The appeal and reviews of "To Love-Ru": A thorough explanation of the masterpiece of romantic comedy

A comprehensive review and recommendation of To Love-Ru OVA

■Overview of the work

To Love-Ru is an OVA series based on the popular manga by Yabuki Kentaro and Hasemi Saki. A total of six episodes were released between April 3, 2009 and April 2, 2010. The OVAs are animated versions of episodes from the original manga that were serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump, and each volume is included in the limited edition of the comic. It was produced by XEBEC and directed by Kato Yoshio.

■ Story

The story of "To Love-Ru" begins when an extremely innocent high school student, Yuuki Rito, meets Lala, the princess of the planet Deviluke, and becomes engaged to her, even though he has feelings for his classmate, Sairenji Haruna. Rito is at the mercy of Lala's innocent personality and the slightly erotic troubles she causes, but a complicated love triangle develops between him and Haruna. As aliens appear one after another, Rito's daily life falls into chaos, but a romantic comedy that is both funny and touching unfolds.

■ Characters

The charm of this work lies in its unique characters. The main character, Yuuki Rito, is a high school student who is shy and innocent when it comes to love, but he also has a strong sense of justice and a sensitive side, such as taking care of flowers. Lala Satalin Deviluke is the first princess of the planet Deviluke, which rules the galaxy, and is characterized by her bright and proactive personality. Her actions often confuse Rito, but her purity adds warmth to the story. Sairenji Haruna is a classmate whom Rito admires. She is a pure and quiet beauty, but she becomes embroiled in a delicate love triangle when Lala appears. Many other fascinating characters also appear, such as Peke, the all-purpose costume robot invented by Lala, and Zastin, the captain of the Deviluke Royal Guard.

■ Production and staff

The To Love-Ru OVA was produced by XEBEC. It was directed by Kato Takao, with series composition by Yamatoya Akira, character design and general animation direction by Oka Yuichi. Music by Watanabe Tsuyoshi, sound direction by Mima Masafumi, and production by the To Love-Ru Production Committee. Thanks to the cooperation of the staff, an animation was completed that brought out the best of the original work.

■Episodes and subtitles

Each of the six episodes has a different theme and plot. Volume 1, "Rito Becomes a Woman," is a comedy about Rito temporarily transforming into a woman thanks to Lala's invention. Volume 2, "Rito and Mikan," delves deeper into Rito's relationship with his sister, Mikan. Volume 3, "Welcome to the Southern Island (Resort)!!," depicts the slapstick comedy that Rito and his friends get into on a southern island. Volume 4, "Trouble☆Quest," sees Rito and his friends get drawn into the world of a game. Volume 5, "Nana and Momo," depicts their interactions with Lala's sisters. And Volume 6, "Draft♪/Metamorphosis/Hand & Tail," is packed with several short episodes.

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme "Yattekoi! Daisuki?" is sung by Haruka Tomatsu and Sayuri Yahagi, who play Lala and Haruna, respectively. The ending themes are "Apple Panic!?" and "Lucky Tune," the former sung by Lala and Haruna, and the latter by ANNA (from Bon-Bon Blanco). These songs are important elements that add to the atmosphere of the work.

■ Related works

"To Love-Ru" has many related works, including not only the OVA, but also the TV anime series and sequels "Motto To Love-Ru", "To Love-Ru Darkness", and "To Love-Ru Darkness 2nd". These works expand the worldview of the original work and depict the new adventures and growth of the characters.

■Review

The OVA of "To Love-Ru" faithfully reproduces the charm of the original work while adding depth to it with the expressiveness that only anime can offer. In particular, the relationship between Rito and Lala, as well as the comedic elements with the surrounding characters, are exquisitely portrayed, so viewers will never tire of it. In addition, each episode has a different theme, providing fresh surprises and laughs every time.

The character designs and movements are also very well done, especially Lala's innocent expression and Rito's confused expression. The voice actors' performances are also excellent, especially Haruka Tomatsu as Lala and Akino Watanabe as Rito, who bring out the best in their characters. The music also matches the atmosphere of the work, enriching the viewing experience.

However, due to the nature of the work, it does contain a number of slightly sexual scenes, so it may not be suitable for viewers who are averse to such content. However, even if you ignore that, there is no doubt that it is a wonderful romantic comedy filled with laughs and emotions.

■Recommendation

The To Love-Ru OVA is especially recommended for those who like romantic comedies and science fiction elements. In particular, fans of the original manga will enjoy the animated episodes. It is also recommended for those who are interested in the personalities and relationships of the characters. Furthermore, because it is compactly compiled in the OVA format, it can be easily watched even by those who don't have much time.

There are many related works, so by enjoying the entire series, you can gain a deeper understanding of the characters' growth and the development of the story. Experience the world of "To Love-Ru" and experience laughter and emotion.