Horimiya was my first romance anime and the first piece of romance fiction I liked. As a kid, I grew up with Bollywood and action Hollywood movies, but at times, there would be a romantic movie on the Television where I would question why there was no fighting involved. I always thought fighting was the main thing about movies, and based on that, you can imagine why I hated romance.
However, when someone made me watch Horimiya, I actually liked it, and for the past four years, I tried a few other romance animes, but I wasn’t able to get into any of those as much. So I found myself asking the question, what is it that makes Horimiya so special to me? Was it the person who recommended it or, perhaps, the person I was back then?
To answer that question, I went through some bits of the anime and realized the answer was right there: COMEDY! Many of you might not realize this, but the thing that keeps you hooked to Horimiya is comedy, so I like to call it glue, which binds the viewers to the show. And I know there are other romance comedy shows and it’s a genre, rom-com.
In most rom-coms, jokes are forced (you don't just feel like they are forced; they are actually forced) or fillers because there is nothing else to fill that in. Horimiya uses these jokes as the glue that holds everything together, making the love story feel natural and authentic.
Comedy as the Heartbeat of Horimiya
Agree or not, romance in anime is tricky. If you add too much drama, the viewers will be rolling their eyes and if you start adding fluff to cushion that, you will have the viewers snoring. That’s where we have the comedy aspect, which is not just laughs and giggles.
Comedy is about showing how love or relationships aren’t picture-perfect, like how most of you younglings imagine. At times, you will be teasing your partner about their umm questionable or weird obsessions (yes, Hori, I'm looking at you) or being comfortable enough to laugh together after an embarrassing moment has ed.
Then there is banter. For example, Hori’s over-the-top dramatic moments, like her obsessing over Miyamur’s long hair or straight-up threatening my dude (cute for us, not for him), are all hilarious. But that’s all just surface-level. For me, these jokes are a lot more; they reveal the comfort and trust between the two. It makes them feel real and not some perfect beings to get your expectations over the top.
Moment That Had Us Wheezing
Here is the part where I say that if you've seen the show, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Let’s do a case study of a scene so I can show off my analytical skills and how the show’s comedy is beyond what you perceive it to be.
the scene where Hori loses it over Miyamura cutting his hair? Well, that scene isn’t just hilarious it is a glimpse into how much Hori is invested in Miyamura. For her, his long hair isn't just a style; it’s part of how she imagines Miyamura, which she has grown fond of, and her way of keeping him for herself.
So, her dramatic reaction, complete with the exaggerated accusations of betrayal, reflects her playful nature and how deeply she cares, even if she expresses it through teasing. This moment shows how humor in Horimiyua isn’t just about laughing; it’s a tool for showing vulnerability in a lighthearted way.
Think of it as a time when you didn’t like a change or something about your partner (unless you have been single your whole life, which is good; keep it halal and get a wife/husband), but saying it straight away might be rude. So you took a different route to it, whichever it may be, to express your feelings without coming off as controlling. This is precisely what Horimiya did in a comedic and lighthearted way.
The Balance Between Laughs and Feels
What really makes comedy so special in Horimiya is that it has depth. Even when the show touches on more heavy parts, like Miyamura’s past and his struggle with loneliness and bullying, the humor never undercuts the emotions, and if anything, it enhances it. To understand this better, think about this: In real life, we often laugh with friends and family through tough situations. The writer understands that, and he uses that logic to make use of humor to make the show more relatable.
My personal favorite example is when Souta, Hori’s little brother, and father, is third wheeling between the two. Now, these moments are gold comedy, but they kept reminding me of my own family, which made the show feel simple and how genuine connections with people can lead to bigger things.
Why the Comedy Works
At times, I asked why comedy worked so well in Horimiya. I understood that comedy is an integral part of the story, not just an afterthought, and three factors make it special:
It's Character-Driven: The jokes feel natural to the characters making them, so its a reflection of their personality.
It's Relatable: Most of the jokes do go over the top, but there is a relatiblity factor to those.
It Breaks the Tension: Yes, things can get heated, but well-timed comedy can instantly make things better.
Final Thoughts: Stuck to Horimiya Like Glue
Horimiya is more than just a romance anime; it’s a freaking love letter for all of our little moments that makes relationships special. What keeps us and all of that together is the use of comedy. It reminds you that love isn’t about getting huge gifts and going over the board to prove it. It’s about sharing laughs, making mistakes, and teasing each other mercilessly, might I add. And if you haven’t watched Horimiya, do yourself a favor and get started.
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