My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 (2023)

My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999, (_Yamada-kun to Lv999 no koi wu Suru_), is a Slice of Life series based around a college girl, Akane Kinoshita, who was just dumped by her long-time gamer boyfriend. In an attempt to make her ex-boyfriend see what he has lost in dumping her, our protagonist botches the attempt royally only to meet, through an accident, a very low-key good-looking guy, Akito Yamada, offering her a lost shoe from her tripping to the ground. It turns out the young man's slow mannerisms remind Akane of one of her online game's guild members. She calls out to him in his online character's name, he turns to ask who she might be, and that's where our story begins.
This series is okay. It is not a letdown in the comedic sense. It delivers quite well in that regard, especially when artists emote the characters' extreme reactions. It also conveys the trials and worries of a young female's life in the urban city just living and dating. As for the characters themselves, I have to say most are okay, but some...require getting used to. Yamada's best friend is a good guy, but a bit too metrosexual for my taste. And Yamada himself could put a koala to sleep for all the emotion he puts out; which is par for course for him because he is an extreme introvert. Akane is very nice girl who tries to see the good in everyone and is honest & outgoing. For having already seen _Tomo-chan is a Girl_, _My Boss is Annoying_, and _Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out_, I have to say this particular story was a little slow. I think a LOT of it had to do with the Yamada character being so "sloth-like" throughout the series. The mirror opposite of the female lead should be a bit more animated. If I were to rate all these series from best to worst, this story I would have to put at the bottom of that list. It's not a bad story, just a bit slow and by proxy, makes it seem like the company didn't put in much effort into the story's creation.

Good luck in your viewing! - Bob -