The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses

Do you wear glasses? I do not, but I’ve always wondered what it’s like after seeing the portrayal of the experience in multiple media. All the pros and cons of it intrigue me, and there’s no denying there’s a special allure about anime characters wearing glasses. You must have numerous friends and family members who have worn or are wearing glasses, so let’s revisit those experiences this time. Why? Because here we’ll be talking about an anime featuring a girl wearing glasses in a school setting...

“Suki na Ko ga Megane wo Wasureta,” also known as “The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses,” is a currently airing TV anime series set to have 13 episodes. It started airing on the 4th of July and is planned to go on until the 26th of September in the summer of 2023. At the time of writing this review, please note that the anime is still on Episode 11 and will only encompass as much.

It is produced by Square Enix, Shochiku, flying DOG, Tokyo MX, Glovision, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, U-NEXT, FuRyu, and BS Asahi, and is the latest work by Studios GoHands. The primary staff behind it includes Kishimoto Reigo as planner and producer, Nakanishi Hirofumi as producer, and Kudou Susumu and Yokomine Katsumasa as directors.

Taking a step back from its overused habits, GoHands took a shot at the comedy genre, featuring the themes of romantic subtext and school in this one. It is targeted at the Shounen demographic and received a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years of age or older. The series was released on Blu-ray in three volumes on the 20th of December, 2023, and will continue until the 28th of February, 2024.

Suki na Ko ga Megane wo Wasureta is adapted from the source manga of the same title, called “SukiMega” for short. It began publication on November 22, 2018, and is still ongoing. Author and artist Fujichika Koume brings it to life in Gangan Joker. The series is based on a web manga released on the author's Twitter account on April 23, 2018. It has been published digitally in English via Comikey since May 2, 2022, and via Square Enix through Manga UP!

Square Enix has also published the volumes since December 20, 2022. GoHands also released an ONA titled “The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses Short Episode,” which started airing on the 31st of July, 2023, and is still ongoing. These are only 46 seconds long and include exclusive bonus episodes from the Blu-ray release of the show.

So, what’s the anime about beyond what’s already stated in the title? Well, our male protagonist, Kaede Komura, happens to be in love. It all began thanks to him sitting next to the class’s local airhead, Ai Mie, for the past three days in the show. Now, he cannot help but be intensely attracted to this bespectacled maiden.

It's such a conundrum, but I’m sure most of us can relate to such a situation. The issue is that the boy still hasn’t had a proper conversation with her, and now he dreams of the day when she will finally look his way, too. Fate works in strange ways, giving Komura a chance to grow closer to her without her necessarily “looking” his way. As the title states, Komura one day notices that his crush is not wearing her glasses, and he takes the opportunity to talk with her to find out that she forgot her glasses, which she tends to do too.

Unable to watch her struggle, a concerned Komura takes it upon himself to help Mie, even if he has to go out of his way to do so. Offering his assistance to the girl in need day by day, he discovers that her reasons for constantly losing her glasses tend to evolve from the answer she gave initially…

So you must be wondering if SukiMega manages to save GoHands and push it past the many issues we had with its past works, including Tokyo Babylon’s plagiarism and the horrendous problems in Project Scard, Hand Shakers, and W'z. The answer is “yes” and “no”; while they have improved in specific ways, they’ve found new pitfalls to plunge themselves into. This impression is based on the 11 episodes that have already aired, though a lot can change in the ones still coming. Let’s break it down, shall we?

Rom-Coms can be a hit or miss in the anime community, but lately, they have been going pretty stale. We just see the same overused tropes repeated endlessly, and honestly, SukiMega isn’t all that different from the rest. It has a few things that allow it to stand independently, though.

The story revolves around Mie tending to forget her glasses every day, to the point that it starts to look ridiculous, and Komura leaping at the chance to help her while she is visually impaired. With time, the two grow close to each other, and the buds of romance slowly bloom.

The tale is straightforward; you can follow it even with your brain off, but it’s not entertaining either. You must get used to Mie constantly forgetting her glasses, though. Otherwise, it might start getting on your nerves. The show does an excellent job of not exaggerating everything too much, unlike most other Rom-Coms in recent years. So this is a plus point: a fresh breath of air in that department.

Moving on, the two main characters play pivotal roles throughout the show, but their roles are simple. However, it is safe to say that Mie is the show's driving force. She is a complicated package, and your reaction to her will determine how much you enjoy the show.

If you like her character, the show will be much more enjoyable for you, and vice versa: if you dislike her, the show will be very dry and dull. On the other hand, Komura is a very thoughtful, kind, and considerate person, especially when it comes to Mie. Aside from his crush on her, these traits help build a solid foundation for their connection, so watching it bear fruit is also lovely.

Same as Mie, though; if you find this male protagonist obsessive and unsettling, stop watching then and there. What you see is what you get action-wise; there is none here, just a budding romance between these two characters in a school setting. This entire show will revolve around these two and how they grow together. The secondary characters do not play a significant role in the plot.

The art and animation department swings violently between two extremes in a very inconsistent fashion. One moment, it looks gorgeous and eye-catching, and at other times, it can give you a headache from just watching it. The best place to showcase their mastery of the visuals department is in the opening sequence, where Komura is enveloped within a sheet of doves and glittering particles, with his hands reaching out in an attempt to embrace someone. If they tried, this scene would look magical, showcasing the true extent of GoHands’ capabilities.

Then, there’s another scene within the same opening where Komura and Mie run towards each other for an embrace, and the earlier statement is further solidified. So, where does it go downhill? The camera angles attempt to hold their own without the help of any other department. Honestly, you could get a headache trying to watch these.

All in all, this anime is all right regarding visuals. The art style and the animation flow together well, and Mie is the cherry atop this cake. Every inch of her fluffy hair appears to blow majestically in the wind, as if each thread were animated individually. She just looks so alive and natural, so props to that. The style is natural and charming, while the presentation is good overall. The visuals will grow on you, aside from the abysmal few scenes. So it’s best to enjoy this department's beauty if you give this show a watch.

The Music and Sounds department is pretty decent, nothing incredible, and nothing wrong either. The OSTs are very fitting for the anime’s atmosphere, and they give off a friendly, cheerful, and enjoyable vibe. They help you feel each scene better and enhance the experience; it won’t hesitate to become more upbeat if it helps capture the moment better.

The opening theme is "NAME" by Tsuzuri, a lovely song with the abovementioned visuals. The ending theme is "Megane Go-round" by Masayoshi ga Megane wo Wasureta, which is also an excellent way to finish each episode. The voice acting is good, too, so props to them!

Compared to GoHands’ horrendous mess-ups in the past, Suki na Ko ga Megane wo Wasureta is leagues better and more enjoyable. It’s no masterpiece, but it is a nice little Rom-Com you can lazily invest your leisure into. You can tell the studio put much care and effort into this one.

So relax, shut your eyes to the camera angles that give you a headache, and enjoy this pleasant show. If you are a fan of Mie and the dynamic between her and the show's protagonist, you will adore this show. But the opposite is also true, so turn away if you dislike either. Under the conditions above, it is highly recommended!