Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai Shite Ita is one of those romantic comedies so wholesome it feels like diabetes. The premise is simple and familiar: an evil henchman falls for a magical girl destined to fight him—a popular trope in recent anime and manga. I started watching this series out of boredom, but then basically binged the entire anime in a single day, and while I won’t claim it’s a must-watch or particularly groundbreaking, I found myself enjoying this sweet little romance far more than I expected.

If you’re familiar with similar anime, such as Maou no Ore ga Dorei Elf wo Yome ni Shitanda ga, Dou Medereba Ii? —which I’ve reviewed here—you might find this series a refreshing improvement. Unlike others in the genre, Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai Shite Ita knows its strengths. It focuses on its romance-driven main plot and avoids the trap of cramming in unnecessary subplots that neither serve the viewer’s interests nor are given the time to develop or budget necessary to feel satisfying.

One way the anime achieves this focus is through its concise episode length. Each episode runs for about 12–14 minutes, often followed by commentary from the voice actors (which I personally skipped). This shorter runtime allows the show to stay tightly centered on the couple’s romantic “dates,” avoiding filler material entirely.

Another strength is its commitment to keeping the story centered on its main characters. While side characters do make occasional appearances, their purpose is almost always to further the romance or provide brief support before stepping back into the background. This keeps the spotlight firmly on the main duo, which helps maintain the narrative's emotional core.

The anime’s sound and visual design are well-executed for what the story aims to achieve. While there aren’t many fight scenes or flashy moments, the animation feels polished, with most scenes, including the few, large monsters, appear to be hand-drawn rather than relying on CGI. The depiction of sweets throughout the series is particularly charming and well-detailed. The voice acting matches the characters perfectly, and while most aspects of the soundtrack and character design are solid but not standout, the opening theme is an absolute banger.

The male protagonist is your typical "evil mastermind" archetype—complete with the classic glasses adjustment—but doesn’t leave a lasting impression. On the other hand, the heroine, with her gullible, honest, shy, and hardworking personality, may not be a character you’ll adore, but she’s certainly one you’ll want to protect. While her tragic circumstances are slightly overdone, they still work within the story’s tone.

The romance itself progresses at a relatively slow pace but doesn't entirely stagnate. Unfortunately, the story remains unfinished due to the original creator’s passing. I won't go into detail on how the anime ends, but it’s clear the narrative wasn’t meant to conclude within just 12 episodes. Thus, the ending might feel unsatisfying to some viewers, though I personally found it acceptable.

The comedy aspect, while not extraordinary, has its moments. A clear standout is one magical girl side character who constantly swears, which I personally found hilarious. Beyond that, the series leans heavily on running gags, repeating them often enough that even if the original joke doesn’t land, you’ll probably find yourself laughing at least once or twice out of sheer persistence.

In conclusion, Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai Shite Ita isn’t a groundbreaking series, but it’s a focused, heartfelt, and wholesome romantic comedy that’s easy to enjoy. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, it’s well worth a watch—just go in knowing it doesn’t quite reach a fully resolved conclusion.