Tokimeki Memorial - Only Love

(All episodes watched):

"Why are all the teachers weird?" transfer student Aoba Riku asks himself after arriving at his new school. I think it's a good thing that not only the teachers, but numerous fellow students (and the school pet) are weird, otherwise this might have been a completely unremarkable dating sim/harem show. It's not hilarious, but it is mildly amusing and charming somehow; some effort was definitely put into making this show. Aoba seems to be acting as the straight man in a school full of bizarre characters; we know little about him, except that he only wants to live an ordinary life at school. No cheap gags like tripping and falling on top of girls in embarassing ways. Fanservice is restrained--not much more than you really would see at school (assuming you attended a school in which practically every girl was cute-as-a-button). Episode twelve, "Heart Throbbing Night", was crazy, and I loved it. All sorts of bizarre plot threads (a rumor of a ghost, suspicious announcements, a mysterious, strangely dressed woman, trouble cleaning up trash, etc) come together in a hilarious and unexpected way--if only every episode were this good! I think I recognized the strange woman's voice, but I'll keep it to myself so as not to spoil anything. Unfortunately, most episodes aren't this good, and I tend to be left feeling that watching them wasn't the best use I could have made of my precious free time. After 13 episodes there's still no clue as to which girl (if any) Aoba will go with, and the comedy is generally modest. Maybe if I was familiar with the Dating Sim games this series is based on I'd be recognizing subtle jokes, but since I'm not it often seems repetitive and even boring. I do really like this show's ED song though, which is sort of a combination of J-pop and elevator music (which is a greatly underated musical genre). In short, this series is modestly funny because it doesn't take itself too seriously.

I last edited the above on March 18, 2007 (which was about when the series was completing it's run in Japan), and I finally watched the final episode on September 28, which might give a hint of the not too high priority it held for me (the fansubs took awhile to arrive, also). But the fact that I did watch all 26 is also indicative that Tokimeki Memorial is far from a complete loss (I think what's-his-name, the burly school delinquent, was my favorite character--well, my favorite human character, that is) . The final episode was fun, and we finally got our first hint (yes, in the final episode) which girlfriend Riku would choose. Was that a Death Note parody? The conclusion left me with a smile on my face and a feeling that watching the show as a whole hadn't been a bad idea after all.

P.S: There a couple of special episodes, which could presumably be inserted into the original run in case anyone's not getting enough. Episode 17.5 involves a minor character getting the limelight for once. Episode 25.5 is basically a refresher consisting of clips from previous episodes to make certain that you are completely up to speed before the final one. I noticed that when I watched it in February '08, I had already forgotten pretty much everything!

My favorite line: "I've never tasted paint before, but I'm sure it'd taste like this" --Tsukasa

Analysis : 15 Fansubs watched

• Drama : Low
• Action : Med
• Comedy : Med
• SciFi : None
• Ecchi : Low (Some underwear shots).

Well it's a harem, and it's funny.

You know I will be watching this. And so far the Animation is pretty good too!
After 3 episodes I am getting REALLY annoyed at Tsukasa. She is a pushy woman. Mina's story arc is starting and even though Ayu is the main character I like Mina more so far.

Edit : 8 Episodes watched! I like this little sweet harem comedy. We have the Aloof, the Pushy, and the hidden loves. It's animated well and the story line is good.
9th : And of course we have the required Beach Episode. The harem is now aware of each other and the little bombs are ticking over Tsukasa's head. (For those of you who don't know, TM the game features bombs that go off if you don't pay enough attention to each of your girls. If a bomb goes off, then ALL the girls are gone.)

• 02.05 - Now that I am up to 12, I love this show too. I agree with Chibi that Riku getting Kidnapped is getting old , but the situations that happen because of it are good. I'm a MMM fan all the way (For those of you who know Shuffle!

5/6 : Fansubs has ceased as of a month ago. So I guess I'll never finish this.