Okay, let's talk about Kiss Him, Not Me. You know, that anime? The one that either had you rolling with laughter or screaming into a pillow? Or maybe both?
It’s a reverse harem, right? Except, it’s… well, different. Very, very different. Prepare for my scorching hot take!
What’s the Story? (Briefly!)
Kae Serinuma, our protagonist, is a major fujoshi. She loves BL (Boys' Love). She obsesses over fictional romances between guys. Typical, right?
Then, tragedy strikes! Her favorite anime character dies. Kae locks herself in her room. She refuses to eat. She mourns.
When she finally emerges... BAM! She's lost a ton of weight. She's suddenly *gorgeous*. Four unbelievably handsome boys and a cool girl now want her attention.
The Guys (and Girl!)
There's Asuma Mutsumi, the gentle senpai. He's kind and always there for Kae. He's the dependable one. Snooze fest? (Just kidding! Mostly.)
Then we have Yusuke Igarashi. He's the sporty, energetic type. Total jock, but with a hidden soft side. He is also very competitive.
And who can forget Hayato Shinomiya? He's the tsundere kouhai. He pretends not to care, but he definitely does. He’s secretly a cinnamon roll.
Finally, there's Kazuma Nanashima. He's the flirtatious bad boy. He's always teasing Kae. Watch out, he’s a heartbreaker.
Last but not least, Shima Nishina. She's a talented artist and a strong female character. She’s also a cosplayer. She may be the best one, honestly.
The Big Question: Why?
So, these five are all vying for Kae’s affection. But... is it *really* Kae they like? Or is it the "new" Kae?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn't it? The show explores this idea, albeit sometimes clumsily.
Are they attracted to her personality? Or just her appearance? Prepare for some awkwardness!
My (Probably Unpopular) Opinion
Okay, here it comes. Deep breaths, everyone. I don't think Kiss Him, Not Me is *just* about looks.
Hear me out! Yes, the initial attraction is superficial. It starts with her physical transformation. I get that.
But as the series progresses, the characters *do* get to know her. They learn about her interests. They appreciate her quirks. She's a unique, loving, and lovable person.
Do they still have some lingering attraction to her looks? Probably. They're teenagers! Hormones are raging!
But I think they eventually see beyond the surface. They value her kindness. They enjoy her passion. They tolerate (or even embrace!) her fujoshi tendencies.
Maybe I'm being too generous. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a happy ending. Maybe I'm projecting my own hopes and dreams onto fictional characters.
The Real Point?
Ultimately, Kiss Him, Not Me is a comedy. It pokes fun at anime tropes. It exaggerates the absurdity of reverse harems. Don't take it too seriously!
It's about self-acceptance. It’s about finding love (romantic or otherwise). And it’s about embracing your inner weirdo.
So, watch it. Laugh at it. Cringe at it. Ship your favorite pairing. Just don't expect a profound philosophical treatise on the nature of beauty. Enjoy! You may even find yourself wanting your own reverse harem... perhaps?