Most times, I won’t read a synopsis before checking a show out. I like my viewing experience to be pure and untainted by any expectations, you know? This time, though, the chemical dice that make the decisions in my brain rolled snake eyes, and the brief moment of hesitation that ensued got me to check out the little pop-up description for this on Hulu - - so I blew the surprise for myself.
(Then again, I probably wouldn’t have watched it unless I’d been intrigued by that synopsis, so that brings us back to the whole ambivalent fundamental appeal of spoilers, doesn’t it?)
Believe it or not, I watch so many movies that my mind will often wander and wonder about what the supporting characters in these plots must be experiencing. Since this seems to be lightly inspired by GHOST (or the creators at least watched it, once) it does specifically make me recall my idle thoughts about what Demi Moore’s neighbors and co-workers must’ve been thinking about her passionate love affair with poltergeist. Imagine being a guy trying to hit on her, having no idea that she’s being followed by a vengeful, invisible ex-boyfriend who can be everywhere.
Have a thought, and pop culture will eventually answer it for you, right? Here we have NATSUYUKI RENDEZVOUS to play out that specific curiosity and, while I do wonder how the ghostly surprise would’ve hit (or, more likely, confused) me if I’d gone in totally unaware, I’ve got to stay it’s a perfectly quaint and fun romantic comedy with some likeable-but-not-saccharine characters. Like, I’d honestly bet on this either getting remade or ripped-off by Hollywood within the space of five years.
Odd praise, perhaps, but that is my way of saying that I enjoyed this gentle blend of magical realism and slice-of-life. Maybe not enough to follow the rest of it amidst all this other competition for my time, but certainly enough to bring it up whilst recommending anime to the uninitiated.
Watch this episode, "Episode 1” below and decide for yourself.
Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk
