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Wryte Pretentious Git Since: Jul, 2010
Pretentious Git
03/03/2015 14:55:11 •••

Mysterious Thumbs Up

Mysterious Girlfriend X is a high school romance between average nice guy Tsubaki Akira and the titular class weirdo, Urabe Mikoto. This series immediately sets itself apart from other romcoms by eschewing the typical Will They Or Wont They plot in favor of hooking the two up by the end of the first chapter, and focusing on their development and trials as a couple and the sexual tension between them. In typical gender roles, Tsubaki is eager to progress their sexual relationship and Urabe is adamant in taking it slow, but again the series sets itself apart by choosing unusual battles. Tsubaki's early frustrations include Urabe refusing to hold his hand or smile for a photo, but in the same time frame she once strips naked and has him taste her saliva.

This, of course, is the most likely deal breaker for most potential readers. Tsubaki and Urabe first come together after Tsubaki tastes some drool Urabe left on her desk while sleeping after class. It's soon revealed that they can experience each other's feelings by exchanging saliva, with more characters getting in on the act over time. Don't be too off put by the squicky surface, though; after all, it's really no worse than an indirect kiss.

The main cast is kept small, and the characters are well developed. Tsubaki, most importantly, is a very likable protagonist; an average student who truly loves his girlfriend and struggles to balance his own desires with her quirks, sometimes screws up, but recognizes when he does and tries to do better, while Urabe is delightfully strange and impenetrable. Beta Couple Ueno and Oka provide foils to the pair as both individuals and couples, and are fun to have around in their own rights. Comedy often comes from the boys' frustrations, while conflict comes from sexual tension and romantic rivals.

The series also sets itself apart by its art style. Character designs are simple and expressive without going overboard, blending innocence with eroticism in a perfect mix for the series' tone and subject, and small details of the background and clothing are lovingly rendered. For icing on this cheesecake, the fanservice is very tasteful. The whole thing is a pleasure to look at.

This series is funny, genuinely sweet, and steamy in unconventional ways. I absolutely recommend it, and hope that you'll look past the initial squick to find that you love it, too.

Estvyk Since: Apr, 2011
09/09/2012 00:00:00

Is this reviewing the anime or manga?

Wryte Since: Jul, 2010
09/14/2012 00:00:00

Primarily the manga, but it applies just fine to the anime, too. The anime does take some liberties with the plot, mostly in reordering things for better episode structure and narrative flow, and a lot of episodes cover two chapters of the manga at a time. Otherwise, the anime is very faithful to the source material in theme, tone, and style, and the changes it does make are very effective. Honestly, the only negative things I have to say about it are that the opening theme is rather forgettable, and the animators play up the saliva a little more than necessary.

But if my words aren't enough to convince you, how about a recommendation from Goku?

What matters in this life is much more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too. - F. Rogers.
JamesBannon Since: Nov, 2012
03/03/2015 00:00:00

I really don't understand the squick reaction some viewers have, as it's really no different from a deep kiss. I found the series sweet & funny, and it does have some genuine heartwarming moments.

catmuto Since: Nov, 2012
03/03/2015 00:00:00

To the above comment, I believe the disgust reaction comes from the fact that someone is actually licking somebody else's spit - which is different from a deep/french kiss where, in fact, spit gets mixed by a natural process.

I like the manga. I honestly forgot this had an anime, but I don't think I want to watch it yet. It's actually pretty nice, the way it has this old way of dealing with relationships and nothing sexual actually happening and not even a kiss! Which may sound boring, but it somehow works with them. And I love the artstyle, though I also kinda liked her with her hair a bit longer.


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