Tonikawa (トニカクカワイイ) also known as Fly Me to the Moon is a comedic slice of live romance based on the manga of the same name by Hata Kenjiro. The anime aired in Japan over the Fall of 2020.
Yuzaki Nasa has endured a painful life due to his odd first name and has resolved to push him self to the very limits to outshine his namesake. His world comes to a halt one night after mock high school entrance exams. He notices a beautiful girl across the street and rushes to speak to her. Instead, she saves him from being killed by a passing truck. While he doesn't die immediately from his injuries, he forces himself after her, on broken legs, through sure will power. He finds he in a nearby bu shelter and tells her he loves her and wants to date her. She agrees to do so, if her marries her. The last thing he remembers before falling into a coma is agreeing to do so. Following his recovery he passes his exams but looses all interest in continuing on his course in life. Instead he skips high school and enters the work force, keeping odd jobs and living on his own. After he turns 18 the mysterious girl, Tsukasa, appears at his apartment, ready to get married.
Overcome with emotion for meeting her again after three years he eagerly agrees. That night they register their marriage and begin their life as newly weds, even though they know nothing about each other. Their new life together isn't without its troubles though. Nasa and Tsukasa struggle to navigate how to be a couple and learn about each other. Nasa is an open book while Tsukasa is very mysterious in both her past and motivations. Further complicating their growing relationship are external forces causing discord and strife. A friend from school secretly harbors feelings for Nasa while her younger sister continuously fills his head with doubt about his commitment. Tsukasa's younger sister works hard to break apart the couple, not wanting anyone else to have her. Nasa struggles with how to please his wife, over analyzing every aspect of their relationship, even as Tsukasa assures him everything is going to be ok.
Tonikawa is a cute and enjoyable series that shows a fun and innocent relationship between two people. There are numerous opportunities to push the pervert boundary with the story but it always stays on the edge of cute innocence. Nasa is ludicrously patient and reserved while Tsukasa is coy and mysterious. Instead of focusing entirely on the idea of marital consummation, to the point of childish innocence, it ambles along showing their growing relationship. The biggest mystery, bigger than Tsukasa's past and motivation, is how Nasa can afford to live in Tokyo and provide for them....even if its a small and old apartment. Nasa willingly provides anything Tsukasa wants, which leads to numerous shopping trips over the series
While the story and characters are enjoyable the artwork isn't of the highest caliber. It;s rather subpar by current standards, which is fine in the end. The show is enjoyable because of the characters and journey of discovery. Tonikawa is a good example of a show being carried almost entirely by its writing. The series however is just the start of the story. An OAV was released in 2021 and a second season is pending, set to be released in the Fall of 2022, presumably wrapping up the story and detailing more of Tsukasa's past.
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