While some might enjoy ecchi anime like Tales of Wedding Rings, the wait for its adaptation felt like an eternity. Announced years ago (or so it seemed), the 12-episode series finally arrived in 2023, but it might have been better left unadapted.
Tales of Wedding Rings delivers exactly what its title, trailers, character designs, and genre labels promise: pure escapism. Don't expect a complex plot or deep characters - it's all about lighthearted entertainment. If you're okay with some silliness and predictable situations, keep reading.
Unlike Maybe's mysterious fantasy work "Dusk Maiden of Amnesia," "Tales of Wedding Rings" wears its genre on its sleeve. It's a lighthearted romantic comedy with harem elements, aiming for lighthearted fantasy romance but missing the mark. The biggest culprit? The boring protagonist, Satou. He passively accepts his hero role, following a pre-written script rather than forging his own path.
Satou's charm apparently extends far and wide. He collects princesses like trophies: Granart, Nefritis, Saphir, and Amber, each with a different elemental ring and from a different land. In this short 12-episode series, character development suffers. These princesses fall for Satou after mere encounters, lacking any real emotional depth. They simply fall into his lap, fulfilling the usual harem protagonist trope.
This anime goes heavy on the fan service, with the female characters having very attractive bodies. The main character, Satou, often finds himself in suggestive situations. It's clear the creators are aware of what they're doing, using plenty of visual gags with scantily clad characters and awkward poses. Innuendo is sprinkled throughout the dialogue, hinting at more explicit content that wouldn't be allowed on television.
