putzig, aber nicht besonders.

This is a guilty pleasure show, where you are looking for a romantic slice-of-life to see in the mellowest setting possible. Nothing crazy happens in the show, which very much mirrors the goal... this show is entirely carried by Kubo for 100% of the run time. As a character, her endlessly pleasant attitude elevates the show, and all other characters, out of literal doldrums. Is there a greater point: absolutely not. Sometimes having a nice time in the moment is all you need. Think of Kubo as a reminder of the people who care about you and are willing to support you, no matter how you feel. Be well!

Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible Rating: 7/10 You know that feeling when someone actually sees you—not just glances at you, but truly notices you for who you are? That’s what Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible captures so beautifully. Watching this show felt like a warm hug, one of those experiences that leave you smiling even during the quietest moments. The story revolves around Junta Shiraishi, the kind of guy who fades into the background so effortlessly that he’s practically a living “Where’s Waldo?” game. And then there’s Nagisa Kubo—bubbly, charming, and just the right amount of mischievous—who decides that she won’t let him disappear into the shadows anymore. My Experience Watching It Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I started this anime. I figured it’d be another generic rom-com with teasing and cute moments. But what surprised me was how... human it felt. Junta’s invisibility isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a metaphor for how many of us feel at some point—ignored, unnoticed, or like we don’t matter. Watching Kubo go out of her way to make Junta feel seen hit me harder than I thought it would. There’s something so pure about the way Kubo interacts with Junta. Sure, she teases him (a lot), but it’s never mean-spirited. Her playful remarks always come with this undertone of kindness, like she’s trying to pull him out of his comfort zone while still respecting who he is. It reminded me of people in my life who’ve done the same for me—people who’ve nudged me toward growth without ever pushing too hard. What I Loved The Atmosphere: The pastel colors and soft art style made the entire show feel like a daydream. It’s like stepping into a slice-of-life version of a warm summer afternoon. Relatable Junta: Let’s be honest—most of us have felt like Junta at some point. His struggles to stand out, his insecurities, and his moments of awkward bravery? I could see bits of myself in him. Kubo’s Energy: Kubo isn’t just the typical “quirky girl” trope. She’s full of life but never overshadows Junta. She makes him shine in his own quiet way, and that’s a dynamic I don’t see often enough in romance anime. The Little Moments: This anime thrives on the small things—Kubo waiting for Junta at the school gate, a quick smile, or a shared laugh over something trivial. These moments felt real, like they could happen to anyone, and that’s what made them special. What Didn’t Work for Me But it wasn’t perfect. After a few episodes, I started noticing a pattern: Kubo teases, Junta blushes, rinse, repeat. It’s cute, but it does get repetitive. And while I loved the main duo, the supporting cast felt like props rather than actual characters. I wish they’d been given more depth because they had so much potential. Also, the romance moves at a glacial pace. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a slow burn, but this one felt like it was perpetually stuck in first gear. By the end, I was rooting for something—anything—to shake things up. Why I Gave It a 7/10 Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible is the kind of anime you watch when you need something light and comforting. It doesn’t try to be groundbreaking, and that’s okay. It’s like sitting on a park bench with a good friend—no big revelations, just a nice, cozy time. For me, it’s a 7/10 because while it warmed my heart, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. It’s a show I’d recommend to anyone looking for something wholesome, but not one I’d call unforgettable. Still, I’ll always remember the way it made me feel seen, in the same way Kubo made Junta feel seen. Would I Recommend It? Absolutely—if you’re in the mood for something sweet and easy to watch. It’s not a masterpiece, but it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes, all you want is a story that feels like a quiet celebration of being noticed.