Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is a romance anime like no other with not-so-unique characters in a unique plot. The tsundere or aloof personalities of the main characters are pretty cliche but their growth throughout the series is what makes them so interesting. The lesson of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is also surprising for a romance-comedy anime where the genre is full of cliches and confessions. Kaguya and Miyuki are quite the opposite of being open about each other. So when Aka Akasaka, the manga of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, opened up about his insecurity, it made sense why the romance is so different.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War being written by someone who isn’t used to writing romance shows why it has a fresh perspective. Akasaka is used to psychological thrillers and mind games but somehow blended the mind game aspect seamlessly into a wholesome romance. The “war” in the title of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is quite appropriate for the way these two deal with each other.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: Akasaka on Writing Romance
The relationship between Kaguya and Miyuki isn’t unheard of. The Student Council President and his Vice President falling for each other is as cliche as it gets. It’s a tale as old as time but without the magic and fairytales. However, their romance isn’t easy when their personalities are both too prideful and egoistic. They hide their true selves behind the facade they’ve made up to maintain their image in society. What sets their romance in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War apart is that the two actually are at war; a war of coaxing out a confession from the other.
The initial release of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War was anxiety-inducing for Aka Akasaka. However, the feedback from the readers was a pleasant surprise for him and his insecurities were solved. In an interview, he reveals this journey:
I struggled a lot at first. I just couldn’t let go of the feeling that no one would find what I wrote interesting (laugh). And besides, I thought that “two tsunderes who like each other having battles of the mind” was a very common concept. Of course I believed that I came up with interesting takes on the concept, but still, it was my first time. I kept asking myself, “Are these ideas even good?” That’s why I was shocked when the readers told me, “your premise is so innovative!”
It goes to show that broadening your horizons works wonders. You wouldn’t believe Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is written by the same author as Oshi no Ko.
What Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Teaches About Love
The primary reason Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is such a distinct romance anime is that their romance is such an aggressive slow burn. Miyuki and Kaguya know about their feelings for each other but their egos want the other to confess.
Still, six months pass with nothing happening. It talks about the pride that blocks love from happening and why people need to overcome it to allow themselves to be happy. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is all about development and how communication is key to a relationship.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is available on Crunchyroll.
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