Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War: Season 1/ Episode 1 [Series Premiere] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

High energy, a bit ridiculous, yet also playing out the anxiety and power dynamics of love, Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War is one of the best romance shows you may have seen in some time.

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Network
Crunchyroll
Creator		Aka Akasaka
Director(s)		Mamoru Hatakeyama
Writer(s)		Yasuhiro Nakanishi
Air Date		1/12/2019
Genre(s)		Romance, Comedy
Good If You Like		Romance Shows Which Have Lovey-Dovey Moments But Features Low-Key Sociopaths
Isn’t For You If You		Like Something More Traditional From Romantic Shows.
Introduced This Episode
Kaguya	Aoi Koga
Miyuki	Makoto Furukawa
Chika	Konomi Kohara

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The Introduction

Kaguya, a trillionaire heiress, is the student government vice president of the affluent Shuchiin Academy. Alongside her riches, she is intelligent and has a multitude of awards which validate her various talents. However, one field she has not dominated is love, and that is because the student government president, Miyuki, refuses to step up and ask her out. Mind you, they both like each other but pride is in the way. Leading to us watching, throughout three battles, both trying to push the other into confessing their feelings, or doing something genuinely romantic, one way or the other. With their secretary, Chika, often playing a wild card.

Highlights

This Is the Funniest Romantic Comedy I’ve Seen In A While

The way Kaguya and Miyuki go back and forth is of the ilk of Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes. The calculations, subtle moves, and phrases to force each other to be caught off guard and say something, not only does it make you laugh but appreciate the writing. For it’s like watching the thought process of two people playing chess almost at the speed of a tennis match.

But the real kicker is not just the narrator who adds fuel to the fire, Chika who complicates things for both, but you joining in and trying to determine who won each battle. While the narrator may note who they believe won, there are times when, like for “Kaguya Wants It,” you may disagree. In fact, you will so passionately disagree you feel the need to search the internet to find someone who agrees with you since clearly, Miyuki won that battle and him running for a meeting does not constitute a defeat. Unless there are fine print rules that have not been distributed.

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The point is, on top of being funny Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War has a certain level of engagement beyond shipping and wondering when and how. It also brings about the need to debate who won a battle and you wanting to take note of every serve, falter, and point made.

First Impression: Positive (Watch This) – Recommended

Usually, when I use the word ridiculous, it is with negative connotations – that doesn’t apply for Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War. This is ridiculous in the best way for rather than be lovey-dovey, love is treated as a power dynamic issue and watching Kaguya and Miyuki go back and forth is the cutest and funniest thing I’ve ever watched. Heck, it is so funny I can’t wait for this to be adapted into a live action version; for that needs to happen.

Hence the positive label and believing this will be a recommended show when all is said and done. While many romantic comedies are silly and a bit over the top, Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War takes the cake. In the three segments we got, it becomes clear this will be a long war in which neither side has any real distinct advantage. They both may think they do, but with every mistake, they grow closer, and due to their pride and insecurities, you are going to ship them harder and harder. Making that eventually moment when they get over themselves all the more sweeter.

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