Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1 review: Should the Winter 2025 rom-com Shonen be on your watchlist?

Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1, premiered on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 12 am JST. Also known as Kuroiwa Medaka ni Watashi no Kawaii ga Tsuujinai, this rom-com Shonen anime adapts the Japanese manga of the same name by mangaka Ran Kuze. The debut episode introduces the main characters, Mona Kawai and Medaka Kuroiwa, setting up the premise for their evolving romance.

This Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1 review delves into how the opening episode fares as a new entry in the romance anime genre and its potential to stand out. Let's take a closer look into the production elements that lay the groundwork for the story and assess its narrative aspects to see whether it brings a fresh perspective to the genre and if it's worth adding to your watchlist this season.

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Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1: A brief recap

Mona in episode 1 (Image via SynergySP)

Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1 introduces viewers to the story, starting with an introduction to the female lead, Mona Kawai, and her background. A brief glimpse into her life, from her birth to the present timeline, highlights her irresistible charm.

Adored by everyone around her, regardless of gender, Mona is fully aware of her popularity. However, her confidence is shaken when she encounters the male lead, Medaka Kuroiwa, who appears completely unaffected by her allure.

Determined to maintain her status as someone no one can resist, Mona becomes increasingly desperate as her repeated attempts to win Medaka over fail, driving her to adopt bolder strategies. However, their dynamic begins to shift as Mona seemingly develops feelings for Medaka instead.

In a surprising twist, it's revealed that Medaka is not entirely immune to Mona's charms. However, his future as a monk prohibits him from engaging with girls or succumbing to earthly desires. As a monk-in-training, Medaka struggles to remain unaffected, even admitting that if Mona persists, he might fall in love with her.

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Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1 review: A lighthearted blend of humor, romance and monkhood

Mona and Medaka fall together (Image via SynergySP)

Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1 delivers an entertaining premiere. It successfully sets the stage by introducing the main plot and characters while beginning to explore the emotions that emerge during their interactions, hinting at potential romantic developments.

The narrative is filled with lively and amusing exchanges between Mona and Medaka, culminating in a captivating reveal of Medaka's true reasons for resisting Mona's charm. While he appears unaffected, it becomes clear he is battling to suppress his growing feelings due to his commitment.

The interplay of their opposing determinations—Medaka's resolve to resist and Mona's persistence to win him over—creates a strong foundation for a tale filled with humor, romance, and even slightly risqué moments.

The premiere of this Winter 2025 debut succeeds in introducing viewers to Mona and Medaka's story while balancing character and world-building with engaging developments. With its entertaining dynamics and intriguing setup, the first installment promises an enjoyable and compelling romance series ahead.

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Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1: An overall production criticism

Under the expert direction of Yoshiaki Okumura and studio SynergySP's outstanding work, Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1 makes an impressive debut. The high production quality is evident throughout the episode, from the animation and scriptwriting to the character design, musical score, and voice acting.

The animation provides a soft, pretty touch with stunning visuals, each scene crafted with care to deliver a vibrant experience that matches the show's vibe and enhances its charm. Mona's character design stands out, and her animation, along with the rest of the impressive sequences, adds to the visual appeal.

The voice casts also deliver standout performances, particularly the leads, Yuu Serizawa as Mona and Ryouta Iwasaki as Medaka. Serizawa perfectly captures Mona's cute, energetic, and charming personality, while Iwasaki brings out Medaka's indifferent and reserved nature, with a hint of a softer side as he finds himself resisting Mona's charms.

Their portrayals further elevate the episode, making it feel more dynamic. Akiyuki Tateyama's music composition enhances the atmosphere further, resulting in an overall engaging installment.

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Final thoughts

In conclusion, Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms episode 1 delivers a well-crafted and promising opening episode that ensures an entertaining watch. While the plot may not particularly break new ground, it excels in providing plenty of amusing and lighthearted exchanges that lay the foundation for an engaging romantic drama.

SynergySP's impressive production delivers a fresh, immersive, and enjoyable story filled with lighthearted drama, making for a promising start to the season. Overall, this premiere sets a solid tone and raises expectations for the rest of the series. With that, it's a must-consider addition to the Winter 2025 watchlist for any rom-com enthusiasts.

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