Lately, I have been doing some dark animes for the highlights (with one exception), but this week I wanted to do something a little more lighthearted and funny.  So for this anime highlight I’m going to pick one for all those romantic comedy lovers out there, and it is Itakiss (also known as Itazura Na Kiss).

I came to this anime backwards in a sense as I saw the live action adaptations (the Japanese and the Korean) before I saw the anime.  I saw the Japanese one first (Mischievous Kiss in Tokyo) and I loved it so much that I watched the Korean one afterwards (Playful Kiss).  I loved both as I found both to be very humorous and heartwarming.  Much later I stumbled across the anime, and when I noticed it was the same story line, I had to watch that one as well.

Itakiss follows the misadventures in love with the quirky and lovable Kotoko Aihara, a teenage girl with not the greatest grades in school (in fact she is in the lowest ranked class in school) who finds herself enamored of the most popular guy, Naoki Irie, in school (has the looks, wealth and intelligence).  Seems like a typical romantic story so far especially when he completely (and publicly) rejects her love letter she gives to him.

One would think it would be over for them, but then Kotoko finds herself having to live at his father’s friend’s house after her house is demolished by an earthquake.  Her father’s friend, who is wealthy, takes them in to live with his wife and two sons.  Well take a guess just whose house it is she moves into.  Of course it is the cold and distant Naoki Irie whose father used to be friend’s with Kotoko’s father. From that point onward, the hilarious encounters they have just multiple especially when you add in his ridiculously funny mother who adores Kotoko, and really likes the idea of them together.

Like all romantic comedies, the characters especially Kotoko finds a way into your heart as you follow her through one mortifying (and hilarious) situation after another.  Even the cold Naoki starts to change the longer he is around Kotoko, and we get to watch their relationship blossom into a beautiful bond.  And I love the progression of the story and the relationship.  Naoki and Kotoko’s relationship goes through a beautiful transformation as Naoki realizes that she may just be, with all her imperfections, the best person for him.

And how can I not mention the side characters?  Kotoko’s trio of friends stay with her through high school and college as she faces this oftentimes tumultuous roller coaster ride of love.  One friend in particular, Kinnosuke Ikezawa, is in love with her, and is constantly trying to win her affection away from Naoki.  At one point, a part of you wants to root for him even if you love the Naoki and Kotoko pairing.

The story line is heartwarming, hilarious and, at times, dramatic.  I loved it so much I watched three different adaptations of it (the anime and the two live adaptations).  As for the two live adaptations, I often find it hard to pick which one I liked more, but I think I have watched Playful Kiss (Korean adaptation) more.  Check out this cute fan video made about the Korean adaptation:

Video by: Queencdrama on Youtube.

And here is a fan made video for Mischievous Kiss Love in Tokyo (Japanese live action adaptation):

Video by: Emifo’ you on youtube.

So if you really want to watch something that will make you smile (and laugh your butt off), and something that is light and heartwarming, check out any adaption of this story: Itakiss (the Anime), Playful Kiss (live action Korean version), or Mischievous Kiss Love in Tokyo (the live action Japanese version).  There was also two Taiwanese adaptations ( It Started With a Kiss and the sequel They Kiss Again) as well as a Thai version of it (Kiss Me) as well as two movies in Japan.  I haven’t seen the Taiwanese version, the Thai version, or the movies¹, but it goes to show just how loved this story really is.  So check it out!

1.) Itazura Na Kiss Wikipedia Page.