Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

LOVELY*COMPLEX (or Love*Com) the anime was first aired in 2007. There are 24 episodes all together. This anime is actually adapted from a popular shoujo manga (2001 - 2006) by Nakahara Aya with the same title. In 2006, the manga was adapted into a live-action movie.

The very first thing I notice about this anime is the way the characters speak. Obviously, since the setting of this anime is in Osaka, so they are actually speaking in Kansai-ben. The tone is a bit melodic and sometimes it sounds a tad harsher that the normal standard Japanese dialect.

By and large, the strengths of any anime series depend on two core elements: story-lines and characterizations. Plot-wise, this anime has a simple yet unforgettable story lines. I like how the characters struggle in developing their relationship. There are scenes that have, apparently, etched in my mind. There are scenes that make my heart skips a beat (duhh... what's new?). In fact, there are even several scenes that leave a strange 'tingling' in the pit of my stomach. Ahh... the stolen kisses... and who could forget those...

Next, I really adore the portrayal of the two protagonists in this anime. Koizumi Risa is not your typical Japanese girl. She is taller than any of her peers and in fact, towering at 172cm, she is way taller than any of the typical boys. Well, Otani Atsushi is her exact opposite. He is way too short even for a normal boy. His height is 156cm (that IS short. Even I'm taller than him). Obviously, he is way shorter than Koizumi. To make thing even worse, Koizumi always addresses him as chibiko (midget) and Otani always refers her as Amazon or sometimes Totem Pole. Since they bicker like nobody's bussines, they are dubbed by their homeroom teacher All Hanshin Kyojin, a famous Japanese comedy duo who differ in heights. But, on one fine day (it's night, actually), somehow, they are destined to watch a concert together. That's how the bittersweet romance begins...

Apparently, after watching this anime, I do believe love is not simply physical. And I do realize, wholeheartedly, that opposite does attract! It is totally sweet, insightful, hilarious and endearing. Hence this anime is absolutely recommended by moi. If you haven't watched this, try downloading it [H.E.R.E]! Have fun!