Outlook: Itazura na Kiss
A brief preview of a recently released, ongoing and unlicensed anime available through bittorrent.
Itazura na Kiss
Usually when I write Outlook previews I am trying to let you know about an anime you may want to watch. Itazura na Kiss is different. Let’s just say I am trying to protect you from an anime you shouldn’t be watching. First, however, what is Itazura na Kiss… besides total crap? The main protagonist is a girl named Kotoko Aihara, a high school student, who has been in love with Naoki Irie, a genius at the top of the class, since she first saw him. She finally summons up the courage and presents Irie with a confession letter which he promptly rejects. Then, after a series of unfortunate events, she somehow arrives at Irie’s house to live with him after her house gets destroyed in an earthquake. Itazura na Kiss is based on an extremely popular manga written by Kaoru Tada. The manga was adapted into two TV live action dramas, however, the author died in a tragic accident leaving the manga unfinished. The manga is still serialized without Tada with permission from her husband.
The Truth The animation is horrible. Let’s rewind to the early 90’s and use their animation shall we? Let’s say it’s Sailor Moon (Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn) except without the flashy transformations. In a time of the extravagant settings of Hayao Miyazaki, the spectacular battle sequences of Seirei no Moribito, to the wondrous landscapes of Makoto Shinkai it’s hard to imagine animes like this exist. It’s not funny at all. I didn’t laugh, chuckle… hell, I didn’t even smile while I watched the entire thing. The voice acting is atrocious. I’ve never heard such plain, uninspired voice acting since coming across Itazura na Kiss. I can’t help but wonder if the seiyus were so bored with the dialog they weren’t compelled either that or they just suck along with the anime.
Redeeming Factor There is one redeeming factor. All the stuff I listed above is bad, yeah, but the anime is based off the manga. Not all the plot could be lost right? Naoki Irie is a total jerk. He’s just a plain jerk. It’s really quite interesting to see a romance anime where one of the partners isn’t your total make-the-right-decisions-robot. I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to like Irie, but I sure did since there was nothing else I liked in the anime. It was glorious watching Kotoko get shutdown over and over again.
Bottomline This anime is really bad. It rivals the hideously awful Fighting Beauty Wulong. There are so many better romance/drama animes out there you could be watching instead of hoping that Itazura na Kiss picks up. If you really want it you’re better off reading the manga or even watching the live action TV adaptations.
Where can you get it? Wait… you really want it? Even after all that? Here it is… have fun… Bakawolf & m.3.3.w
Big Fan said,
July 11th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
You’re crazy… I love this anime. Just like I’m just one person, you’re JUST one person. “I” think you got it all wrong…
Chiisuteru said,
July 13th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Wow!!!
That is soooo not correct!!!
Itazura is a great anime!!! They worked really hard to make it look as beautiful as it is, because if you read the manga is hard to even get through a couple of pages >_<
I think what makes this series great is how the characters are easy to relate to.
Even if dont have nice animation like Hayao it doesnt really matter in this type of story line and animation. The creators are keeping it true to the manga style. And trying to make Itazura something grand and colorful isn’t needed.
It stands prefectly well , with it great story and loveable characters.
I think shooting it down for how it looks and sounds its harsh and I say anyone who is a ROMANTIC SHOULD WATCH THIS SERIES!!! Its great!!
I’ve cried a many, because its so touching. :3
animeotaku said,
July 15th, 2008 at 10:03 am
OMG!! Did someone pay you to said such a terrible thing about this anime?!!? Itazura na kiss is one of the best anime I watch in my life. It’s heartwarming, funny, and the seiyus fit the characters perfectly (I LOVE KOTOKO’S VOICE). I beginning to suspect if you even waTCH THIS ANIME.
LOVE this anime!!! said,
July 25th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Whaaaaaaaaat the helll are you saying?!?!!?!? THIS ANIME IS LIKE… THE SHIT YO!!
Knowone is gonna like a bad review because there is always a fan for every anime. Yes, Every anime. I think you watched the wrong anime because if you didnt like it why would you watch it? See I don’t like review people. Its a great anime.. go watch some of YOUR anime if you don’t like it so much. You just piss me off because You hate this anime talking like you could make an anime better. Go make one then you can talk sayng how bad the animation is. Do you have any idea how to make one? How hard it might be? Yeahhhhh Well Im sure someone put alot of work into the animation and I didnt even notice anything wrong with the animation untill you said something. Yea no what I still don’t notice. I watch all 16 episodes of it and I still dont see whats wrong with it. Its definately the best damn anime I have ever watched in my entire life and I would seriously DIEEEE not to watch another one. I fucking LOVEEEEEE this anime!! Like I said, ITS THE SHIT YO!!!
PS: i bet ur a boy. A girl would fucking go fucking nuts over this but nooooo a boy would be like.. ” this is dumb, I want to watch some ACTION ANIME YEAHHH!!!”
Mimi said,
July 26th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I’m verry sorry, but i am going to have to agree with the other comments here. This anime is kick ass. I laughed and cried so many times. I dont know how you couldnt of smiled becaused most parts made me crack up. Perhaps because i read the manga i love it so much.
“It was glorious watching Kotoko get shutdown over and over again.” … What kind of sadist jerk are you?? Thats horrible, and the worst part. Yes i agree that Kotokos unrequited love can get on your nervs, but that is just too cruel.
Also, about the animation. I feel nothing is wrong with it. I’ve seen much worse animes. Have you ever read the manga. The drawings are very hard to bear. So the animes drawings are actually a relief. Do you know how hard it is to make an anime that is good looking, yet still resembles and keeps the essance of the not-so-good drawings of the manga? … And the story is so good that you can still look pass the art. That is how incredable Itazaru na kiss is!
I have to agree with what LOVE this anime!!! said in her comment. You must be a man Because there is no way a girl could dislike Itazaru na kiss. It is just way to romantic! Just go back to watchin your action dick flicks.
marvelouscapnlolo said,
July 31st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I can understand where you are coming from on your review….but the characters are so lovable and watchable!!!! You definitely have to like this kind of love drama anime to truly enjoy Itazura na Kiss …you didn’t have to ream it so badly…
Naz said,
November 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
eh..well. with wat brain did u watch this with? i’m guessing NO BRAINS. like wtf waz that about??? itazura’s over the top AWESOME. it’s heartwarming and funny and very cute. the graphica are WAt better thna sum anime’s like…thopse anime’s who dnt dram the eyes…like damn….i think you crazy or sumthing….
yukki100 said,
January 27th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
u r crazy i LOVED this anime i could stop watching it i was very sad when it endded i felt like i could relate to the Kotoko Aihara alot !
Chrissie said,
November 4th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I’m not far with the anime, I did HATE the japanese live action version, I just couldn’t stand that guy’s character, alright I thought Kotoko’s love was really wonderful, how she could keep loving him, even though he’s one son of a you-know-what. But I really pitied Kinnosuke, I thought he loved her more than Irie did. Well at the ending when Irie finally showed his love to her, I thought :Kotoko kick his ass please! say it’s too late or something… but well you can’t do nothing against love.. if she’s happy with him, go for it, but I just couldn’t stand him and I was like giving him the evil eye almost every episode lolll :P
But I’ve heard the anime and manga has a bit of a different storyline, so I’m still keeping an open mind.
Anonymous said,
January 12th, 2014 at 6:01 pm
You didn’t have to be so negative about the show. It’s still really good.