Somewhat a disclosure, I have a background in engineering, research statistics, and general operational research to add a few. What I will say in this review is based on the perspective of that, someone whose also a science-type and understands what these two gullible whack heads are talking about. Apologies if I speak gibberish about the science-y thing.
The main theme itself is pretty simple actually, your average romcom telling the story of how the MC and the main heroine getting to know their own feelings for each other. But the twist here is that both of them are the science-type, where abstract things such as love needs to be proven with reasons, data, and scientific proof. Each epsiode goes from one methodology to another and how does each methodologies goes about proofing love, added in event/arcs such as the nice Okinawa arc at the end. It can be dull to watch it all in one sitting, even for me, but that doesn't mean the story itself is boring, oh no no it is far from that. The comedy here is golden. forget about the science/math jokes, just the aspect of Himuro wiggling her pony tail hair when excited is cute and impossible not to grin at. It's not as straight forward as gag comedies are but it's still pretty easy to get your laughs here.
The science aspects present in here were terrifyingly relatable for me to the point of giving me headaches and PTSD of past uni struggles, mainly with TSPs and SRPs. But my god does that add to my enjoyment factor. The two goes around using different methods to measure numerous quantifiable outputs of "falling in love" such as average heart rate and body temperature to even oxytocin level. Personally this is whacky on a whole other level and I just love it. The science of testing methodologies and dealing with external factors along with how it all goes wrong is plainly brilliant and, in some aspect, true to how whacky IRL research can be.
The characters here are all lovable for their antics, interactions, and dumbfoundness. Himuro and Yukimura are out of whack for the need of proofing love for one another, Ikeda sensei is a supportive brute of a professor, Ibarada is sultry chibi that gives Inukai no mercy, and Inukai is a hard-core otaku with a lower intellect level that plays galge on the lab's PC. The only sane person here is Kanade with rationale thinking and the ability of common sense. Please let Kanade have justice and let her fall in love normally, away from the burden and whackiness of the Ikeda Lab. Though in all honesty, they're all trying their best to achieve their own goals and that gives them a stand in the show.
The voice casts did a job well done voicing the characters here. How Amamiya-san voiced Himuro was a new take with more of a mature and sultry tone along with Uchida-san more serious voice for Yukimura. One thing to point is how Fukushima-san voice Inukai was just as whacky as always from how he does Kazuma form Konosuba. How Kanade sounded plain yet at a point sounded out of her cute character was also a nice point to add.
The animation itself was average, in a good way if I must elaborate and the overall visuals were one of the more pleasing ones. Character designs are true from what the manga depicts yet took on the more simplistic cute mature look. Sceneries was a strong point especially when these two whack heads try to set the mood parameters right, either be it on the rooftop or in Okinawa.
Did I enjoy watching this? absolutely. Would I rewatch this at some point? maybe but I rather read the manga itself rather than rewatch, especially with S2 just around the corner in spring 2022. Should you watch this? regardless of your background, this is still a fun romcom anime to watch, but were you also a science-type then it goes even better with comprehending the jokes and the sillyness to all of it. Definitely excited for S2!
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