Lovely★Complex

Love is unusual for Koizumi Risa and Ootani Atsushi, who are both striving to find their ideal partner in high school—172 cm tall Koizumi is much taller than the average girl, and Ootani is much shorter than the average guy at 156 cm.

Lovely★Complex (2007) is a Japanese animated romantic comedy series created by Aya Nakahara and produced by Toei Animation, broadcast in Japan on CBC, MBS and TBS. Set in a Japanese high school, the story follows Koizumi Risa, a girl who stands 172 centimeters tall and feels unusually large among her classmates. Her counterpart is Ootani Atsushi, a boy who is much shorter than the average at 156 centimeters. Both are striving to find an ideal partner, and their mismatch in height becomes the engine of nearly every episode, as misunderstandings, rival crushes and awkward confessions pile up. Supporting characters add friction and comic counterpoint. The series runs for a single season of twenty-four episodes, each built from slapstick set pieces and escalating romantic tangles. Its tone is breezy, bright and sincere, with a shoujo sensibility at its core. Fans of Kaichou wa Maid-sama!, Ouran High School Host Club and Kimi ni Todoke will find much the same mix of teenage longing and playful humor.

Audiences rate the series positively, appreciating its lighthearted romantic comedy and its relatable portrayal of teenage love in high school.

• Kaichou wa Maid-sama!shared lighthearted high school romcom tones and shoujo romance structure
• Ouran High School Host Clubshared slapstick school comedy with romantic misunderstandings and coming of age
• Kimi ni Todokeshared awkward teen romance comedy and physical gags

Created by

Aya Nakahara

Release Date

2007-04-07

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.9 / 10 (176)

What is Lovely★Complex about?

A tall high school girl and a short boy pursue ideal partners while their height difference becomes the source of awkward romantic comedy.

What is Lovely★Complex like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Lovely★Complex as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Lovely★Complex violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Lovely★Complex.

What did critics think of Lovely★Complex?

Audiences rate the series positively, appreciating its lighthearted romantic comedy and its relatable portrayal of teenage love in high school.

Which shows are like Lovely★Complex?

Shows with a similar feel include Kaichou wa Maid-sama!, Ouran High School Host Club, and Kimi ni Todoke.

How long is Lovely★Complex?

Lovely★Complex: 1 season, 24 episodes.

Is Lovely★Complex still running?

No, Lovely★Complex has ended.

Where can I watch Lovely★Complex?

In United States, Lovely★Complex streams on Hulu, Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel.