Name: A good entry into the Yaoi/BL Genre with a more relaxed tone and a dash of comedic relief.
Item: Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi - The World's Greatest First Love
Rating: 70
Author: shimainuu

Waifra

A good entry into the Yaoi/BL Genre with a more relaxed tone and a dash of comedic relief. · Waifora

A Wonderful Entry Into The Yaoi/BL Genre

Recently I revisited Love Stage!! simply just because. And throughout watching I wanted to find other similar Anime within the same genre. I ended up stumbling across a list of other Yaoi/BL to check out had Love Stage been enjoyed which, for me, was a better watch the second time than the first.

What I really like about Sekaiichi Hatsukoi is the depth of characters. But this is a double edged sword (more on that later.) Although its (the first season) is a 12 episode season, they still somehow find a way to spice things up by having 3 different stories be fleshed out over the course of these said 12 episodes. Nothing ever feels too stagnant because we are only dealing with one set of characters.

However I will say that there are certain things that although were not dealbreakers for me personally, sort of ruined the immersion just a tad bit. Back to the double edged sword of the characters, I thoroughly enjoyed getting a glimpse into the other editors within the company. Yet the immediate transition between the characters was kind of unforseen and would take anyone who was already deeply invested in one story out of immersion. Nonetheless once you get used to it, then it isn't the end of the world. I love how somehow someway there was a connection between all the, I guess you could say, MAIN characters even though all the stories themselves were completely autonomous.

Furthermore, I'd like to touch base on the style and aesthetic of the Anime which, for me, was kind of refreshing considering I am a Shonen main who is used to the very New-Gen crisp animation style that studio's like Mappa and Ufotable (the GOATS) produce. It has a very pastel dreamy look to it, almost like a flashback or a dream which is very easy on the eyes. The animation is not too shabby for it to be a beyond decade old anime, but one the flip side the art style itself is nothing short of almost mundane. Sometimes it's hard to tell which character you are keeping up with due to the striking similarities between almost everybody.

I will say however that by halfway through it was easier to keep track of who was who. So if that is a dealbreaker for you then be warned going into it, that it can be a little confusing at times. You can see the age in the animation and the anime itself, but if you're like me and enjoy anything so long as its anime and it's decent enough to finish then maybe this won't be the end all be all for you.

Spoiler, click to view

I have not much to say negatively about the anime at all. I just wish Ritsu (the official MC) was a little bit more assertive when it came to whatever it was he was looking for. He did a lot of back and forth and it was clear he was in denial about how he was feeling, which got a little annoying at times. At least the other side MC's eventually came to terms with their feelings that they had for their respective significant others. Ritsu however seems to be so traumatized that he can't help but lie to himself, and this makes for both an interesting plot yet also a predictable and wishy washy plot as well. I guess it's a matter of picking your poison, but I've come to realize that there is a second season so maybe there is a little redemption to be had for him. Like I said, not that big of a deal for me personally.

Overall it's a good watch for someone who doesn't want a super convoluted story with different perspectives and a slight dash of comedic relief from all the angst and tension that goes on between the characters. Give it a try if you so please.

-Shimainuu~**