ORESUKI Are you the only one who loves me?

"ORESUKI Are you the only one who loves me?" follows Amatsuyu "Joro" Kisaragi, a high school student who puts on a "dense nice guy" persona, hoping to star in his own romantic comedy. His plans go awry when two girls he's close to, student council president Sakura "Cosmos" Akino and childhood friend Aoi "Himawari" Hinata, confess to him on the same weekend. However, they both reveal they're in love with his best friend, the cheerful baseball ace Taiyou "Sun-chan" Ooga, and only want Joro's help. Joro maintains his friendly act, secretly hoping to date whichever girl Sun-chan rejects.

His cynical worldview is challenged by the quiet, sharp-tongued bookworm Sumireko "Pansy" Sanshokuin. She's the only one who sees Joro's true, scheming personality and shockingly confesses that she's in love with that hidden side of him. This sets off a complex web of schemes, misunderstandings, and betrayals among the friends, as Joro navigates shifting alliances and confronts the consequences of everyone's hidden feelings and manipulative actions. The story, which begins as a sharp parody of harem tropes, evolves into a genuine exploration of the characters' insecurities and what it means to truly care for someone, culminating in a final OVA episode that resolves the central conflicts.

The core meaning of "ORESUKI" is a critical examination of appearances versus reality in relationships. It deconstructs the idealized archetypes found in romantic comedies to argue that true connection is only possible when individuals drop their facades and show their authentic, flawed selves. The series posits that the "perfect protagonist" or the "ideal friend" are manufactured roles, and the messy, sometimes selfish, reality of human nature is far more compelling and worthy of love. It champions the idea of loving someone for their true personality, warts and all, rather than the polished image they present to the world.

One alternative interpretation focuses on Joro's character not as a scumbag who learns to be good, but as a fundamentally good person who creates a cynical persona as a defense mechanism. This reading suggests that his constant internal scheming is a way to cope with his own perceived mediocrity and insecurity. His acts of kindness are not him developing a new personality, but his true nature leaking through the cracks of his carefully constructed facade. Pansy, in this view, doesn't fall for a "scumbag," but for the genuine, kind-hearted boy she can see hiding underneath the cynical act.

Another interpretation posits that the entire series is a meta-commentary on the anime production process itself. The initial, trope-filled setup represents a pitch for a standard harem show. The subsequent deconstruction is the author's true vision breaking through, while the later arcs, which lean back into some clichés, represent the inevitable pressures of audience expectation and commercial demands on a series. The show's self-aware, fourth-wall-breaking humor lends some credence to this reading, suggesting the characters are fighting against the roles the genre demands of them.

"ORESUKI" made a notable impact within the anime community as a sharp and intelligent deconstruction of the oversaturated harem romantic-comedy genre. At a time when many similar shows relied on tired clichés, "ORESUKI" was praised for its self-awareness and satirical bite, particularly in its first few episodes which viciously subverted audience expectations. The protagonist, Joro, stood out from the typical bland, passive harem lead; his two-faced, scheming nature was seen as a refreshing and more psychologically interesting take on the archetype.

The show's running gag involving "Bench-kun" became a widespread meme, demonstrating its ability to connect with audiences through absurdist humor. While some critics and viewers felt the series lost some of its critical edge in the middle and began to indulge in the very tropes it was mocking, many agreed that it successfully balanced satire with genuine character development and heartfelt moments. Its legacy is that of a clever, witty series that dared to question the formula of its genre, influencing viewers to look more critically at the character dynamics and plot devices common in romance anime. The necessity of watching the OVA for the true ending also sparked discussions about storytelling formats in anime adaptations.

Audience reception for "ORESUKI" was largely positive, though often divided into distinct phases. The first three episodes received widespread acclaim for being a brilliant and hilarious deconstruction of harem tropes. Viewers praised the unique protagonist and the show's willingness to subvert expectations. However, opinions became more mixed during the middle of the series. Some viewers felt the show lost its satirical edge and devolved into the very type of harem comedy it initially mocked, accumulating a large cast of female characters who predictably fall for the protagonist.

Despite this mid-series criticism, the overall consensus remained favorable, especially after the release of the concluding OVA. Many viewers found the ending to be one of the most satisfying and heartwarming conclusions in the genre, praising its emotional depth and clever resolution. The character of Joro was a frequent point of discussion, with many appreciating a protagonist who was proactive and cunning rather than passive. Pansy was also a fan-favorite for her sharp personality and devotion to Joro's true self. The primary criticism often centered on the expanded cast of girls in the later arcs, who some felt were underdeveloped compared to the main cast.