“Is Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san the best romance anime this year?”
“Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie” is one of the year’s most recent releases, and it has been the talk of the town since its first episode in April. Its mysterious yet amusing plot makes us wonder about the characters’ depth.
It’s an engrossing romance anime with a mystery at its core. Its comedic timing is flawless. This anime made me laugh several times, but there are some elements missing.
You’re probably wondering if it’s worth watching, so read our Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie anime review to make an informed decision.
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie Anime Review!
Title | Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie |
Animation Studio | Doga Kobo |
Original Run | April 2022- |
Director | Ryota Itoh |
Manga Author | Keigo Maki |
Episodes | 12 |
Genre | Romance, Comedy |
A Captivating Storyline

The story begins with an extremely clumsy boy, and we first see Shikimori-san, the person he is dating, through his eyes. In contrast to other romance anime, this one starts with the characters already in love and together. With the introduction of new characters, we quickly gain insight into their points of view.
Shikimori-san, the mysterious main character, makes you laugh with her reactions to everything around her, especially her boyfriend’s presence. The mystery surrounding Shikimori-san adds a captivating touch to the story.
Exceptional & Fresh Characterization

As with most romance anime, the main characters are Yuu Izumi, with his clumsiness and bad luck, and Micchon Shikimori.
Characters like Nekozaki, Hachimitsu, and Inuzuka add levity to the anime. Even the main characters’ families, who were introduced prior to the eighth episode, have contributed to the hilarity.
Quite Impressive Music
The popular OST of this anime has gotten everyone bobbing their heads. “Honey Jet Coaster” has already become extremely famous.
By the time the anime had three episodes, it had been heard by 1 million people on YouTube. The beauty of Nasuo’s singing in this anime has gotten a lot of attention.
Decent & Eye-Catching Animation

Doga Kobo’s animation has come a long way since anime like Monthly Girls Nozaki-Kun. Because of the beautiful animation, even scenes like Shikimori pulling her hair back drew a lot of attention. The eyes of the characters demonstrate the level of animation.
A Few More Thoughts!
This anime is captivating from the start by depicting Yuu Izumi’s bad luck. While each episode made me laugh more and become more invested in the characters, Shikimori seemed a little forced to avoid the stereotypical characteristics associated with female characters.
While this is true, the hilarious reactions and storyline do have an impact. It was also simple to relate to some characters and comprehend concepts like unrequited love. This anime has an emotional depth that it appears to be exploring.
THE REVIEW
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie
In a few sentences, the entire review should be easier to understand: The anime’s humour and romance are well executed. It appears to push the characters a little too far outside of even the most blatant stereotype. That is the only place where execution falls short. The anime appears to have a mystery surrounding the main character. This propels the plot and draws us in to watch the series.