Information:
Other Names: 'Rena Lab', '恋愛ラボ'.
Studio: DogaKobo
Writer: Takashi Aoshima
Director: Masahiko Ohta
Music: Yasuhiro Misawa
Type: TV Series, Manga Adaptation
Length: 13 Episodes, 24 min per episode approx.
Genres: Comedy, Romance, School
Rating: PG-13
Air Dates: 5th July 2013 - 28th September 2013
Alternate Recommendations: Yuru Yuri & Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai
(Sources: MAL & Wikipedia)
Synopsis:
The Fujisaki Girls Academy is known for their school body being composed of very proper students. The most prominent one of them is Maki, the student president who is admired by her classmates for her calm and polite demeanour. On the other hand, Kurahashi Riko is also admired but for having a very forward and boyish personality. Riko accidentally walks into Maki while she's practising kissing with a pillow and learns that she isn't what everyone thinks she is. Riko is forced into keeping Maki's secret and join her in practising all aspects of romance like holding hands and more. (Source: MAL)
Review:
Will the Love lab improve your love life or will it be completely destroyed?
'Oh look I high school romance, how original', is what I would say if this was a bad show, but it's not, surprisingly this was pretty good, as it goes over the awkwardness of speaking to the opposite sex at a young age as well as teaching the values of friendship, in a fun and light-hearted way.
This is thanks to great pacing and episode structure, that follows a collection of arcs and each episode has an episodic like content that is paced well, lasting just a few episode each and end in very good ways; while staying true to the overall story-line, though the ending is satisfying it doesn't conclude or have second season in sight. The series can be broken down into two main elements that have the heavier focus, with the first being the comedy aspects of the show, that I found to be quite funny though the humour mainly focuses on the straight 'man' type of comedy and misunderstanding so it is up to your sense of humour whether you will enjoy this or not.
The other major element present in the series is the core theme surrounding love and how it matters to the main characters, which is overall managed great, as it never gets dropped from the plot but doesn't fill up it either, working into the story at the perfect balance for both serious and not so serious matters in the series, though I do feel that they could have incorporated this theme into better situations then what they did.
Speaking of the characters, I must say that they are highly refreshing though many of the stick to traditional troupes and archetypes, they all have little quirks that bring out fun and better sides to their personalities, and though there are quite a cast of characters, I'll only through the main cast in detail, as the supporting cast get less screen time and barely any development.
So to start there is the leading character Riko who is a tomboy styled character that doesn't fit in with her school or classmates, she is one of the funnier characters out of main cast, getting a good amount of screen time but not much development sadly, as I would like to have learned more about her.
The second main lead character Makoi has the ojou-sama styled personality with a nice twist, that she is weird curious about love causing most of incidents and situations the characters are placed in, as well as getting good development over the series' run.
The last three out of the five main characters aren't even worth mentioning in comparison as while they get lots of screen time and make the comedy better while making the show more cutesy, they don't put much in story wise, with virtually no development what so ever.
Speaking of cutesy the art used within the series is very fitting, having a unique style for this type of show that both looks cute but also looks refined which could also be said about the character designs as well which are great to look at and fit well with each characters personalities which while coupled with nice flowing animation helps create a relaxing atmosphere while watching the show. The chibi animation used during comedic scenes is also most welcome, making some scenes cuter and funnier.
Though this cannot be said for the OST, which while fitting the show well, is nothing special, average at best; though this could not be said of the opening and ending of the series, as both are fun and energetic like the show itself, getting you ready for the fun your about to have thanks to a great animation played as well and then it wide you down gently with some great ending music and calmer animation.
Overall this series is a must watch if you love yourself some slice of life or moe shows. And is also great for anyway looking for a relaxing anime to watch.
Setting/Story: 7.5
Characters: 7.7
Animation/Art: 7.9
Sound: 7.3
Final Score: 7.7/10
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