"The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses" has an intriguing premise, promising a heartwarming story about two classmates discovering their feelings for each other. However, the execution of the first episode is mind bogglingly bad.
One of the most noticeable issues is the animation. Studio GoHands' decision to employ their patented janky camera angles feels more like a distracting gimmick than a creative choice. Instead of enhancing the storytelling, it pulls your attention away and nauseates you, making it difficult to focus on the two lead characters and their interactions. For a romcom, these interactions are crucial, but presented with wild hair motions and cameras swinging all over the place you can barely pay attention.
This inconsistency in art style is further exacerbated by the clash between the hyper-realistic background art and the 2D character designs. The designs look fine, a bit glossy, it's the same GoHands character designer as Hand Shakers and K. The contrasting aesthetics create a jarring inconstancy in the compositing.
The storyline itself is has plenty of potential to be funny, cute, and lovable, centering around Kaede's crush on Ai and her struggle with poor eyesight. However, the first episode fails to establish a strong foundation for their relationship. While Kaede's willingness to help Ai is kind, the story lacks depth and it's hard to feel anything for them. The characters feel underdeveloped, and their interactions often fall flat. It comes off as Kaede is enjoying getting to treat Ai like a child, which seems to be the anime's appeal. As a result, it is challenging to become fully invested in their budding romance or empathize with their respective struggles.
Despite these shortcomings, there are a few redeeming aspects. The concept of Ai frequently forgetting her glasses adds an interesting layer of vulnerability to her character, creating opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Additionally, the potential for exploring themes of reliance and personal growth is promising. It remains to be seen whether subsequent episodes can capitalize on these aspects and deliver a more engaging and satisfying narrative.
In conclusion, the first episode of "The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses" fails to live up to its potential due to its eye searing animation style, lackluster character development, and mediocre storytelling. While the concept shows promise, it is overshadowed by the clashing visuals and a constant need to catch the viewers' attention. Hopefully, future episodes can address these issues and deliver a coherent viewing and less nausea inducing experience.
