Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai

Tada Never Falls In Love

Characters

Mitsuyoshi Tada

MAIN

Teresa Wagner

MAIN

Charles de Loire

SUPPORTING

Nyanko Big

SUPPORTING

Hinako Hasegawa

SUPPORTING

Kaoru Ijuuin

SUPPORTING

Alexandra Magritte

SUPPORTING

Hajime Sugimoto

SUPPORTING

Yui Tada

SUPPORTING

Kentarou Yamashita

SUPPORTING

Tada Never Falls in Love Season 1: A Cherry Blossom Romance That Defies Expectations

Tada Never Falls in Love (Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai), a 2018 original anime by Doga Kobo, isn’t your typical romantic comedy. While it blooms with the soft pastels and vibrant energy characteristic of the genre, its unique blend of heartfelt sincerity, subtle cultural commentary, and a touch of whimsy sets it apart from the crowded rom-com landscape. Season 1, spanning 13 episodes, weaves a tale of love, friendship, and self-discovery under the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, offering a narrative that feels both timeless and refreshingly unconventional. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this anime a standout, exploring its narrative quirks, character dynamics, and the delicate balance of humor and heart.

A Premise Rooted in Serendipity

The story centers on Mitsuyoshi Tada, a reserved high school sophomore and aspiring photographer who has never known love, partly due to the lingering grief of losing his parents in a childhood accident. While capturing the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms, he encounters Teresa Wagner, a bubbly exchange student from the fictional European country of Larsenburg (a stand-in for Luxembourg). Separated from her stoic bodyguard, Alexandra “Alec” Magritte, Teresa’s chance meeting with Tada sparks a series of events that intertwine their lives. From bringing her to his family’s cozy Tada Coffee Shop to discovering she’s enrolled in his school and joining his photography club, the narrative thrives on serendipitous moments that feel organic yet destined.

What makes this premise unique is its refusal to lean entirely into rom-com clichés. While the “meet-cute” under cherry blossoms could feel formulaic, the show subverts expectations by revealing Teresa’s secret: she’s a princess, bound by duty to return to Larsenburg for an arranged marriage. This royal twist, often mishandled in anime as a tired trope, is executed with nuance, framing the romance as a fleeting opportunity—mirroring the cherry blossom’s transient bloom. The show’s title, Tada Never Falls in Love, becomes a playful challenge to the audience: will Tada break his own rule, or is this a love doomed to fade?

Characters That Shine Through Simplicity

The strength of Tada Never Falls in Love lies in its ensemble cast, each bringing a distinct flavor to the story without overshadowing the central romance. Mitsuyoshi Tada is a quiet, sincere protagonist whose passion for photography—using his late father’s Nikon D7200—grounds the narrative in emotional authenticity. His fear of heights and subtle trauma add depth, making him more than a generic “nice guy.” Teresa, voiced with infectious charm by Manaka Iwami (and a delightful foreign lilt by Sarah Wiedenheft in the English dub), is an airheaded yet endearing princess whose love for the fictional Rainbow Shogun TV series injects humor and relatability. Her royal status doesn’t make her aloof; instead, she’s a curious outsider navigating Japan’s cultural quirks, offering a fresh perspective on everyday life.

Alec, Teresa’s tsundere bodyguard, balances loyalty with subtle vulnerability, particularly in her interactions with Kaoru Ijuin, Tada’s flamboyant best friend who organizes the hilarious “10th Kaoru Ijuin Show.” Secondary characters like Yui (Tada’s cheerful sister), Hajime (a lovably awkward pervert with a secret crush), and Hinako (a shy gravure idol) add layers to the group dynamic, with their side stories—like the camera tag game in episode two—providing comedic and romantic subplots that feel earned rather than forced. The show’s unsung hero, Nyanko Big, the chubby shop cat, steals scenes with minimal effort, earning praise as the “best character” for its quirky charm.

A Visual and Emotional Marvel

Doga Kobo’s animation is a visual feast, with soft pastels and vibrant backgrounds that capture the fleeting beauty of Japan’s landscapes—cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, and starlit skies for the photography club’s September contest. The color palette reflects the series’ lighthearted tone, while the attention to detail in character designs, especially the expressive eyes, enhances emotional resonance. Yukari Hashimoto’s soundtrack, paired with Masayoshi Ōishi’s catchy opening “Otomodachi Film,” complements the show’s bouncy energy, while quieter moments, like Tada and Teresa’s Rainbow Shogun viewing, carry a tender intimacy.

The show’s pacing is deliberate, balancing comedy and drama without rushing the romance. Early episodes establish the cast’s chemistry through club antics and lighthearted events, like the photography battle or the search for a missing Nyanko Big. However, the latter episodes shift toward emotional weight as Teresa grapples with her royal duties and Tada confronts his fear of loss. The narrative doesn’t shy away from bittersweet undertones, questioning whether love can transcend societal expectations—a theme that resonates universally.

Subverting Tropes with Heart

While some critics note the show’s reliance on familiar tropes—like Kaoru’s over-the-top personality or Hajime’s “pervy” archetype—these are handled with enough self-awareness to feel fresh. For instance, the second episode drew criticism for its “obnoxiously horny teen dudes,” but the third episode, hailed as a “start-to-finish delight,” redeems the humor with Nyanko Big’s antics and genuine character moments. The series also critiques outdated portrayals of Western royalty, with Teresa’s arc poking fun at anime’s tendency to depict monarchies as archaic. Her love for Rainbow Shogun grounds her as a modern, relatable figure, not a caricature of nobility.

Unlike its spiritual predecessor, Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun, which thrives on absurd humor, Tada Never Falls in Love leans into emotional realism. While it doesn’t reach Nozaki-kun’s memetic popularity, its grounded approach to romance—culminating in a polarizing yet satisfying “happy ending”—offers a refreshing contrast to the genre’s often unresolved tensions. Fans on Reddit praise its “realistic” character dynamics, with Tada’s emotional walls breaking down through Teresa’s warmth, though some argue the ending feels too tidy, defying the “mono no aware” (the beauty of transience) aesthetic teased throughout.

Cultural and Emotional Resonance

The series shines in its exploration of cultural contrasts—how tourists like Teresa idealize Japan versus how locals like Tada perceive it. This is evident in episodes tackling tourist-local interactions, such as Teresa’s awe at cherry blossoms or her excitement at visiting a Rainbow Shogun set. These moments, praised by Anime News Network’s Rose Bridges, add depth to the rom-com formula, inviting viewers to reflect on their own cultural assumptions. The show also emphasizes friendship as a pillar of personal growth, with the photography club’s camaraderie rivaling the central romance in emotional weight.

The romance itself, while slow to develop, is compelling for its restraint. Tada and Teresa’s connection builds through shared moments—photography outings, café mishaps, and quiet conversations—rather than grand gestures. The looming threat of Teresa’s arranged marriage to Charles, a childhood friend introduced later, adds tension without resorting to melodrama. Tada’s journey to Larsenburg in the finale, facing his fear of heights to chase Teresa, is a climactic moment that feels earned, even if some fans found the resolution “too happily ever after.”

Why It Stands Out

Tada Never Falls in Love Season 1 is unique for its ability to balance whimsy and weight, delivering a rom-com that feels both nostalgic and innovative. Its focus on photography as a metaphor for capturing fleeting moments mirrors the transient nature of youth and love, a theme rarely explored with such sincerity in the genre. The show’s humor, while occasionally tropey, is elevated by its heartwarming cast and stunning visuals, making it a visual and emotional marvel. Though it didn’t achieve the cult status of Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun, its understated charm and refusal to overplay its drama make it a hidden gem for fans seeking a romance that feels real yet magical.

For those craving a rom-com that’s as much about friendshipഗ

System: friendship as it is about love, Tada Never Falls in Love delivers a refreshing take on both. Available on streaming platforms like HIDIVE and JioHotstar, this 13-episode series is worth a watch for its vibrant animation, endearing characters, and a story that captures the fleeting beauty of connection. Whether you’re a seasoned anime fan or a newcomer, Tada and Teresa’s journey offers a heartfelt escape into a world where love might just bloom against all odds.

Note: As an original anime with no confirmed second season, the story concludes in Season 1, leaving viewers with a complete, if bittersweet, narrative arc. For more details, check out https://www.animenewsnetwork.com or https://www.imdb.com.