Murai is a second-year student at Takebe Gakuen High School enrolled in the college preparatory course. His homeroom teacher, Tanaka, summons him to her office after he declares that his post-high school plans are to marry her. Tanaka rejects Murai, telling him that she would never be interested in a boy with long, black hair. Secretly an otaku, she has eyes only for Hitotose, a character from an otome video game. The next day, Murai appears before Tanaka a changed man. Having cut his hair short and dyed it blond, Murai looks exactly like her beloved Hitotose. Tanaka is unable to hide her shock at this sudden development and tries to distance herself from Murai, while Murai presses on in his attempts to romance his teacher.
(Source: Disney+)
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Comentários
Kudo_Endo
I know why you are here. You probably heard some imbecile call this anime atrocious, or maybe the art style gave you the impression that this is a “so bad it’s good” hidden gem. A good candidate for that drunken watch on a Friday night, right? It couldn’t be further from the truth. The plot is nothing unusual for a romcom: high school boy falls in love with his teacher but she has a dark secret (is addicted to the 2D world), so he tries to emulate her favourite character. As with any comedy, the quality relies on whether the author is able to deliver freshscenarios and jokes before the audience is able to predict the outcome in advance. As this is the case here, highlighted by a bright cast, this paragraph could end right here with a succinct positive recommendation.
But this is not the slightly above average romcom of the season. This is one of the best litmus tests for appreciation of artistry in the anime medium. Bear with me.
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In any artistic medium, it’s easy to correlate a display of technical competence with overall quality. Bernini is rightfully known as a genius for transforming blocks of marble into seraphic representations of myths and legends. If you take “Apollo and Daphne” and compare it to that amorphous clay piece your nephew gave you after school, it’s easy to conclude the former is a superior form of art in technical terms (even though you may cherish your nephew’s present more than a free pass to the Galleria Borghese).
Nonetheless, such correlation is not perfect. Art has a strong subjective component. If that was not the case, one of those thousands of “perfectly drawn portraits” we see on social media would be more valued than Picasso’s whole career, since they are a 1:1 copy of a real-life image, while Guernica looks like the aftermath of an ugly accident between Lego trains. Still, one can easily spend dozens of minutes staring at Guernica, appreciating every small detail in awe. The carnage represented by that one painting is arguably more effective in representing the horror of war than a carbon copy painting of a scene from a gore film. While browsing Instagram, you may find m@ndy009’s charcoal drawing of a horse impressive, but it lacks expressiveness if it's only a display of technical prowess. It’s nothing a good photograph couldn’t capture as well. Why is Guernica’s deformed horse more noteworthy? If you take a look at Picasso’s early works, you can see he had the capacity to paint however he wanted. So why choose simple geometric forms? There is a special component that separates good art from sublime art: artistry, or the creative vision to express oneself.
My former examples were restricted to sculpture and painting, but we can make parallels to any other medium. Nowadays videogames can look as “realistic” as live action films, yet it’s hard to find any new decent game to play. The film industry is capable of using top notch special effects to make magic seem real; the only problem is how boring they make those magical worlds. The best music is not necessarily the most difficult to reproduce. The best book does not necessarily contain the widest vocabulary. In animation, a crisp art style with fluid movements may be good to look at, but I’d rather rewatch Texhnolyze than to follow the new seasons of a “sakuga porn”.
Any piece of art is a collection of components assembled together to reach the finished product. Animation, script writing and soundtrack all can individually stand out or singlehandedly ruin an anime. You don’t need each and every one of them to be state-of-the-art displays of technical prowess to make an anime good. In fact, working within constrains or even choosing an alternative “subpar” style to better express their vision will arrive at a more meaningful result. Each part must serve the overall work. They can be compared to organs in a body. While your pancreas is not aesthetically pleasing to look at, it still serves a pivotal function. When you admire the beauty of Monica Bellucci, keep in mind her ugly pancreas is working just fine.
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Now, let’s make sense of all my rambling.
Murai no Koi, to put it gently, has a minimalistic animation and art style. My middle school stop motion flicks had more frames than some scenes from this anime. However, this is not a problem at all. The direction was able to use those sudden movements and “camera angles” to maximize the comic delivery. Absurd inner monologues were perfectly matched by even more absurd facial and body expressions. Because actions sequences were in jest, not having that fluid movement was no detriment at all. The plot follows an appropriately erratic pace, which is only achievable if the production team is competent and not burdened by three sleepless nights in a row. You can see they were having as much fun as the spectator.
Overall, it’s a breath of fresh air. Here you have an anime that escapes from the vicious convergence in art style and animation standards most series conform to (or fail trying to). The director understood the heart of the (already good) original manga. He then worked within his budget to deliver its full potential. Jokes and references land; all characters have their time to shine; the plot is paced properly. Everything works as a highly functioning organism.
Iloveshadowclone
(not native English speaker) Dont judge an anime by its animation, thats what I learne from watching many animes, and that statement applies to this anime very well. Many will probably be skeptical of the animation but its what makes the anime fun. Get past 4 episode and judge it all you want. (I wrote a really good review and while I was submitting it I got disconnected and lost it, it hurts more than my ex leaving me) I dont have the patience to write one of the same level, but I think it won't do justice for this anime if I don't write a review which may encourageppl to watch it. It deserves that.
1. Animation:
Slide show at its peak, really the 'fun' element of the anime.
Dont judge it unless you completed it.
10/10
2. Voice acting and sounds :
VA is the best going for this anime and I am sure the jcstacff spent its budget on VA, and they did the right thing.
Sounds are not spotify playlist adding level but good enough to make me enjoy the show.
10/10
3. Chracters :
Feels like home, side characters are not side characters, and overall really good
10/10
4.opening and ending :
Spotify playlist addition level, the "bam, bam;" part of the opening and also the " menna wakataka ? ,, wakata'" is really cute,
Btw the opening song name is "henshin" if you cant find out it in Spotify the just type that in Japanese then you'll get it, quite underrated.
10/10
5.story :
Crisp, short and sweet. I wrote paragraphs before but I'll just summurise everything in one word, MASTERPIECE.
10/10
Overall 11/10 if possible, i really love it, its my opinion, its fine if you dont like mine.
saiki.k and this are not of the same genre technically, but they both feel home, both have the same studio and I think thats not a coincidence.
Ppl dont judge this anime by its animation. Watch it If you still dont like it then thats fine.
I wanted this to be my small secret anime which only I enjoy, but thats not fair for this story or the author, i hope this becomes one of the most iconic romcoms.
Chad_Snow
This anime is a really great hidden gem. I think it's definitely worth a watch for its unique characters, humor, and surprisingly deep moments. Pros: 1) The biggest and best thing about this anime are the supporting characters. They break the stereotypical archetype of the Japanese beta male and have characters that aren't the biggest losers you've ever seen who have never even spoken to a female and get bullied by everyone including the mailman. These characters are... normal. They aren't the class losers, they've dated girls, aren't afraid to be tough or even physical, and talk like normal kids their age (they don't struggle toform the most basic sentence like most male characters in anime that are basically the lowest form of beta males who need a 30 minute internal monolog before they can even reply to the simplest question from a female). They flirt with and actively pursue girl their age and seem like they're just well adjusted. My favorite trait is how fiercely loyal they are to the MC and stand up for him every chance they get. The dynamic between this trio, their dialog, the way that they are all different but still all manage to be on the save wavelength, and just how cool they all are is what really makes this show for me.
2) The humor doesn't always hit. Sometimes things get lost in translation or Japanese humor just doesn't work with the western palate. But the majority of the time most of the jokes are very solid. I had a few laugh out loud moments. The humor tends to very typical Japanese humor (obviously) with things and facial expressions being dramatically exaggerated but it's different enough to stand out.
3) The surprising depth that is later revealed about the MC and his relationship with the love interest. While most of the time the anime isn't super serious or dramatic, the backstory of the MC meeting the love interest, and the backstory of the love interest's family dynamic was very touching.
4) The overall vibe and feel. This anime stands out because how just how different everything is; specifically the character and their attitudes. They're a friend group i would actually want to be a part of. They want all the characters eventually cross paths and interact with each other is always well don't. A bonus is there are no little girls being sexualized or no one that looks like a 7 year old (that's actually a 3000 year old demon who looks, sounds, and acts like a 7 year old) actively trying to be in a relationship with the MC. In a culture with lolis, where being a loser and a beta male, not having any experience with girls is the norm, its refreshing to see an anime like this with characters like this.
Cons:
1) The animation and art style won't be what most people expect. Now, I've never been someone that cares about the animation quality. i don't value style over substance. I won't think an anime is the Bee's knees just because it was animate but some acclaimed studio while having the plot of a toaster. But even I can say the animation leaves a lot to be desired. I don't know how to describe it other that saying a lot of stuff just isn't... animated. They find other ways to show that events happened like still images or caricatures instead of the normal animations. I take it this was don't for budget reasons? I wish I could say it doesn't distract or take away from the anime but there are times where it does. It isn't a complete deal breaker though, as this isn't a battle anime or anything like that were it needs an A++ in animation quality.
2) The sudden introduction of a rival competing for the MC's love interest around episode 8 really threw me off. This character wasn't even mentioned before and they went on to be such a major part of the show. The MC plays a back seat role and isn't even seen as this new character steals the screen for a good 3-4 episodes. It felt so out of place. This wasn't the MC's anime any more, it was this new characters. Also the way the love interest was so smitten with the new character really felt out of place for the way her character was written. It made the MC look like a cuck at some parts or that he was competing for a woman that was already in love with someone else. It made you wonder if the love interest was even worth having if she could so easily be captivated by someone else even after knowing the MC loved her.
3) Poor pacing and introduction of random one-off characters are also a minor annoyance with this anime. There are big events that are built up that either get cancelled, never occurred, quickly glossed over, or turn out to be a minor event. I think this is a pacing issue more than anything. Also, in episode 7 (I think) so many random new characters are introduced (they are presented to be important but we never hear from them again) and these character have similar design to other characters in the main cast that it really made it hard to even tell who's who. It didn't help that for this episode many of the main cast were wearing disguised or dressed up (even dressed as the opposite sex). It didn't help things that certain characters are non-binary or androgenous. I was so lost that entire episode.
Mixed:
The ending was a good ending but it felt a bit lack luster. Things you normally expect to see at the end of a romance anime were not shown. While things did wrap up nicely, we were TOLD what happened instead of actually see it play out which as really unsatisfying.
Overall I think its a great anime that was much different from anything this season and worth the watch for the characters alone.
Aobaaaaaa
Murai in Love A Cringe-Filled Disaster with PowerPoint Animation Vibes I went in expecting a cute, funny love story. What I got was a full-blown cringe fest with animation that looks like it was made in PowerPoint by someone half asleep. So here’s the “plot”: A blonde dude named Murai falls in love for the first time in his life with his dumb, annoying teacher, Tanaka – whose brain is clearly on airplane mode. But wait... it gets worse.Turns out Tanaka is obsessed with a fictional character, and our simp king Murai decides to copy that guy just to impress her.
This man has zero self-respect and will literally chase her like a puppy no matter what.
Their romance doesn’t even feel like romance.
It’s more like a forced relationship, where the MC is literally pushing himself onto a brain-dead FMC, and for the sake of the plot, she just goes along with it.
There’s no chemistry, no emotions – just a weird one-sided obsession turned into a creepy love story.
And guess what?
After a few episodes of acting like a clueless clown, Tanaka suddenly “realizes” she likes him too – just because he keeps chasing her around like a stray dog.
I swear, this ain’t romance – it’s psychological torture.
The whole story tries to pass off brain-dead behavior as humor, with characters doing the dumbest things possible in every scene.
And let’s not ignore the “animation” – if you can even call it that.
It’s literally like watching a manga slideshow with background music.
In short:
Murai in Love is a hot mess where the MC gets treated like a loyal idiot, running after a teacher with the personality of cardboard and no proper character arc.
They slapped on some “gag humor” to cover up how boring and cringey it actually is.
darth_kaiser_x
If you like animes with great animation and quality in the lines then you can go watch something else because you won't find that here, the animation is sloppy and not well done but for the purpose of the anime it works perfectly, the plot starts like a It's a kind of romantic comedy and as it goes on it deepens until it reaches its peak and calls into question what is really true and what isn't, there is a small reference to domestic in kanojo but I believe few people must have touched it , the comedy is great and you get angry severaltimes during the anime, the characters are charismatic and even the antagonist manages to be a cool guy, if you like kaguya-sama style anime, watch this one because it's really worth it
Danodashi
I have to admit, I was sceptical at first. The animation style feels more like a slideshow than a fluid experience—but surprisingly, it works. The premise wasn’t initially my cup of tea either, but man, was I wrong! If I had to describe this anime in one word, it would be: WHACK. From the get-go, Murai in Love had me laughing. The humour is spot-on, and I found myself chuckling consistently throughout the series. The intro is incredibly fun and unique, immediately grabbing my attention. The characters are well-developed and surprisingly likable, making me genuinely invested in their relationships and growth. One thing I especially appreciated was howthe show maintained a lighthearted tone without resorting to uncomfortable moments—something that can sometimes plague rom-coms. The pacing is a bit fast, but it keeps the story moving and never lets you get bored.
While it might not be for everyone, Murai in Love is an absolute must-watch if you're in the mood for a quirky, cute romance packed with humor. I honestly wish there were more episodes—I didn’t want it to end!
Overall, it’s an incredibly fun and enjoyable anime that left me with a smile on my face.
PheasantTaste
It's surprisingly bland for how popular and recommended it is. In fairness, I'm not much of a romcom slop enjoyer to begin with, so I'm probably somewhat biased against the genre. Very little occurs, and the stuff that does occur doesn't feel earned. The substance of the show is also further diluted by the numerous detours to follow various other characters, some of which were more interesting than the main pair. I also found Murai to be somewhat unappealing (both visually and as a character), which I thought would resolve itself as the character is developed through the show, but nothing ever happened to changemy initial impression. The show would probably have been more enjoyable had I been or became more attached to the main characters. Once again, I'm somewhat shocked at how well-received this show is: at the time of writing, this is the only negative (non-prelim) review on MAL. Nobody else is willing to say it, perhaps. Maybe the audience is very well-curated. Also, for what its worth, the show did pick up a bit in the latter half, and I think some people who had dropped the show in the first half would've enjoyed the show overall had they finished it. It might even be better to simply skip the first half entirely.
Another thing that some people might have issues with is the animation. The art is fairly expressive and the animators work very well with what they have (voice acting is also very good), but I know that some people find "cheap" styles of animation to be very distracting (see: Inferno Cop). It wasn't a big issue for me, but sometimes you can really tell they're stretching their budget. I think it was a good production decision. Animation certainly isn't what's holding this show back. I think what a lot of people are also put off by without realizing is how much this show is structured like a live-action drama (to the extent the show feels more like a beat-for-beat adaptation of a 3D release instead of a manga).
Overall, it's watchable, and you might get a few laughs out of it. Definitely not deserving of an 8 though (probably from people dropping the show early), and I can't say I'd recommend it, at least in its entirety. The show is probably best enjoyed in the form of 30-second clips of funny one-liners, or maybe as a pretty decent audio drama to half-listen to while you do something else. That said, the anime does serve as an important 2D alternative to the live-action release, although I think the manga might be a better medium for this story.
Arsilyn
NOTE:-let me say this first it's not for those who like fast paced things and its also not for those who only sees with eyes but also feels with them , CREATIVITY next level they use those things that probably anyone in this entire anime industry have ever tried and it fucking works and slaps it even when they have very tight budget. MUSIC for music i have only one thing to say its PERFECT the choices of songs and the main music of murai i have fallen in love 10\10. The CHARACTERS firstly murai my murai is the main char? because he knows how a 17year boy should act he don't act over smart as his ages they feel like they are real living human beings who are in the same same universe as us plus the the voices match them perfectly.
RECOMMENDATION:- I'll definitely 100% very very much recommend this hidden gem if you like to read books and have patience please consider giving it a try.
I really want this anime to win any anime awards.
Truly a Masterpiece (10\10)
20-1_22-9-14
Honestly, this is barely an anime. I mean, sure, it technically qualifies, but the animation is… well, let's just say I’ve seen flipbooks with more frames. It’s not really my thing, but I have to admit they made the most out of it. The style can be a little jarring and sometimes hard to follow, but despite that, I had an absolute blast watching it. The story is simple, yet it works, and the comedy? It’s been a while since I laughed out loud multiple times in a single episode like this. The characters are all likable in their own way, and their interactions never failedto entertain.
The opening is kind of a bop. I usually skip openings because I’m impatient, but this one actually got me to stick around a few times. The music and visuals fit the show’s vibe really well. The ending theme is good too, though unlike the opening, I had to go back and watch it for the first time just so I could comment on it here. As for the actual ending, while usually with this kind of anime you can see what will happen from a mile away, there was a moment near the end where I genuinely wasn’t sure how things would wrap up. That bit of uncertainty made it feel a little more satisfying.
This anime really caught me off guard. I went in expecting something average but ended up having a much better time than I anticipated. If the animation style had been more to my liking, I might’ve rated this a 9 or even a 10.
8/10 – Made my food taste better while watching.
AnimeExplorer21
If you're into quirky, heartfelt romances with a splash of hilarious antics, Murai in Love is an anime that deserves your attention. What really got me hooked was how much heart this series packed into its story, and the unique dynamic between Murai and Ayano kept me glued until the very end. Murai is such a lovable character. His devotion to Ayano isn’t just superficial—it’s driven by his genuine admiration for her kindness. The flashbacks reveal that Ayano once stood up for Murai when he was being bullied, leaving a lasting impression on him. Fast forward to high school, and Murai's determination to win her overis relentless. When Ayano casually remarks she doesn’t like guys with long hair, Murai doesn’t hesitate. He chops it off and dyes it. Little did he know, this makeover would make him resemble Hitotose, Ayano’s favorite 2D character. Talk about accidental perfection!
The ending was bittersweet but satisfying. We see Ayano finally mature in her feelings, stepping into her role as a teacher and moving toward accepting the idea of love in reality, not just in fiction. Murai’s perseverance clearly made an impact, though the series leaves a lot open-ended. I’d love to see an OVA or sequel to show how their story progresses into marriage.
While the pacing felt a bit rushed toward the end, and some side characters could’ve used more development, the anime’s charm lies in its humor and the unique personalities of its leads. If you’re looking for a romantic comedy with a fresh twist, this is definitely worth watching!
MozartDaniel
There are better romance anime out there, there's no shortage of them. And most of them will look better than Murai in Love, without much effort. This anime sometimes runs out of things to say, and starts throwing random things at you. Yet this tantrum is always entertaining. The back and forth that goes between any set of characters doesn't lack wit, and is never superfluous, I'd rewatch it for this alone, as there were times I felt some things were over my head, though the dialogue can get kind of weird and sort of robotic. You've read the premise and the story only goes a littlefurther than that, but it manages to surprise in the end and have meaningful character development. What we learn from the characters by the final episodes is also impactful and recontextualizes the narrative. Still, it can be argued this part of the show takes too long to get going.
All characters are likable, but you'll be left wanting to get to know anyone better apart from Murai and the teacher, it took me too long to even be able to tell the friends apart. I just want to mention, I thought I wouldn't be convinced of Murai's love in the end, so I'm glad to say I'm converted.
The most controversial part of this anime, of course, is the absolute lack of animation. It manages to feel almost like an artistic choice, which is so surprising to me. Like a series you'd find on YouTube, or a fan animation. It's not jarring, most of the time that is, and at least I got used to the techniques used to get around it, and it kind of added to the unusual charm of it all.
OPENING: Kind of good, musically, and very representative of the overall vibe of the anime visually.
ENDING: Kind of a bop, musically, and I can barely even remember it visually, even though I just watched the final episode yesterday!
