I’m not exactly a tough critic, but I’m not super easygoing either—especially when it comes to comedy. It’s rare for a romcom to have me clutching my stomach from laughter throughout an entire episode, from start to finish, like Makeine. I’d say the last time I encountered a romcom with such meticulous and polished production was back with Kaguya-sama.
The Natural Comedic Brilliance of Kitamura
What impresses me most is the innate comedic genius of director Shoutarou Kitamura. There’s an interesting tidbit about his background: Kitamura entered the industry in 2011, not as an animator but as a production assistant. Over time, he realized desk work didn’t suit him, so he took a bold leap, switching to the roles of storyboarder and episode director to dive headfirst into creative work. Early on, the projects he handled didn’t particularly stand out—not until he joined A-1 Pictures, leading to a fateful encounter that transformed his career.
Kitamura had the chance to work directly under the guidance of Hatayama (of Kaguya-sama and Shouwa Genroku)—a masterful director and one of my personal favorites. This brief one-year mentorship gave Kitamura the opportunity to tap into his natural comedic flair. Under Hatayama’s tutelage, he quickly became a key player in A-1 Pictures’ directing team. And this year, Kitamura made his directorial debut with Makeine.
A Production Worthy of a Golden Standard
Makeine was handled by Yuuichiro Kikuchi’s production line—the same legendary team behind Kaguya-sama that set the “gold standard” for romcom adaptations. This choice reflects A-1 Pictures’ and Kikuchi’s unwavering confidence in Kitamura’s abilities. This wasn’t a gamble; it was a calculated move they knew would pay off.
“Comedic talent” might sound vague—it’s tricky because making an audience laugh is no easy feat. But Kitamura has mastered something with finesse and skill: “comedic timing.”
The Art of Comedic Timing
Put simply, “comedic timing” is the art of placing humorous moments exactly where they belong in a story—not too long, not too short, just enough to make the audience burst into laughter while the narrative keeps flowing.
Every funny moment in the series feels deliberate, one event leading to the next, sparking interactions and reactions among the characters. Each scene is woven with subtle details that unfold naturally, building up gradually until they hit a peak and explode, eliciting responses from both the characters and the viewers. In other words, you could slice up the comedic scenes in Makeine into short clips, and they’d still be hilarious—even without any prior knowledge of the plot or characters!
A Cinematic Touch
It’d be a huge oversight not to mention Kitamura’s cinematic flair. Watching Makeine feels like watching a movie, with wide-angle shots, gorgeous backgrounds, and character animation bursting with expressiveness that rivals movie quality. It’s a testament to how far Kikuchi’s production line has pushed the boundaries of romcom adaptations, leaving the rest of the anime industry in the dust. Here’s a fun fact: Episode 1 of Makeine boasts a staggering 10,000 frames! That’s an unthinkable number for a romcom—typically, even an action-packed anime episode clocks in at around 8,000 frames.
Since Kaguya-sama and Bokuyaba, we finally have another romcom worthy of weekly anticipation 🥰.
