Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie is a comedy, romance, and slice-of-life anime based on a manga written by Keigo Maki and serialized in Magazine Pocket. It is being adapted into an anime by Studio Doga Kobo, known for producing series with similar themes and appealing to a similar demographic. Other Doga Kobo's catalogs include Plastic Memories, Oshi no Ko, and Gabriel DropOut.

The series has many to offer, primarily due to its unique concept. It is not a typical series where one party tries to court someone and win their affection amidst various shenanigans. Nor is it a story about two individuals who initially dislike each other but eventually realize their feelings. Instead, it is a tale of two people deeply in love, unafraid to express their feelings for each other, and enjoying a strong and loving relationship. It's a concept that should be more common but stands out as refreshing and distinct.

Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie is a heartwarming tale of two high school sweethearts who love each other despite one of them being incredibly unlucky. The dynamic of their unwavering support and assistance for one another carries the series, making it compelling throughout its entire runtime. Their affectionate and loving relationship remains enjoyable and doesn't grow tiresome, defying expectations.

The series follows the typical slice-of-life format set in a high school setting. It includes events such as the school cultural festival, sports festival, summer festival, amusement park visits, volleyball games, and other common elements found in the genre's series. However, what sets it apart is that the main duo is already a couple, allowing them to enjoy these experiences together. This change adds a fresh perspective without drastically altering the medium as a whole. Additionally, the inclusion of a well-executed love triangle storyline brings an unexpected twist to the narrative, offering an enjoyable surprise for viewers.

The characters in Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie are charming and full of life. The central duo, Miyako Shikimori, and Yuuki Izumi, are adorable together. Izumi's helpful and selfless personality, combined with his constant string of bad luck, would typically evoke sympathy in other series. However, in this series, Shikimori is always there to protect him from much of the misfortune he would usually encounter. While she can't be by his side all the time, her presence is enough to prevent him from being in a worse situation.

However, their characters lack depth beyond their love for each other, their luck, and their overall goodness. Shikimori, in particular, is written peculiarly, with her motivation for being cute only making sense if we don't take the series's title too seriously. She falls into the stereotype of the talented and capable girl, although her justification for possessing such skills is less compelling compared to other characters with similar traits. It gives her a somewhat confused and out-of-place vibe in a series named after her.

The other characters in Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie are also decently written. The core trio of best friends, Shuu Inuzuka, Kyou Nekozaki, and Yui Hachimitsu, bring humor and energy to the series while complementing its theme effectively. They are all kind-hearted individuals, as the series avoids negativity. Izumi and Shikimori's family, as well as a few other characters like Ai Kamiya, also receive decent development in the episodes they appear in.

Regarding the production of Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, there isn't much to comment on except that it is satisfactory. The series boasts visually pleasing animation, fitting its genre as a pretty and polished romance series. The music, while decent, doesn't leave a lasting impression. The opening theme captures the essence of the series but isn't particularly catchy or exceptional. On the other hand, the animation in the ending theme is cute and makes watching the entire credit sequence a pleasant experience. Overall, Doga Kobo did a commendable job with the series, leaving little to complain about in terms of production quality.

During the production of Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, the studio faced challenges due to a COVID outbreak, leading to delays in its runtime. Despite this setback, the final product maintains a visually acceptable and serviceable quality, although it may not be the studio's best work. It is worth noting that the series received an undue amount of criticism compared to its actual merits during the Spring 2022 season.

Despite the recurring theme of his bad luck, Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie successfully delivers a charming and light-hearted teenage romantic comedy, albeit with certain limitations. While the series may not offer much beyond its cute and fluffy narrative, it remains a perfectly enjoyable series overall.