Take one of the classics of the horror genre, set it in the modern era, replace the horror part with screwball romantic comedy, and that's pretty much what "Zettai Kareshi" is.
And, strangely enough, it works.
A strong ensemble cast work their way through the at-times bizarre plot to create characters that the audience empathise with. You even feel a great deal of sympathy/empathy for the monster, setting you up for an ending that needs a box of tissues and five handkerchiefs to get through -- and that's if you're an unemotional bloke. The ending is not so much 'happy' as it is 'bittersweet'. The monster had to die, but the heroine still grieves for the monster as she sets off to achieve her dreams and her happiness.
Having previously watched Aibu Saki and Maya Miki in "Attention Please" (where one plays a trainee JAL flight attendant and the other plays her instructor), I found myself laughing in recognition at the final scene in the airport terminal.
And, strangely enough, it works.
A strong ensemble cast work their way through the at-times bizarre plot to create characters that the audience empathise with. You even feel a great deal of sympathy/empathy for the monster, setting you up for an ending that needs a box of tissues and five handkerchiefs to get through -- and that's if you're an unemotional bloke. The ending is not so much 'happy' as it is 'bittersweet'. The monster had to die, but the heroine still grieves for the monster as she sets off to achieve her dreams and her happiness.
Having previously watched Aibu Saki and Maya Miki in "Attention Please" (where one plays a trainee JAL flight attendant and the other plays her instructor), I found myself laughing in recognition at the final scene in the airport terminal.