Tonikaku Kawaii – Episode One

When I read the synopsis for this anime when I was researching the fall 2020 season, I thought it had potential to be really, really cute.

Having grown up ridiculed for his bizarre name, Nasa Yuzaki strives to be remembered for something more. Fortunately, it seems he’s on the right path, ranking first in the nation’s mock exams and set to enter his high school of choice. However, everything changes in a single night when he notices a girl across the street on his way home. Enraptured by her overwhelming cuteness, it’s love at first sight for Nasa. But in his infatuated daze, he fails to notice the approaching danger speeding down the road and finds himself at death’s door. Barely alive thanks to the girl’s intervention, Nasa musters the courage to confess his love to her, fearing she might otherwise vanish from his life. She accepts his proposal on one condition: marriage, to which Nasa gladly accepts before passing out from his injuries. Upon waking, however, the girl is nowhere to be found. After recovering from his injuries, Nasa tosses his previous ambitions aside and dedicates his life to finding the girl that captured his heart, yet several years pass to no avail. But one night, when an unexpected visitor comes knocking on his door, Nasa finds himself facing a woman that would forever change his world: his wife.

https://myanimelist.net/anime/41389/Tonikaku_Kawaii

There really isn’t much to report on this series as the synopsis is pretty much a recap of the first episode. I can’t really say there are any “spoilers” to speak of.

Both Rugjen and I agree that this show has the potential to be very, very cute and funny. First of all, his name is Nasa. When I read the synopsis, I kept wondering what was so “bizarre” about his name and why he would be so bothered by it to the point that it was the sole reason for his hard work to prove to people that he wasn’t a joke.

He was named after THE “NASA”. I guess it would be embarrassing as a Japanese child to be named after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The sentiment behind it is very, very sweet, though.

The premise of the show is a bit ridiculous if you think about it. Boy sees girls. Boy falls in love at first sight. Boy is so distracted that he doesn’t notice the oncoming truck. Girl saves his life. Boy walks on two broken legs to find her. Boy confesses his love to her before passes out. Girl accepts his feelings on the condition that he marry her. He agrees.

Fast forward a few years later and we discover that Nasa has spent this high school years working as a part-timer in the hopes of finding the girl. Then, she shows up at his door.

Rugjen and I have agreed to continue watching this show as the first episode really made us giggle.