What a peculiar show this was. I honestly don't even know where to start so let's just get into it. "Nazo no Kanojo X" or "Mysterious Girlfriend X" isn't a show for everyone. Aside from the admittedly somewhat weird premise it certainly has its fetishy moments though they rarely seem out of place or included without reason. In general if the idea of exchanging bodily fluids disgusts you, you should probably stay away (or at least form some scenes). Nevertheless who would I be if I let unconventional territory stop me? And so even though I accidentally stumbled upon this piece of media art I can safely say it's become one of my favorites.
But let's start with the basics. What is this show even about? In short terms you could say it's about the developing relationship between our normal high school protagonist named Akira Tsubaki and a mysterious transfer student.... which started with him deciding to lick up her drool and in turn becoming helplessly addicted to it. Not the most normal of ways to get into a relationship. But you know a bit of supernatural flair can't hurt. This and the various other more magical properties of our heroine Mikoto Urabe's saliva which include the transfer of mental images and emotional states as well as a few others certainly make for some intersting plot setups and give a relatively grounded story a constant source for surprises. Now with all these magical properties (magical because even though the show tries to write off any explanation for the sake of mystery and metaphor it's obvious that the normal rules of our world apply to all characters without a connection to Urabe) creating a lense for us to view this stroy through what is the actual meat of the story? For me personally it's, like many shows with similar subject matters, a show about connection, empathy and understanding. As well as a boatload of confusion.
Let me ask you a question. How many times have you heard men say that you can't understand women? Well the show uses this very sentiment along with the general theme of confusion, change and bewilderment that arises from puberty to express the wonder and "mystery" our protagonist feels in reponse to his partner. And while we can certainly argue about changing perspectives of young people throughout the gerneations as well as the impact of the internet on the relations between different genders I think many of us still feel/felt a certainl level of anxiety, nervous excitement, etc. when dealing with the first more serious feelings of infatuation, attraction and love. And the show does a wonderful job of transporting one back in time to this special place of restless nights.
One also shouldn't underestimate the impact the artstyle can have on the vibe or atmosphere a certain piece of media can give off. In this case it seems very reminiscent of pre 2010s or even pre 2000s anime which is certainly unusual for a show released in 2012. A design choice that really helps to evoke this deep sense of nostalgia. In addition it's important to note that the timeless aspect of the show's setting also helps to carry this feeling. Many plotthreads don't make much sense with the advent of our modern communication technology. But take most of that away and you are left with a show that even subconsciously emphasizes the point of real connection in a very literal sense.
The soundtrack also manages to be consistently fitting with the themes the show tackles and the reactions it wants to portray. One moment it seems cheeky in another it helps to create a more mysterious atmosphere and in a third it can play its part in conveying drama. Especially the eery dream theme seems almost as addicting as Urabe's drool.
I purposefully left out the character section in this review. Most of all because I want you to explore them yourself. Though, and that probably doesn't come as a surprise to many, the female characters are more fleshed out than their male counterparts. And while on one hand this focused perspective on the girls and of course especially Urabe truly helps in doing the title justice the show probably could have benefitted from a bit more exploration of our protagnoist. However I don't think it should or will be a dealbreaker for many especially if you are somewhat used to the genre and its machinations. Also contrary to many I don't have too much of a problem with the perceived lack of progress in the relationship (I still feel there is definitely an adequate amount of character development going on) between our two leads. I understand however that your mileage in this regard might vary.
All in all I truly recommend this anime. I think this show manages to incorporate lessons and parts for almost everyone that can look beyond the scope of the inital premise. Whether you are currently in a slowly developing relationship yourself, feel lovesick, heartbroken or even incredibly frustrated at your lack of success in all these matters.
Or maybe you just want to be transported back in time to a more uncertain, dreamlike but ultimately, in a different way, exciting point in time.
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