OWLS September “Lover” Post: Lovely Complex and Finding Someone

Welcome, weebs, to Animated Observations

Thank you all once again for taking the time to read my OWLS post for this month. If you all still are not aware of this wonderful group, Otaku Warriors for Liberty and Self-Respect, also known as OWLS, is a group of bloggers dedicated promoting social justice. This month’s blogging theme is “Lover”

When it comes to romantic relationships, what do we look for in a partner? What core values do we seek when it comes to building a healthy and loving relationship? For this topic, we will be discussing some of our favorite couples in pop culture and what they have taught us about love and relationships, the good and the bad.

As always, I want to give a shout out to my other fellow OWLS creators. Please be sure to check out Megan of Nerd Rambles, as well as Shay Taree. With that said, though, lets get into the post.

So, I have a confession to make: turns out I’m actually a pretty big fan of Romantic Comedies, especially ones from the mid to late 2000’s. Especially if their made by Toei Animation. What I really mean to say is that I am a fan of a show called Lovely Complex, and the show’s main characters Koizumi and Otani.

I remember first watching the show back in middle school, when I was on an anime binge, looking for just about anything and everything to watch. When I saw it for the first time, it looked different enough to be interesting, and so I started it. Because of this, I have always remembered the show with a certain fondness, which is why I decided to rewatch Lovely Complex, just to see if it held up against my Nostalgia

Fast forward to today. As of writing this post, I think I can safely say that Lovely Complex as a whole, as well as Koizumi and Otani are indeed some of my favorite. However, the story of there relationship is also important, which I will talk about now.

Otani and Koizumi’s Relationship

It is a fair assumption to make that most people have friends in some form or another. Humans are social creatures, after all, and even the most introverted of introverts occasionally crave contact with other people. This is how Koizumi and Otani started out, just a couple of nerds making fun of each other and geeking out over their favorite musician, Umibozu.

However, somewhere along the way, Koizumi realized that she wanted more than just friendship from Otani. She realized that friendship was great, but being in a romantic relationship would be better. That brings us to the main storyline: Koizumi try, trying again and again until eventually Otani realizes that he also has feelings for her.

Admittedly, their journey is a little stupid, what with the incredible levels the show goes to make Otani not realize how Koizumi feels. Still, it is heartwarming. However, at least part of this can be explained away with what Otani says in one of the later episode, that he just does not see Koizumi in that way.

Still, by the end of the show it all works out, and the two end up together.

Comedy and All Hashin-Kyojin

A lot of what makes this show work at all is the comedic aspect of their relationship. In the beginning, Koizumi and Otani bounce back and forth between arguing with each other and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. A lot of this has to do with their insecurities about their height, with Otani being much shorter than the average guy, and Koizumi being much taller than the average girl.

Of course, the downside of this kind of dynamic is that it makes the earlier parts of the show a bit more juvenile than it really had to be. After a while, though, a lot that becomes more of a joke than an actual concern for the two of them. As time passes they both become more confident in themselves, with Koizumi not worried about her looks, and Otani not worried about how his height will affect him playing basketball.

Still, the difference in their height is somewhat amusing when used as a joke. The two of them often play off of each other when they are going back and forth, which is what got them the title of “Comedy Duo” and “All Hashin-Kyojin” in the first place.

Wanting to be with Someone

I think the most important message the show addresses in its 24 episode span is that it’s ok to just want to be with someone. Throughout the show, Koizumi often times holds back her true feelings in favor of just having a good time, and while that may not necessarily be the healthiest thing in the long run, she cared enough about Otani to try and make that sacrifice. At the end of the day, if your with their person you care about, it might just be the case that things will turn out alright.

What are some of your favorite couples in anime. Let me know in the comments below.

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