Tada De Wa Dakaremasen

Okay, picture this: me, in my pajamas, scrolling through Crunchyroll at 2 AM (don’t judge, we’ve all been there, right?). I’m looking for something, anything, to watch. And then, BAM! “Tada Never Falls in Love” pops up. The thumbnail is… well, it’s very anime. Big eyes, sparkles, the whole shebang. I click. And you know what? I actually enjoyed it. Which is surprising because I usually lean towards more… sophisticated… animation. (Okay, I admit it, I watch a lot of Rick and Morty). But something about it was just… charming.

So, what’s “Tada Never Falls in Love” – or “Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai” (多田くんは恋をしない) for the truly adventurous – all about? Let’s dive in!

The Premise: Cameras, Cherry Blossoms, and… Lost Royals?

At its heart, “Tada Never Falls in Love” is a classic romantic comedy. We’re introduced to Mitsuyoshi Tada, a high school student who’s obsessed with photography. He dreams of following in his late father’s footsteps, capturing the perfect shot. He runs into Teresa Wagner, a transfer student from Luxembourg. And here’s the twist: she’s actually a princess! A lost princess, to be precise. (Yeah, it’s a bit out there, but stick with me!).

The story unfolds as Tada and Teresa, along with a colorful cast of friends, navigate the ups and downs of high school life. There’s unrequited love, awkward misunderstandings, and, of course, plenty of cherry blossoms. Think “Ouran High School Host Club” meets “Roman Holiday,” but with significantly more anime tropes. (Tropes can be fun, don’t @ me!).

The Characters: A Quirky Bunch

The ensemble cast is one of the show’s strengths. We have:

• Mitsuyoshi Tada: The stoic photographer, secretly a big softie. He’s the “never falls in love” guy, but we all know how that’s gonna go, right?
• Teresa Wagner: The bubbly and adorable princess, adjusting to life in Japan. She’s genuinely kind and a bit naive, which makes her incredibly endearing.
• Kaoru Ijuin: Tada’s childhood friend, an over-the-top womanizer with a heart of gold (maybe?). He’s the comic relief, for better or worse.
• Alexandra Magritte: Teresa’s loyal bodyguard, posing as a student. She’s serious, dedicated, and fiercely protective. A woman after my own heart, tbh.
• Hajime Suzumoto: Another photography club member, and secretly obsessed with a popular manga artist (who might be closer than he thinks). He’s basically the embodiment of “relatable otaku”.
• Hinako Yamashita: A talented but shy member of the photography club with unrequited feelings for Tada.
• Nyanko Big: The absolutely adorable cat. Because every good anime needs a cat, right?

Each character has their own unique quirks and motivations, making for a dynamic and engaging story. They bounce off each other well, creating a believable and often hilarious group dynamic.

Why “Tada Never Falls in Love” Works (Despite Itself)

Let’s be honest, “Tada Never Falls in Love” isn’t groundbreaking. It’s not going to win any awards for originality. But it is surprisingly enjoyable. Here’s why:

• It’s Comfort Food: Sometimes, you just want something easy to watch, something that doesn’t require a lot of brainpower. “Tada Never Falls in Love” is perfect for that. It’s like a warm blanket on a cold day.
• The Animation is Gorgeous: The backgrounds are stunning, especially the scenes with cherry blossoms. A-1 Pictures did a fantastic job. Seriously, the animation quality elevates the whole experience.
• The Characters are Likeable: Even the more outlandish characters have redeeming qualities. You root for them, even when they’re being incredibly silly. (Ijuin, I’m looking at you!).
• It’s Genuinely Sweet: Despite the predictable plot points, the show has a sincere heart. It explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of following your dreams.

The show doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It knows it’s a romantic comedy, and it embraces that. It delivers on the tropes and expectations, but with enough charm and wit to keep things interesting. It’s like the anime equivalent of a Hallmark movie… but with better animation. (Okay, maybe that’s a low blow to Hallmark movies, but you get my point, right?).

The Power of Predictability

Here’s a slightly controversial opinion: sometimes, predictability is a good thing. We know Tada is going to fall in love. We know there will be misunderstandings and dramatic confessions. But watching it all unfold is part of the fun. It’s like riding a rollercoaster. You know what’s coming, but you still enjoy the ride.

Consider this: a lot of us watch stuff because it’s familiar. We like the comfortable feeling of knowing what to expect. And “Tada Never Falls in Love” definitely delivers on that front. (I’m not saying we should only watch predictable stuff, but sometimes it’s exactly what the doctor ordered).

Beyond the Romance: A Celebration of Photography

While the romance is the main focus, “Tada Never Falls in Love” also celebrates the art of photography. Tada’s passion for capturing moments in time is infectious. The show highlights the beauty of everyday life and the importance of preserving memories.

It’s easy to get caught up in the drama and the romance, but the show also subtly encourages you to appreciate the world around you. So grab your camera (or your phone) and start snapping! You might be surprised at what you discover. (Or, you know, just keep scrolling through TikTok. No judgment here!).

Final Thoughts: Should You Watch It?

So, should you watch “Tada Never Falls in Love”? If you’re looking for a mind-bending masterpiece that will challenge your perception of reality, probably not. But if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, visually stunning, and genuinely sweet romantic comedy, then absolutely.

It’s a feel-good anime that will leave you with a smile on your face. And sometimes, that’s all you need. Plus, who knows, maybe it’ll inspire you to pick up a camera and start capturing your own beautiful moments. Or at the very least, it’ll give you something to watch at 2 AM when you can’t sleep. (Just don’t tell anyone I said that. We’re all sophisticated art consumers here… right?).

Oh, and one last thing: prepare to crave Japanese snacks. There’s a lot of delicious-looking food in this show. You’ve been warned!