You won't understand a good chunk of my review if you haven't seen Endo and Kobayashi, so go give it a watch!
I'll mostly be jumping from point to point about the series. Final ratings will be based on my overall enjoyment, as that’s what seals the deal for me.
Brief Synopsis
Shihono Kobayashi is a high-schooler obsessed with an otome game known as Love Me Magically! (or Magikoi for short). After convincing her broadcasting club friend, Aoto Endo, to play it with her, something about the game is.. different. They can speak to Prince Sieg and prevent Villainess Lieselotte from doom!
Prince Siegwald... hearing things? No, it couldn't be... a message from the gods! He has to protect Lieselotte before it's too late? Well, it looks like he's got no other choice but to take their orders. Thanks, Lady Kobayashi and Lord Endo!
Initial Thoughts
Going into the show, I didn't have high hopes. Another Shojo adaptation is awesome! But considering what happened last season... erm... I was worried. I'm also not a huge fan of the Villainess genre, but putting my bias aside, this anime is definitely something that, while it has flaws, shouldn't be underestimated, and you'll soon see why.
The Meat of the Review
Let's start with the elephant in the room, the animation. This has happened with so many Shojo adaptations over the years that I'm not surprised, just simply disappointed. This anime could've been a masterpiece if it wasn't for the CGI horses and questionable fight scenes that... in one way or another, graced the screen. I'm blaming it on the studios at this point. How can you spend so much money on battle Shonen and a cent on these Shojosei gems, that is the true question.
Moving on from trauma to something astoundingly better, the characters. Oh, how I loved the characters. And oh, how I loved their dynamics. At first, I wasn't a huge fan of Lieselotte. She didn't seem to have many redeeming qualities, and that surprised me considering we are supposed to root for her, but then... we got to the Tsundere episode! This simple joke somehow ended up working completely in her favor! As the show progresses, we begin to understand more about her character, why she says and does certain things, and most importantly, her motives. It adds a real layer of heart that I feel goes beyond the trope, and makes her sympathetic.
Not to mention her relationship with Sieg. I love how devoted and determined Sieg is to Liese, he truly is a W boyfriend that I wish I had. The romantic moments we get between them, especially towards the end, feel so sincere.
Now let's talk Fiene! On her own, while she may seem weak, Fiene knows how to stand her ground and fight for what she believes in, and I like that about her! She still has her flaws, but that's what makes her human. I also enjoy how much backstory is given to her, and the connections she has with other characters really flesh her out. Fiene's more than just some rando who happened to attend magic school. Her relationship with Baldur is.. a choice. I'm not a huge hater or anything, like... I thought they were cute and all, but I just wish there was at least a little more development. Hey, maybe I'm being too picky. Who's to think Fiene can get a better man? Putting that aside, Fiene is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to the ending.
And speaking of that ending, because wow. I did not expect this show to end with such a bang. First of all, that drama and pacing! So good! The cliffhangers were effective and left me wondering what was going to happen because truly, I had no idea. I thought it was gonna be all one and done, "We saved Liese-tan, and life is perfect again!" (which still would've been solid, but I digress). But the way everything was connected, the fact that all that happened in the game AND real life was because of the Gods of Creation? I mean, who could've guessed that? And this twist is not poorly executed at all.
Long story short, Kuon, God of Creation, created the Magikoi game to finally fall in love with a reincarnated Eve, aka Fiene! But spoiler alert, a reincarnated Adam, aka Baldur, has already fallen in love with her. I mean, that's why the first people on earth were created, to fall in love. ~~It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve! This a joke, I promise I'm gay.~~ So it's evident that Kuon has to lose, but for that to happen, we also get some changes between our wonderful commentary-analyst duo! Spoiler alert: after all their surprisingly deep development, they confess their love to each other. And while of course, it's very cheesy, it helps to cement this story's theme. Love is powerful.
For all we know, the world of Magikoi and its characters are completely fiction. But even so, it's the love the characters feel for one another that prevails. Whatever kind of love it may be, it all goes to show that with unity, heart, belief, and a little bit of magic, miracles can happen. Because you know what they say, while we may be different, we're all human. The same.
Overall Thoughts
Endo and Kobayashi Live! is a series that turns the Villainess genre on its head and does so in a well-executed manner. With a unique premise and a strongly developed cast, it's an anime that will not only keep you engaged but also enamored.
