Otaku Central

I never thought I’d be doing a ‘review’ of sorts on a special, but because it’s Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai and you know I love me a little bit of “Love is War“, I couldn’t help myself.

After their first kiss, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane are left unsure where their relationship stands. The troubling uncertainty of whether they could be considered an official couple unleashes newfound problems as both Kaguya and Shirogane struggle to sort out their feelings.

While the lovestruck student council officers fret, the Christmas season rolls around, and romance is in the air. In the face of widespread tenderness, Kaguya and Shirogane must endure their affectionate battle of wits once more. Should they reconcile their feelings for one another, they may find themselves within reach of what they have both been longing for so long: true love.

As someone who now the proud owner of 16 volumes and someone who is extremely invested in this anime series. I’m really happy that they were able to animate a little bit of what happened after Shirogane and Kaguya’s first kiss because everything that happens afterwards is instrumental in everything that happens after this arc.

With this movie, it was both good and bad. It was good because it added another layer to Shirogane-kun and Kaguya. Everything they went through added a whole new level of complexity and growth for each one of them. Which is something I loved a lot. However, it was also bad because Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: First Kiss wa Owaranai was a tease.

Not to mention, this movie was a tease showing that there is more to this story and that we haven’t even started yet. How dare you tease me with such animation and great storytelling! I feel spoiled.

Anyway, let’s do a little more exploring, shall we?

What I liked.

This arc was pretty emotional, that is something I will admit. I didn’t expect it to feel so dark at times. We had Kaguya reflecting on her own personality and who was now seeing Shirogane’s own inner turmoil. Kaguya wanting to hide her ice cold persona out of fear of hurting someone she loved, while also not being able to turn away her own desires. Which was to be loved for who she was.

While in the other corner you have Shirogane, who believes that no one, not even Kaguya was love him for who he is. This is why he made it his mission to always look strong and to never show his weak side because he believes that Kaguya only loves him for how strong he is. Which we now know is not the case.

Seeing these two characters sort their their own insecurities was very entertaining. Even more so because they both have a different perspective when it comes to who loves who and for what qualities. That little conversation in the park there was wonderful because not only were they able to express themselves freely without other people interfering but they were also able to properly confess their feelings for one another.

Furthermore, I thought the gift that Shirogane had given Kaguya was very fitting of who they are. They both live different lives, one wealthy, one poor. They both attend the best school in the academy and are the top one and two in their class. However, the one thing they both desire is a normal relationship and Shirogane giving Kaguya a very normal gift was very fitting of what the two of them wanted.

While Shirogane and Kaguya have already experienced many unintentional ‘firsts’ together. The kiss they shared in the park was probably the single most genuine moment in the Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai series. It was charming and natural, it didn’t have any strings tied to it or was part of a comedic scene, it was a kiss that suited the moment. Which is an A+ for me.

And you know what I really liked, how Shirogane kissed Kaguya without Kaguya trying to push him into it, it was so natural and his charm was able to come out with ease. I love how bashful the two got after the kiss even though they already had such a deep kiss before.

Before I end off here.

All that to be said, it may be my poor memory because it’s been a while since I’ve read the manga. But I feel like there was more to this arc than what was showed in the movie. I know there is because when they finally go on their first date, what was shown in the movie was a slimmed down version of what had happened in the manga. So in that regard, I am a little disappointed because I believe that “Love is War” must be shown to its fullest. But oh well.

This movie signals to me that there maybe another installment later down the line. While I mention it’s been a while since I’ve read the manga, one thing I remember vividly and extraordinarily well are the events and everything else that happens once they start living their lives as a couple that makes everything worthwhile. All of which I think is 100% worth animating and I hope is something we get to see sometime in the near future.

Hopefully that becomes a reality.