While I do not cover heterosexual romance anime nowadays, sometimes, there are some that catch my eye once in a while. Of course, there is one that intrigued me for obvious reasons since it’s a love story between two nerds/geeks. Yes, it’s Rikei Ga Koi Ni Ochita No De Shoumei Shite Mita, which focuses on two computer scientists trying to prove their love for each other.
Himuro Ayame and Shinya Yukimura are graduate students working in the Ikeda lab at Saitama University. One day, Ayame confesses to Shinya as they work on their research. Shortly after, they wonder if their love is real. Since they don’t know how romance works, they went to prove if their love for each other is true.
With the help of Kanade Kotonoha, Ibrada Ena, and Inukai Kosuke, they perform various experiments using the scientific method. Yes, to prove their feelings for each other. This ranges from measuring heart rate, going on a date in the most efficient manner, finding the right mood for a kiss through various factors, and so on. Of course, hilarity ensures as they perform the experiments and interpret the results.
Given that the show is about two computer scientists who are nerds and never experienced any feelings of love, this makes their relationship interesting. It’s for the fact that they need to prove their feelings for each other with scientific evidence from things like heart rate, calculating the ideal moment for a kiss, and carefully planning out the date. Yes, things that normal people that don’t think about.
In the last few episodes, Himuro gets angry at Yukimura for hugging Kanade to calm down her nerves before a presentation. This is while they are on a training camp in Okinawa. Of course, there is a beach episode. She eventually makes up with him with a several page apology essay, which Yukimura eventually criticized her for the typos and emotional biases. Yes, he is asking to get slapped. Regardless, the beach episode didn’t disappoint here.
What I find interesting about Himuro and Yukimura as they have met each other during their childhood. It’s because they were bullied by other children for being nerdy. Himuro as she spends most of her time studying pill bugs and not care too much about her appearance. Her gloomy emotions and social ineptness don’t help either as it makes her look like a nerd.
While she eventually meets a boy who gets bullied. He tells her that she needs to take care of her appearance. She never knew that boy was Yukimura or she will eventually meet him again. Still, she eventually improved her appearances despite being bullied in high school. She even gets asked out by a boy thanks to her improved appearances, but she turns him down for not understanding love.
In other words, she became less nerdy and being more of a geek. I think she cleaned up quite perfectly as she looked attractive like a hot scientist. Yes, she even attracted some attention from a guy who cheats on other girlfriends he had. Of course, I find it hilarious how she tells him off with a PowerPoint presentation why she isn’t attracted to him. That is before Yukimura catches up to her on their date. As expected, Himuro looks up to Kanade since she is kinder than Yukimura who is usually strict. Not to mention, she didn’t have many friends for obvious reasons.
Probably the most normal character in the story is Kanade, except when she is drunk. Sure, she had a crush on her math teacher, which led her to study the sciences. It’s obvious that teacher is probably already married. Even so, she has an obsession of being too normal because of being bullied. She also has a stuffed animal of Rikekuma, which has its own segments trying to explain the concepts pertaining to their experiments. Yes, it’s serious business and highly educational.
On the other hand, there were a few things that bothered me. Yes, it’s during the kissing experiment episode. Ibarada believes that kisses with two girls don’t count, but with two boys do? It’s hypocritical since she is a yaoi fangirl after all. It’s not the 1990s or 2000s anymore. That kind of tugged things in the wrong way. This just makes yaoi fangirls in general look bad and appear obsessive. Not to surprising since I am a big yuri fan.
Of course, there is Yamamoto Arika, who appears in the last quarter of the show. She is there to stir up drama with Himuro and Yukimura. Arika did it so she can have some material for her manga she is working on. While this is not necessary, it’s still a bit cringeworthy seeing her try to make the situation worse for her own gains.
Overall, Rikei Ga Koi Ni Ochita No De Shoumei Shite Mita was an interesting and enjoyable show to watch. Of course, those who are in or studied in STEM fields might relate to the characters or understand the scientific/statistical terms. Sure, it might turn off some people since the show might seem too educational. Still, it’s fascinating to see two overly intellectual people try to for their love.
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