GrinCast - a podcast about videogaming and games from GameGrin

The Pals Anime Lounge Podcast - Tokimeki Memorial: Forever With You

·40 min·3 clips

Why did Ace choose a 1999 anime about a visual novel school legend to understand Neptunia's 'Tokimeki Sister' enemies?

The episode begins with Ace introducing the OVA 'Tokimeki Memorial Forever With You', chosen due to curiosity about Neptunia's 'Tokimeki Sister' enemies. The hosts provide synopses: Shiori ponders feelings before graduation, following teenage girls at Kitamaki Private High School. They note the anime's opening with a school legend about a confession tree for eternal happiness. Early scenes include an evil koala causing an explosion and a reindeer attack with a sword, which the hosts find bizarre and unexplained. Characters like Shiori, Mio, and Ayako are introduced, with Ayako creating xenomorph breast art, highlighting dark humor. The editing is criticized for jumping between scenes, such as a tennis ball incident and a fortune-telling computer. A mecha subplot is introduced but dropped, adding to the unfocused nature. The hosts discuss a phone call where a nameless girl gets dumped, but Shiori's passive reaction undermines emotional impact. They analyze the Christmas party scene with Rei's militia and isekai tank, noting random elements. The classical music club and Nozomi's swimming struggles are touched on but not deeply explored. The finale involves Shiori confessing at the tree, but the hosts feel it lacks payoff due to poor character development. Throughout, they compare it to the visual novel, noting the faceless protagonist issue. The hosts debate the MyAnimeList score of 6.05, with some suggesting lower ratings due to the anime's messiness. They praise the animation quality, especially slapstick scenes, but conclude it's not worth watching except for mecha highlights.

As heard by us

A close anime discussion finds charm in abrupt edits, rain montages, and one excellent tennis-ball hit.

Tokimeki Memorial: Forever With You gives Ace, Artura, and Gozo Girls a school OVA built from abrupt cuts, rain montages, and emotions that will not settle into tidy order.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get a 1999 school-romance OVA, an 87% computer love match, and a tennis ball to the face in one curious listen.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from GrinCast - a podcast about videogaming and games from GameGrin