A thorough review of the appeal and emotion of "Sekaiichi Hatsukoi"!

"The World's Greatest First Love": A realistic love story set in the publishing industry

"Sekaiichi Hatsukoi" is a TV anime series that aired in 2011, based on the manga of the same name by Shungiku Nakamura. This work is a romantic comedy that depicts the real daily lives and love affairs of editors in a publishing company, and has been well received by many viewers. Below, we will introduce detailed information and the appeal of this work.

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 8, 2011 - June 24, 2011

■Broadcasting station

Teletama, Gifuchan, Chiba Television, Sun Television, KBS Kyoto, Mie Television, TOKYO MX, tvk, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, AT-X

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

Nakamura Shungiku

■ Director

Now Chiaki

■ Production

・Animation Production: Studio DEEN
・Produced by Sekaiichi Club!!

■Works

©2011 Nakamura Shungiku, Kadokawa Shoten / World's Best Club!!

■ Story

Set in a publishing company, this is a love story about the publishing industry that's so realistic it will make even editors turn green!

Ritsu Onodera quit her parent's company because she didn't want to be accused of getting the job through connections, and moved to the publishing company Marukawa Shoten. However, she was assigned to the editorial department that handles shojo manga, a field she has no interest in or experience in. What's more, her first impression of the tyrannical editor-in-chief, Masamune Takano, was terrible...!?

■Cast

・Onodera Ritsu/Kondo Takashi/Takano Masamune/Konishi Katsuyuki/Yokozawa Takashi/Horiuchi Kenyuu/Yoshino Chiaki/Tachibana Shinnosuke/Hatori Yoshiyuki/Nakamura Yuu/Yanase Yuu/Kamiya Hiroshi/Kisa Shota/Okamoto Nobuhiko/Yukina Sumeragi/Maeno Tomoaki/Mino Kanade/Midorikawa Hikaru/Isaka Ryuichiro/Morikawa Toshiyuki

■ Main staff

Original story by Nakamura Shungiku (serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's bimonthly "CIEL" magazine; published by ASUKA COMICS CL-DX)
Director: Ima Chiaki Series Composition: Nakase Rika Character Design: Kikuchi Yoko Color Design: Matsumoto Shinji Art Director: Shimizu Junko Director of Photography: Kondo Masayoshi Editor: Matsumura Masahiro Sound Director: Goda Hozumi Music: Anze Hijiri Music Production: Lantis Animation Production: Studio Deen Production: Sekaiichi Club!!

■ Main Characters

・Onodera Ritsu
age.25 Occupation: Publisher Marukawa Shoten, Emerald editorial department, shojo manga specialist Characteristics: Competitive, hardworking, Takano Masamune
age.27 Occupation: Works at Marukawa Publishing, belongs to the Emerald editorial department, in charge of shojo manga, editor-in-chief Characteristics: Capable, tyrannical, Yoshino Chiaki
age.28 Occupation: shojo manga artist, currently serializing in "Monthly Emerald" Characteristics: Popular shojo manga artist, laid-back Hatori Yoshiyuki
age.28 Occupation: Works at Marukawa Shoten, belongs to the Emerald editorial department, in charge of shojo manga, deputy editor-in-chief Characteristics: Serious, devoted, Yanase Yuu
age.28 Occupation: Freelance professional assistant Characteristics: Chiaki's top priority, capable assistant, Yokozawa Takafumi
age.27 Occupation: Works at Marukawa Bookstore, belongs to the sales department Characteristics: Nickname: Marukawa Bookstore's wild bear, capable, Shota Kisa
age.30 Occupation: Works at Marukawa Publishing, belongs to the Emerald editorial department, in charge of shojo manga Characteristics: Baby-faced, superficial, Yukina Kou
age.21 Occupation: Part-time comics worker at a bookstore, art school student Characteristics: Loves shoujo manga, prince, Kanade Mino
Occupation: Works at Marukawa Shoten, belongs to the Emerald editorial department, in charge of shojo manga Characteristics: Always smiling, don't make her angry

■Subtitle

Episode 1: First impressions are the last.
・Episode 2/A man has free choice to begin love but not to end it.
Episode 3: In love there is both dotage and discretion.
Episode 4: Adversity makes a man wise.
・Episode 5: Love is lawless.
・Episode 6/Go to the sea, if you would fish well.
・Episode 7／Coming events cast their shadows before them.
・Episode 8: Looks breed love.
Episode 9: The die is cast.
Episode 10: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
・Episode 11/It never rains but it pours.
Episode 12: After a storm comes a calm.

■ Related works

・Sekaiichi First Love 2 (Serialized in Kadokawa Shoten bimonthly “CIEL”/published by ASUKA COMICS CL-DX)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
I love you the most in the world
・Song: Kita Shuhei・ED1
・I'm going to see you tomorrow.
・Song: Wakaba

The appeal and evaluation of "Sekaiichi First Love"

Although "Sekaiichi Hatsukoi" is a romantic comedy set in the publishing industry, it resonated deeply with viewers by depicting realistic workplace relationships and the harshness of the industry. In particular, the setting in which the main character, Onodera Ritsu, dislikes getting hired through connections and changes jobs to be assigned to the editorial department of a girls' manga was fresh and interesting to many viewers.

The greatest appeal of this work is the individuality and growth of the characters. Onodera Ritsu's competitive and hardworking nature is emphasized, making him relatable to the viewer. Meanwhile, the editor-in-chief, Takano Masamune, has an tyrannical side, but by showing passion and a sense of responsibility in his work, his relationship with Ritsu gradually deepens. The other characters also each have their own attractive personalities, enriching the story.

The story development is also not to be missed. The subtitles of each episode are unique in that they use English proverbs, conveying deep messages to the viewers. For example, "First impressions are the most lasting" in episode 1 shows how Ritsu and Masamune met and the importance of first impressions, while "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" in episode 10 depicts the depth of love that is only realized after separation. These subtitles symbolize the theme of the story and are elements that make the viewers think.

The performances of the cast are also worthy of praise. Kondo Takashi's voice for Onodera Ritsu expresses Ritsu's hardworking personality well, while Konishi Katsuyuki's voice for Takano Masamune realistically portrays a character who is both strict and passionate. In particular, Konishi's performance, which delicately expresses the changes in Masamune's emotions, left a strong impression on viewers.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of the work. The opening theme "I'm in Love with You the Most in the World" features Kita Shuhei's powerful singing voice, symbolizing the passion of the story, while the ending theme "I'll Come to See You Tomorrow" features Wakaba's gentle singing voice that soothes the hearts of viewers. These songs not only enhance the atmosphere of the story, but also play a role in evoking the emotions of the viewer.

Recommended points of "Sekaiichi First Love"

"The World's Greatest First Love" is a work that can be recommended for the following reasons.

1. Realistic depictions of the workplace

Set in the publishing industry, this work depicts the real daily lives of editors, and realistically portrays the relationships in the workplace and the harshness of the industry. In particular, the depiction of the shojo manga editorial department will give viewers a fresh surprise.

2. Charming characters

The characters, including Ritsu Onodera and Masamune Takano, are all unique and charming. By following their growth and the changes in their relationships, viewers can become deeply immersed in the story.

3. A profound message

The subtitles of each episode are English proverbs, which convey a deeper message to the viewers. These proverbs symbolize the theme of the story and provide a prompt for the viewers to think.

4. Great cast and music

The acting of the cast and the music are also important elements that enhance the appeal of the work. The acting of the cast, including Takashi Kondo and Katsuyuki Konishi, realistically expresses the emotions of the characters and moves the hearts of the viewers. In addition, the opening and ending songs not only enhance the atmosphere of the story, but also play a role in evoking the emotions of the viewers.

Conclusion

"Sekaiichi Hatsukoi" is a realistic love comedy set in the publishing industry, but it also leaves a strong impression on viewers with its character growth and deep message. In particular, the realistic depiction of the workplace, the charming characters, the deep message, and the excellent cast and music enhance the appeal of this work. Please watch this work and feel its charm.