The Pet Girl of Sakurasou

Sorata Kanda is a high school sophomore stuck living in Sakurasou, the dormitory for the academy's most troublesome and eccentric students. He hopes to leave, but his daily routine ends up revolving around the building's oddball residents, especially Mashiro Shiina, a brilliant but socially awkward artist who relies on him more than he planned. Sorata ends up juggling schoolwork, caretaking, and the competitive ambitions of friends like Nanami and Misaki, while trying to hold on to his own goals. The show follows their messy, often funny attempts to grow up, balance creativity with responsibility, and figure out what success really means without revealing any major plot twists.

Created in 2012 from Hajime Kamoshida's light novels, the anime lists Mari Okada and Hajime Kamoshida among its creators. The series features voices by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Sorata and Ai Kayano as Mashiro, with Mari Nakatsu, Natsumi Takamori, and Takahiro Sakurai rounding out the main cast.

The series holds a 7.6/10 user vote, reflecting generally favorable responses. Reviewers and viewers often highlight the strong character interactions, emotional highs and lows, and the tension between artistic ambition and everyday obligations. Major themes include responsibility, creative pressure, unorthodox friendships, and the awkwardness of growing up.

Among anime fans, Sakurasou has stayed memorable for its eccentric characters and the care-versus-ambition dynamic, especially Mashiro's odd brilliance paired with social difficulty. It sparked a steady stream of fan art, online discussion about creative burnout, and helped popularize school-set romantic comedies that mix light humor with serious emotional beats.

The show didn’t sweep major industry awards, but it built a devoted international fanbase and remains a frequent recommendation for viewers who like character-driven romcoms with dramatic moments. Its cast performances and emotional moments are often cited when people suggest accessible, character-focused anime to newcomers.