Masamune-kun's Revenge (2017)
[政宗くんのリベンジ]
Director: Mirai Minato
Studio: Silver Link
Starring: Natsuki Hanae, Ayaka Ohashi, Inori Minase
Episodes: 12
Synopsis:
After reinventing his appearance, a young man comes across a childhood crush who rejected him and plots to get revenge by getting her to fall in love with him.
Impressions:
While I've heard people talk about this series, it's never been anything positive, so why would I bother when I tend to have a bad history with romcoms? Well, the second season was airing and I was curious. What better excuse to waste a few hours? I will say that the premise is interesting enough, but like just about all of these stories, it strays from that premise and what takes its place isn't any better. It also doesn't help that the eponymous Masamune-kun isn't all that smart and can't really bluff his way through situations. As a result, the revenge plot would never get anywhere without help (and even then it goes off the rails pretty easily). I was hoping for more of a battle of wits, but we don't get that, nor are we given hilariously overwrought, birdbrained schemes that blow up spectacularly. Instead, we just get meandering romantic misadventures leading to an obvious conclusion. I do at least appreciate Natsuki Hanae's performance as Masamune, so that's something. As for the female lead, Aki has very little going for her as any appealing side to her is too minimal and she isn't at least played up for decent comedic potential. No, the secret glutton side to her isn't all that funny, though I do appreciate the irony it has with the initial setup of the story. As with so many of these stories, the side characters tend to be more entertaining, though if you have any particular hopes for them, you're pretty well assured they're going to be dashed by the end. So, in the end, is it worth it? I don't hate myself for having seen it as I have with some series, but what little merit can be found isn't enough for me to recommend it to most people. "Take it or leave it" is the best I can say.
Rating:
50/50