Actually, I Am

Actually, I Am (Jitsu wa Watashi wa) centers on the perpetually anxious high school student Asahi Kuromine, a character whose defining trait is his utter inability to keep any secret, earning him the nickname 'Leaky Basket' among his peers. His already tumultuous high school life takes a dramatic supernatural turn when he discovers that his romantic interest, the beautiful and mysterious Yōko Shiragami, is, in fact, a vampire. This revelation forces Asahi into the impossible task of keeping Yōko's true nature hidden from the world, specifically from their strict, demon-principal-led academy, which prohibits non-human students from revealing their identities. If Yōko's secret is exposed, she faces immediate expulsion, forcing her to return to the vampire world. Asahi's struggle to maintain this critical secret is complicated by the fact that Yōko is just the tip of the iceberg. He soon encounters a growing cast of classmates with equally fantastical identities: Nagisa Aizawa, the seemingly perfect class representative who is secretly a tiny alien piloting a human-sized mecha suit; Mikan Akemi, the childhood friend and school newspaper chief who transforms into a werewolf under specific conditions; and Shishido, the school’s principal, a powerful demon. The series skillfully utilizes this setting a typical Japanese high school environment to contrast the mundane with the absurdly supernatural, creating a robust framework for romantic comedy and escalating slice-of-life hijinks. The overarching themes explore acceptance, the difficulty of communication, and the enduring strength of friendship and nascent love, providing depth to the otherwise chaotic comedic premise.

From a critical standpoint, Actually, I Am presents a polarizing yet engaging execution of the harem romantic comedy structure. The animation, handled by TMS Entertainment, is competent but occasionally inconsistent, utilizing highly expressive, almost exaggerated character designs that lean heavily into the manga's aesthetic, which works effectively for the comedic timing. However, the movement and background details are standard for a mid-2010s production. The voice acting is arguably one of the anime's strongest assets; Natsuki Hanae captures Asahi Kuromine's perpetual panic and underlying earnestness perfectly, while Yu Serizawa provides a charming, reserved vocal performance for Yōko Shiragami. The ensemble cast supports the manic energy of the show, delivering strong comedic timing. The story pacing is generally rapid, necessary to cycle through the introduction of numerous supernatural love interests, yet this speed sometimes sacrifices deeper character development outside of the primary trio. Thematic depth centers on acceptance of others' flaws and hidden identities, though these themes are often overshadowed by the relentless supernatural gags and misunderstandings. While the central premise is compelling, the series' conclusion feels somewhat rushed and incomplete, failing to fully resolve the romantic tension built throughout the run. Overall, it functions effectively as a high-energy supernatural comedy, prioritizing rapid-fire humor over narrative finesse or complex emotional arcs.