Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko

Your JC Staff rom com for the Spring 2013 season, revolving around a guy who loses his facade and a girl who gains one.

Before you say anything, no, there's not much that sets it apart from its ilk. Most of what does set it apart are in the visuals department: crisp animation, competent direction, and creative takes on some tropes (such as the chase scene in episode 1 represented by arrow vectors).

Basically, don't go in expecting something different. Expect a decently executed, well-trodden formula with the animation to provide those whiffs of fresh air. (Yes, there's lots of GIF material. Here's one◊!)

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Episode 2:

• Azuki Azusa is the same as Mio.
• There's something cute about a girl who's only emotionless outwardly.
• Sucks that they chose a pervert for a protagonist. On the other hand, the reactions he gets from people are fantastic.
• Awkward character development this episode; it's a bit too fast. Could have been better.
• Just because it can't be mentioned enough— the animation is excellent. The ED was eye-candy throughout.

edited 23rd Apr '13 5:32:03 AM by fillerdude

As much as it sucks that he's a pervert, he still comes across better than the protag of Photo Kano. Maybe it's because it's openly acknowledged that he's a screwed up fellow?

I wouldn't even say it sucks since it provides for good comedy.

True, true.

Personally I like the Pervert Prince better because he's funny, while Maeda is bland.

LOL, being noble is now bland.

I'm reading this because it's interesting. I think. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot, over.

Well, characterization trends go in cycles, after all.

Maeda... noble? The guy who blackmailed a girl into posing for him? That's not even getting into the fact that being noble does not exclude one from being bland.

edited 23rd Apr '13 10:20:45 PM by fillerdude

Yeah Maeda.. There's a guy who has his facade intact. Unfortunately that already makes him sound more interesting than he is, it's more like he's inconsistently characterised.

The most puzzling thing about about this guy is why he wanted to get rid of his facade in the first place.

The highlight for me is the emotionless girl being a deadpan snarker.

The tsundere Mio expy could stand to be more interesting.

But overall at least I'm entertained and amused. Unlike Photo Kano.

This show makes me laugh so much... Sadly, the protagonist being a pervert who can't hide his perversions triggers my one true weakness.

I find having the protagonist be a pervert is actually refreshing...

You know, they could have gone with a....... You know... Another selfless, thoughtless nice guy whom has no interests, goals, or motives...

Happens to be known as Walrus Jones in other circles.

There's a lot of perverted protagonists too. But yeah, a pervert is usually more interesting than an empty shell.

My preference is for non-perverted protagonists, but ultimately it doesn't matter as long as they treat them as proper characters with depth and not meaninglessly blank slates, walking one-note jokes or punching bags.

edited 24th Apr '13 9:07:39 PM by UltimatelySubjective

Ehh. Most outwardly perverted protagonists are either jerkbag pervert protagonists, or punching bag perverted protagonists.

This is more of a deconstruction: There is no way someone would be that vocally perverted.... Unless they were cursed... And they really want to get rid of that curse.

Unlike other protagonists who sail on fine, with occasional, thoughtless brutal beatings for their perversion that they quickly recover from... This protagonist suffers interpersonal issues that alone are a big enough of a punishment for him to hide behind.

... It also kinda deconstructs Emotionless Girl, and Tsunderes, but... Imma shut up before I get into spoiler territory with examples.

edited 25th Apr '13 2:38:16 AM by Roraborialis

Happens to be known as Walrus Jones in other circles.

Well, yeah, how the story deals with the pervert protagonist is quite different from the usual.

That's more of a justification than a deconstruction.

True, true. Most others need a beating to stop the perversion.

edited 25th Apr '13 4:45:13 AM by fillerdude

Oh, you mean the guy who "blackmailed" a girl who also conveniently reminded him first that he can blackmail her (whereas he only sees those pictures as something to keep, not as something to use for blackmail; remember that the 'beat her in her own game' meant being able to reprimand her, not being able to blackmail her; because if blackmail is "her game", that implies that he was blackmailed earlier by her), and also suggested a way to do so, because apparently he had no intention of blackmailing her in the first place anyway?

I'm reading this because it's interesting. I think. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot, over.

Nope. Maeda shouted "Illicit entry!" first. He was keeping the photos for blackmail for when he needed it. (So yes, he wasn't planning on blackmailing her. He was waiting for a situation where it would benefit him to do so)

Said "game" is enforcing school regulations. Maeda's getting back at her for all the times she reprimanded him.

I could also argue that Maeda was hesitating because he hadn't thought about how to use the blackmail material. But he still was intent on using them. Furthermore, following the victim's suggestion for blackmail... is still blackmail!

And, again, even if you did manage to prove Maeda's noble, it still does not exclude him from being bland.

Can we just get back on topic? This isn't the Photo Kano thread.

edited 25th Apr '13 7:21:51 PM by fillerdude

Yeah well, more on topic apparently this is getting a game.

I have no idea... What...

Well it could work. I just think it'd be somewhat clichéd. I'm assuming it would be a Visual Novel, and I suppose you've got three heroines already in the setup. Guess it'll soften the blow to fans of whichever girl loses? What am I talking about, this is Harem Genre after all.

Eh, it's decent material for a VN.

Why this series, though? Is it that popular?

Well that's kind of my point. It wouldn't even be my first pick for adaptation for the stuff airing this season (That'd probably be Date A Live or even Yahari Ore No Seishun Love Come Wa Machigatteiru)).

I just can't quite understand the creative vision driving this. I think if anything linearity would benefit the series.

edited 27th Apr '13 4:11:21 AM by UltimatelySubjective

Know what, Date A Live would probably be an interesting VN. You have a good excuse to insert action game elements.

Anyway, yeah, kinda weird for this show to "inspire" a VN. Maybe they thought Tsukki is really cute, I dunno.

edited 27th Apr '13 5:36:30 AM by fillerdude

I wonder if things will keep developing at this rate, or if it's just to set up the status quo where it will inevitable stall.

I'm relatively uninterested in the design of the characters, but I can agree that a clearly emotional blank face is surprisingly cute.

I have much non-troubling trouble not hearing Alice.

It was refreshing to hear him flat-out reject Asuza as a girlfriend, rather than to lead on. It was before he got his façade back, though.

What I don't like about pervert protagonists is that they inevitably use "pervert" as a definition of "loser". But on the other hand, he doesn't have any trouble speaking with girls normally.

Check out my fanfiction!

Date A Live is already getting a VN. That was announced before the show even aired.

As such, this isn't the first thing to get one, no.

So he gets his façade back just like that? Well... Good. I guess?

No really, it is nice.

But I almost hope Tsukiko doesn't get her façade back.

Also, ouch bad flashback telegraphing there. It could have flowed much better.

Yeah, I'm kind of confused here. Like "OK, gimmick is over now." And I'm like "That was quick."

"No, the Singularity will not happen. Computation is hard." -Happy Ent

I didn't think the flashbacks were that bad? Hmm.

Episode 3:

• So, uhh, Azuki just misunderstood things. Kind of a ditz, isn't she.
• It was hilarious seeing the Pervert Prince just haul Azuki away from her apartment, and her mom's like "Have a safe trip!"
• Very nice of Yoto to flat out reject Azuki. Not that Azuki's gonna let that stop her (speaking of which, her asking out Yoto to somewhere far away was nicely animated). Poor girl. Know the hardships of falling for a dense rom com lead.
  • Plus he's outright saying he wanted to date Tsukki at least once.
• Oh, wow, facade's back. That was quick. I hope it won't be as easy removing Tsukiko's.
• Turns out Tsukiko and Yoto met before.
  • "I wish I hadn't remembered that." How oddly cute.
• "I'm a utility player." Two thumbs up. Gah so cute.
• Next episode: sister drama.
• Double Tsukki dance in the ED —> CUTE

edited 29th Apr '13 3:20:29 AM by fillerdude