ItaKISS is probably one of the better shows I’ve watched recently.
Following Irie and Kotoko from high school to their marriage, it chronicles the ups and downs of love, relationships and marriage. All the while making us laugh at Kotoko’s silly antics.
[Summary]
It starts with Kotoko having a crush with the smartest and most handsome guy in school (oh yeah, where have we heard that before) and trying to get him (Irie) to accept her love letter.
*Cue sound of anti-aircraft fire*
Kotoko gets shot down hard and she decides to give up on Irie. A freak accident where Kotoko’s house collapses in a low level earthquake (due to a termite infested central pillar lol) has her staying in Irie’s family with her father, who happens to be good friends with Irie’s father. And thus begins a romance with an unlikely beginning but a happy ending.
[Thoughts]
Watching the romance unfold over the series is very enjoyable. The constant bickering between Kotoko and Irie provides for alot of entertainment and is also the mainstay for character development.
As their relationship progresses, so does the reason for their arguments change, reflecting the current state of their relationship and mirroring the potential problems couples face in real life (to a certain degree ofcourse. This is anime after all =P).
Kotoko’s perseverence in securing Irie’s affections, despite her every now and then swearing she going to give up on her unrequited love, results in many humorous situations and also as many heartbreaking ones as well.
Irie, for one, is not above shooting Kotoko’s advances down and can do so rather cruelly, intentional (high school days) or otherwise (later in the show). However, this is more often due to his aloofness and inability to express himself in the emotional department rather than any kind of maliciousness. In fact, he does rise to the occasion often and is capable of some pretty manly actions at the right time. Like an open confession for instance.
One of the most memorable scenes in the series that also embodies the title of the show (Mischievious Kiss) would be the one in episode 7. There, a particularly nasty (and amusing) row between the both of them results in Kotoko telling Irie that she’s was going to give up on him. To which Irie responds with the challenge for her to try and forget him, and plants a kiss on the unsuspecting Kotoko.
That’s playing dirty you bastard!!!
I swear I felt like punching the living daylights out of him (Rolo didn’t go yandere on Shirley that time). Irie has the nasty habit of driving Kotoko to the very edge before pulling her back with some impressive act. It pisses me off but it makes for good drama =D.
Also, show isn’t just about a one-sided love with Kotoko being the one chasing after Irie. As the show progresses, there are situations where the tables turn as Irie discovers that he risks losing Kotoko.
Don’t be fooled by her outward appearance
On a side note, Irie’s mother is one heck of a stalker. She’s probably the biggest factor contributing to Kotoko’s success in getting Irie and she certainly doesn’ pull any stops to achieve that end. Even to the extent of sending out wedding invitations without telling Irie and in effect forcing him to have an early wedding. It must be nice to have an mother-in-law like that XD.
She is skilled in the arts of ninja video taking
[Impressions]
We all know what comes after this…
From high school, to marriage, then to their first baby, you can see the gradual change of Irie’s disposition towards Kotoko. While partially obscured by his inherent aloof nature, his concern and affection for Kotoko eventually emerges and shines through closer to the end of the show.
On the other end, Kotoko’s wavering feelings throughout the show greatly reflect the uncertainty of relationships though this is eventually resolved as Irie finally gets his EQ department up and running.
The roller-coaster dynamic of Kotoko and Irie’s relationship coupled with supporting acts by the other characters makes Itazura na KISS a very enjoyable romantic comedy to watch.
