The battle between my girlfriend and childhood friend is too harsh! Review and impressions of an anime that depicts realistic human relationships

"My Girlfriend and Childhood Friend are in a Panic" - True love found in the midst of a pandemonium

"My Girlfriend and Childhood Friend are Too Much of a Battlefield" is a TV anime series that aired in 2013, and is based on a light novel by Yuuji Yuuji published by GA Bunko. This work is a romantic comedy that depicts the complicated relationships between the main character, Kido Eita, and the multiple women who surround him, and is a story characterized by a series of battlefields. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

■Overview of the work

My Girlfriend and Childhood Friend Are Too Much of a Mess" is a 13 episode series that aired from January 5th to March 30th, 2013. It was broadcast on many stations including Tokyo MX, Teletama, and Chiba TV, and was also streamed online on Niconico Live Broadcast and Bandai Channel. It was produced by A-1 Pictures, directed by Kanta Kamei, with series composition by Tatsuhiko Urahata, and character design by Mai Otsuka.

■ Story

The protagonist, Kido Eita, is a high school freshman with excellent grades and an anti-love mentality. He was living a normal high school life with his childhood friend, Harusaki Chiwa, who was like a little sister to him, but one day, he is confessed to by Natsukawa Masuzu, a girl who has returned from overseas and is known as the most beautiful girl in the school. However, her true intention was to pretend to be a couple to deceive the eyes of those around her. Eita is forced to play the role of "boyfriend" after Masuzu finds out a secret. Furthermore, his ex-girlfriend Akishino Himeka and his fiancée Fuyumi Ai also get involved, and a fierce battlefield surrounding Eita begins.

■ Characters

The charm of this work lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

• Kidou Eita (CV: Osaka Ryota): The protagonist of this work. He is the top student in his grade and a former chuunibyou. Due to his parents' divorce, he is anti-love, but due to Masuzu's scheme, they end up pretending to be a couple.
• Harusaki Chiwa (CV: Akasaki Chinatsu): Eita's childhood friend. Her kendo skills were good enough to compete in the national tournament, but she can no longer practice kendo due to an injury she sustained in middle school. She regards Eita's girlfriend, Masuzu, as an enemy.
• Natsukawa Masuzu (CV: Tamura Yukari): Eita's "girlfriend." A silver-haired, blue-eyed returnee, she hates all couples. She uses Eita's diary as a shield to force the couple into a fake relationship. She has a sharp tongue, but also has a sensitive side inside.
• Akishino Himeka (CV: Kanemoto Hisako): Eita's "ex-girlfriend." The daughter of a long-established inn, she is shy, but proactive towards Eita.
• Fuyumi Ai (CV: Kayano Ai): Eita's "fiancee." She is a member of the discipline committee, and although she is a first-year student, she is highly regarded as the next chairman. She is hostile towards the club "Self-Directing Maidens' Association" founded by Masuzu.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for each episode emphasize the chaotic situation surrounding Eita. Below are the subtitles for all episodes.

• Episode 1: The start of high school life is hellish
• Episode 2: The formation of a new club and chaos
• Episode 3: A scene of chaos as childhood friends cry
• Episode 4: Men's Battle is a Battlefield
• Episode 5: The truth behind the love letter is hell
• Episode 6: A pandemonium that cuts through a grey world
• Episode 7: Summer school turns into hell
• Episode 8: A pandemonium on a double movie date
• Episode 9: The Return of a Promise Turns into a Panic
• Episode 10: Panic at the summer camp meeting
• Episode 11: The excitement on the eve of training camp turns into pandemonium
• Episode 12: The Plot Ends in Chaos
• Episode 13: Panic in the New World

■ Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes also add to the appeal of the work. Details of the theme songs are listed below.

• OP1 : "Girlish Lover"
  Sung by: The Society of Girls Directing Their Own (Chinatsu Akasaki, Yukari Tamura, Hisako Kanemoto, Ai Kayano)
  Lyrics: Naoto Odakura Composition: Masatomo Ota Arrangement: EFFY
• ED1 : "W: Wonder tale"
  Sung by Yukari Tamura Lyrics by Aki Hata Composition and Arrangement by Masatomo Ota
• ED2 : "Girlish Lover"
  Sung by: The Society of Girls Directing Their Own (Chinatsu Akasaki, Yukari Tamura, Hisako Kanemoto, Ai Kayano)
  Lyrics: Naoto Odakura Composition: Masatomo Ota Arrangement: EFFY

■ Evaluation and impressions

"My Girlfriend and Childhood Friend Are Too Chaotic" is characterized by a setting of a series of chaotic scenes, and the plot never tires of the viewer. In particular, the personalities of the women surrounding Eita stand out, and the backgrounds and feelings of each character are carefully drawn. Viewers will empathize with the way Eita, who hates romance, grows in the complex human relationships that begin with a fake couple.

The quality of the work is also enhanced by the beautiful artwork by A-1 Pictures and the music by Masatomo Ohta. The opening theme "Girlish Lover" creates a memorable scene, coupled with the singing ability of the cast. The ending theme "W: Wonder tale" is also sung by Yukari Tamura, which enhances the aftertaste of the story.

However, some viewers may find the series' setting of a series of carnage a little heavy. Also, there are times when the characters' actions and plot developments feel a little forced. However, these are all part of the series' charm, and you can enjoy it as a romantic comedy.

■ Recommended points

Here are some reasons why we recommend this work:

• Characters with a wide range of personalities : The story is centered around Eita, and includes Chiwa, Masuzu, Himeka, Ai, and other characters with a wide range of personalities. Each character's background and feelings are carefully depicted, evoking deep empathy from the viewer.
• A series of hellish scenes : As the title suggests, the biggest feature of this work is the series of hellish scenes. The complicated human relationships surrounding Eita are constantly unfolding, so the viewer will never get bored.
• Beautiful artwork and music : The beautiful artwork by A-1 Pictures and the music by Masatomo Ohta enhance the quality of the work. The opening theme "Girlish Lover" and the ending theme "W: Wonder tale" in particular enhance the atmosphere of the story.
• Enjoyable as a romantic comedy : The story of Eita, who hates romance, growing up in the complicated human relationships that begin with a fake couple, can be enjoyed as a romantic comedy. It provides viewers with laughter and emotion.

Conclusion

"My Girlfriend and Childhood Friend are Too Chaotic" is a romantic comedy anime with a setting that features a series of carnage. The unique characters, beautiful artwork, and music enhance the charm of the work. The story of Eita, who hates love, growing up in the complicated human relationships that begin with a fake couple, provides viewers with empathy and laughter. The series of carnage may seem heavy, but that is also part of the charm of this work, and you will be able to enjoy it as a romantic comedy. Please give it a watch.