Tada Never Falls in Love Review: When You’d Rather Hide Behind the Camera
- The Weebersons
- Jan 15
- 5 min read
Tada Never Falls in Love (Tada-kun wa Koi o Shinai) presents itself as a light romantic comedy, with a quiet boy, an energetic transfer student, and a circle of friends who add color to the story. Not all of the humor lands — the running gag about pinup photos is more distracting than meaningful, and the character behind it is drawn too crudely to serve as a proper foil. What stands out instead is the contrast: against the noisy antics of his friends, Tada’s steady sincerity — and the guarded distance he keeps from attachment — gives the series its more thoughtful undertone.
If you're not interested in tuning out the bawdy humor of Tada's friends, we recommend you skip this one and head over to our top recommendations at The Best Anime for Discerning Viewers.
Plot Summary
Mitsuyoshi Tada is an unassuming high school student who prefers life behind the camera. His world shifts when he meets Teresa Wagner, a transfer student from a small European kingdom, and brings her into his photo club. Around them gathers a lively group of friends, whose banter and antics keep the story light even when the focus drifts. While much of the show plays in the register of everyday comedy, its center lies in the growing bond between Tada and Teresa, framed by questions of belonging, memory, and the risks of opening one’s heart.
Themes and Genre
On the surface, Tada Never Falls in Love is structured as a romantic comedy. The photo club setting supplies energy, with its mix of light banter and occasional foolishness, but the humor is uneven. The fixation on pinup images, for example, is more gross than funny, and serves only as a noisy distraction from the story’s quieter heart.
What lingers instead are the contrasts: shallow antics beside steady sincerity, noisy outbursts beside quiet restraint. Tada is a character defined as much by what he withholds as by what he shares. His fear of attachment shapes his presence within the group, and it is this guarded quality — rather than the comedy around him — that gives the series its emotional weight. The genre label may be romantic comedy, but the story’s deeper register is about the tension between repression and expression, safety and risk, silence and the possibility of love.
If you often find yourself questioning whether an anime’s portrayal of love aligns with your own values, our cornerstone The Ultimate Guide to Evaluating Anime for Value Alignment offers a framework for making those choices with confidence.
Character Dynamics in Tada Never Falls in Love
The series builds its contrast not only through tone, but through its characters. Tada himself is quiet, steady, and reluctant to form attachments. His presence within the photo club feels almost like a shadow — he observes more than he speaks, holding his emotions in reserve. Teresa, by contrast, is warm and expressive, a catalyst who brings energy into Tada’s carefully guarded world.
Around them, the supporting cast keeps the comedy moving. Some of this works — the banter helps soften the story’s more reflective undertones. But the loudest presence, Pin-senpai, relies on objectification gags that are more disgusting than amusing. His antics create noise rather than insight, and if they were meant to make Tada’s sincerity stand out, the result feels heavy-handed. What endures, instead, is the quieter thread: a boy whose fear of attachment defines him, and the friends whose presence slowly draws him toward something more.
Who Should Watch Tada Never Falls in Love
This series is best suited for viewers who appreciate gentle romance told at a slower pace. The comedy keeps things light, but the heart of the story lies in quieter contrasts — between surface-level antics and the deeper hesitations of a boy who fears attachment. If you are drawn to anime that balances everyday humor with an undercurrent of reflection, this short series may be worth your time.
Tada Never Falls in Love is only thirteen episodes long, with no manga or continuation to expand on its world. The story it tells is self-contained, which makes it an easy watch, but also a limited one. Those seeking sweeping romance arcs or long-term character development may come away unsatisfied.
For those craving a rich, fulfilling romance, we highly recommend visiting More Than a Love Story: How Romance Anime Deepens Our Understanding of Connection.
Final Verdict: Is Tada Never Falls in Love Worth Watching?
Tada Never Falls in Love is a light and bittersweet romance that leaves mixed impressions. On one hand, its art style is appealing, the friendships are warm, and the central relationship carries enough sincerity to leave a mark. On the other, its reliance on cheap gags — particularly the objectification jokes — undercuts the gentle atmosphere it could have sustained.
At its best, the series offers a meaningful reminder: repressing your feelings may seem safe, but it leads only to regret. Even the risk of heartbreak can become the turning point toward living more fully.
Pros
Gentle atmosphere with soft art and music
Warm friendship dynamics
A central theme about repression and emotional risk
Cons
Uneven comedy, with objectification gags that distract from the story
Romance feels lopsided rather than grounded in commitment
Our Rating:
Similar Anime to Tada Never Falls in Love
A sweet romance about two people navigating awkward beginnings and building trust. It carries the same kind of sincerity and innocence that gives Tada Never Falls in Love its charm.
This romance shines in how it treats communication as the heart of intimacy. Yuki and Itsuomi’s relationship grows through patience and attentiveness, offering a more layered take on sincerity than Tada Never Falls in Love.
Cheerful and wholehearted, this story celebrates young marriage and the joy of devotion. Its humor is livelier than Tada Never Falls in Love, but the earnest affection feels familiar.
A workplace comedy that grows into romance through small, ordinary gestures. Its warmth and light tone make it an easy next step for fans of Tada’s everyday setting.
Ghibli’s coming-of-age romance captures the hesitancy and hope of first love. Like Tada, it shows how affection can change the way we see ourselves and our future.
FAQs about Tada Never Falls in Love
Is Tada Never Falls in Love worth watching?
Yes, if you're willing to tune out the bawdy humor for a light romance. Otherwise, no! We don't think this one is worth it. You'll find much better options at More Than a Love Story: How Romance Anime Deepens Our Understanding of Connection.
Does Tada Never Falls in Love have a second season?
No. The anime is a self-contained story with 13 episodes and no sequel or continuation.
Is Tada Never Falls in Love based on a manga?
No. It is an anime-original series, not adapted from a manga or light novel.
What kind of anime is Tada Never Falls in Love?
It is a romantic comedy with slice-of-life elements, mixing everyday humor with a quieter story about attachment and sincerity.
How many episodes are in Tada Never Falls in Love?
The series has 13 episodes, making it a short and accessible watch for fans of romance anime.
Does Tada Never Falls in Love have a happy ending?
The ending is bittersweet rather than purely happy. The romance finds resolution, but some viewers feel the relationship is lopsided compared to more grounded love stories.
What did you think of Tada Never Falls in Love? Did its bittersweet approach to romance work for you, or did the humor get in the way? Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear how you experienced this series.
Comments