loveiswar – Jainituos Presents

Kaguya-Sama: Love is War (Season 1)

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Slice-of-Life, Psychological

Studio: A-1 Pictures

Hello my friends. Welcome to another entry of my blog.

And here I am again… with another series animated by A-1 Pictures. And no. I am afraid it is not 86: Eighty-Six.

That is the bad news. But the good news is that is another awesome series. Absolutely one of the pinnacle from this great animation studio. And, after some hours trying to find out how to commence, and making up my mind, I think it is already time to start with this sweet surprise and great anime for everyone.

Behold…

Kaguya-sama: Love is War (season 1). Unfortunately I haven’t watched the second season, but I read that it is as good as Season one; for now, this is going to be the deal. I will watch season two and review it… eventually.

Seriously, September seems to be the month of A-1 Pictures (Erased, Shinsekai Yori, mentions to 86: Eighty-Six) and now we got Kaguya-sama. But before I proceed, I want to ask you the typical Questions:

Are you guys ok? Feeling healthy?

If the answer is yes, then I am happy. Now… let’s get ready and understand that love is war with Kaguya-san and Miyuki. this is Kaguya-sama: Love is War.

PREMISE

Shuchiin Academy is one of the top academies in all over Japan. Prime Ministers, bankers, entrepreneurs, inventors among other kind of influential people has studied here. Being a student here means you have your life settled, especially if you are the member of the prestigious Student Council. Kaguya Shinomiya is the daughter of a powerful conglomerate in Japan, while Miyuki Shirogane is the top student of the academy. Both of them are in love with each other, but love is as Marge Simpson points out.

«A constant battle for moral superiority.»

Well. She is referring to marriage itself, but it applies here too.

The point is that both of them are so proud to confess to the other, so they are constantly engaging into mind games and strategies to make the other confess. Who will win and force the other to confess? This is what we are about to see between these two, surrounded by some colour characters, including the top waifu of 2019.

I mean… Miss Chikatto Chika Chika. The one, only and unique…

Ai Hayasaka…

Kaguya-sama started publications on May 19, 2015, thanks to Shueisha, and it is written by Aka Akasaka, who, as of September 28, 2021, has created 23 volumes of this fantastic story. And by April 2021, Kaguya-sama has sold over 15 million copies, making it one of the most successful manga in the world, almost competing with series like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and of course… Tokyo Revengers.

Furthermore, the success of Kaguya-sama has spawned two anime seasons, the first one airing from January 12 to March 30, 2019, and the second one from April 11 to June 27, 2020, with a third season recently announced. Also two live-action movies, one released on 2019, and the sequel, awaiting release on 2021.

Finally, the first season of Kaguya-sama won three awards at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards on 2020 (Best Comedy – Best Couple – Best Ending Sequence), and on 2021, the second season won Best Comedy and Best Girl for Kaguya Shinomiya. Because she is only true girl. Not another.

Not… Another… one.

STORY

Oh my gosh… Where to start?

Yes! The animation!

Once more, A-1 Pictures delivers a really wonderful animation, just like with everything this studio produces. But far from the dark, depressing atmosphere from Shinsekai Yori, Kaguya-sama brings a really bright, wonderful and psychedelic mixture of great character design and nice colours, which is definitely something that must be in accordance to such a lovely story. So we have a plus.

In addition, the story is pretty fresh, because from a simple invitation to watch a movie, to advising a junior student about a date, it is amazing how Kaguya-sama manages to tell the plot as if it was almost from John Wick or from Sherlock, which is a great display of creativity and absurdity that is perfectly hilarious and entertaining. The best part is that the comedy is always solid. At no point, it gets annoying or tiresome. And all of the characters have the same role, and the comedy, which makes you rot for all of them. But there is none that became the breakout and most popular. All are equally wonderful.

Each episode includes three sketches that usually involve Kaguya and Miyuki trying to make the other confess, or even a small slice-of-life situation that quickly gets all the comedy in the best way possible. Because, like I said, every moment, aside from being almost standalone, is pretty inventive, getting the most of the comical possibilities into the equation. Also it it done with a rhythm and a pacing that never gets old. In fact, it gets better.

Also, despite Kaguya-sama is a comedy series, it manages to keep the tension within the characters, especially inside a school environment.

Much better than Kakegurui.

Without mentioning it never deviates from its light-heart tone.

However, one thing that I really appreciate from Kaguya-sama is that it never relies on fanservice, or anything like that. There are moments of swimsuit and sexiness, but it is never gratuitous or preposterous; and for me, that is more enjoyable. Less is more.

Sadly, there are no characters that stand out over the others.

NO! THERE ARE NOT, AND I MEAN THAT.

And speaking of which…

CHARACTERS

What can I say about the characters? Probably that all of them are as good as the story. Aside from our protagonists, Kaguya and Miyuki, Kaguya-sama has a lot of memorable cast, including the previously mentioned Ai Hayasaka, the maid of the Shinomiya family that always tries to put some common sense with Kaguya and her feelings; Yu Ishigami, the gloomy, sarcastic and pessimistic best friend of Miyuki, whose antics and perverted comments bring a lot of comedy into the series; Kei Shirogane, Miyuki’s sister, and… that’s all.

There is Miko Iino, but she only appears prominently during the second season, so I will not stop there. When I feel confident enough, I will talk about Miko in more depth. However, here is a small gallery of her.

Like I said, every character is as beautiful and memorable as Kaguya and Miyuki. And that is because some of the sketches of Kaguya-sama offers enough space to all of them. So every time you watch and episode, you will know a lot of them and love them as much as with Miyuki and Kaguya.

CONCLUSION

Kaguya-Sama: Love is War is…

CHIKA FUJIWARA

OF COURSE… How could I ever forget about Chika?

Kaguya and Miyuki are the main characters, but Chika is definitely the best character of all Kaguya-Sama.

In the series, she is the secretary of the student council, but she is completely unaware of the psychological battles that Miyuki and Kaguya face against each other for their confessions; aside from that, she is very cheerful, absent-minded, and so full of energy it is just contagious. And her appearance is gorgeous. The pink hair, the blue eyes, and that adorable ribbon.

I must confess that, when Kaguya-sama was released, the first thing… No. The one that introduced me to the franchise was Chika. Obviously, by watching this.

But just when you thought you know Chika, then she reveals that she knows French, she is an accomplished pianist, a talented singer and a good volleyball coach. Chika has this unique balance between silliness and skill I doubt many anime characters, or Western cartoons, have. And of course that means a lot of merit.

Also, her voice is incredible. She hears so innocent, but at the same time, so confident, young and brave. No wonder why Chika’s seiyuu, Konomi Kohara, has many roles, including Roxy Migurdia, from Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.

And more, recently, Mona Megistus, from Genshin Impact.

And there you go. That’s Kaguya-sama: Love is War for you. Season one of course. One of the best anime of 2010s and one of the best romantic comedy anime. Get into Crunchyroll and see it by yourself.

And since you cannot have enough Chika, here are other stills of her.