Otaku by the Numbers

Koikimo (short for Koi to Yobu ni wa Kimochi Warui) is one of those anime that stirs up a lot of mixed feelings, especially because it dives headfirst into a May-December romance. The show centers on the unlikely relationship between Ryo Amakusa, a successful and handsome 27-year-old businessman, and Ichika Arima, a 17-year-old high school student. Yeah, you read that right—there’s a decade-long age gap, and it’s the heart of the story.

Now, if the whole older-guy-falls-for-younger-girl trope makes you raise an eyebrow, you’re not alone. But what’s surprising about Koikimo is how it plays out this potentially dicey theme with a surprising level of charm and sweetness. The show is self-aware enough to acknowledge that the relationship is unconventional, even borderline creepy at times, especially in the beginning when Ryo’s affection comes across as overly persistent. It’s got that cringe factor early on, where you’re watching and thinking, “This can’t possibly end well.”

But here’s the thing: as the series progresses, Ryo’s character development softens the initial weirdness. He starts off as a smooth talker, used to getting what he wants, but Ichika isn’t swayed by his charms. Instead, she treats him like the awkward, overgrown kid he sometimes seems to be, which adds a lot of humor to the story. Ichika, on the other hand, is refreshingly grounded for her age. She’s not swept away by the idea of dating an older guy; instead, she takes her time, setting boundaries and keeping Ryo at arm’s length.

What’s interesting is how the show handles the power dynamic. Despite the age difference, Ichika isn’t a damsel in distress, and Ryo isn’t a knight in shining armor. Their relationship builds slowly and is based on mutual respect rather than just infatuation. By the end of the series, you might find yourself rooting for them despite the age gap because the show does a decent job of portraying their connection as something genuine, rather than just a gimmick.

That said, Koikimo isn’t for everyone. The May-December theme can be a bit uncomfortable, and if you’re not into that kind of dynamic, the show might be a hard pass. But if you’re curious and willing to give it a shot, you might find that Koikimo has more to offer than just its eyebrow-raising premise. It’s a story about love developing in unexpected places, and while it doesn’t shy away from the awkwardness of its premise, it also manages to be surprisingly heartwarming by the end.

In short, Koikimo is a quirky ride that takes a potentially problematic concept and spins it into something surprisingly sweet. It might not be for everyone, but if you’re into rom-coms with a twist, it’s worth checking out.