Our story begins high above the Earth...

... even higher than this!!

Yuuki Rito is your typical average high school student.

Lala Satalin Deviluke is your typical average alien princess.

The 1970s had Mork. The 1980s had ALF. The 1990s had... ummmm... uhhhhh... well, that's when anime started getting really nutty, so there were plenty to go around. So yeah, now it's beyond 2000, who do we have now? The alien icon of the new decade is none other than Lala Deviluke!! Her bright pink hair, creative outfits, and alluringly cheerful smile has already entranced many otaku as the Spring 2008 anime season gets underway. And though her story is far from original, there is this undying hope that perhaps a compelling and convincing development could make the anime series, To-LoveRu ~ Trouble, an all-around success.

Haruna Sairenji: the true love of our male lead

Mikan Yuuki: adorable little sister power!!

Lala is excitedly curious about everything Earth has to offer.

Anyone could fall in love with that smile

When XEBEC producers proposed the idea of making To-LoveRu into a 26 episode-series, it would be hard to believe that they thought the premise of an unassuming high school nice-guy who accidentally engages himself to a totally hot alien princess newly fallen to Earth was an original idea. We don't even have to look back further than a year ago to see the similiarities to 2007's Seto no Hanayome, which is more or less exactly the same thing, only we're not underwater this time. The idea of the smokin' hot transfer student living with the class weirdo alludes reminiscent to other anime titles like Magikano and Mahoromatic: Automatic Maiden. Even DearS, the Chobits-esque series, has its ties as we have a completely clueless young alien girl trying to assimiliate herself to Earth culture.

Seems to be some jealousy brooding in the background

Lala-sama has the attention of the whole school.

A little bit of ecchi to brighten your day.

Don't deny that you love the ecchi!!

So originality is definitely out the window, assuming you've been a fan of the genre for some time now. But that's not really a complaint in the least bit. New anime isn't judged based on what it has, but rather it is judged on what it does with what it has. Five episodes in, it's been an enjoyable experience. The comedy is decent; a few chuckles here and there based mostly on issues of missing clothing, misunderstandings from classmates, and the occassional alien technology invention going haywire. I've seen better, but I've seen worse. There's much to be said about the ecchiness factor. We're talking on a scale that would make even DearS blush. If you're a fan of cleavage and panty-shots, then this title was made for you. Seems like we can't go five minutes without a girl's clothing being torn, ripped apart, or dissolved. Again... not complaining, although I fear for the young women of Japan who must live in a society that seems to be powered by the thirst for public nudity and humiliation of the male population. It's all in great fun though, which is why we watch shows like this.

King Zastin... not as scary as he looks... unless you're marrying his daughter, Princess Lala.

Looks like real aliens don't fit the stereotypical beliefs we once had about them.

Peke isn't an alien... he's a robot made by Lala. He's like a portable wardrobe materializer. Reminds me of a tiny creepier version of Mr. Mime from Pokemon

Close Encounters of the Anime Kind?

If the story is gonna develop itself into anything, it would have to be with regards to the conflict stemming from Rito's eventual inheritance to the throne of the Planet Deviluke. For an average Japanese, neh, an average Earthling boy to become supreme ruler of an alien world is surely enough to make any guy fearful for his future. Sheesh, and Shinji Ikari thought he had it bad. Well, I wouldn't cast Rito Yuuki as any hero either, I suppose. Not yet anyway. He did step up to help Lala from her supposed captors in the first episode, but now dealing with her father*, Zastin, and all the "preparations" he's making for his new son-in-law is becoming a challenge in all that one guy can take. Leading galatic starfleets into deep space battle, defending the galaxy against invading forces... eating alien cooking... yeah, sounds like some heavy responsibility.

* Commenters say he's just Lala's bodyguard... possibly a conflict amoung different translation groups. I will investigate this later.

Which is scarier: A space fleet aimed at your head...

... or your future father-in-law?

Review continued on the next page...

Next Page (2/3)