My Love Story!! is a popular shojo Anime released in 2015 that reached the hearts of many shojo fans for all the obvious reasons, especially the unconventional love interest that surprised and fascinated the fans all at once.
Although the title is too generic the two exclamatory marks and the story made a big difference.
This shojo Anime was way more than the bad boy cute girl story.
My Love Story!! is a straightforward Anime series. In contrast to other Anime series, My Love Story!! does not rely on unnecessary drama for its plot; instead, it focuses on the love and compassion that exists between individuals that mean a lot to one another.
What is My Love Story?
My Love Story!! is a Japanese romantic comedy manga series written and presented by Kazune Kawahara.
From October 2011 to July 2016, the manga was serialized in Shueisha’s Bessatsu Margaret magazine. The series was publicized in English by Viz Media. Takeo Gda, a dense but kind-hearted giant, falls head over heels for Yamato Rinko after defending her from a groper on the train.
Madhouse produced an anime television adaptation that aired from April to September 2015, and a live-action film of the same name was released in October 2015.
The manga had over 4.5 million copies in circulation as of November 2015. In 2013, My Love Story!! received the 37th Kodansha Manga Award in the shjo category, and in 2016, it received the 61st Shogakukan Manga Award in the same category.
The plot of My Love Story!!
In the story, Takeo Goda is a giant muscular guy who comes across as someone who would fit best in a boxing club than in high school. But in fact, he’s far from what he looks like.
While he avoids female attention due to his threatening looks, Takeo Goda is incredibly loyal and kind. His strong sense of justice compels him to help everyone in need.
After years of being feared, rejected, and ostracised by schoolgirls who prefer his handsome best friend, Makoto Sunakawa, Takeo finally meets his match when he saves her from a groper on the subway.
Who is Takeo Gouda?
Takeo Gouda is the story’s protagonist. He is a first-year Shuei High School student, the son of Yutaka and Yuriko Gouda, and the older brother of Maki Gouda.
Takeo is a selfless and kind person who is willing to help others even if he is not recognized for it. He has a strong sense of justice because he despises those who hurt others, break the law, and especially those who hurt or insult his friends, and he defends them with all his might. While he is irritated by those who cause harm to others, he does not hold grudges, as evidenced by his friendship with Makoto Sunakawa, who was confessed by all of Takeo’s crushes.
He never blamed Suna, instead understanding that it was due to his physical appearance and how Suna was perceived as cooler and more attractive. He is, in fact, extremely loyal to his friends. Takeo fell in love with Rinko Yamato the first time he saw her, but she thought she liked Suna.
He was willing to sacrifice his own feelings in order to ensure her and Suna’s happiness. He will never abandon a friend who is in need. He is hyper and energetic, and his emotions are always visible on his face.
Is My Love Story!! worth watching?
My Love Story!! tells the goofy love story of Takeo and Yamato. Unlike most shojo Anime, My Love Story!! subverts all the typical shoujo Anime tropes but still be a whacky yet heartwarming rom-com.
The story is shown from Takeo’s perspective and his outlook on things which also allows seeing how a simple friendly guy he is.
He holds no grudges and tries to help everyone without expecting anything in return. Sadly, The comments and expressions that people especially girls give about his appearance have shattered his self-esteem which probably makes him think that no one could fall in love with him.
Even after meeting Yamato, he misunderstands Yamato’s affection as just an act of gratitude, he even has this hunch that Yamato has feelings for his best friend Sunakawa.
Soon this misunderstanding is resolved and they both accept their feelings for each other in a turn of events.
The contrast between the main character and his romantic interest, a gentle giant (who is thought to be a bully), and the little, almost fairy-like girl who falls for him instantaneously, distinguishes My Love Story!! from other Anime.
This plot thread contributes to the broader concept that looks do not matter. It is critical to avoid criticizing individuals based on their appearance, just as Suna and Yamato did not judge Takeo.
It is a very cute Anime with a lot of heartwarming moments, especially when they are together. It is also very funny, and I recommend it to anyone who likes shoujo Anime or rom-com.
Here are some features of My Love Story!! That makes it a good rom-com Anime.
Wholesome Friendship Moments
Takeo, the lead, and his closest companion, Suna, had been best friends since they were three years old. Takeo is a whole open book, kind and exuberant, adored by his underclassmen.
He’s not afraid to say that Suna is a fantastic person and the finest friend a guy could have.
While Suna appears arrogant and frigid in all his Light Yagami-Esque splendor, it rapidly becomes evident that he will go to any length to ensure Takeo’s happiness since he feels it is natural for friends to watch out for one another.
The best example was when he rejected all of the girls that Takeo liked since they insulted him behind his back. Takeo appreciated his acts and praised him, especially when he helped Takeo set up with Yamato.
Love Confession Is Not In The End
The majority of romance in Anime has the plot finish when the two get together, with ‘happily ever after‘ emphasized, especially in the shojo genre where a kiss is the end goal the majority of the time.
This also takes a toll on the viewers who were so invested in the series and were looking forward to their favorite couple dealing with a relationship, their feelings, and how they get to understand each other.
Fortunately, My Love Story!! covers them all. The couple gets into a relationship early in the Anime and reaches many milestones like their first date, early in the series.
Not only that, other circumstances that might alter relationships also come into play.
How does the couple deal with a family health emergency?
What happens when the girl’s friends don’t like her new boyfriend?
What about holidays and other occasions?
Do they celebrate with friends or family?
These difficulties occur in real long-term relationships but are seldom depicted or addressed in fiction, so My Love Story!! is a really charming and comedic perspective on this. We watch the two come together to deal with these challenges and evolve into one of the prettiest couples in Anime history.
Cliché And Shojo Tropes
You won’t find many shojo stereotypes in this Anime, but some of them exist.
There is some over-the-top drama to keep the audience engaged like love rivals entering the scene or perverts harassing girls and then strong boys coming to the rescue which may trigger some of the viewers but it is close to none so most people will ignore it.
It would have been better if they did not portray Takeo as having unbelievable strength at times.
Aside from that, the only big flaws with the series originate from the slice-of-life character of the plot, the most notable of which is the conclusion, which just happens.
There is no final curtain call or dramatic romantic finale to the partnership; instead, ‘life and love carry on and the credits roll.
What should I watch after my love story?
You can also watch the following shoujo and slice-of-life Anime
| Anime | No. of Episodes | Year |
| Kimi Ni Todoke | 25 | 2009-2010 |
| Monthly Girl’s Nozaki Kun | 12 | 2014 |
| Lovely Complex | 24 | 2007 |
| Say ‘I love you” | 13 | 2012 |
| Hyouka | 22 | 2012 |
| Handa Kun | 12 | 2016 |
Does Crunchyroll have My Love Story!!?
Yes, My Love story!! is streaming on Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll is an Anime streaming website that provides subbed and dubbed versions of all genres of Anime.
Crunchyroll is a legal website that provides Anime content to many audiences. Unlike other websites, Crunchyroll only hosts the official versions of the shows.
Crunchyroll has two different subscription types: Premium and Fan.
Both provide access to all kinds of series and new episodes as soon as they are released.
However, the Premium version offers additional features such as HD-quality video and no ads during playback.
Conclusion
- My Love Story!! is a beautiful Anime filled with humor and wackiness of the right amount to make your day.
- It is quite different from other shoujo shows due to its emphasis on relationship building rather than confessing with no closure to fans.
- The characters are quite different yet likable to the audience.
- Takeo may not have the typical handsome guy appearance but he still made the audience root for him.