Tokimeki Memorial ~Only Love~

Genre:
Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life 

Duration: 25 Episodes 

Synopsis:
Aoba Riku is a student who has been transferring from school to school due to his father’s work. However, when he finally settles in Tsumugino High, he has unexpected events waiting for him. On the first day of his ‘settling-in’, he already finds himself in the middle of a Student Council event which involves him getting chased by every guy in school in order to obtain a beautiful girl’s contact detail. That beautiful girl’s name is Amamiya Sayuri, a school idol, a high-grader, and a perfectionist. Riku will meet many friends along the way, and not all of them are humans. Hiyoko-Kun, a small little chick, gives advice to Riku whenever he is having problems dealing with situations. Riku will also meet two more beautiful school idols by the name of Kasuga Tsukasa, a volleyball player with an all-out expressive attitude, and Yayoi Mina, a shy and soft-spoken swimming athlete. Their story unfolds when Riku begins to get caught up in a love-square, or love-diamond, involving him and the three main lead female characters. 

Story:  8/10
This series is a typical school life anime, with a show of how students facing everyday problems and overcoming it, and in this case, Riku managing his love life. However, all is not what it seems. A little chick by the name of Hiyoko-Kun, will surely captivate many viewers with its actions and intentions. There are a variety of characters throughout the anime, each with their own unique talent and behaviour. There are so many of them, that by the end of the anime, it is still impossible to remember the names of the other characters, apart from some memorable ones like Student Council President Sakurai Haru and the cold and cool all-round tough guy Inukai Koya. I think the story also has a typical ending, I shall not elaborate further, but it is quite saddening, how Riku makes his decisions to end it all. Viewers may be disappointed or relieved after watching this anime, all depending on which female lead they support. A touching ending, one which might not make you cry, but nonetheless make an impact on you on how you can carefully plan your decisions in life, especially your love life. 

Characters:  8/10
As I have stated before, this anime consists of too many characters, and that it is impossible to remember all of their names by heart. But then, all of them seem to be different and unique in their own way. Riku is a normal everyday guy, while Tsukasa is an over-expressive girl, and Sayuri is an overall genius. I think the development of the characters is very well done, especially the development of the main protagonists. The one true character that develops the most throughout this anime is not the main character Riku, but his fellow female lead, Sayuri. She is very shy and closed-minded at the beginning of the anime, but towards the end, she starts to have feelings for the opposite gender, and becomes more opened and expressive, probably the biggest change of a character in the entire anime. But you would not have guessed who she has feelings for. Watch the anime to find out. For Riku, he does not change much, only that an outcome in the end makes him a better man, since he has to make a direct decision to settle something once and for all. For Tsukasa and Mina, they both have a similarity of opening up to the opposite gender more, because, in Tsukasa’s case, she does not mingle with boys, and for Mina, she simply is a shy and quiet girl. The outcome in the end affects everybody that plays an important part in the anime, mainly the lead protagonists. Basically, the outcome makes them become better people, makes them to want to move on and not be stuck in the present because of a huge decision. You will understand once you have watched the series. 

Animation:  9.5/10
The animation of this anime is one of its strongest points. The backgrounds are beautifully painted, the details are perfectly sketched, and mostly importantly, the characters are well drawn. The girls especially, having the most varied of diversities, that they are recognisable by appearance, but not necessarily by name. Each girl’s hair can be distinguished from one another, even though if they shades are alike, it is thanks to their facial assets that enhances their differences. The guys are also varied in their own way. And not to mention some of them are very detailed. One example would be Dojima Kyohei, the manner of which he is drawn, with full facial lines, and hair features shown in every angle, he is one of the well-created characters in the anime.  

Music:  9.5/10
This is another strong point of the anime. The music themes are definitely worth listening to. The opening song Yokan speaks of encouragement, recommended to those who always feel down in the dumps and needs cheering up, provided there is no one around. The ending song Kiseki no Kakera feels quite upbeat, and it speaks of, well, love. Enough said. The second ending song Himitsu, well, it is not one of my favourites, so I am not able to comment on it. All I can say is, the songs fit the anime perfectly, the longing, free-flowing melody that dissolves the hearts of many who would actually take in the words sung and recite them quietly along.  

Overall: 8.5/10
Overall, I think that this is an anime worth watching, because romantic adolescents can learn from it. Not that it teaches much, but it shows how a decision can affect almost everybody connected either directly or indirectly in your love life. Viewers can expect some predictable events that may occur due to the protagonists’ decisions, or be surprised by none other than Hiyoko-Kun, the little chick. As usual, to those who love the powerful combination comedy and romance elements, then this is the anime for you. For those who love horror and violence, I warn you now, do not watch this series. You are just wasting your precious time. A conclusion, an indispensable comedy and romance anime to add into your collection.