Watching My Stepmom's Daughter is My Ex reminds me of the time when I was forced to stay for detention because I made a mistake in class. The real question to ask is if My Stepmom's Daughter is My Ex is a mistake. Yes, it damn right it is.
Based on the novels of the same name, you don't need a vivid imagination to see how our two main characters used to have a history together. It's simple as it gets: they used to be a couple. As fate would have it, Mizuto and Yume would reunite again due to their parents' martial status. The show sets up the two to see who can be the more dominant of the pair. Some people may compare this to Kaguya-sama, a successful franchise that masterfully crafted its rom-com elements. Unfortunately, that is not the case for My Stepmom's Daughter is My Ex.
The very first topic I want to address is the amount of fan service. Your eyes aren't fooling you if you've seen the promotional material. The poster might not be obvious but the previews contains suggestive camera shots of boobs and ass. And in one of those previews, you can clearly see the stepsister dressed in a towel. The anime isn't shy about trying to make Yume as alluring as she can be. It's like a test to see how much she can tempt Mizuto when the two live together. We have to remember that the two used to be a couple so past feelings are still floating around in their heads. What this anime explores is how their past connect them to each other in the present. And trust me, the show just absolutely loves to show the two fool around with the very idea of love.
While the first few episodes dedicates to Mizuto and Yume, it was a matter of time before the two went on various dates for reasons. Why this anime is obsessed with trying to get these two to fall in love is almost like a mystery. I'm talking about the type of mystery that has little taste for mystique or curiousity. The anime obviously set up these two to fall for each other. In fact, Mizuto and Yume seems to have lingering feelings after all this time. It's not unusual to have two people in the real world to react such ways after seeing each other after a few years. Applying to this anime's principals, every episode is a social test that explores their human emotions. Unfortunately, this anime does a poor job with that by injecting humorless gags and fan service for the the sake of fan service.
Outside of our main duo, we can't have a complete cast without the best friend of the main female protagonist so that's where Akatsuki Minami comes in. While being cheerful and outgoing, her presence is mostly overshadowed by the two protagonists. Let's face it, did she ever even stand a chance to be with Mizuto? Right off the bat, she gets rejected by Mizuto and even stopped by her childhood friend Kogure. The show pretty much throws her away like a disposable character except for her occasional appearances. Luckily, the anime does spend more time on another main supporting cast: Isana Higashira.
Surprisingly, the show actually makes Isana into a likable character, serving as a foil to Yume. To be honest, I believe she is more compatible for him due to their similar interests and personalities. Their scenes together are also more watchable in the sense that they behave more normally as friends. Rather than as step siblings trying to play mind games towards each other, they act like themselves. Unfortunately, the anime also rejects her being paired up with Mizuto as a couple. No surprise right? This show is dead eye set on the step siblings romance experience. You'd just better strap in and get ready for it.
Unfortunately, the effort poured into animating this mediocre project is nothing short of mediocre. Character designs looks outdated like they were from the last decade while expressions are cartoonish. Like me just say that if you enjoy fan service and suggestive camera shots, then this could be a treat for you. While the story is bankrupt on creativity, the technical elements of its animation quality isn't far off either.
Sometimes, I don't know why these type of shows gets their anime adaptations. Obviously, the easy answer would be for money and attracting fans to buy their products. But let's ask ourselves, why would you use your hard earned money to buy into this show?
