Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Panchitopanchito
Realmente llegue a no querer a Otani por ser tan caprichoso pero aun así sigue siendo una buena persona que corresponde y ama a Risa, por parte de ella es lo mejor del anime es graciosa, buena persona y realmente ama a una persona como Otani teniendo que soportar todo lo que este paso (el rechazo, sus idas y vueltas, etc) ella supo desde el momento uno que lo amaba y que no importaba le importaba como podían llegar a verlos, el reponerse a ser rechazada y queriendo seguir cerca de Otani diciendole que lo olvide todo y al otro dia llegando a decirle que no se olvide de eso y que va a hacerlo enamorar.
Los personajes secundarios son muy buenos amigos y compañeros que siempre trataron de ayudar tanto a Risa como a Otani, la mejor de todos es Nobuko siendo un apoyo en todo el proceso de enamor…
Read at the sourcemelpommene
its a peak anime, which shows the most realistic and sincere way of love.
you know when u fall in love, ur confused, u dont know what to do, and ur lost. you dont know how to make a move, you are obsessed with them, their absense drives you crazy.
I saw my way of love in Risa. Their height difference makes it even more sincere and funny. They are the best example of best friends to lovers. This anime is my favourite romcom, because also it reminds me of my first love.
You know the main title of this anime is Ootani being a short boy, and Risa being a tall girl. My first love was a very short boy, but we got along very well. We laughed at the same jokes, listened the same music, but a also made fun of each other and laughed. Just like Risa and Ootani. this anime feels like its from a pa…
Read at the sourceSilent_Seinen_
Lovely★Complex: A Tall Girl, a Short King, and a Whole Lot of Head-Smacking, If you are tired of standard anime romances where the main couple breathes in each other's direction and instantly blushes, Lovely★Complex is the chaotic, loud, and weirdly emotional reality check you need. It’s basically a 24 episode comedy routine about two people who are perfect for each other but are too busy being insecure about their heights to realize it.The Perfectly Chaotic Dynamic: The dynamic between Koizumi (the giant) and Otani (the micro-man) is the absolute heart of the show. They act less like a cliché anime couple and more like an old married couple who double as a stand-up comedy duo. Their bickering is top tier.
The Emotional Rollercoaster: It’s not all just height jokes; the emotional shifts a…
Read at the sourceTheRealTrey
So, I originally watched this show years ago in middle school and I remember being extremely frustrated with it, but I couldn't remember why. After this most recent re-watch, I can now confidently tell you why this show is so difficult to watch. Our hero (or should I say villain?) - Otani. Allow me to explain.
If I had to describe the relationship between Otani and Risa, I would describe it thusly. It's like pulling teeth. It's long, it's painful, and you just want to get it over with. The relationship between the two of them, out the gate, is toxic. They hurl insults at each other constantly, and even physically abuse one another. It's all for the sake of comedy, which I understand. What I don't understand is Otani's treatment of Risa. To be frank, Otani is a piece of ****. There was not…
Read at the sourceKreikka95
This is my first re-watch after watching it for the first time as a teen, and surprisingly, I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would now that I'm 31. I laughed almost every single episode, the humor is so dumb, yet, it landed very well most of the time. I'd say this rom-com is way more comedy than romance, so if you love romance, I'd suggest some other anime.
As per the characters:
Ootani is portrayed as such a dumb-ass, such a hard headed little midget... I couldn't help but dislike him during most of the episodes. Such a shame the anime decided to strip most of his positive qualities or development given by the manga author. In the anime he just comes off as mean spirited a lot of the time, or like he's too much of a mean airhead. I feel like he's not as stupid in the manga.
Risa…
Read at the sourceBeauty4theBeast
Lovely Complex stands by its name well, as soon as things are looking good, something comes around to complicate it. Whether it's Otani's or Risa's stupidity or other random misunderstandings, there's always something getting in the way of the main romance. With that said, the writing is really funny, the side characters say exactly what the viewers want to say, and especially in dub its hilarious (sub ofc is also amazing and funny). This show is for those who love the drama or who don't get too worked up over that breakup-makeup trope. The art is also adorable and Y2K-esque; the whole show makes me feel like I need to be using a flip-phone to text my friends.
Absolutely a must-watch for comedy shojo-lovers.
Read at the sourceSDK1903
A Pure Dose of Nostalgia and Heartwarming Comedy
I first watched Lovely★Complex back in high school, and coming back to it feels like a warm hug. It’s one of those rare series that perfectly balances loud, chaotic comedy with genuine, heartfelt moments. Even years later, the "All-Hanshin Kyojin" duo still manages to be one of the most relatable and lovable pairs in romance anime history.
What makes this show stand out is how it handles the insecurities of its main characters. Risa and Otani’s height difference isn't just a gimmick; it’s a catalyst for growth, self-acceptance, and some of the funniest bickering you’ll ever hear. Their chemistry feels so natural and "real" compared to the overly dramatic tropes we often see nowadays. The Kansai dialect also adds such a unique, energetic f…
Read at the sourcecloudgod
More funny than romantic. A majority of this anime is Risa crying, downing on herself and running after Otani. I found their bickering to be more enjoyable than the romance.
The side characters’ romances are better than Otani and Risa’s. In contrast to the main couple, the side characters get together fairly quickly and treat each other accordingly. I have not read the manga, but the anime does a poor job of detailing why Otani likes Risa.
Risa is the definition of down bad, and every “romantic” instance with Otani is him being like “okay here damn” in response to Risa, if not complete obliviousness. It was actually painful to watch.
There are other hastily thrown in characters that serve as an obstacle to Otani and Risa that are quickly discarded: Otani’s ex, Maity the forgettable tea…
Read at the sourcemegumiswofe
This really was not as good as I was hoping. First off, this is probably the SLOWEST burn I’ve ever watched. This one drags it out to the extreme, and it does that in a very repetitive and frustrating way. It’s the same arguments, the same jokes, the same misunderstandings, over and over and over and over !!!!!!
That said, some parts were funny, I’ll give it that, but mainly only in the beginning when they were fresh.
Now for my problems with the height difference: Risa is 5’7” and Otani is 5’1”, that is a height difference of barely over 5 inches. Yet in the anime, Risa TOWERS over Otani. She literally looks 6 feet tall!!! At that point, why not just lean into it and make her actually taller, like a full 12 inch difference, because that’s what it looks like on screen ! The inconsistency…
Read at the sourceBakrio_16
A really nice and cosy anime, i enjoyed it very much. It encapsulated both romance and comedy; it was quite funny, with great gags, and the style and animation did them justice.
The animation was great, nothing too crazy, but it provided what was needed for the show. The style was quite a nice sight too, the character designs in themselves are pretty generic but it's the grotesque and weird faces that they make during the gags that really stand out.
The romance was great, it didn't feel like some nonsense where they just fall for each other immediately, it took quite a bit of time for them to get together truly. Nothing really feels dragged; the pacing was good. However, there wasnt enough of Otani's perspective during the show, it was mostly Risa, which to be fair, is quite expected co…
Read at the sourceNeonblade1
8/10- Quintessential shoujo anime.
Pretty much everything that can be said about Lovely Complex has already been said. Most of it is true, it is a genre defining shoujo story. Albeit, it is not without its flaws.
The author has crafted something really genuine here. The premise of having a reverse height couple, with a tall girl and a short boy is rare in real life, and it works wonders for the plot. I can't really emphasise how much I loved this. I have always appreciated when love stories feature people or couples you don't see that often in real life. Precisely because of that reason, this story feels fresh and unique.
The plot is fairly straightforward. It follows two teens- Risa, who is tall and Otani, who is short, are considered a comedy routine in their social life by everyone t…
Read at the sourceMistye
I love Lovely Complex so damn much, it's so stupidly sweet and funny and lovely I've read the manga and watched the movie it's just so adorable I love it lol the characters were so good especially the two main characters, the story was so fun and exciting, the dynamic between the two was everything I like, I just loved everything about this! I've watched it about 10 years ago and it is still my favorite shoujo manga, not entirely sure how well it aged but definitely recommend it still to anyone who like romantic rivals to friends to lovers anime!
Read at the source11equalsFish
Very good and stylish show about teenagers. Straightforward and comedic story. Great designs, direction and color palette, although at times off-model. Fashionable character designs. Covers nearly all of the story, but leaves out epilogue and Uni from the manga.
Drags a little in the middle with misunderstanding. Likeable protagonists that seem natural and thoughtful. Remarkably fair and honest about their mistakes and the connection between them. The sub is very entertaining and much more comedic than the original, but the nuance and some respect is completely lost at critical moments in their relationship. Some changes are not true to the source.
Read at the sourceMidniteAndBeyond
That awkward moment when the "freakishly tall" character is almost a foot shorter than you...
This is one of those shows you can figure out if you're gonna like it or not just by watching the first episode. Just your typical rom com with a VERY overdone "will they or won't they" that's played out for 24 episodes when the outcome was so incredibly obvious that it all could've been done in just 1. While I definitely think the episode count could've been trimmed down, each episode is still incredibly fast-paced and jam-packed with various scenarios and set pieces; albeit very samey scenarios and set pieces. The visual gags were also a lot more over the top than I was expecting. Nothing "laugh out loud" funny, but I can see it being that for somebody else. There's also some, shall we say, ver…
Read at the sourceTrillium_ovatum
"Always leave them wanting more."
Lovely★Complex is almost great but it ends up being merely good because it couldn't adhere to this maxim.
There's a lot to love here! The conceit is well-executed! The art is great! The score is absolutely fantastic! The two main characters, Koizumi Risa and Ōtani Atsushi, are vulnerable and endearing and their respective seiyuu absolutely elevate this show from the rest of the romance pack!
I would be lying if I said this show didn't touch my heart more than once.
The problem is that it overstays its welcome by about six episodes. If released today, it really should be a tight 12 or 13 episode show but it instead continues to manipulate its audience back and forth before the curtain falls after 24 episodes. Even for its time, 18 episodes would have…
Read at the sourceInsomniac_shonen
The story is somehow both unique and not unique at the same time—an impressive balancing act, really. Sure, it’s predictable, but who cares? The characters are the real MVPs here.
The art style? Oh, it’s fantastic… for 2008 standards. It actually fits the story, which is a pleasant surprise. The characters are so well-rounded you’d think they were sculpted by a perfectionist. Risa and Otani totally steal the show, making this anime feel unique—because why not? Even the side characters somehow managed to be interesting (a rare achievement, let’s be honest).
Overall, this anime is a blast. If you love sarcasm and fun, this is right up your alley. A solid 9/10—because let’s face it, nothing’s perfect.
Read at the sourceXxKriegxX
This anime is a bit of a slow burn, while I don't think any episode is wasted it's clear which ones will actually move the plot forward and the ones that feel a bit redundant. I think it has a strong start that will hook people that frequent the genre in, however it is the middle stretch of the episodes that feel like an ouroboros of progress. While yes it's joked about in the anime and it seems to be intentional the comedy hardly makes up for it. My other gripe is honestly that the comedy is just kind of okay, I rarely laughed, not to say it never hit but if the comedy is repetitive it kind of puts a damper on things. Where I do give the most points and props is the core duo and their love progression, when the show is focused on them are the high points of the show and the fact that ther…
Read at the sourceRudiculous_07
I don't like how theirs friends try to force them into relationships just because they have similar interests, it really scummy to be forced to date someone your not even attracted to . Why not be only platonic friends they don't have to be couple . They where better like that. Just because she girl/similar interests they have to date , thats bull. Those were some shitty friends .
Guys and gals can be friends have similar interests without dating. The story is hard to watch, this hit people who actually get rejected because of their height. It more likey for girl to have girlfriend even if she tall and beautiful.
Even if it wasn't the cases the his ex girlfriend was still a scummy person. But it does make these experiences surreal.
Read at the sourceAnimeExplorer21
Ah, Lovely Complex, you sneaky little gem! This 2007 anime is a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and music - it's like a time capsule of feels that still resonates in 2024.
Risa and Ootani's unlikely romance had me hooked from the start. Their height difference (172 cm vs 156 cm) becomes a hilarious recurring joke, but it's their genuine connection that makes my heart skip a beat. Who wouldn't root for a couple that starts as best friends and blossoms into something more?
The anime's portrayal of relationships is refreshingly real - the awkward moments, the misunderstandings, the butterflies... it's all so beautifully relatable. And the humor? Top-notch! I snorted my coffee out my nose more than once.
What truly sets Lovely Complex apart is its character growth. Risa…
Read at the sourcebambooo_ooo
IMPORTANT INFO for 2024! See dubbing part!
This is for english dubbing version.
I absolutely love Lovely Complex.
Starting with the title that is a nice wordplay. The show is a perfect blend of rom and com.
I will really try not to spoil anything, so you could have the most fun watching. I'd say after 2 first episodes you'll get the vibe of the show.
In Lovely Complex there is no
-toilet humor
-ridiculous boobs, boob jokes etc -upskirt stuff
-pervert stuff
-violence (like real one, not slapstick humor)
-foul language (I think ep1 has the single one beeped word and that's it)
-sex
-pushed agenda (*there is one character and it's handled gracefully, no complaints)
-forced life threatening accidents
They made it without those things and it works. There is alot of name calling but it's lik…
Read at the source
