“I don’t know how anyone could not love…” is always a dangerous place to go as a fan (and even more a critic). Art is subjective, and people can and do disagree about pretty much anything. Still, in watching Tonikaku Cawaii it’s hard for me to grasp anyone not bonding with this show, especially the two leads. I think having a little more life experience contributes to that – and indeed, that Hata Kenjirou writes the series as someone who does is a definite factor in its success. I really like the manga, but the anime is giving me a much stronger appreciation for how deep this series is.
I could get criticism that Nasa and Tsukasa are a little too perfect, if I’m honest. They have their quirks but they are undeniably both very special people. But the truth is, special people do exist and they do find each other sometimes. And I like watching a romance series about two exceptionally good people in love with each other, free of the BS which permeates most romcoms. Kaname is a very useful character in this respect, because her canny but innocent perspective on these two helps frame them in their true light.
I could also see criticism that their developing relationship is traditional to a fault, though that sort of thing is a lot more persistent in Japan than in most countries. When Tsukasa responds to Nasa’s offer to help with dinner by telling him “Just get really hungry” it’s a moment that’s both cringey and melty for me. I also love the witty asides about life, as when Nasa incredulously says “You can cook rice in a pot!?” These are just more sanguine musings from a mangaka who came of age in a different age than these two (no comment).
Nasa’s “I want to do all sorts of embarrassing things” thought is a funny moment too, and a reminder of the elephant in the room (no comment). It’s good that ToniCawa acknowledges that something is sort of off here, both through Kaname and her mother, who none-too-gently try and push the main pair together. When Wataru the landlord (mistakenly) sends the couple to look at a model room in a swanky apartment (only YouTubers could afford it), the notion of sharing a bed is raised by the presence of a queen-sized western one. But really, why should that conversation wait? “But we’re married” is once again the operative phrase.
The perspective Tsukasa brings is always welcome. Her aside about what constitutes a home is such simple and profound wisdom that it’s no wonder it just confirms Nasa’s feelings for her. Equally striking was Kaname bonding with Tsukasa over cleaning the sento early in the morning. All the things Nasa did for her family – not out of greed, but simple decency – are a reminder that he’s as exceptional as Tsukasa in his way. A genius of sorts to be sure (that bathhouse Roomba was killer), but to have people so profoundly grateful to Tsukasa for having saved him? It’s a testament to the power of goodness to move others’ hearts.
Nasa is certainly right that he and Tsukasa aren’t at the “spicing things up” stage yet by any stretch, but I appreciate Arisugawa-san at least trying to do her part. And even if a kiss was off the table because of the garlic in the nikuman, that tackle was still a pretty “manly” move from Nasa. One can ponder Tsukasa-san’s words which close the episode and interpret them any number of ways, but I don’t think that’s even the point. Tonikaku Cawaii works splendidly when taken at face value, because the couple at its heart are resolutely genuine.
