Hensuki: Are You Willing to Fall in Love with a Pervert, as Long as She’s a Cutie? Season 1 – A Subversive Dive into Harem Comedy

Hensuki: Are You Willing to Fall in Love with a Pervert, as Long as She’s a Cutie? (known in Japan as Kawaikereba Hentai demo Suki ni Natte Kuremasu ka?), a 2019 anime adaptation of Tomo Hanama’s light novel series, is a bold, polarizing entry in the harem and romantic comedy genres. Directed by Itsuki Imazaki and animated by Geek Toys with assistance from Seven, this 12-episode series aired from July to September 2019. It follows Keiki Kiryuu, a high school student who stumbles upon an anonymous love letter accompanied by a pair of white panties, sparking a quest to uncover his “Cinderella.” What unfolds is a narrative that flips harem conventions on their head, blending humor, discomfort, and introspection in ways that both challenge and entertain. This article explores Hensuki’s first season through a critical lens, delving into its narrative structure, character dynamics, thematic depth, and cultural context, while offering a fresh perspective on its place in anime history.

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A Premise That Dares to Provoke

At its core, Hensuki is a mystery wrapped in a harem framework. Keiki, voiced by Hiro Shimono, is an ordinary teenager yearning for a conventional romance. His discovery of the love letter and panties in the calligraphy clubroom sets the stage for a whodunit, with suspects including his senior Sayuki Tokihara (Ayana Taketatsu), underclassman Yuika Koga (Rina Hidaka), classmate Mao Nanjou (Anzu Haruno), and even his younger sister Mizuha (Kaede Hondo). As Keiki investigates, he uncovers that each girl harbors a unique, often shocking fetish—ranging from masochism to sadism to exhibitionism—complicating his romantic ideals and forcing him to confront his own biases about love and desire.

The premise is deliberately provocative, leaning into the absurdity of its title to grab attention. Unlike traditional harem anime, where the male protagonist is often the object of idealized affection, Hensuki subverts expectations by making the female characters the “perverts.” This role reversal, as noted in a 2023 MyAnimeList review, adds a layer of humor and intrigue, challenging the trope of the lecherous male lead. However, the show’s reliance on fetish-driven humor raises questions about its intent: Is it a satire of harem clichés, a celebration of eccentricity, or simply pandering to a niche audience? The answer lies in how Hensuki balances its elements, often teetering between clever commentary and indulgent fanservice.

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Narrative Structure: A Tightrope Walk Between Comedy and Critique

Hensuki’s narrative is structured around Keiki’s investigation, with each episode peeling back layers of the mystery while introducing new quirks among the cast. The show compresses significant portions of the source material—Episode 1 alone adapts two and a half light novel chapters—to maintain a brisk pace and deliver cliffhangers, such as Sayuki’s masochistic reveal at the end of the premiere. This compression keeps the plot engaging but occasionally sacrifices character depth, a common critique among reviewers. For instance, Anime News Network’s Rebecca Silverman gave the first episode a 2/5, noting its “dull” pacing and lack of early character development.

The series excels when it leans into its comedic absurdity. Moments like Keiki’s horrified reactions to the girls’ fetishes—described as “comedy gold” in Amazon reviews—are heightened by sharp voice acting and exaggerated animation. The show’s humor often stems from misunderstandings, a staple of harem anime, but Hensuki distinguishes itself by making these misunderstandings revolve around taboo desires rather than generic romantic tropes. For example, Sayuki’s desire to be Keiki’s “pet” or Yuika’s sadistic tendencies are played for laughs but also force Keiki to question his own moral boundaries.

Yet, the narrative stumbles in its resolution. The identity of the panty-leaving Cinderella, revealed in the final episode, feels predictable to some viewers, with clues scattered throughout the season. The lack of a definitive romantic conclusion, typical of harem anime, frustrated some fans, as noted in Amazon reviews lamenting the open-ended finale. This ambiguity aligns with the light novel’s ongoing narrative (14 volumes published from 2017 to 2022), but for anime-only viewers, it can feel unsatisfying. The post-credits scene in Episode 12, explaining the panties’ inclusion, adds a clever twist but doesn’t fully resolve the emotional stakes.

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Characters: Archetypes with a Twist

Hensuki’s characters are both its greatest strength and its most divisive element. Each girl is built on a familiar harem archetype—the busty senpai (Sayuki), the cute kouhai (Yuika), the tsundere classmate (Mao), and the clingy sister (Mizuha)—but their fetishes subvert these stereotypes. This approach, described as a “reverse pervert anime” on Anime-Planet, shifts the power dynamic, making Keiki the reluctant straight man in a world of eccentric women.

• Sayuki Tokihara: Her masochistic tendencies, revealed early, set the tone for the show’s boundary-pushing humor. Her dynamic with Keiki oscillates between playful teasing and genuine affection, making her a standout for fans who enjoy bold characters.
• Yuika Koga: The sadistic librarian contrasts her innocent appearance with a domineering streak, creating some of the show’s most memorable comedic moments, though her limited screen time disappointed some reviewers.
• Mao Nanjou: As the tsundere with a secret passion for yaoi, Mao’s arc feels underdeveloped, a sentiment echoed by fans on Reddit who wanted more focus on her.
• Mizuha Kiryuu: Her role as Keiki’s sister introduces a controversial dynamic, especially with her exhibitionist reveal. While some viewers found this twist unsettling, others praised its audacity.

Keiki himself is a divisive protagonist. Critics like Nick Creamer and James Beckett from Anime News Network rated the premiere poorly (1/5 stars), citing his obliviousness and lack of chemistry with the girls. However, others argue his everyman quality grounds the absurdity, allowing the female characters to shine. The supporting cast, including Shoma (Keiki’s friend) and Koharu (a loli character with her own arc), adds depth, though some subplots, like Koharu’s romance, feel tangential.

The voice acting, both in Japanese and English dubs, is a highlight. Emily Neves’ performance as Mizuha, in particular, earned praise for its subtlety, while Ayana Taketatsu and Rina Hidaka bring infectious energy to Sayuki and Yuika.

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Thematic Depth: Love, Acceptance, and the “Pervert” Label

Beneath its risqué humor, Hensuki grapples with themes of acceptance and the complexity of desire. Keiki’s journey is less about finding his Cinderella and more about reconciling his idealized view of romance with the reality of human quirks. The show asks: Can you love someone whose desires challenge your comfort zone? This question, explored in later light novel volumes where Keiki reflects on the girls’ genuine feelings, is only hinted at in the anime but adds a layer of introspection rare for the genre.

The series also critiques harem tropes by exposing their absurdity. By making the female characters the “perverts,” Hensuki inverts the male gaze typical of ecchi anime, though it doesn’t entirely escape fanservice clichés. The camera’s focus on suggestive angles and the girls’ exaggerated designs drew criticism for pandering, yet the show’s self-awareness—seen in its playful title and over-the-top scenarios—suggests a satirical edge. As Anime Feminist’s Caitlin Moore noted, the series struggles to balance its kink-driven humor with meaningful character development, but its attempt to subvert expectations is notable.

Culturally, Hensuki reflects Japan’s light novel market, where outrageous titles and premises compete for attention. A Reddit user pointed out that titles like Hensuki are designed to stand out in a saturated market, explaining its provocative branding. The anime’s popularity in Japan, with the seventh light novel volume selling over 8,792 copies in early 2019, underscores its appeal to fans of niche humor.

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Visuals and Sound: A Mixed Bag

Visually, Hensuki is a point of contention. The animation, handled by Geek Toys, is serviceable but often static, with character designs criticized as “paper cutouts” in a 2019 Outerhaven review. The soft color palette and gentle music create a calming vibe, as noted on Anime-Planet, but the lackluster visuals fail to match the story’s ambition. Theron Martin from Anime News Network gave the premiere a 3/5, praising its “ambitious” visual style compared to typical harem series, but others found it lackluster.

The soundtrack, composed by Youichi Sakai, is a standout. The opening theme, “Daisuki” by Ayaka Ōhashi, is catchy and sets the comedic tone, while Mia Regina’s “Mubyū no Hana” and TRUE’s “Sutera” add emotional depth to key episodes. The music often elevates scenes that the animation fails to carry, making it a crucial component of the show’s charm.

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Reception and Legacy: A Polarizing Gem

Hensuki’s reception is a study in contrasts. Fans on Amazon and Reddit praised its humor and voice acting, with some calling it a “fun 12-episode ride” and comparing it to series like No-Rin and High School DxD. Others, particularly critics, were less kind. Anime News Network reviewers criticized its lack of character depth and reliance on shock value, with Caitlin Moore likening it to a “half-hour conversation with someone who treats their special interest as a personality.” The series holds a 6.2/10 on IMDb and mixed ratings on MyAnimeList, reflecting its divisive nature.

Despite its flaws, Hensuki has a cult following, evidenced by a 2024 Change.org petition for a second season, citing its “fantastic retelling of Cinderella” and untapped source material. The lack of a second season, despite the light novel’s continuation, is a sore point for fans, especially given the anime’s open-ended conclusion. Comparisons to In Another World with My Smartphone, which received a second season after a similar gap, fuel this frustration.

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Why Hensuki Matters

Hensuki is not a masterpiece, but it’s a fascinating artifact of its time. Its willingness to lean into absurdity while questioning romantic ideals sets it apart from safer harem anime. The show’s flaws—predictable reveals, uneven animation, and an inconclusive ending—are balanced by its bold premise, memorable characters, and moments of genuine humor. For viewers who can embrace its weirdness, Hensuki offers a refreshing take on a stale genre, challenging them to laugh at the absurdities of love and desire.

For those considering a watch, be warned: Hensuki is not for the faint of heart or those seeking a traditional romance. Its mature themes and fanservice make it a niche offering, best enjoyed by fans of ecchi comedies like High School DxD or those curious about a harem anime that dares to be different. As one Reddit user put it, “It was not what I expected, and I’m really liking it.” Whether you view it as a guilty pleasure or a subversive gem, Hensuki leaves an impression—one that lingers, for better or worse.