With its flickering streetlights, moldy back alleys, and noisy populace, the Second Kowloon Walled City, despite the squalor of its already-demolished predecessor, evokes a special kind of nostalgia that its residents find endearing. Amidst the walls of this fading yet beloved landscape lives Reiko Kujirai, a 32-year-old realtor deeply in love with her coworker, Hajime Kudou, who is two years her junior. Though they have their differences, the two get along well enough to experience the joys of the walled city together.
However, everything starts to fall apart when Kudou, half-asleep, suddenly kisses Kujirai—seemingly reciprocating the feelings she has yet to confess. But when Kudou explains that he had mistaken her for someone else, Kujirai finds herself drawn into a series of events that lead her to a past she cannot remember.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
IWearClothes
What separates Kowloon Generic Romance from your typical romance anime is, somewhat by design, right there in the title. It’s generic, yet also marked by an insistently refreshing approach. Anime is a medium that often relies on exaggerated characters with hyperbolic personality traits. That’s what many including myself actually love about anime characters—they’re compelling and fun to watch precisely because they’re make-believe, because they exist in a space where realism limiters aren’t unreasonably placed upon them. They can have traits found in real people, but you’d usually be hard-pressed to actually compare them to people. Kowloon’s characters are just that, though; rather than caricatures ofpeople, they feel genuinely believable. Not in the way some anime characters have fragments of realism woven in, only to still betray a larger-than-life aura. No, Kowloon’s romantic leads, Reiko and Hajime, are simply ordinary—they’re everyday, imperfect people working away in the quiet stillness of a real estate office. They’re just people, and that trivial fact acts as the springboard for an off the beaten path, yet universally easy to appreciate adult romance.
The setting of Kowloon Generic Romance is an imaginative one. An advanced technology called Generic Terra floats in the sky above the Kowloon Walled City of Hong Kong. Strictly speaking, this is a “second” Kowloon, considering the first iteration was demolished during the 1990s. Generic Terra can house human consciousness, enabling those who take advantage of it to “live” forever, depending on your perception. However, this amazing technology isn’t actually the plot’s crown jewel. With tech like that, bigger and badder machinations could have dictated the plot’s roadmap in the same vein as other sci-fi series like Psycho-Pass, but they don’t. Instead, Kowloon Generic Romance revolves around two regular people. Reiko isn’t the fast-rising, hotshot real estate agent she might have been in a more standard series; she’s an awkward klutz and surprisingly vain about her looks. Hajime isn’t the clean-cut, sparkly male lead you’d expect in a shoujo anime; he’s just a boorish, scruffy guy who wears his emotions on his sleeve. A world like this could take advantage of itself to tell a tale of exoteric, moral grandstanding. It could posit affirmations of how technology can jeopardize the integrity of human identity, like Ghost in the Shell. This kind of world could delve into a veritable kaleidoscope of digital and metaphysical possibilities, and that it sidesteps all this with such nonchalance is precisely what I respect about it most. Technically, Kowloon Generic Romance does exist in one of these dystopian settings, but here the dystopia acts more as a backdrop. Kowloon chooses not to hinge on its dystopian elements to establish an overall thematic essence, defying a usually synonymous combo in dystopian fiction.
Despite my enthusiasm for the story’s unorthodox attitude, the main appeal of this anime is that it’s a mystery series first and foremost. Generic Terra is an undeniably cool idea on the surface, but there’s an ever-present, underlying notion that there indeed are dystopian schemes hidden in its shadow—even before Reiko’s perspective provides any sort of inkling. Like any mystery worth its salt, Kowloon tries to throw you off its trail. A seemingly obvious villain might not actually be so villainous as first implied. A shocking declaration, so dead serious that it doesn’t even deserve a captain’s log introduction, could end up as little more than an unflinching curveball. Massive revelations, rather than making all the answers clear, raise more questions, deepening the mystery while inching closer to a solution. However, those same conventional tricks—subverted villains, curveballs, and narrative smokescreens—are also why this aspect of Kowloon Generic Romance is perhaps its most lacking. While it does make use of time-tested ideas to keep the mystery engaging, it also doesn’t go out of its way to distinguish itself, settling for playing it safe instead of trying to innovate. New band, same old dependable tunes. So, while Kowloon Generic Romance may be a competent mystery anime, it would have benefitted from at least one X factor to spare it from the genre’s long shadow. That X factor never really comes from the mystery area, nor from the narrative foreground in general. Instead, it unexpectedly reveals itself within the soundtrack.
As yet another upgrade of what’s expected from romance anime, Kowloon Generic Romance boasts a consistently remarkable soundtrack. The music is easily at its best during scenes where mystery is the main focus. It’s hypnotic and atmospheric in that recognizably dominating way which smothers and overwhelms the viewer with an intense, suspenseful tone. Many mystery series often try to take advantage of this “wall of sound” tactic for tonal effect, but few actually stick the landing so nicely. It’s ethereal and futuristic while maintaining a melodic vanguard, justifying the emphasis placed on it. When the show steers away from mysterious happenings to comedic or slice-of-life scenarios, the music tends to stick with exotic pentatonic variants to ensure a deliberately regional flavor, and it succeeds effortlessly. Reiko and Hajime may be from Japan, but this is still Hong Kong, after all. Thanks in no small part to the OST, Kowloon Walled City feels like a real deal community you could wander around in—not the cheap knock-off the characters accuse it of being, since it isn’t the “original” Kowloon. The musical score is an unexpected but definitely welcome highlight of the series. It enhances the different moods while clearing the balancing act of sounding high-effort and memorable without being distracting. The colorful OST and ambient sound design help to enhance the mystery plotting in ways that really are innovative, making up for the story’s tendency to poke around in the all-too-familiar genre playbook.
While the story toolbox can feel familiar in a slightly dull way, the visuals are familiar in an unmistakably beautiful and intentional style. It’s the style of a bygone era to which Kowloon is paying homage from the start—the lived-in, gritty, and vintage aesthetic of 90s and early 2000s anime. The city looks like it could have come right out of Trigun or Cowboy Bebop with how the buildings seem to envelop almost every angle, feeling claustrophobic yet comforting at the same time. This homage extends even more notably to the character designs, which feature a retro art style that impressively encapsulates 90s anime characters. Reiko especially stands out in this domain; she’s attractive, hard to look away from, and absolutely resplendent. If there is one area in which the characters aren’t ordinary, it’s this one, as Reiko is far from the only looker within the city’s walls. The opening is another clear tribute to 90s anime—it’s chock-full of direct inspirational mojo both visually and musically. Remarkable beyond belief is the fact that the anime achieves all this with just one cour. It’s 2025: we’re used to single cour anime lacking ambition, serving as little more than advertisements for their source material. It may seem arbitrary, but in a certain sense, the fact that Kowloon Generic Romance delivers this level of quality in just a 13-episode run harkens back to that earlier anime era where the same wasn’t so uncommon, which may ironically be the most nostalgic thing about it. Nostalgia abounds in this series as the most frequently recurring motif. It’s in the very air; the plot has deemed we must breathe it in before we even get a chance to decide, as the characters themselves frequently touch upon the idea. The authentic vibe of the city’s hum and thrum is surpassed only by that of real life. Shrouded in the urban haze of Kowloon, the people live carefree and uninhibited, reminding us of times and visions preceding our own.
Now, what about the actual romance part of Kowloon Generic Romance? Truth be told, the characters are too busy navigating the maniacal playpen they’ve been placed in to lend their romance much dedicated focus. That’s only ostensibly, of course, as Cupid’s arrow has already found its mark by the beginning. The rest is simply watching it play out with twists and turns galore, an infectious dance of schmaltzy tenderness and dark tidings. This is a down-to-earth romance that unfolds naturally, not one guided by tropes. There is no dramatic confession scene with a swelling insert song at the end of an episode. No official first date to mark the start of Reiko and Hajime’s love. But the answers defining their relationship are still there; in the moments between the smoke breaks and shared laughter.
In retrospect, Kowloon Generic Romance isn’t different for the sake of it, it’s different because it’s sincere. It chooses where to be bold and where to be ordinary. And it’s in that balance—in the quiet, unassuming spaces—that Kowloon shines brightest, proving that sometimes, less really is more.
Fairtale
Spoiler free: This anime starts great, and has amazing characters and storytelling. But after a whole 12 episodes it will end without explaining anything, without wrapping up any of the threads it laid out, and just simply cutting off without any explanation of what happened, why it happeend, or even what happened with any of the side characters. It is just like any other "mystery" series nowadays: it leads the viewer on dangling the mystery ahead and then never explains anything. Dont waste your time like I did, this is a huge letdown. I dont want to spoil anything, but the anime has a great mystery that will keepyou curious and waiting to find out what happened. And it does that really great for about 8 episodes. But then it suddenly shifts gears and starts rushing, and suddenly ends in such a weird way, without explaining ANY of the mysteries it has laid out. And there are so many mysteries, not a single one answered.
BigPaws
Speedrun - the anime. To get things out of the way - I loved the anime, or rather it's initial idea. It had interesting characters (adult ones at that! Rarity nowadays), new, unique setting and some great visuals. Oldschool artstyle was also a strong point. And yet, in the end I felt like I was watching a video on youtube where someone compiled just the cutscenes from a video game completely cutting out the gameplay. And gameplay for games is important just as the story is. Gameplay here being relationships between characters and their growth. It was almost completely cut off and we were just quickly experiancing theconstant "plot twists" to deliver the ending within 13 episodes. Did Reiko have some issues that arose at the beginning of the episode? No problem, by 10 minute mark she has already dealt with them and continued forward. And this goes for every single character.
I know anime is advertisement to buy manga but would I buy manga now knowing the ending feels cryptic and rushed? See, I probably won't. I just don't know if having the story spoiled is now worth to pursue the "gameplay".
To summarize - it's the anime I have most mixed feelings about because I now dont know if I liked it or not. If they have spent 2 cours on it im sure I would love it, there would be enough time to give some breathing room and see characters grow naturally. Within 13 episodes (so almost entire volume is adapted per episode) it just couldn't happen and I'm mad at production studio. Really mad.
Marinate1016
“Generic” may be in the title, but Kowloon Generic Romance is anything but. This show had some of the best mystery plot-lines of the year and a pretty unique romance set-up. It’s one of those shows you enjoy speculating about before and after every episode and the weekly cliffhangers left me wanting more every week. There’s so many twists and turns in this story and I really appreciated how every episode advanced the plot. There’s no wasted time here, the pacing is very well done and surgical. This was a really fun sci-fi mystery with a nice touch of romance and some greatcharacters. Definitely worth a watch for people who want a show that makes you think and keeps you on your toes, and those who just want to watch two of the cutest girls this season in Yaomay and Reiko!
Kowloon GR is the latest addition to my “summer time render-like” shows. What I mean by that is, shows that slowly pull you in over the course of a premiere, end with a mysterious cliffhanger and constantly leave you wanting more every week. They drip feed you answers slowly, just enough to keep you hooked on the show, all the while causing you to have more questions. It’s a feeling that I don’t quite know how to describe, but if you’ve seen Summer time render, Higurashi, etc., you’ll know that sort of viewing experience I’m describing and are probably excited to see something like it again. It’s such a good vibe when you truly get hooked on a story, and this show does it as well as any. I’m a huge fan of sci-fi stories that drop bombshells on you over the course of a season and cause your entire perception of a story to change. The mystery of how this new Kowloon came to be, the truth about Reiko’s identity and all the characters’ backstories in the show was meticulously crafted. Having only seen the live action version of After the rain, I didn’t know the author had this sort of story in his bag, but that’s why we go into things with an open mind!
Now other than the mystery and lore drops, the other thing I really loved here was the characters! This whole cast is so good, Reiko is arguably the prettiest MC of the season, but she’s also got a really interesting character arc where we see her come into her own and embrace her self as an individual. Her relationship with Kudo is this nice mix of sexy co-worker romance mixed with some of your more traditional sweet anime romance vibes. All their scenes together are so good, but I must say I actually preferred the yuri route here with she and Yaomay. I felt like the two main girls had such a good thing going on together and in my opinion, Yaomay was clearly into Reiko as more than just a friend.. plus all the drama that goes down with Reiko and Kudo in this one kind of soured me on their relationship a bit. The other supporting characters are great too and everyone plays a very important role in the story. Big fan of authors who don’t waste time with superfluous story arcs and introducing characters who end up doing nothing in the story. Every little detail and character in here comes back to be relevant by the end of the cour. I’ve fallen in love with the word “surgical” to describe these sorts of stories and it’s such a good adjective because this type of storytelling doesn’t BS or waste time, every episode and character interaction serves a purpose and builds to the ultimate goal. It’s a very well written series. Also have to give a shoutout to Mayazuki-sensei having openly gay characters in this in such a loud and proud manner. Y’all should’ve seen the look on my face when one of these episodes started with two guys having sex and intimate moments. It’s done very tastefully too, never feels like the author’s making a spectacle of it. Always good to see well done representation in my seasonal anime.
The show looks absolutely incredible too. I love Mayazuki-sensei’s art and the studio did a wonderful job of preserving it! Animation is decent, but the OST, character designs, pacing and direction were all great here. Some people have problems with cliffhangers, especially if they’re watching weekly, but I love that sort of thing. I don’t want all the answers at once every episode, give me something to speculate and think about throughout the week!
If you like interesting and thought provoking sci-fi stories, adult casts who act like adults, and a nice mix of story and romance, look no further. Kowloon Generic Romance was one of my favourite shows of the season and an absolute joy to watch every week. I’ll certainly miss it.
Kowloon Generic Romance gets 9 out of 10.
Stark700
Kowloon Generic Romance is perhaps one of the most mysterious anime I've seen all year and it's no understatement. Behind the dense city population of 33,000 contains a love story - a story about two adults in the 30s. This romance comes at a price because the female protagonist Reiko Kujirai suffers a case of memory loss, one that finds herself struggling with throughout all series long. Kowloon Walled City is far more than what it seems with a mysterious background history. The dystopian-like vibes blends a historical and modern look. Furthermore, Reiko suffers from memory loss and apparently has a history with her love interestHajime Kudou. But if you think this is some "generic" romance, then take a step back because there's far more than just relationship building in this story. It quickly carries into a sci-fi genre once the first episode reveals its true nature.
The mysterious nature of the show adds even more layers of mystery once we understand more about the cast. Reiko's identity crisis becomes a key plot that revolves the existence of Kujirai “A” and “B”. Although Kujou is aware of Reiko's memory loss, he doesn't mention it early on. Their relationship becomes complicated after Kujou rejects her but nonetheless, Reiko remains in love. What she isn't sure about is the existence of "Kujirai B". Why does she look just like Reiko, what's her purpose in their world, and her connection with Kujou? Those are some questions she and the audience should ask themselves early on. To make this anime even more mysterious is the Kowloon Walled City itself. It resembles an alternate sci-fi version of the real life Kowloon Walled City. The existence of Generic Terra, a mysterious sphere in the sky adds an eerie and unnatural feeling, adding to more curiousity. A revelation also reveals that the current Kowloon is not the one that existed throughout history. The original was demolished in the year 1994 and it raises questions of what is truly real in the story's current timeline.
Nonetheless, characters in this show all have various degree of personalities. Some also seems to serve as foil characters such as Yaomay, a doll maker who wants to escape her past. Through her chance encounter with Reiko, the two bond yet have conflicting views about how they handle with their past and identity. Watching this anime continously also show how much characters complicates their relationships. A shining example is Miyuki Hebinuma, the president of Hebinuma Pharmaceutical and Tao Gwen. Their relationship is complicated by Miyuki's father and the company they run. Framed as a show of complexity, Miyuki also suffers from a case of self identity. It's a recurring theme in the show that forges on how characters develop their life paths. Who do they accept themselves as? But the biggest difference revolves around Kujirai A and B. Kudo's relationship with these two characters has a mirroring bond that at times contrasts and other times reflect similarity. The main timeline Reiko however has a more complicated relationship with Kudo. It's obvious at times, Kudo reflects about his past and to an extent, compares his relationship of Kujirai B with Reiko. Watching the relationship dynamics of this series always make us question about their identity crisis. Reiko's memory loss affects both her relationship with others and discovery of herself.
Kowloon Generic Romance is definitely an anime with a more complicated plot that requires more attention. It doesn't hold your hand and requires the viewer to actively pay attention to character expressions, feelings, dialogues, and their interactions. The plot is woven as a story connecting the past, present, and how it influences the future. Most importantly is the identity of the characters and if Reiko can truly embrace herself. The sci-fi elements far dominates the romance, and to say the least, this anime's romance falls into a category of unorthodox. It really seperates itself from most romance stories due to the internal conflicts of the story. To make an anime work sell itself is not too simple as its targeted audience may not be who it seems.
It takes the art style of the manga and animates it as accurately as possible. For those familiar with Jun Mayuzuki's previous work, the character designs has a similar look compared to After the Rain. Characters are adapted with an mature tone given the character's ages. Furthermore, character expressions are thoughtfully decorated to reflect a variety of mood changes. But perhaps the most interesting part is the setting: Kowloon Walled City. It has a fusion of old school and new school that makes its setting stand out more unique. Adapted with a sci-fi theme, it's been stated that the author was influenced by the video game Kowloon's Gate. Finally, I also want to give a shout out to mesmerizing performance of the opening song "Summertime Ghost " by Suiyoubi no Campanella. Not only does it carry variety of symbolism but also has one of the most decorated chereography I've seen in recent anime.
Kowloon Generic Romance may not be an easy anime to follow but it the time is worth investing into once you're drawn to its cast of characters and story. You don't need to grind this anime for multiple rewatches but understanding what the themes of the show really brings together a sense of enjoyment. It's these type of anime that I wish the current industry would embrace more of than the generic high school fairy tales or isekai copypastes we see pretty much every season.
Hiiranokakera
"Kowloon Generic Romance" starts strong with a mysterious atmosphere, gorgeous visuals, and a unique setting inspired by the real-life Kowloon Walled City. The background art is consistently stunning and does a fantastic job of immersing you in a world that feels both nostalgic and otherworldly. The characters, especially the leads, are well-written and emotionally grounded. Their interactions feel genuine, and even the side characters add meaningful depth to the story. The romantic tension is subtle yet effective, and there's always a sense that something deeper is going on beneath the surface. The OST is a standout — beautifully composed, fitting for the tone, and emotionally resonant. Boththe OP and ED are also memorable and enhance the overall experience.
However, the show loses some momentum toward the end. The pacing becomes rushed, and several plot points remain vague or unresolved. It’s a bit frustrating, especially given how well everything had been set up. The final episodes lean heavily into ambiguity, which may not sit well with all viewers.
Despite that, "Kowloon Generic Romance" is still worth watching for its visuals, characters, and tone. Just go in knowing that the ending might leave you with more questions than answers.
Pros:
* Beautiful and atmospheric art
* Strong OST and theme songs
* Engaging characters
* Consistent tone and mood
Cons:
– Vague and rushed ending
– Some unresolved plot threads
Gwynbleidd_Alan
The first episode of Kowloon Generic Romance had the perfect introduction. It starts off exactly as the name suggests, like your standard generic romance, but then the layers start peeling back and you realize there’s supposedly this dystopian, dark history beneath it all. I was SO hooked by that first episode and its old school art style. As someone who’s a huge fan of Netflix’s Black Mirror, this gave me a similar vibe. That unsettling mystery, a dark and uneasy feeling where you really want to uncover the truth as it peaked your interest. One thing I want to praise is the varied adult cast.It’s always refreshing to watch older characters navigate love, life and other similar problems which ends up giving it a more grounded feel. The show also tries to aim for deeper topics about identity, love, and what it means to be human. But unfortunately, it aims too high and ends up tangling itself in its own complexity. The mystery that started off so intriguing slowly became uninteresting, and an afterthought. The sci-fi elements played a huge part in the story’s initial mystery, but somehow remained largely unexplained, leaving you with more confusion than clarity.
Character backstories and reveals mostly fell flat which leads to some character arcs feeling incomplete, almost like they were forgotten along the way. Then, towards the end, it felt like the creators suddenly realized they had to wrap things up and rushed everything to a close. It honestly felt like watching content meant to be spread across multiple episodes narrowed down to just the last 3. You end up feeling like you just sort of awkwardly fell out of the story. Even the epilogue, which serves as the last finishing touches on the story, failed to show anything meaningful. It felt empty and ultimately disappointing. I didn’t feel fulfilled when I finished it and craved explanations about all the unanswered questions.
Kowloon Generic Romance has the vibe, the retro art style, and an incredible hook, but it never capitalizes on it. I was entertained by the characters and their interactions, which is probably the show’s strongest point. The various characters feel complex and have some substance to them. The anime manages to capture the feeling of summer, nostalgia, and yearning for something you can’t have so well. But in the end, despite all its potential, I expected more after the start. A solid experience overall with clear flaws, which ultimately ended up leaving me disappointed.
Chuy_diazz
The biggest sin of this anime is having the word "romance" in the title. Kowloon is anything but romantic; in fact, it doesn't have a hint of romance, which ends up hurting it quite a bit as the story progresses. The first episode has a balanced dose of a mystery that will develop into a romance. The problem is that they decided to eliminate any displays of affection and focus solely on a single mystery. The story didn't have enough groundwork to develop a mystery and ignore the romantic aspect. The mystery evolves three times throughout the anime, and none of those developments provide any satisfactoryanswers. In fact, halfway through, for three or four episodes, they dedicate themselves to explaining a single mystery in four different ways, leaving the dialogue unchanged but changing the speakers. This makes the story feel redundant because they're going in circles, and when they realize this, they try to make up for lost time by throwing information out there left and right. However, the story doesn't care whether the information is useful or not; it just wants to overload you with information so that in the end you convince yourself that the answers were always there when, in reality, the answers were never written in the first place.
Anime has always focused on the mystery surrounding Kowloon Walled City and the phenomena that occur within it. The type of mystery they want to tell depends entirely on the emotional ties that people have with both the city's inhabitants and the city itself. Concepts like nostalgia, longing, and the search for the future are mentioned. These concepts depend entirely on the emotions of each character, but anime doesn't want to show emotions; it only wants to deepen the mystery. So, since there are no emotions, the mysteries feel empty because you don't feel the characters are emotionally connected to either the city or its inhabitants. Even the protagonists are victims of this poor decision, because their story is a romance, but since the anime decided to eliminate all displays of affection, it had to explore different characters to fill 13 episodes. At some point in the anime, you start to care about the supporting characters, and the protagonists exist; they're there, but they don't generate any kind of emotion. There are many scenes where the lack of romance and delicacy makes the protagonist seem more like a sly old man trying to take advantage of his coworker's vulnerable moments to get her into bed. The male protagonist, the one who's supposed to be the protagonist of a romance, ends up being the villain of a poorly told story.
I think the final episode is a good standalone episode, but the problem is that the narrative of that episode doesn't fit with the rest of the anime. The ending ends up dealing with themes like mourning, grieving, and overcoming loss, but this offers zero answers to the mysteries raised. The anime always treated Kowloon City as just another character to center the mystery around it, but right at the end, the city becomes more of a conceptual representation than a place in itself. The ending leaves you feeling confused and angry because the theme of the ending—if that approach had been taken for the entire anime—would be something else being said today. All the questions raised in 12 episodes are left open in the final episode because the approach was completely different.
The production decisions that were made were terrible for the show's reputation. Instead of promoting it, they buried it 4 meters underground. Kowloon was a story that fell victim to a production that had no idea how to tell it and ended up doing whatever they wanted.
Kudo_Endo
When devising a sci-fi setting, some authors suffer from a blind spot that one can shake off by simply looking at the contemporary world: The Future doesn’t come to everyone at the same time. Technologies have a limited diffusion capacity, and the same goes for their utopian or dystopian outcomes. This means new tech is readily adopted in the big urban centres of some developed countries, while peripheral regions of the same country or even different sectors of the economy will only benefit later. Lastly, less developed regions of the world may spend some good time before incorporating said innovation. Enter Kowloon Generic Romance (KGR),set in a slum city at the outskirts of a marvellous future world. At first we don’t get to know how life is like outside Kowloon, but it’s clear this place is frozen in time. Cutting-edge discussions on the prowess of medicine, pharmaceutics and digital technology only reach the town through mainstream media. A dystopian blot in a utopian painting is a well known experience to any 3rd World citizen.
A quick look into the history of Kowloon Walled City helps us understand the background better. Kowloon is famously known as the most densely populated settlement in recorded human history, reaching 33 thousand inhabitants in just 2.6 hectares (1987). This was made possible by lapses of jurisdiction in the aftermath of World War II, making it a fertile ground for organised crime. It was mainly self-governed by neighbour associations and gangs, with surrounding states taking a hands-off approach. Eventually, the problem could no longer be ignored and its demolition was carried out in the 90s. The New Kowloon depicted in the anime is a rebuild of this walled city in all its glory.
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The main theme in this anime is nostalgia. Yes, it is a sci-fi story, but the author skilfully crafted the setting to reflect an aesthetic reminiscent of the 90s to early 00s. If you enjoy anime from that period, or lofi compilations with that art style on the background, KGR will feel like home. The main couple look like yuppies working in an office filled with “ancient” 90s technology (such as those good ol’ keyboards, mice, computers and punch clock), grabbed a bite in a “vintage” restaurant before going back to apartments that wouldn’t feel out of place in Hey Arnold’s boarding house.
This commitment to the central theme is not limited to visuals. Advancements in reproductive medicine and anti-ageing procedures are a big topic in the series, but these fields of research were already a hot issue in the 90s and early 00s. The number of successful In-Vitro Fertilisation cases and cosmetic surgeries performed sharply increased during those decades. Dolly, the sheep, got worldwide fame for being the first mammal cloned from an adult cell in 1996. In KGR, there’s “Generic Terra”, reminiscent of the abundant 90s media imagining what could become of a digital age and the possibility of a virtual reality (as depicted in Serial Experiments Lain and Matrix, for instance). Amnesia has been a recurring plot device for far longer, but in 2004 the popular film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind showed the dramatic romance where a man tried his best to win back the love of an ex-girlfriend, who lost her memories; quite similar to our pair in KGR.
Character development and uncovering the mysteries of New Kowloon form a positive feedback loop: the town’s story is deeply intertwined with that of its members. What makes a community? It’s not a mere sum of its citizens, nor is it limited to its history. A community (and, by extension, their living space) is a dynamic entity shaped by interactions. Attempting to define it by simply recounting its past events or trying to assign a fate based on its trajectory is improper and, ultimately, results in an incomplete assessment. Similarly, characters struggle with their sense of identity, making sense of memories (or lack thereof) and becoming the person they wish to be. Kojirai strives to lead her own life under the shadows of a look-alike. Both Kudo and Youmei are moving forward from past trauma. Xiaohei has very particular interests and needs, so she lives under a hectic schedule to meet them. Miyuki and Gwen also fit this parallelism, but going into more detail here without giving spoilers is too hard for my puny intellect.
All in all, each individual and society is analogous to the ship of Theseus. If the contents of the ship are replaced one after another, it eventually will sail without a single original piece. Is it still the same ship of Theseus? If not, at which point it ceased being so? One’s sense of individuality is similar. We are in a constant state of change, so it’s normal to feel at odds with your prior sense of self at one point in life. Characters in KGR navigate (pun intended) their challenging scenario with added confrontations imposed by transhumanism, trauma and digital technology. Their wrinkles contain history.
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Overall, the plot progression was great. Suspense escalated with timely reveals with personal drama interjecting. The audience gets invested in the cast while slowly untangling the bigger knots. Each episode ends on a cliffhanger, and here is a minor nitpick on my part. Said cliffhangers are usually relevant, leaving you eagerly waiting for the next episode. Others, however, are of little consequence down the line, feeling like a bait and switch. This is a shame, because the plot already has a good cadence. The production team didn’t need to strain themselves to fit one for each episode. Binge watching the series now may render this small “issue” irrelevant, as it’s only somewhat part of the weekly watching experience.
Differing views on Kowloon mark this dynamic relationship between citizens or visitors and the town. While many simply put up with poverty, others learn to find their happiness in the little things. This is only made possible by making this version of the walled city tamer than the real one. You won’t see Triads running prostitution rings or drug dealers fighting over territory. Still, the deprived nature of the town is not totally whitewashed. Acceptance of a rough reality and striving to make the most of it are constantly present, which is a comforting message for people from all walks of life.
No character shows the feeling of yearning for the bittersweet memories of a harsh youth better than Kudo. Among people who experienced extended periods of hardship (famines, dictatorships, economic depressions, wars), you’ll always strangely find some who miss them. As my friend once jokingly told me, “my old man misses the dictatorship because he didn’t have arthritis back then”. Memories can be fuzzy when there’s a strong emotional component and after a long time has passed. For Kudo, his job as a realtor in a slum with precarious infrastructure cannot be separated from the relationships he develops with colleagues and clients. Going to the same old restaurants is not only about the food, it’s also about the atmosphere, staff and his memories there. His inability to compartmentalise Kowloon from his past contrasts neatly with Kujirai’s need to live her present and project a meaningful future.
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Since nostalgia is the central theme, it’s not surprising to notice similarities between KGR and anime from the 90s-00s. Planetes (2003) explores the geopolitical outcome of a new technological paradigm (in this case, space exploration): some regions prosper while others fade into irrelevance. Yoshii Kazuho (Texhnolyze, 2003) forsook a comfortable life in a highly developed city to experience the “real human spirit” in crapsackland, ultimately stirring up conflict. Serial Experiments Lain (1998) explores the topics of one’s sense of identity and reality at the frontiers of technological innovation.
Kowloon Generic Romance chose a main theme with clarity and successfully explored its different facets in all aspects of the anime. The romance is not as generic as the humble title would suggest, mainly due to other intertwined plotlines involving multiple characters and the background mystery. The main couple is physically beautiful, which is certainly a bonus. Overall, I can safely recommend the series for any fan of romance, suspense, Hong Kong’s history and 90s anime.
Czekaj
Experiencing nostalgia in a place you’ve never before experienced; pursuing revenge but for it to become your target’s salvation; seeking out your absolute self while living in the illusions of someone else’s creation. What presents as a 90s style romance remake, about a ‘nostalgic’ rebuild of an ageing district in Hong Kong instead becomes a journey tracing the residents’ lives as they explore the mystery of their own existence and the world they find themselves in: a world of the past, of sentimentality, of regret, and… This anime’s style is loyal to productions of the 90s – both as a testament and also a criticism. Theangles, proportions and backdrops harbor a sense of nostalgia for those of us who watched their fair share of 90’s anime back when it still was the 90s. Yet, in the same style, the animation can feel flat and listless: the story can feel slow and uneventful; framing fragmented. Despite this, you should keep paying close attention, because each episode contains new elements – or draws your attention to elements you didn’t know you should look at - around the mystery the characters find themselves living through. This mystery slowly unravels as you follow their attempts to explain and understand what is really happening to them. And for this, the plot is actually very clever, for each new element is real – and remains real – despite the world of illusions; behind the explanation of each new truth lies still another deeper truth.
Is it worth the investment? We live in an age where the majority of anime releases each season are, at worst, a reformulation of tried and tested plots and audience grabs; at best, they are an old formulation bent a different way to test expanding audience possibilities: Kowloon Generic Romance goes new with its old visual style, low budget in audience grabs, but solid investment in mystery, thinking and plot development. Oh, and did I mention this is officially a romance? Well, it’s there too, but it’s certainly a backseat to the other genres that really dominate this series – but it will come through for you in the end.
In summary, if MAL let me write reviews that were only two or three lines long, I would have put it this way: If you voted for Frieren as Crunchyroll’s 2024 anime of the year, you may have the patience required to glean the value out of this series; if you voted for Solo Leveling and want flashy animation and your attention constantly grabbed at, then best you look for something a little less 90s themed.
MrKessler
Before it came out, I thought this was going to be a simple romance anime with a very unique artstyle that called back to what anime used to look like in the 90's. I couldn't have been more WRONG and I'm so happy for that Kowloon is a show about moving on. It's a show that acknowledges how good the feeling of nostalgia is, while also pointing out that letting that nostalgia define your entire life is a recipe for unfullfilment. If you get stuck remembering what you had before you will never grow as a person and you will never move on with your life. Nowthe 90's artstyle starts to make a lot of sense for this story, right? In my opinion, this move is a stroke of genius by the mangaka. By making you feel nostalgia by the artstyle, the author makes sure you get the message by the end. Not that it's a hard message to get, but it elevates a theme that is so often used by media to new heights.
The plot and the characters are really solid throughout the whole show, it's a very likeable cast with very interesting side plots that all come together with the main story to escalate the mistery that's presented from episode 1.
It's not without its faults, though, while I feel the pacing was prettty good most of the time. It does feel like the ending tried to wrap things up too quickly. It was good, but it could've tied loose ends with a bunch of characters in a better way if it had 1 more episode. What we got isn't bad, but it does leave me thinking that something is missing.
Definitely give this a watch if you like mistery anime, or if you're intrigued by the artstyle.
8.5/10
sylargbrl
– A Summer Story in a Mysterious City – (there's a summary at the end) It’s one of those seasonal anime that really catches your attention—if you’re lucky enough to have watched it week by week. Each episode makes you rethink what’s happening in the city of Kowloon, who the people living there really are, and what they’re all hiding. What’s real and what’s just an illusion? (+) -It has a retro style; some people compare it to Cowboy Bebop. The colors are striking, and each character feels unique. -With every episode, you feel like you’re beginning to understand what’s going on—but in reality, most of the questions are onlyanswered in the final episode. (I don’t think there will be a second season; the ending is quite conclusive—though I haven’t read the manga, so I don’t know if this is actually the end or if the story continues.)
-This anime represents and talks about diversity, which for me is a big plus.
(-)
- Some things are left unresolved or a bit confusing—certain plotlines or the backstories of other characters. (This doesn’t include the main plot, since it’s sci-fi and you can justify it with that haha.)
- In the early episodes, they tried some bait with a rather… sensual? scene involving the main character. I don’t know, I’m not a fan of that kind of thing. If an anime is good, it’s because of its story—not these kinds of scenes. Though I later found out it was like that in the manga too, so I guess the readers liked it. My honest opinion? Pretty unnecessary lol.
SUMMARY: A romance and mystery anime that resolves itself in the end. It keeps you guessing in every episode, but ultimately reveals the core behind it all.
Enigma2025
If you are watching this anime for romance, you will likely leave satisfied. However, if mystery or sci-fi elements attracted you, there is much to be desired. With the manga nearing its end, there is no material left for a second season. So most of the questions regarding the sci-fi elements remain unanswered, which is frustrating. Given that sci-fi and mystery make up roughly half of the anime, I can't put a "recommended" tag on this one. As for the art style and music, both are easily a 9/10. It's still a decent romance anime with unique setting, hence the 7/10 rating.
Flacion
A romance that is far from generic, one that not only shows a more original romance story, but one that also shows a world that keeps going deeper. In Kowloon Generic Romance, do we follow a cast of characters with a main focus on Reiko, that all live in or have a connection to the 2nd walled city of Kowloon. We follow the cast living a somewhat ordinary life, until something doesn’t add up, and they are forced to face a past and reality that only some can remember. The plot of the show follows a structure where it starts rather slowly, as it eases theviewer into the world and lets them meet the characters. Afterwards the show starts picking up pace with the complexity of the plot growing with it, each episode answering questions with new intriguing questions. This gives the show an overall feel of complexity, but is also done in a way that builds one layer at a time, giving an easy way to keep up with each twist and turn. So the plot is complex while making it simple to follow, which just makes it a great experience to watch.
With the plot the characters are also important, since they are the ones that actually makes the complexity and also shines a path through it. Our main focus is Reiko, who is a great character to have as the lead, since she both has a clear personality and develops her own goals, while still being the person with the least knowledge of the world. This makes her amazing to follow, as the viewers get to learn the unknown with her, and see how the world is strange at times. The rest of the cast each serves different roles for the show, some are guiding, some are challenging and others are there to show places Reiko cannot. Overall is it a main character you really can follow and learn with, while having a plethora of side characters that fill out all the things the main character cannot, which is what connects the complexity with understandability.
The animation and art of the show is quite different from other shows that are releasing in this period. This is because they combine the newer animation techniques with an older artstyle, one that has emphasis on more realistic facial structures. They also really show both the chaos and beauty in the walled city of Kowloon and give it the respect it deserves. This just makes it pleasant to view while enjoying the plot unfold.
Overall is it a great show that doesn't just follow normal tropes but instead builds its own world and has characters that give it life. So if you wanna see romance that is unlike many others and brings more than just romance, can i only recommend watching this show.
Andrewapps
Story: 5 Characters: 5.5 Animation: 8 Sound: 7 Enjoyment: 5.5 Overall: 6.2/10 Notes: So, instead of having proper pacing all the way through, and answering the numerous mysteries brought up through the anime's run... the show chooses to wait until the last 3ish episodes, to which it just speedruns through everything, without properly wrapping things up, and then does a brief epilogue with a timeskip. In other words... "Kowloon Generic Romance" is a mess. Which is a shame, because it had a very intriguing concept, about the struggle of dealing with change, of accepting loss and overcoming regretting what could have been, and how one must live in the present, looking towardthe future, rather than hiding in the past.
This show is 'Nostalgia: The Anime', more-or-less. The romance is half-baked, the characters are underdeveloped, and the plot is smeared on like an afterthought, rather than the main focus. So by the end, I was just ready to put this show to bed, and move on with my life. Which frankly, is damning. I feel like, just like the show itself, I wasted hours of my time on glorified nostalgia, and got nothing out of it. Vibes and atmosphere alone are not enough.
Again, though... this show was fine, or to put it better: mediocre. So I will not recommend this show, but I will not completely write it off, either. If "Kowloon Generic Romance" 's summary and animation-style speaks to you, then give it a chance. But I feel that if you're looking for something profound, or for a truly satisfying conclusion... you won't find that here, so steer clear.
Krippynho
Kowloon Generic Romance is an anime that left me with mixed feelings. Its premise, centered on existential crisis and the search for identity, is ambitious and profound, but certain aspects—such as the characters and pacing—failed to fully captivate me. The story unfolds in the Kowloon Walled City, a nostalgic and mysterious setting that envelops the characters in an aura of melancholy. The protagonist, Reiko Kujirai, grapples with an existential crisis as she questions the authenticity of her memories, influenced by the "Second Kowloon" and the technology of Generic Terra, which is tied to memory manipulation and immortality. The concept of the "absolute self"—the struggle to findone’s true identity—is the heart of the story, reflected not only in Reiko but also in secondary characters like Miyuki and Yaomay.
The theme of identity resonates deeply, as it connects to real-world social issues like the pressure to meet familial expectations, wearing "masks" to fit into a group, or feeling as though our lives have been decided by others. The series effectively tackles these struggles, particularly through Reiko’s introspective journey, which serves as the narrative core. However, some subplots—such as Miyuki’s—feel somewhat unresolved or rushed, diminishing the impact of the secondary characters' development. On the other hand, Yaomay’s subplot, though brief, manages to convey this struggle in a moving way.
One of the anime’s weak points is the lack of charisma in its characters. This lack of depth makes them somewhat forgettable, despite the thematic richness.
Visually, the anime stands out for its retro and melancholic atmosphere, perfectly capturing the spirit of the Walled City. However, the animation and character designs are somewhat rough, with stiff movements in certain scenes. While this didn’t bother me too much, it might be an issue for those who prioritize technical fluidity.
In conclusion, Kowloon Generic Romance shines in its exploration of identity and existential crisis, offering a profound reflection on the "absolute self." However, its confusing narrative, uncharismatic characters, and unresolved subplots prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s a series I’d recommend to those who enjoy introspective stories and don’t mind a slow pace, but it’s not an anime that leaves a lasting impression. Personally, I see it as an interesting experience for reflection—but nothing more than a passing diversion for a short trip.
markxddotmp4
Do you ever watch something, stuck with the plot and characters, even cared about them and wanted to see how their story wraps, but at the end of it, you feel a tinge of disappointment? That is Kowloon Generic Romance, or at least the anime. And I say this as not really being the biggest fan of the source material, but still liked it enough to watch it. But finally watching the finale, which at this point of my knowledge, isn’t even finished yet in the manga, that feeling of disappointment I mentioned early just grew stronger, even as I write this. I quite like themanga as it was being released and had a more consistent release schedule, and have desperately tried to keep up with it as it grew more inconsistent with new translated chapters. So seeing it get an anime was quite exciting and getting to see it recreated in animation was a dream come true. I’d get to refresh my memory of what I had read before and fall back into the story. Then I watched it, at first not knowing how fast the pace was since my memory of the early story was pretty hazy. Then I kept watching, and realized how insanely condensed the story had become. What took maybe 5 to 10 chapters to develop and realize the central characters, has been crunched into one episode. Moments of downtime, which may have seemed inconsequential to the overall plot for the staff, are removed despite not knowing the importance of them. Despite its developing mysteries of this fake world, what is the most important element of the story are the characters. So instead of having those slice of life moments to endear us to the characters, we’ve just been force feed the essentials cause we only got 13 episodes to write about 10+ volumes worth of story, so we gotta hurry to the finish line.
One thing that bugged me quite a bit when watching, even since before watching, was noticing the lack of production quality. Now that’s not to say it’s bad, if anything it’s competent. The music and voice acting is still amazing, and getting Tomokazu Sugita to voice Kudo is casting genius. Minus the decision to have a different voice for Kujirai B. I get it that they’re basically different people, but they’re still supposed to be the same person. Was Haruka Shiraishi just not up for the task or was it just some bizarre creative decision? My guess is the latter. But the animation is just so lackluster when compared to the manga. Where the streets of Kowloon feels like it has such life to it, only for every street here feeling like a ghost town. And I don’t think that was intentional on the staff, but more on limitations.
Overall, I didn’t hate this anime. I was still able to watch and get engaged to the same story I read previously. But I still can’t help but imagine what we could have gotten instead. The manga deserved a little more than this, and I think most of the staff that did try to bring this to life did too. If you are curious for a more bite-sized, quick watch for the mystery, then go ahead and watch this. Although the final episode does leave more questions than answers by the final shot. Hopefully that means people will go read the manga for more, but that’s just my optimistic take on it.
kiyo_seibah
Okay so i like the idea of this anime, but i think they executed it not well enough, makes me kinda confused about the whole story, i mean i get the main conflict but i just couldn't find the red line between everything that happened, or maybe I'm just dumb. So i feel like i missed the whole point and its character which pretty disappointing cus I'm genuinely intrigued by the idea of the story. The romance also pretty complex i would say. And some characters also quite interesting to look at especially bcs most of the character issues are about identity. But for theaspect i like, i definitely enjoyed the whole ambience of Kowloon city, it was very detailed and capturing the beauty of Kowloon. The artstyle also really interesting it's remind me of 90s anime, so it gives another layer of "vintage".
And the scoring also lovely and fitting the anime well.
Hmm overall I'm not saying it's bad, but i can't say i enjoyed it 100% too
Legend8257
In a season filled with incredible hits like To Be Hero X and The Apothecary Diaries S2, this little 13ep series is a hidden gem, exploring complex emotions with a highly unique premise. Kowloon Generic Romance offers a fresh and mature take on grief, love, and regret. Squarely targeting the seinen audience, it offers a view into life in the Kowloon Walled City. Underlying the nostalgic backdrop is a sci-fi mystery with engaging characters, a beautiful art style, and a solid soundtrack. Undoubtedly, this show is one of my top picks of Spring 2025, and I highly recommend giving it a try.
