People expect a lot out of other, but usually never really expect much from themselves. Having that counterbalance of what people insist on others, can put pressure on oneself to change -- or at least pretend to change -- in order to fit in. Ending up with this fragile mask of what people want you to be, rather than who you really are.

These kinds of fake personalities appear quiet clearly for our blue haired, ice princess Natsukawa Masuzu from Ore No Kanojo To Osananajimi Ga Shuraba Sugiru.

From quite an early age, Masuzu wanted to impress her father by being a well behaved child -- so she would try to act like a good girl to get her fathers approval. Now being in high school, she continues to be the fake self, she became oh so familiar with.

Lost Self

Surprise Attack Masuzu

Becoming familiar with being something she was not, ended up making Masuzu doubt who she was and confused of what was her true emotions, and what was fake; along with the distrust of herself, came the lack of trust for others.

However, it took her slowly letting her guard down and genuine falling in love with Kidou Eita, to shake the uncertainty she had in herself -- which is quite cheesy the more I think about it. Nevertheless, some people need that sharp contrast of something or someone, you can truly trust, in order to finally shatter the mask you have been clinging to for so long.

As a small comparison, we have Nagase Iori -- from Koroko Connect -- who is a far better example of a fake, who is trying to find out who she really is. Iori had an entire four extra episodes to flesh out her problems and resolution, while Masuzu's conflict and resolution was done in about two; the matter of length isn't that important, but how in-depth the detail for a character is what I'm getting at.

Still both were interesting enough characters individually, to get a good sense of why they put on the facade and what push them to find out who they really are.

Exposing the Face

Natsukawa Masuzu

Getting back to Masuzu, when she finally realized that she truly does have feeling for Eita, the ice princess's chambers melts to expose a sweeter and more lovey dovey character.

And quite the contrast to see. With the new Masuzu, she finally reveals her true smile that has been hidden under her mask for so long. Of course, this sweet treat is only shown to Eita alone and Masuzu completely reverts back to her old self around the other girls. I find that to be completely fine, and I'm just glad to see Masuzu's true self in the small ride of the thirteen episodes of OreShura.

Break

OreShura was a decent spin on the harem romcom, but the spin itself was quite ironically a facade as well. What I mean, is that there was still that very familiar formula that a majority of harems take.

Even with the ending clearly -- at least to me -- being Eita choosing Masuzu, there was the small hint at it being a harem end because none of the girls really gave up. And really thats the only problem I have with it, but overall I did enjoy what it had to ofter, facade and all.