A Couple of Cuckoos (2022)

[カッコウの許嫁]

Director: Hiroaki Akagi, Yoshiyuki Shirahata
Studio: Shin-Ei Animation, SynergySP
Starring: Kaito Ishikawa, Akari Kito, Nao Toyama
Episodes: 24

Synopsis:
After a chance encounter, when two children swapped at birth meet their respective birth parents, they find themselves engaged to be married to unite the two families.

Impressions:
The manga for this series has caught my eye in the past, so I figured the anime would be a good way to test drive the series. When I saw several of the elements line up, I got strong Nisekoi vibes, but as I hated the romance in that series, it wasn't a good sign. At least Nagi and Hiro are more assertive than Raku and Onodera were, even though I feel both relationships are going to end the same way. Some people don't like that Hiro has a competitive and underhanded side to her, but at least these aspects give her some character. It's a sad statement on media these days when even such small effort to flesh out a character feels like a treat, but even thin gruel is more of a meal than lukewarm dishwater. Here I am talking about Hiro before I even get to main girl Erika. (Must be my bias for Nao Toyama showing.) Actually, even though a Nagi-Erika pairing seems really obvious, I do enjoy their interactions. They complement each other well. That leaves us with the last point in the love quadrangle, Sachi. She positioned as a potential love interest but only half-heartedly, to the point where I wonder why it's even done at all. She and Nagi have been raised as brother and sister. Either make the most of it for comedy or for drama or just drop it and focus on the Nagi-Erika-Hiro love triangle. The romantic side of the series is frustrating as are some of the mysteries (particularly as Mr. Amano is incredibly obtuse), but the sitcom elements are decent. I don't hate the series, but I don't like it all that much either. Maybe it'll click with you in a way it didn't for me. Take it or leave it.

Rating:
50/50