Murai in Love Season 1: A Quirky Rom-Com That Dares to Be Different

Murai in Love (Japanese: Murai no Koi), a 2024 anime adaptation of Junta Shima’s manga, is a romantic comedy that leans into its eccentricities with unapologetic gusto. Produced by J.C. Staff and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, this 12-episode series follows Murai, a high school student with a bold crush on his otaku homeroom teacher, Ayano Tanaka. What unfolds is a chaotic, heartfelt, and often polarizing tale of love, obsession, and otome game-inspired antics. With its unconventional animation, controversial premise, and surprising emotional depth, Murai in Love Season 1 is a standout in the 2024 anime lineup—for better or worse. Here’s an in-depth review of what makes this series so unique, its strengths, its flaws, and why it’s worth a watch despite its quirks.

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The Premise: A Student-Teacher Romance with a Twist

At its core, Murai in Love is about a second-year high school student, Murai (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki in Japanese, Brandon Jay in English), who declares his intention to marry his homeroom teacher, Ayano Tanaka (voiced by Yoko Hikasa in Japanese, Morgan Lauré in English). Tanaka, nicknamed the “Steel Maiden” for her cold demeanor, is secretly an otaku obsessed with Hitotose, a character from the otome game Feudal Era Love Scroll. When Tanaka rejects Murai, citing her disinterest in men with long, black hair, he shows up the next day with a drastic makeover: short, blond hair that makes him a dead ringer for Hitotose. This transformation sets the stage for Murai’s relentless pursuit to become Tanaka’s “dream man,” blending slapstick comedy, otaku culture, and a controversial student-teacher dynamic.

The premise alone is divisive. The age and power gap between Murai (17) and Tanaka (24) raises ethical questions, and the show doesn’t shy away from the discomfort. While Tanaka initially rebuffs Murai’s advances, her gradual softening—coupled with her fantasies about Murai as Hitotose—creates a narrative that treads a fine line between playful and problematic. For some, this dynamic is a dealbreaker, with critics noting that it risks normalizing inappropriate relationships (). Others, however, find the exaggerated, almost absurd approach to the romance mitigates some of the creepiness, framing it as a fantastical exploration rather than a realistic endorsement (). The show’s self-awareness and comedic tone help, but viewers sensitive to this trope may still find it hard to stomach.

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Animation: A Deliberate Choice or a Budget Cut?

One of the most polarizing aspects of Murai in Love is its animation style, often compared to The Way of the Househusband for its heavy reliance on static, slideshow-like visuals. Described as “herky-jerky” and “crude” (,), the animation features minimal movement, with panning shots, still frames, and bouncing character models that feel like a webcomic brought to life. Some reviewers argue this was a cost-saving measure by J.C. Staff, who were juggling multiple projects during the 2024 season (). Others, including fans on Reddit, praise it as a deliberate stylistic choice that enhances the manga’s four-panel gag roots and gives the series an “oddball charm” (,).

The animation’s simplicity can be jarring, especially for viewers accustomed to fluid, high-budget anime. Jokes often land flat due to the lack of dynamic visuals, and the stilted delivery sometimes undermines the punchlines (). However, the style grows on you as the series progresses. The exaggerated character designs—think wide-eyed Tanaka in full otaku panic or Murai’s intense, lovesick stares—amplify the humor and absurdity. The show also uses clever editing and quick cuts to keep the pacing snappy, making the static visuals less distracting over time (). While it’s not a visual masterpiece, the animation’s uniqueness sets Murai in Love apart from the polished rom-coms of the season, for better or worse.

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Characters: A Cast of Lovable Weirdos

The heart of Murai in Love lies in its eclectic cast, each bringing a distinct flavor to the chaos. Murai is a fascinating protagonist—equal parts determined and deranged. His single-minded pursuit of Tanaka, from mastering her favorite otome game to cosplaying as Hitotose, is both hilarious and oddly endearing. Nobunaga Shimazaki’s performance captures Murai’s intensity without making him unlikeable, while Brandon Jay’s English dub adds a playful, almost manic energy ().

Tanaka, meanwhile, is a delightful contradiction: a stern teacher who melts into a fangirl mess when it comes to Hitotose. Yoko Hikasa’s strained, over-the-top delivery in the Japanese version is a highlight, though some critics found it overly broad (). Her struggle to maintain professional boundaries while grappling with Murai’s transformation is the emotional crux of the series, especially in quieter moments that reveal her vulnerability.

The supporting cast adds depth and humor. Murai’s friends—Kiriyama (“Kiri”), a deadpan artist, and Hirai, a flirtatious goofball—provide comic relief and grounding perspectives (voiced by Kohei Amasaki and Haruki Ishiya in Japanese, Matt Shipman and John Patneaude in English). Yuuka and Hitomi, twin sisters and Murai’s childhood friends, bring otaku culture into the mix, with Yuuka’s doujinshi art and Hitomi’s cosplay antics stealing scenes. Yayoi, another childhood friend with a decade-long crush on Murai, adds a layer of unrequited love that’s both poignant and comedic. Even Mr. Yamakado, Tanaka’s colleague (voiced by Crispin Freeman in English), gets memorable moments as a suspicious yet supportive figure ().

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Story and Themes: Heart Beneath the Absurdity

Murai in Love thrives on its blend of slapstick comedy and surprising emotional depth. The early episodes are uneven, with awkward pacing and a reliance on repetitive gags that don’t always land (). However, by episode three, the series finds its footing, particularly when it explores Murai’s internal conflict about losing himself to emulate Hitotose and Tanaka’s struggle to reconcile her feelings with her role as a teacher (). These moments of vulnerability—such as Tanaka drawing a firm boundary in episode three or Murai questioning his identity—add believability to their chemistry ().

The show’s humor shines in its otaku-centric gags, like Murai’s attempts to “win” Tanaka by mastering Feudal Era Love Scroll or the chaotic doujinshi convention episode where Tanaka’s fangirl side takes over (). The series also pokes fun at rom-com tropes, with exaggerated daydreams and fantasy sequences that lean into the absurdity of Tanaka’s otome game obsession. Yet, it never fully shies away from the ethical questions of its premise, addressing them indirectly through Tanaka’s hesitance and the disapproval of characters like Yamakado.

The season’s climax, culminating in a time skip, delivers a satisfying—if rushed—resolution. Fans on Reddit praised the ending for sticking the landing, though many wished for more post-timeskip moments to flesh out Murai and Tanaka’s relationship (). The balance of comedy and heart, coupled with a definitive conclusion, makes Murai in Love stand out in a genre where endings often feel ambiguous.

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Soundtrack and Voice Acting: Carrying the Show

The soundtrack, described as “well-composed” by reviewers (), complements the series’ quirky tone with upbeat tracks and otome game-inspired melodies. The opening theme, “Henshin!” by Riinu, is a catchy nod to Murai’s transformation, while the ending theme adds a softer, romantic vibe (). The music doesn’t steal the show but enhances key moments, especially the tender ones.

The voice acting is a standout, with both Japanese and English casts delivering stellar performances. The Japanese cast, led by Shimazaki and Hikasa, nails the comedic timing and emotional beats, while the English dub, featuring Brandon Jay and Morgan Lauré, brings a fresh, heartfelt energy that makes the series accessible to a broader audience (). Crispin Freeman’s late-season appearance as Yamakado is a particular treat for dub fans.

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Reception: A Polarizing Gem

Murai in Love has sparked varied reactions. On MyAnimeList, it holds a weighted mean score of 7.245 (Good+), with fans praising its humor and unique vibe (). Reddit discussions highlight its status as an “underrated” gem, with fans loving its “batsh*t insane” story and heartfelt moments (,). However, critics like Anime Feminist point out the premise’s discomfort and the animation’s shortcomings, suggesting it feels like a “short that overstayed its welcome” (). Common Sense Media gave it a mixed review, noting the inappropriate student-teacher dynamic but praising the realistic teen characters (). Anime News Network’s Jeremy Tauber gave it a B, lauding its “oddball charm” despite early awkwardness ().

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Why Watch It?

Murai in Love isn’t for everyone. Its controversial premise and bare-bones animation will turn off viewers seeking a conventional rom-com or high-budget visuals. Yet, its sheer audacity—blending otaku culture, slapstick humor, and a touch of emotional depth—makes it a unique entry in the 2024 anime season. If you can look past the ethical concerns and embrace the absurdity, you’ll find a series that’s funny, heartfelt, and unlike anything else on air. It’s a love letter to otaku quirks and the lengths we go to for love, wrapped in a package that’s as messy as it is memorable.

Final Verdict: B+

Recommendation: Watch at least three episodes to get past the initial awkwardness. If the humor and heart hook you, stick around for the full season.

For fans of offbeat rom-coms like Romantic Killer or The Way of the Househusband, Murai in Love is a must-watch. Just be prepared for a wild, weird ride.

Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu, Rakuten Viki (,)