Astarotte's Toy

12+1. Cute art, chara designs, clothes. Story starts good, but later drags. Best moments for me were slice of life and comedy, not romance. Didn't personally think leads had chemistry, but might just be b/c the ship's a squick for me? YMMV. Astarotte / or & Asuha seemed like more interesting relationship to me. Plot sounds more sexual than the show is (revealing outfits, some suggestive dialog). MC avoids missteps of Louise, Taiga etc. Sometimes queerphobic/aphobic/regressive. Ending was blah.

An absolute and shameless indulgence with no pretense that that's not the goal here - and yet, backing up the surface-level fanservice is surprising emotional depth. There's actual thought as to what the life of a succubus would be like, and how someone who's destined for a life of carnal encounters needs a healthy base of emotional intimacy. If you're not the audience it's appealing to, it's probably not worth your time, but if you are, this is a really nice way to enjoy yourself.

Total loli fan-service with the cutest possible voice acting. A cheerful plot that made me cry for the memory of my mother. The cheerful plot and setting combined with a whimsically happy yet also sad orchestral background is something I have never experienced in another piece of cinema.