Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1: Professional Childhood Friend Yananami Anna’s Style of Losing -|Review Score – 4/5
Episode 2: The Promised Failure For You -|Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 3: Losing The Battle Before It Is Ever Fought -|Review Score – 4/5
Episode 4: When You Stare Into A Losing Heroine, The Losing Heroine Stares Back At You -|Review Score – 4/5
Episode 5: Asagumo Chihaya Is Led Astray -|Review Score – 4/5
Episode 6: Let Any One Of You Who Has Never Been Dumped Be The First To Throw A Stone At The Losing… -|Review Score – 4/5
Episode 7: The Other Side of a Happy Ending -|Review Score – 4/5
Episode 8: If You Are In Trouble, Feel Free to Consult -|Review Score – 3/5
Episode 9: Teacher Thought It Was a Stain in the Ceiling or Something…Please Continue -|Review Score – 4/5
Episode 10: I Suppose It’s a Bit too Early for Goodbye -|Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 11: Let’s Have a Talk about Responsibility -|Review Score – 5/5
Episode 12: Am I Actually Just Some Unseasoned Rando Who Drops In for the Last Episode with the Losing Heroine? -|Review Score – 4/5
Rom-com anime are like isekai anime. Authors attempt to craft unique tales from these genres to achieve a wider fandom. While some releases leave little impact on the world, some rom-com anime will air and achieve victory. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines (Makeine) was a newer anime rom-com that left an impression with its first episode.
Although our male lead and his quirky female companions may not be holding hands with a significant other anytime soon, they can rest easy knowing the story they come from has the potential to stand toe to toe with the classics. Makeine follows Kazuhiko. He’s a boy who knows a thing or two about romance.
One day, Kazuhiko visits a restaurant. He spots one of his school’s popular female students Anna there. She’s speaking with her lover Sosuke. Sosuke ends his relationship with Anna and pursues another girl. Anna notices Kazuhiko nearby and confronts him about her situation.
The two become entangled in more “losing heroine” drama over time. Therefore, we’ll examine Kazuhiko and his friends’ daily lives as teenagers, which are far from drama-free. Makeine’s story offers rom-com enthusiasts the usual slice-of-life mischief they’d find in other anime set in a grounded environment.
From occasional summer-themed outings to random shenanigans at school, Kazuhiko and his friends will endure scenarios that’ll hit close to home. The series delivers fabulous drama and story arcs centered around our trio of “losing heroines.” For those unaware, a “losing heroine” is a girl who has been dumped or rejected.
The girls in question are Anna, Lemon, and Komari (so far). Season 1 offers three separate story arcs surrounding these ladies’ romantic issues. Each girl suffers from a love triangle-like problem of some kind. Where Anna has qualms with Sosuke and Karen, Lemon engages in some drama with Mitsuki and Chihaya.
Within 12 episodes, this anime miraculously dedicated time to exploring each girl’s dilemma, inserting scenes evoking authenticity, tension, and memorability. Kazuhiko finds himself at the center of these girls’ issues and does his best to assist those who deserve it.
Through these scenarios, the anime tackles themes like friendship, heartbreak, social anxiety, depression, letting go, self-improvement, and much more. Komari’s struggle to live up to Koto and Shintaro’s leadership expectations in episode 11 is a great example of some themes mentioned.
Additionally, the anime’s comedy is fantastic. It offers great physical, dry, parodic, and witty humor that’ll make a crowd of people giggle nonstop. However, like most anime, this one has its shortcomings. Miraculously, this anime’s tale doesn’t have many cracks though (so far).
First and foremost, Makeine’s sexual humor may not be up everyone’s alley. The storage room scene between Lemon and Kazuhiko in episode 2 comes to mind. While Kazuhiko’s reaction to Lemon’s winded actions feels semi-authentic, many may find that scenario offputting.
The ways Konuki, Kazuhiko’s school nurse, films and spies on her students’ activities won’t be to everyone’s liking either. Although folks who’ve watched anime like Great Teacher Onizuka or Golden Boy will find Konuki’s actions hysterical, newer fans won’t admire Konuki’s weird fetishes.
Additionally, some episodes don’t have great pacing and contain meaningless material. The aftermath behind Komari, Shintaro, and Koto’s drama at the camping grounds in one of the earlier chapters is a fine example of the former. After Komari does something crucial in that episode, the drama that occurs comes and goes swiftly.
Moreover, in episode 6, some comedy bits could’ve been removed in favor of developing the Lemon, Chihaya, and Mistuki’s issues. Lastly, the story structure was somewhat sloppy at the season’s start. It gets better near the season’s midway point, but some may have preferred if the structure had been this way from the beginning.
Other than that, Season 1’s storyline will meet many rom-com lovers’ expectations. The same can be said for this anime’s cast. From protagonists like Anna to supporting characters like Chihaya, this group of characters will appeal to many anime fans.
Anna is a lovable goofball. She loves unloading every piece of drama about Sosuke and Karen to Kazuhiko. For adult cartoon fans, it’ll remind them of the times South Park’s Butters informs Stan and the others of the latest drama happening at their school. This informative drama gag never overstays its welcome. It adds depth to Anna.
Kazuhiko is a wonderful male lead. He has his righteous moments throughout the narrative. He endures some romantic quarrels audiences will find fascinating. However, some may walk away from Season 1, arguing how the girls overshadow him, personality-wise. Lemon and Komari are well-rounded individuals too. From Komari’s anxiety and loneliness issues to Lemon’s problems with being a “middle girl,” fans will find their roles and arcs gratifying.
The rest of the cast were fine. They have moments to shine and some receive decent depth as opposed to others. However, many will value this series’s losing heroine trio, and possibly, Kazuhiko, more than its secondary characters.
Visually, Makeine is astonishing from start to finish. A-1 Pictures Studios went all-out with this anime’s setting and character design. There are slight visual inconsistencies in earlier episodes, but some folks won’t mind these errors. Character animations are top-notch. The drama-heavy scenes benefit most from this. Characters respond to each other in frighteningly realistic ways sometimes.
The soundtrack is delightful. The background music serves its purpose well. It makes certain scenes soothing to sit through and the intense moments thrilling. The voice actors and actresses marvelously bring Kazuhiko and his buddies to life too. Expect a near-cinema-level experience with this one.
Makeine ensures rom-com fans that the modern anime era can produce fantastic hits. This anime may have its subtle humor, pacing, and visual issues. However, it’s a story that knows how to strike audiences’ hearts when it wants to. But all in all, Makeine’s author can rest knowing they have a “winning” series at their disposal.
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Verdict - - 8/10
8/10