By Owen Glancy Asst. Arts & Features Editor With a title like “Makine! Too Many Losing Heroines,” it’s understandable to make a few negative assumptions of the show’s quality. It doesn’t help that it’s based on a light novel, a Japanese writing medium that is often chastised for storylines that either pander to niche subcultures or act as blatant power fantasies for the readers to insert their own selfish desires into. However, just like the characters within, “Makine” overcomes the stereotypes given to it to become something truly special. Let’s get the obvious out of the way. This show is absolutely gorgeous. These simple character designs are made instantly memorable in how they pop out of the screen in these detailed backgrounds full of vibrant colors. The dark, cool moonlight illuminating a character’s tears, the shadows cast by sparklers in the height of summer, the flowing clothes as a character runs down a track, there is so much detail in every little aspect of this show. The melancholic, overdramatic period of life known as high school is portrayed in such a delicate visual language that remains both beautiful enough, and flexible enough to deliver both emotional and hilarious scenes. Despite how excellent the show’s visual style is, it’s ultimately just the start of what makes the show so good. The plot and characters are what really carry the bulk of the show’s quality. The story follows Nukumizu, a friendless high school student who accidentally sees his classmate Anna getting rejected by her childhood crush at a local family restaurant in favor of her friend. Anna sees, and guilts him into paying for her meal, leading to her paying him back by making him homemade meals until her debt is paid off, much to the chagrin of Nukumizu who doesn’t want much to do with her. This does not seem like the most riveting story in the world, and frankly, it isn’t. On paper, the story beats are not particularly interesting. However, it’s in their execution and in the overall plot’s simplicity where the story finds its footing. As Nukumizu slowly becomes closer to Anna and the other just as unfortunate girls she associates herself with, we begin to get wrapped up in their drama. In a fashion similar to hearing a friend talk about a particularly rocky situationship, we get inexplicably drawn into the story. The title of the show tells us all we need to know about the outcome of our heroine’s romantic pursuits, yet we can’t help but become invested anyway. It definitely helps that all of these characters are incredibly entertaining. Nukumizu plays the straight man to the eccentric personalities of the show’s many other characters, and he is hilarious. Every insane situation, every heartbreak, and every new friendship formed, we only love this guy more and more as he further dedicates himself to being the best support he can be for our heavy-hearted heroines. The titular heroines are Anna, Lemon, and Komari and throughout the show, they all see their dreams of the perfect high school romance crushed by those around them. It would be extremely easy to make these three very bitter and angry characters, especially given the fact that all three of the men they’re pursuing can initially be seen as extremely selfish. However, the show instead goes in a more interesting direction, having these girls attempt to find healthy ways to get over their anguish. Anna joins the literature club, Lemon dedicates herself further to track and field, and Komari throws herself into her new role as president of the literature club. There is one major flaw that hampers the show’s momentum however, and it’s the final episode. Typically the last episode of a season of a show is saved for the climax of the story or maybe an epilogue made to wrap up loose ends. “Makine’s” final episode is 100% filler, with zero impact on either the characters or plot. It leaves the story on such an unsatisfying note, especially after the emotional climax of the previous episode could’ve ended things on such a powerful moment. “Makine! Too Many Losing Heroines” is not at all what I expected, but I loved it anyway. This proved that a simple story populated by interesting characters is sometimes all you need to hook an audience. Rating: A- Losing heroines, winning audience