TV review by Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media
Manga-based romantic anime has some iffy messages.
Netflix Drama 2022
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The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
Diverse Representations Flagged for concern
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking Not present
Parents need to know that this series is based on the manga of the same name which attempts to satirize romantic games and romance itself, though the satire is subtle and may not be understood by younger teens. The main character Anzu, a high school student, is characterized as not very feminine and not interested in romance; other characters view that as shameful. She's forced to date by a magical power, and frequently told to grow up and "stop dreaming" and "accept reality," which apparently includes romance. There's lots of talk of boyfriends and girlfriends, flirting, and dating, as well as references to Japanese social conventions like "kabe-don," in which a boy prevents a girl from moving by punching a wall and pinning her; this is seen as passionate and romantic. Language is infrequent: "damn." Violence is played for laughs, like when a character is spun around by an angry girl. Anzu herself is confident and appreciates herself, but falls for a boy nonetheless. Mixed messages and subtle ideas make this outing better for adults and older teens who can understand the layered ideas being put forth.
Parents say (2)
Kids say (4)
Brizee Adult
Semi-Mature Topics, Good for Teens
This Anime does touch some serious topics in the later episodes, nothing too Adult. Despite this being a comedy anime, they handle these events with the care we should want children to learn.
This title has:
Great messages
Great role models
Snapeshairdresser Adult
Has A Grooming Storyline
Parents need to be aware that one of the teenage characters (a minor) is a victim of grooming by an adult. While the show portrays this as wrong, many young fans online seem to see it in a somewhat positive light. This show is included on lists of 'yandere' themed media, which is a term used to describe obsessive, often violent romantic interest. A quick look at the fandom reveals this show already has a complicated impact, with TikTok videos under the hashtag romanticizing abuse.
See all 2 parent reviews
Based on the manga of the same name, ROMANTIC KILLER's Anzu (Rie Takahashi) was perfectly happy spending every night at home alone playing video games, eating chocolate, and petting her cat. But when she receives a mysterious new game in the mail and begins to play, magical wizard Riri (Mikako Komatsu) emerges with one demand: That Anzu drop her favorite habits to fall in love with one of the "hotties" that now inhabit her life thanks to the game and wizard. To get her beloved preoccupations back, she has to form a "romantic thriller-level relationship." Romantic thriller? Ha. Anzu aims to resist all romance, to be a romantic killer nstead…too bad classmate Tsukasa Kazuki (Yuichiro Umehara) is so strangely appealing.
On its face, this animated adaptation of a popular manga is awfully regressive. Romantic Killer is definitely aiming to satirize otome games, a genre of story-based computer games in which the player is a female protagonist trying to start a romance with a male character. Yet to a viewer who may not get all the in-jokes and references, some of the satire reads as misguided and sexist, to male and female characters alike.
In Anzu's new gamified reality, most boys are interchangeable "hotties" that have to be more or less coerced into a relationship. For Anzu's part, she's told by wizard Riri that the most important thing for her is to let go of the things she loves most (her games, her cat, and her chocolate snacks) to date and fall in love. This is repeatedly characterized as growing up, facing reality, and otherwise doing the right thing, whereas Anzu following her inner lights is cast as the wrong choice. It's all very surreal and often funny (like when Anzu finds a roach in her kitchen, which turns into a slice of cake as a voiceover tells us that "roaches are unseemly, so instead, cake!"), but the mixed messages make this one best for older teens who understand the layers to the show's messages.
Families can talk about who Romantic Killer is designed to appeal to. Do you think the fact that it's animated gives it more "kid appeal" than a live-action version? Do you think people often assume that anything animated is OK for younger viewers?
Is Anzu a good role model for girls and young women? Why or why not? Do her priorities align with yours? Is she responsible? How does our society define success for a 20-something woman? Do you agree?
What's this show saying about romance and dating? Is the theme of the show anti- or pro-romance and love? What are the messages being sent about conformity and individuality?
TV Details
Premiere date: October 27, 2022
Cast: Kenjiro Tsuda, Natsuki Hanae, Hiro Shimono
TV rating: NR
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