If I’m honest, after two episodes Yano-kun no Futsuu no Hibi isn’t quite clicking for me. It’s certainly upbeat and the main cast is likeable. It also has a visual style that’s probably above-average in terms of distinctiveness. But I just don’t see a lot of “there” there. I’ve found my mind drifting in the middle of both the first two episodes and the central conceit is sort of dumb, really. I feel like the series would be better without it altogether but I suppose some editors would consider that too plain.

In the first place, Kiyoko has it bad for Yano. I mean, seriously, she has all the symptoms. Her friend Mei is obviously aware of this but plays along for the lulz. Kiyoko couches her interest in terms of “I want to give Yano a normal high school life” but if she’s fooling anybody but herself I’d be surprised (and I’m not sure on that). Yano certainly cuts a tragic figure, traipsing into school covered in bandages and flowers and eating lunch (what little reaches his mouth after his misfortunes anyway) alone in the dark on an abandoned stairwell. I’m not surprised a nurturing onee-san type like Kiyoko fell for him.

One problem I have with all this is it’s not like Yano-kun’s issues are really due to clumsiness. It’s actually bad luck, a curse, whatever. And that has a lot less traction for me than if he were actually just a total dojikko. Why is he cursed, first of all? Where’s the justice in all this? These are unnecessary questions prompted by the silliness of the hook. And watching the whole schlimazel thing play out over and over gets tiring pretty fast.

Again, Yano and Kiyoko are likeable enough, and sidekicks Mei and Haruto have their moments. I actually did like the scene at the end where they all drew portraits of each other in art class (Yano is quite the artist). But I just want more of that and less forced comedy based on the schlimazel routine. Whether that will ever happen I have no idea, but as nice as it is I’m going to need more from this series if I’m going to keep watching it, never mind writing about it.