Kure-nai is a welcome addition to fans of high-production animation. Although lacking garnish, it provides sharp, clean animation similar to that of True Tears and Shigofumi from the previous season—the style flowing among recent real-world setting animes. It is quite possibly my favorite of the season with one exception. Kure-nai lacks a pulling story. A turn-off for most viewers, and thus why the show is a hit-or-miss. Even after four episodes, it has yet to reveal a clear goal in the story. The only redeeming factor at this point is the catalyst of this story, Kuhoin Murasaki. Also better known as the rich, spoiled girl who has no experience with a middle-class life-style. This is how Kure-nai stands at the moment: You either love the show (because Murasaki’s behaviors are amusing), or you hate it (because nothing is going on).

Luckily, I have patience to watch slow-starting series…

General review aside, episode three was the best by far. Watching Murasaki interact with an unfamiliar (to her) environment provides sheer entertainment. Even though this is not a new concept, one has to ask: “When was the last time we had such scene in anime?” Correct me if I am wrong, but the earliest I remember was from Rozen Maiden (almost four years ago). The scene where Shinku mistakes a toilet seat (with the lid down) for a table. I say close to four years certainly long enough make a similar scenario funny again. Of course, it gets more fun when it all leads up to an insane three-way conversation with Shinkuro trying to sort out the confusion. A lot of people seemed pleased with the latter. Lots of comments about how the fast dialog lines were well-matched to the speed of real-life conversations.

P.S. The opening and ending are so out of place with the series. Personally, I skip them and pretend they don’t exist.

Kurenai, Shinkuro. Representation of a poor man’s Wolverine.

Embarrassingly, I am just as bad with opening cans.

Honami, is that you? Didn’t Rental Magica end?

How much closer are you going to move in?

Yuuno-san is a stalker. Trying to get into Shinkuro’s pants every time.