English: Junjo Romantica
Japanese: 純情ロマンチカ
Episodes: S1-12, S2-12, S3-12, OVA-2, Special-1
Aired: S1 (April 11 – June 27, 2008), S2 (October 12 – December 28, 2008), S3 (July 9 – September 24, 2015), OVA (December 20, 2012 – December 1, 2015), Special (2008)
Studios: Studio Deen
Duration: S1, S2 & S3 (24 min. per ep.), OVA (22 min. per ep.), Special (16 min.)
Genres: Romance, Yaoi
Rating: PG-13 – Teens 13 or older
My Rating: S1, S2, S3 & Special (7), OVA (8)
English: Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi – World’s Greatest First Love
Japanese: 世界一初恋
Episodes: S1-12, S2-12, OVA-2, 1 Movie, 1 Valentine-hen
Studios: Studio Deen
Genres: Romance, Yaoi
Duration: S1 & S2 (23 min. per ep.), OVA (21 min. per ep.), Movie (50 min.), Valentine-hen (15 min.)
Rating: PG-13 – Teens 13 or older
My Rating: S18, S2-7, OVA-8, Movie-8, Valentine-hen-7
(WARNING: Both of these anime are yaios. If you are uncomfortable with yaois, or don’t like them, don’t read this!)
You probably didn’t know this but I haven’t been myself for the past two weeks. Right after watching Yuri on Ice, my inner yaoi finally had it all and freed herself and in return wreaked havoc to my already “sensitive” mood – which explains zero book review for the said weeks. I was still surprised that I was able to finish Gokusen considering my situation lol, but thinking back, that manga was exceptionally good so my “sensitive” mood can’t do anything but read it…fast.
Going back, so yep, I’m suffering from a severe yaoi infection and had no choice but to finish both Junjou Romantica (all three seasons and OVAs) and Sekaiichi Hatsukoi (all two seasons and OVAs) for just two weeks. Five seasons and four OVAs overall?! You might probably be thinking that I have no life at all eh? Haha. Well, I tried to suppress it but I ended up getting sick. Promise! I was hesitant to admit it at first but man! It was really good, haha.
Before I proceed, let me give you a short introduction about yaoi. Yaoi (primarily known as boy’s love or BL in Japan) is a Japanese genre of fictional media focused on a romantic relationship between male characters. They’re typically marketed for female audiences and are usually created by female authors. Yaoi also attracts male readers, but there’s a specified genre that marketed for gay male audience which is called bara and is considered a separate genre.
Junjou Romantica and Sekaiichi Hatsukoi
Aside from the fact that I watched them consecutively, both Junjou Romantica and Sekaiichi Hatsukoi were created by the same manga artist and the anime was worked on by the same people, so I think these two anime sharing the same limelight wouldn’t be a bad idea after all, *wink.
Btw, Junjou Romantica was my first official yaoi but it was Sekaiichi Hatsukoi that I finished ALL its seasons in succession before finishing the remaining seasons of Junjou Romantica.
There’s been a lot of discussion online which of these two are better. I usually hate doing comparisons and Sekaiichi Hatsukoi is basically like an extension of Junjou Romantica so I can’t see the point of creating another Junjou Romantica vs. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi post. Can we just enjoy both of these anime instead?
The Review
As I’ve mentioned, Junjou Romantica was my first yaoi so imagine my reaction when I watched the first episode. It was definitely cute but with all the “action” I was really surprised. And here I thought Yuri on Ice was a yaoi lol, haha.
Both of the anime shows 3 main couples. I am saying main couples because there’s some parts showing a different couple and sometimes dropping some hints of another pairing. These couples’ stories were told in different order so I was a bit confused at first. And it also didn’t help that all the characters look somewhat the same – except for the hair color, the height, or the glasses, lol. But in all fairness, each pair focuses on different areas in a boy-to-boy relationship – age gaps, jealousy, time, profession etc. That said, you may find yourself annoyed with some characters (or couples) but there’s just something about them that you can’t help but watch every single episode. It was also enjoyable in my part watching each of these couples giving their best to make their relationship work so in the end, you can’t help but be happy for them. Junjou Romantica was the first one to be released and Sekaiichi Hatsukoi is like its continuation so it wasn’t really a surprise that some viewers find the latter a little more realistic and mature than Junjou Romantica. And seeing that I finished Sekaiichi Hatsukoi first I also think the same thing too. But even if that was the case, I still think that without having to watch Junjou Romantica first, I wouldn’t come up with that realization. I think starting with Junjou Romantica was a good idea on my part. I love both of them, but I won’t deny that I love Sekaiichi Hatsukoi more.
As for the artwork, I actually love how bright these two animes were. I’m not sure how to properly explain the word bright but they’re both very eye catchy. I also love the cute bears popping once in a while especially in Junjou Romantica. Everything we’re fine with me except for the almost identical looking characters. Also, ALL the romantic scenes we’re just so good to watch. My! I think I’m turning into a pervert because of these guys, haha.
Don’t get me started with the funny parts because both the animes delivered their share. I squealed and laughed while watching them which makes my yaoi infection more deadly, lol.
I watched this anime in subs so imagine my reaction when I was on the lovey-dovey parts. What’s the connection? Well, it’s obviously well known that subs will always be the most preferred choice to most viewers because they pretty much capture the characters they portray but aside from that, I always find their voice so sexy. Ofcourse there’s some sexy English voice actors out there but there’s just something about Japanese language and the voice actors that always captures my heart. And my! The voices make all the romantic scenes way hotter!
I don’t have any complaints with all the opening and closing songs for both the animes because they’re all very good. But if I have to choose, I think I like Junjou Romantica’s songs the most, *wink.
Final Thoughts
If after reading this review makes you decide to watch these anime, I only have one piece of advice – BE READY. Just be ready because I’m sure you’ll end up enjoying them even if you don’t want to admit it. Trust me, I’ve been there, *wink.
