While it’s been a while since I watched a romantic comedy involving a male lead. Of course, in recent lead, there is a trend that the female romantic interest harasses or bullies the male lead. Yep, I think this is becoming a trend with Takagi-san and Uzaki-chan ha Asobitai in the last few years.
Of course, Nanashi, a well-known Pixiv artist who mostly create pornographic works eventually worked on a web comic titled Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san (lit. Don’t bully me, Miss Nagatoro), which is his first clean work. This is the first series that started this trend. While their sweet side exists, the big difference is that instead of the romantic interest being angry or embarrassed when they are in an awkward situation like a tsundere, they tease, insult, or toy with their emotions. With that in mind, is Nagatoro-san, the start of this trend of romantic comedy genre shows any good?
The story focuses on an introverted stereotypical and nerdy upperclassman called “Senpai.” He focuses mostly on making sketches or creating art. Suddenly, a group of girls are looking at Senpai and he becomes flustered. When he drops his bag, Sakura found the manga draft that slipped out of his bag and she showed it to her friends, Gamo and Yoshi.
A girl named Nagatoro Hayase came up and looks at Senpai’s comic. After her friends left, she makes fun of it. She eventually made Senpai cry as she uses her handkerchief to absorb his tears not knowing how to react. As times goes on, Nagatoro gains an interest in him as he puts up with it. Eventually, he starts to fall in love with her, but of course, does she feel the same?
From watching the first episode, it does come a bit as mean spirited. After all, Nagatoro is a bit more aggressive compared to Takagi or Uzaki. However, the sheer meanness doesn’t persist after the first episode as there are a few signs that Nagatoro is starting to fall for Senpai. Of course, she doesn’t admit it at first with the teasing.
Of course, I find it funny how some of the teasing backfires like with having Senpai figure out which bun is the premium one after she puts it on her chest. Also, she messed up and Senpai eventually touches her actual breasts unintentionally. Also, I can’t get enough of the Isekai segment as Senpai becomes a wizard and teams up with cat girl Nagatoro to defeat the demon lord was also funny. Lastly, there is the moment where Senpai plays video games with Nagatoro. Surprisingly, he is good and win a few matches against her.
The last segment was interesting. The president of the art club, Sunomiya Sana doesn’t like how Senpai is fooling around and not taking art seriously. Yep, Senpai hiding Nagatoro and her friends made it very suspicious. Sana seriously considered disbanding the Art Club if Senpai didn’t beat her in an exhibit contest. I find it funny how Nagatoro tries to imitate Sana.
Of course, Nagatoro wants to help and be his model in his creations, he doesn’t seem confident that he will win. Yep, Nagatoro becomes upset that Senpai is not being honest with himself and turning down her help. Not only that, she thinks that Senpai has a crush on Sana and becomes jealous.
In the end, he ends up chasing after her for help after realizing his feelings for her. The funny thing is that Senpai ends up winning with his four portraits of Nagatoro. While they look good, he only won because the student council didn’t like Sana’s nude portrait, thus they disqualified her. Still, it’s nice to see Nagatoro kiss Senpai on the cheek one day after the cultural festival. It shows that she finally fell for him.
Overall, Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san is surprisingly enjoyable. While the production looks good, the characters are enjoyable. Also, Senpai is surprisingly not too annoying and quite funny a few times. Sure, Nagatoro’s friends can get somewhat annoying, but it adds to the overall feeling of the show, especially with Nagatoro getting back at them in some instances. At least I got to experience one of those girl teases boy romantic comedies that I have been missing out in a while.
I felt that Nagatoro was one of the better series this season. It did get off to a rocky start with the opener but thankfully this was toned down and we got to see a sweeter more gentle nagatoro. It seemed to me the series got better as it went along. I hope there is a second season to the anime.
Yes, the first episode came off a bit mean, but I do agree that she got better as the story went on. I won’t be surprised if there is a second season given its popularity.