She fell in love with the big scary ogre! Why are you surprised?…
GOUDA Takeo, first year of high school, is big and scary: half again as tall as his age mates, extremely strong, mostly silent. His best friend SUNAKAWA Makoto looks like the standard pretty boy, and all the girls are crazy for him. So, when Takeo saves YAMATO Rinko from a molester, he’s convinced that her sudden interest is for Sunakawa. It takes some effort on the part of Sunakawa and Yamato to get Takeo to accept that he is, indeed, the target of her affection.
The rest of the series continues in a very similar manner: Takeo is insecure or mistaken about something to do with Yamato, they don’t talk to each other about it, Sunakawa helps clarify the situation, and everyone is happy.
This is a very sweet story, of people in love, about friendship and helping each other. The characters are maybe too simplistic, but they’re definitely likeable: Takeo, one of the very few black characters in anime, is a bit slow on the uptake, but he’s courageous, loyal, and always ready to set things right; Sunakawa is resigned to his popularity, and thinking more of his friend’s happiness than his own; Yamato is very shy and devoted.
I appreciated the subversion of the tired “big scary unlovable ogre” stereotype, and a main character who’s not just a featureless viewer-identification vessel.
My main issue with this series is that most of the plot only works because the characters don’t talk about their feelings. I understand being embarrassed at first, but after being a couple for a few episodes you could try explaining things to your partner!But that’s the only real criticism I can move to Ore Monogatari, so if you’re a fan of sweet romantic comedies I’m sure you’ll love it. As for me, I’ll probably re-read Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou. Or maybe Super Gals.