Okay, let's talk about Kiss Him, Not Me! Episode 1. Forget everything you think you know about typical high school romance anime.
We meet Kae Serinuma, our heroine. And, boy, is she passionate! What is she passionate about? Anime boys getting together, of course!
She's a hardcore fujoshi, completely obsessed with BL (Boy's Love) pairings. To her, everyday life is just one giant potential fanfic waiting to happen.
The Dramatic Transformation
The episode’s whole setup is based on a pretty wild premise. Her favorite anime character dies.
Kae is so distraught, she locks herself in her room. She doesn't eat for days. You can already tell this is going to be unique.
Then BAM! When she finally emerges, she's lost a ton of weight and is suddenly, unbelievably gorgeous. It’s anime logic at its finest.
Suddenly, Everyone's Interested
Now, here's where the fun begins. The guys in her school, who barely gave her a second glance before, are suddenly all over her.
We're talking about the cool and popular Yusuke Igarashi, the sweet and gentle Hayato Shinomiya, and the sporty and energetic Asuma Mutsumi. They are all vying for her attention.
Even a cute girl named Shima Nishina becomes interested. She's an incredibly talented artist.
The Hilarious Dilemma
So, Kae has achieved the impossible: She's the object of everyone's affection. But there's a catch.
She's still the same fujoshi on the inside. The pretty boys fawning over her is almost secondary to her shipping fantasies.
This leads to some incredibly awkward and hilarious situations. She's constantly fantasizing about them getting together with each other.
Shipping Wars!
Instead of enjoying the romantic attention, she's internally creating elaborate BL scenarios. It's like her brain is constantly running a fanfiction generator.
Imagine going on a date and only thinking about how good your date would look with another guy.
The episode establishes a love polygon that is both charming and ridiculous. It sets the stage for the series’ humor.
A Heartwarming Core
Despite the over-the-top comedy, there’s something genuine about Kae. She's still the same person, regardless of her appearance.
She still gets excited about her hobbies. She still cares about her friends. And she struggles to reconcile her fujoshi nature with her new reality.
Kiss Him, Not Me! isn't just about a girl getting hot and suddenly becoming popular. It’s also about self-acceptance.
Beyond the Surface
The series is about staying true to yourself even when the world changes around you. It's about finding value in your passions.
And it's about the importance of genuine connection over superficial appearances. Underneath all the shipping and romantic hijinks lies a sweet message.
Ultimately, Episode 1 of Kiss Him, Not Me! introduces us to a world that is both hilarious and surprisingly heartwarming. It’s an invitation to embrace your weirdness and find joy in the unexpected.
