Rated: on Jan, 12th, 2012 by fresh_c
This series could have easily been another fan service show with a ridiculously unbelievable Harem, but somehow it manages to rise above that. With the main character so obsessed with Visual Novels of all things, it's a testimate to the creator's restraint how tame this is (from an echii point of view). You won't see copious panty shots or hanging cleavage in each scene. Indeed this shows focus on the one feature that rescues good visual novels from the heap of smutty trash that most of them (and a lot of anime now adays) fall into: it focuses on the characters.

Keima himself is the best example of this. As the series goes on you learn more and more about the depth of his obsession. Bit by bit you see the person beneath the games as he is forced to deal with the real world around him.

Each heroine in the story is given enough limelight to make you care about their problems and cheer on Keima as he solves them in ways that are both predictable and not.

Elsie is quite funny in her constant ditziness. It's carried out in such a subtle way that it doesn't feel as forced as most comedy clown acts.

The animation is good but not great. There's never any reason for you to be wowed by it. The art style is even better and all the character models are varied and attractive in their own way.

The Music however, is what impressed me the most about the show. IT switches seamlessly through melancholic piano pieces to upbeat tunes all of which completely match and complement the mood of the scene. I also enjoyed the opening sequence quite a bit (it grew on me).

All in all, this isn't the best anime I've ever seen, but it is one of the most fun and entertaining. You'll like the characters even if you don't empathize with all of them, and the great music makes this one of the best shows to kick back and relax to. I'd give it a 4.5 out of 5 if I could... but instead I'll have to round up to a 5.

It's not a must watch, but its certainly an enjoyable one.