The heir to a yakuza family gets a harem.

As my readers are no doubt aware, I am so sick of SHAFT and their BS. They’ve been doing the exact same thing for years, and their style completely overwhelms anything else a show might offer. Nisekoi is no different.

Still, I have to admit it’s one of their better recent attempts at a show. Since they’re adapting a manga that doesn’t have much content to overshadow in the first place, SHAFT going overboard with their style doesn’t present as much of a problem as it usually does.

But wow this story is shallow. The main character promised three girls to marry him when he was five years old, and now they’re grown up and all fight over him (plus a few others). You’d think he could choose what to do based on the girls, but nope, he has to figure out which one he truly made a promise to before he can go out with anyone. In general the way the main character is completely passive and oblivious to everything going on around him is frustrating.

The female characters aren’t much better. Chitoge is sort of a jerk, Onodera is a helpless wuss, and Blue is obnoxious. The sick girl is okay but her role is minor. Best girl is Ruri, obviously.

I guess watch this if you really want to watch a harem for some reason.

• Storytelling – D – Too much SHAFT. The story itself leaves much to be desired.
• Voice – F – It’s SHAFT.
• Characters – D – Ruri~~~! Otherwise ugh.
• Attention Grab – C – Mostly kept my interest, except when Onodera got screentime. Definitely worst girl.
• Production – D – It’s SHAFT. Technically competent, but entirely misses the point.
• Overall – D

Recommendations – Love Hina, Seto no Hanayome, School Rumble