Wolf Girl And Black Prince 2016

Okay, let's talk about something. It's a movie. It's a movie called Wolf Girl And Black Prince. Specifically, the 2016 live-action version.

An Unpopular Opinion Incoming

Brace yourselves! I'm about to say something that might get me exiled from anime-watching society. I… actually kind of enjoyed it. More than I maybe should have.

I know, I know. The premise is wild. Erika Shinohara, desperate to fit in, lies about having a boyfriend.

She snaps a random photo of a handsome stranger. Turns out, he's super popular Kyouya Sata. And he agrees to play along... if she becomes his dog.

The Cringe Factor is Real

Yes, it's problematic. Extremely so. The power dynamics are all messed up. Kyouya is basically a jerk. A beautiful, smirking jerk, but still a jerk.

But here's the thing. I went in expecting a train wreck. I was ready to hate it. I prepared myself for the ultimate cringe.

And while there *were* moments that made me want to hide under a blanket... it also had a certain charm.

Let's Talk About Kento Yamazaki

A big part of that charm? Kento Yamazaki as Kyouya. Let's be honest. He could read the phone book and I'd probably be entertained.

He nails the cold, detached, secretly-maybe-not-so-detached vibe. He portrays a convincing 'Black Prince'. Plus, his eyebrows deserve their own award.

And sure, Kyouya is awful at the beginning. But you see glimpses of something else. A tiny spark of vulnerability. Or maybe it's just Yamazaki's acting.

Erika's Naiveté

Then there's Fumi Nikaido as Erika. She's adorably naive. Almost painfully so. You want to shake her sometimes and say, "Girl, run!"

But she's also genuinely kind. And persistent. And maybe, just maybe, that persistence wears down Kyouya's icy exterior.

It's like watching a puppy relentlessly trying to lick a grumpy cat. Eventually, the cat might tolerate the puppy. Maybe even... like it a little?

The Movie Knows What It Is

Okay, so here's where my unpopular opinion doubles down. I think the movie knows it's ridiculous. It doesn't take itself too seriously.

There's a certain self-awareness there. Like it's winking at the audience. Saying, "Yeah, this is bonkers. Just go with it."

It embraces the absurdity of the situation. The over-the-top reactions. The ridiculous scenarios. It's pure, unadulterated fluff.

Guilty Pleasure Confessions

Look, I'm not saying it's a masterpiece. It's not going to win any awards. It's definitely not feminist literature.

But sometimes, you just need a guilty pleasure. Something light and fluffy. Something that requires zero brainpower.

Wolf Girl And Black Prince (2016) fits that bill perfectly. Is it problematic? Yes. Is it predictable? Absolutely. Is it strangely entertaining? In my opinion, yes!

So, sue me. I enjoyed watching a beautiful jerk slowly fall for a persistent puppy. My expectations were low, and the movie surpassed them. What can I say?

Maybe you'll hate it. Maybe you'll agree with me. Either way, I've said my piece. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go rewatch it.