Anime Review :

Lighthearted Comedy

   Tomo-chan Is a Girl! thrives in its lighthearted comedic moments. Much of the humor comes from Tomo’s frustrated attempts to get Jun to recognize her as a girl and the way Jun remains blissfully unaware of her feelings. The misunderstandings and miscommunication between them create plenty of laugh-out-loud scenarios, especially when paired with Tomo’s explosive reactions to Jun’s obliviousness.

   The anime also knows how to use situational comedy, thanks in large part to the interplay between the main trio. Misuzu’s deadpan delivery and Carol’s cluelessness often add an extra layer of humor, keeping the show from feeling repetitive.

Why I Think It’s Overrated

While I understand why Tomo-chan Is a Girl! gained traction, I believe the show is heavily overrated. Despite its strong start and entertaining premise, it fails to maintain its momentum and ultimately feels repetitive and shallow as it progresses. Here’s why I think the show doesn’t live up to its hype:

Lack of Depth

   The show heavily leans on its one central gimmick: Tomo being a tomboy, and Jun not seeing her as a girl. While this is an interesting dynamic at first, the show doesn’t evolve beyond this basic premise. Episode after episode, the same joke of Jun being oblivious is recycled, and while it may be funny initially, it quickly loses its charm. As a result, the character development feels stagnant, and the story becomes predictable. 

Limited Character Growth

   While Tomo-chan Is a Girl! tries to explore the characters’ emotions and relationships, it never quite reaches the emotional depth needed to truly invest in them. Tomo, for instance, remains stuck in her tomboy persona without really reflecting on whether she should change for herself or others. Jun’s obliviousness becomes frustrating rather than endearing after a while. Misuzu and Carol, though interesting side characters, also don’t evolve much, serving primarily as comedic relief.

 Repetitive Plotlines

   Romantic comedies often rely on misunderstandings and tension to drive the narrative forward, but Tomo-chan Is a Girl! pushes this to the extreme. The series relies heavily on the same misunderstandings and lack of communication between Tomo and Jun, which becomes tiresome. There’s only so much of the “he doesn’t get it” plotline that can be tolerated before it starts to feel like the show is dragging its feet rather than advancing the story.

Predictability

   From the outset, it’s obvious where the story is going. While predictability is not always a bad thing in rom-coms, it becomes an issue when the journey to that predictable conclusion is filled with repetitive humor and little emotional depth. The show never throws any real curveballs or explores the characters in meaningful ways. Instead, it sticks to a formula that feels overly safe.

Underserved Female Representation

   While Tomo is undoubtedly a refreshing character due to her tomboyish nature, the show occasionally feels like it undermines her identity by focusing too much on her trying to fit into traditional female roles to win Jun over. This sends a somewhat problematic message about needing to change oneself to fit societal expectations of femininity, which could have been handled more thoughtfully. Instead of celebrating Tomo for who she is, the narrative often pressures her to act more “girly” to be recognized as a romantic interest.

Final Thoughts

Tomo-chan Is a Girl! is not a terrible anime by any means. It has its moments of charm, and for viewers who enjoy lighthearted romantic comedies with a focus on friendship and misunderstandings, it can be an enjoyable watch. However, I believe it falls short of the acclaim it has received. Its over-reliance on a single comedic premise, lack of character development, and repetitive plotlines make it difficult to stay engaged over time.

In a medium brimming with standout rom-coms like Toradora! or Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Tomo-chan Is a Girl! feels like it’s trying too hard to fit into the genre without bringing anything truly unique to the table. While it certainly has an audience, the overwhelming praise it has garnered seems disproportionate to what it offers in terms of storytelling and character development. For those seeking a deeper or more nuanced romantic comedy, Tomo-chan Is a Girl! might leave you feeling underwhelmed, just as it did for me.