Expectations matter. Sometimes they can make the difference between loving and hating a show. If we go into an average show expecting a masterpiece, we'll be disappointed. If we go into it expecting shit, we'll be surprisingly pleased. I went into Sakurasou expecting nothing but a simple romantic comedy full of cliches, but instead I got caught by surprise with a real relatable drama.
We have a plot that consists in the daily life of student Sorata Kanda, living in the dormitory named Sakurasou, where there are plenty of "weirdos". These people are essentially talented artists and already have a purpose for their lives. Sorata's idea of being normal conforts him but at the same time rises his inferiority complex for being just normal, not talented. Sorata's kindness and love for his friends and cats contrasts his struggle and frustration, and the coexistence inside the dormitory influences him to become a great game developer. Then we have Mashiro, the quiet (kuudere) special female protagonist who is famous for her beautiful paintings but still doesn't know how to put on clothing without instructions. The other main characters are Nanami, who is struggling to be a voice actress, Misaki, the crazy talented girl that is producing her own anime, Ryuunosuke, the recluse talented programmer and Jin, the popular guy who writes scripts for Misaki's anime.
Sakurasou does one thing especially well that makes it stand out among the various slice-of-life rom-coms around, and that is its character dynamics. That is an aspect of it that is simply amazing. I wouldn't say it is free of cliches, espcially concerning the romance, with the typical slow development and love triangle. However, there are six well constructed and developed characters, and their interactions are unique, being funny, cute and painful. They all have different personalities, challenges and their own charismatic way, showing self-growth during the story.
The show does not smooth themes like success and failure. Sometimes, no matter how much effort you put into a thing, it just won't work out. The conflict between talent and effort is very well discussed during the show, in a hard realistic way that can make our emotions bloom strong.
The art doesn't disappoint either. This is the best work I know from JC Staff studio. Beautiful warm colors and good soundtrack were added to make it even better.
In conclusion, The Pet Girl of Sakurasou is very likeable to recommend to anyone. There are a bit of fanservice ecchi scenes at the beginning, but it does not last long. The show presents us a palette of emotions and lessons that can touch us deeply.