The Quintessential Quintuplets (Season One)
When Futaro accepted the tutoring job paying five times the going rate, he never expected to be tutoring quintuplets, let alone meeting his future wife!
What did you watch?
When the Winter 2019 schedule was announced, The Quintessential Quintuplets popped up on my radar and one look told me that I was going to watch it. Ever since I started watching seasonal anime, there has always been at least one show that completely surprised me and for this season, it was this one.
What happened?
Futaro is a hard-working student who aces every exam he takes. His family is massively in debt, so when an opportunity presents itself to help his struggling family out, he jumps at. He accepts a tutoring job, which has been advertised at five-times the going rate. It seems to be too good to be true.
It is! Now, Futaro has to try to teach rich quintuplets who don’t seem to want his help and each is failing in their own special way. Before he can even get to the subjects, he’s going to have to gain their trust and survive their endless lack of focus. What seemed like easy money, could just be the most difficult challenge Futaro has ever faced.
What did you think?
I’ll admit this show caught my eye because it’s five equally beautiful main characters, however, I never expected it to be this good. Ironically, it wasn’t the quintuplets that sold me on it either. It was Futaro! For some strange reason, I could relate with him on a level that is rare with a harem protagonist. I mean doesn’t everyone calculate the most cost-effective meal when they order at a restaurant?
What was your favourite moment?
One of the great things about this series was that right at the very beginning we see Futaro on his wedding day, about to marry one of the quints, but which one? It turned the whole harem dynamic completely on its head. Instead of the protagonist being with all of them, we know that he will only end up with one. Trying to work out which one it is made for some great entertainment. There are so many clues and false leads, it really does get quite exciting.
What was your least favourite moment?
Bizarrely, I can’t think of a single moment in all twelve episodes that stood out as being below par. For a show about a guy trying to teach five uninterested girls, it really did manage to keep things interesting. There were lots of funny moments and touching moments. Even with all his awkwardness, Futaro managed to be kind and considerate, but also firm and harsh when needed.
Who was your favourite character?
So, we’re about five hundred words into this review and I haven’t yet mentioned a single quintuplet by name… I really didn’t see that coming. Obviously, Futaro is my favourite character, we could be twins… So, let’s talk about the sisters instead for a while.
Mika was my undisputed favourite from the quintuplets and as far as I can tell at the moment the most likely to become Futaro’s wife, but I might be biased. She is shy and thoughtful but was also the first to accept Futaro as her teacher. Next is Ichika. She is the eldest (by minutes) and acts like it, always seeming to know what to say to get her sisters moving. After her, there’s Itsuki. She’s fiery and stubborn, but also has a hard time expressing herself. Then, there’s Yotsuba. She’s sporty and a bit of an airhead, but she’s also kind and sweet. Finally, there’s Nino. She gives Futaro more grief than any of the other girls but is also kind when she allows people in.
Who was your least favourite character?
Now, I wouldn’t necessarily say my least favourite, although I feel like things could have been clearer from an early stage. I am talking about Futaro’s dad, who I thought was his older brother right up until the final arc. It doesn’t really matter, I was just a little thrown when he referred to him as Dad.
Who needs more screen time?
All of them! I loved this series and am desperate for more, especially as they didn’t reveal which of the sisters will end up marrying Futaro. There was the legend that said whoever was holding Futaro’s hand when the music stopped at the camp, but Futaro was ill and in bed. The quintuplets were by his bedside and of course, they were all holding his hand… I’m glad they didn’t reveal it like that, because that means we must get more.
Is it similar to any other anime you’ve seen?
It’s not anime, but the premise is kind of similar to How I met your Mother, but without the annoying Ted Mosby. I did enjoy that show, but the final couple of seasons milked it and I hated the ending. So, let’s get back to the quintuplets instead. No, it was unlike any harem series I’ve seen. There was a great mix of comedy, both slapstick and absurd humour, but there was also a lot of heart and sincere moments.
Would you like another season?
Without a doubt. I’m already considering jumping into the manga because I desperately want to find out what happens next. This may not be my favourite series of the winter schedule, but it was easily in the top tier. If you haven’t seen it, it’s well worth your time.
I dropped this show because I didn’t think having it not as an ecchi would work, but seeing how it’s been so well received (a second season is rumored to be fast-tracked) I think I need to give it another shot.
Yeah, it definitely wasn’t that ecchi. Probably better described as a romcom. It was really good though with lots of funny moments.
Yotsuba Best Girl!
Looks like autocorrect strikes again. I absolutely agree, Miku is best girl.
ROFL!
Ok here’s the deal with me. I took a gander at this anime but I was kind of turned off by it. Normally I’d enjoy a decent harem here and there but being the fact that each potential love interest are blood related kind of discouraged me from watching it. If he picks one girl then every other girl will have their heart broken OR if he decides to go with all of them, it’ll just make things too weird. Either way its not an outcome I’d particularly enjoy.
I could see why that would be a concern, but in the end this felt much less like a harem series than it did a “who done it” series, except instead of trying to work out who killed someone, you’re trying to figure out which one he’ll marry.
The first series was very much getting them to accept him as their tutor. It was actually a very sweet and funny story. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to season two.
Cool I might have another go at it. If another harem doesn’t pop up and take me away lol.
Haha! There’s always another harem…
I believe i’ve seen ALL of them. Gonna check to see if another one is out.
Still hoping for the true harem ending.
One of these days an anime is going to do it.
Cat Planet Cuties was as close as I’ve seen where Kio ends up with Eris, Aoi, and Manami (that lucky bastard!).
Haha, to be honest I think the Smartphone isekai anime also has a true harem, where “its the culture for a man to have multiple women”. Still gonna joke about the true harem end though!