I've always said if a show can evoke an emotional response, whether good (happiness) or bad (anger), then the show has succeeded... and Itazura na Kiss succeeds on several levels!

Before I hit the midway mark I was sure the series was written by a man because no female would write a male character like Naoki - but after looking up the wiki I discovered I was dead wrong! The level of frustration with his lack of emotion is infuriating! Thankfully toward the midway mark there was somewhat of a reprieve but then you're launched right back into his seemingly uncaring ways with hints of emotion here and there... if it wasn't for the naive cheerfulness and indomitable (never-give-up) spirit of Kotoko I might've thought a lot less of this series.

Another vital aspect that kept the series from drifting into a morase of angst and frustration was the clever use of humour in just about every episode... I must admit I laughed my way through this one in spite of Naoki's deadpan attitude.

One other positive mark for this series in my opinion was the timeline the story represented. It's not very often that I've seen an anime series that begins in high school and doesn't just end there. No, Itazura na Kiss takes you from high school, through college, into married life and beyond! That alone was great! A very unique touch I thought and highly enjoyable!

If you enjoy a healthy helping of romance with a dollop of frustration, liberally sprinkled with side-splitting comedy and a happy ending on top, then you're sure to like Itazura na Kiss!

Highly recommended! (show less)

This anime brings out the normal scenario where a girl falls in love with a popular, good looking and all-rounded guy. Howewer what's so good about this anime is how it managed to make me laugh in almost each episode while at the same time, gives a good pleasant feeling inside of me. i really love the main heroine , kotoko which is funny and at the same time so adorable in her efforts to capture Irie's heart and also other characters like kin-chan, naoki's mother and kotoko's friends also proved to be entertaining. If you love kimi ni todoke or kaichou wa maid sama, you should watch this anime. (show less)

This is super amazing! Though, the main character's attitude is kind of frustrating for me as she would do something so stupid.. But still, I cried, I laugh and wasn't able to sleep if I ever stop half way like all other animes :) The characters are funny and I love all the parts in this show. It has a beginning, climax and ending. I want this anime to go on but it seems the manga is also completed and ended almost the same. :/ Unfortunately, I won't get to watch any of this but still love it! x3
These are some I recommend to watch for Shouko fans:
Fushigi Yuugi,Gakuen Alice,Skip Beat,Zero no Tsukaima,Shakugan no Shana,Lovely Complex (show less)