Mysterious Girlfriend X - Reviews

Alt title: Nazo no Kanojo X

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Komirai's avatar
Sep 22, 2012

Ah yes. Mysterious Girlfriend X. When I heard that the manga was getting an anime adaption, I looked forward to seeing other people's reactions to the synopsis almost as much as the show itself. Perhaps a fair few WTFs amongst viewers who've never read the manga?

The story is simple. Boy encounters transfer girl. Boy deliberately tastes girl's drool on a desk. Boy falls in love with girl after that. Um, yeah.
The drool. If there's anything in this series that would turn off those who watch it, it'll obviously be the various saliva-swapping scenes. Personally, I don't think it's that bad. If it helps, think of it as an inevitable aspect of French kissing except without any lips touching. Nor tongues. Nor sensation. Well maybe sensation, in the form of the recipient of the drool experiencing the other's mood or feelings. Perhaps not as romantic though. But it's mostly down to individual tolerance levels for the things you find okay in anime; the same with fanservice, blood and gore, hentai, etc.

The series closely explores the slow-building but charming relationship between the main characters, inside and outside of high school. It's quite different to the romances found in other anime. After all, who shows affection by ripping up a photo of a previous crush as opposed to holding hands or kissing to start a relationship? And that's just one of many examples. Although it rarely feels out of place, there is some ecchi and fanservice present.

Saying that Mikoto Urabe is weird would be a huge understatement. At times in her relationship she just seems like a normal shy and compassionate girl underneath a cold demeanour, but her hobbies and certain superhuman abilities makes her more than that. She's a compelling character to watch however, and her various quirks (Fits of laughter? Scissors?!) are what makes the anime so addictive, along with her bond to Akira Tsubaki. Tsubaki is a relatively normal character, despite his attraction to Urabe's drool, and it's fun to see him cope with being the boyfriend of such a strange person and the requirements that come with the role; romancing Urabe is much harder than he thinks. The anime mainly focuses on the odd couple so important side characters are limited, but two of their classmates, Kouhei Ueno and Ayuko Oka, provide some extra entertainment; the playful and wild Oka has a particularly big influence in how the relationship develops between Urabe and Tsubaki.

The art style of Mysterious Girlfriend X is excellent and rather interesting. It goes for an older style of animation, and reminds me of anime that were made a decade or two ago, back when clichés were still original ideas. Backgrounds are also quite nice, especially parts of the school like the classroom and gardens as well as the surrounding town. However, I'm still undecided as to whether I like the character models retained from the manga, which are sharp and detailed but make the 17-year old students look like they're in middle school rather than high school.

The series makes use of a variety of background music that is sombre and mysterious, but also some which makes you think of a circus, and this works well with Urabe's character and the strangeness of the show itself. A few soothing melodies are thrown into the mix too. The OP is a catchy and upbeat song that fits with the high school setting, while the ED is also good and has a nice tune. The voice acting is decent all around; the voice actress for the role of Urabe is a newcomer but she's done an especially good job.

Overall Mysterious Girlfriend X, or Nazo no Kanojo X, is about a bizarre high school romance with unique additions in the form of drool with multiple and mysterious effects, excessive nose-bleeding and a very weird yet enjoyable character in Mikoto Urabe. This anime is sure to captivate some viewers while alienating others but like the manga, it does what it sets out to do with a passing grade. And that is to provide us with an entry in the genre that feels fun and more than just a little different. Assuming it doesn't make its audience sick to the stomach first.

8/10 story
8/10 animation
8/10 sound
9/10 characters
8.3/10 overall
Purrichan's avatar
Jul 16, 2023

The story seemed very original to me, I thought it was not going to catch me so much and it did it 100%, I wanted it to never end, regarding the development, the moments of comedy with the romance and the drama were very well developed, the uncertainty that was handled in the endings was very peculiar but nice to see, it is a highly recommended story, it does not fall into the zone of chichés, but rather rearranges scenes that are considered very iconic. At first you can be baffled by the theme, but as you progress it becomes a natural background between the characters and they make you feel that way.
The design and personality of the protagonist seemed charming to me.

9/10 story
10/10 animation
10/10 sound
9/10 characters
10/10 overall
housemannaudika88's avatar
Jan 29, 2019

Mysterious Girlfriend X is an interesting story, to say the least. The anime consists of what I would like to say fan service. This is largely due to the fact, that there have been more mentions to sex than I tried to count in the show. The roles the character play is quite basic. A quiet girl gets noticed by a guy and she starts to come out of her shell, type of story plot. Although he becomes addicted to her spit, rather than really noticing her in the first place. In the end, why I like the plot it is basic and in some ways very weird.  

7/10 story
10/10 animation
9/10 sound
5/10 characters
6/10 overall
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SEGHE's avatar
Sep 19, 2023

"Mysterious Girlfriend X" - Unconventional Romance with a Quirky Twist

Story (6/10): "Mysterious Girlfriend X" offers a unique take on the romance genre, incorporating elements of mystery and the supernatural. The story centers around the mysterious bond formed between the seemingly ordinary high school student Akira Tsubaki and the enigmatic girl, Urabe Mikoto. Their connection involves sharing each other's drool, which may sound odd but serves as a metaphor for their emotional intimacy.

The narrative is divided into episodic arcs, each exploring different aspects of their relationship and the challenges they face. While the concept is intriguing and the anime succeeds in creating a distinct atmosphere, it may not appeal to everyone due to its peculiar premise. The pacing can be slow at times, and viewers looking for a conventional romance story may find it unconventional and even uncomfortable.

Animation (7/10): The animation style of "Mysterious Girlfriend X" is faithful to the manga's art, with character designs resembling the original illustrations by Riichi Ueshiba. While the animation quality is decent, it doesn't particularly stand out in terms of fluidity or dynamic action sequences. However, it captures the essence of the manga's unique visuals and the dreamlike quality of certain scenes.

Sound (6/10): The sound design in the anime is serviceable but not particularly remarkable. The background music complements the mood of the series, emphasizing the mysterious and romantic elements. The opening and ending themes are catchy and fitting, enhancing the overall atmosphere.

Characters (7/10): The characters in "Mysterious Girlfriend X" are well-developed and contribute to the show's uniqueness. Akira Tsubaki is a relatable protagonist who tries to understand the unusual bond he shares with Urabe. Urabe Mikoto, the titular mysterious girlfriend, remains enigmatic throughout the series, adding an element of intrigue. The side characters also play their roles effectively, adding depth to the story.

Overall (6/10): "Mysterious Girlfriend X" is a niche anime that stands out for its unconventional take on romance and its exploration of intimacy. It's a series that requires an open mind due to its unusual premise, but it rewards viewers with a one-of-a-kind experience. If you're looking for a romance anime that breaks away from the norm and embraces its eccentricities, "Mysterious Girlfriend X" might be worth a try. However, it may not be everyone's cup of tea due to its distinctive style and themes.

6/10 story
7/10 animation
6/10 sound
7/10 characters
6/10 overall
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Evilone385's avatar
Aug 28, 2022

this was Art .

you just keep on wondering whats gonna happen next 

ending was a bit bad expecally because i just wated more.

it plays with your emotions really well , biggest down side for me was that the sad moments, didnt end up being sad because i was so happy at how well it was written 

9/10 story
9/10 animation
9/10 sound
10/10 characters
9/10 overall
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