Anime humour is kind of a swing and a miss most of the times for Western audience members. Oftentimes, we may chuckle at a few jokes here and there, but it’s very rare that we ever burst out laughing. It’s not that anime tends to have unfunny jokes, but rather that they are not necessarily culturally applicable to us. Unless one is proficient in the Japanese language and culture, it’s likely that most of the wordplays and gags will be completely lost on the average Western anime viewer.
With that all being said, “Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun” is funny.
Actually, let’s rephrase that sentence.
“Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun” is hilarious.
It’s hilarious when you have a background knowledge of shoujo tropes, but it’s also hilarious even if you don’t. It’s a show that’s just funny for everyone.
Focusing around a motley cast of characters, “Nozaki-kun” is the tale of high schooler Chiyo who discovers that her crush, the titular Nozaki, is actually the author of a popular young girls’ romance manga in spite of him being extremely dense when it comes to love. Shenanigans ensue as her encounters with him result in a variety of interesting and hilarious characters to join the fray.
Parodying common tropes in the genre and turning them on their heads, “Nozaki-kun” is a hilarious romantic comedy that is more comedy than it is romance. Of course, while there are moments where heartstrings are tug, viewers should be aware that the show is really there to make you laugh. Each episode has gags that will make viewers burst out laughing because of how absurd the punchlines are. "Nozaki-kun" never resorts to cheap laughs like many other anime comedies. Almost every single gag is unique, which makes watching this show a fresh one regardless of how many anime you've seen in the past.
Other aspects of the show are also great as well. The show's opening is perhaps my favourite one of all time, while its voice actors are perfectly cast for their characters. Character designs are great, with each character feeling distinct and easy-to-recognize. While the art is nothing to write home about, it's still pleasant to look at and fits the atmosphere of the show.
Detractors of this show may criticize it for lacking any real character development, but those concerns are arguably irrelevant as the focus of the show has never been about deep and realistic characters. It's about likable characters who find themselves in extremely absurd situations that will make your sides hurt.
If you want romantic development, maybe look elsewhere.
If you want good laughs, fun characters, and just an amazing way to spend a few hours on a rainy day, then this is the perfect show for you.
155.5 out of 159 users liked this review
