Let’s face it, most girls are not Ohno Kanako, first true female member of Genshiken and lover of bishounen who are not shounen at all (“biteinen?”). So with an anime like Ristorante Paradiso, a sort of “Ouran High School Host Club” starring men ages 40 and up set in Italy, streaming legally (for free!) on Crunchy Roll, it’s only natural that the viewers on Crunchy Roll seem unsure how to handle this unusual setup.
“These are not beautiful people by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, they are all very plain. Hope the action picks up.”
“well they are old and the girl is so ugly i will not be waching these sorry..”
“They emphasis too much of the double eyelid, with the depth and shadow, it gives them an aging look. *sad face* Either way, the plot is interesting and it’s rereshing. For those who are used to the whole shoujo thing, the art grows on you.”
“their mouths are huge, like freakin’ muppets. Their smiles are awful”
…among other comments.
What I find really interesting here is the amount of comments that basically amount to, “Whoa they’re old! Old men aren’t supposed to be handsome!” as if they had totally been entrenched in the Expanding Bishie Empire and its doctrine of “youth=beauty.” Of course, anime isn’t the only source of this belief, it’s something a part of most cultures in the world, but here it’s referring specifically to that type of effeminate beauty that one can usually see in series such as Fruits Basket or even Saint Seiya. Nor is it gruff manly manhood, or rather what GUYS think sexy men who get all the women should be like. Ristorante Paradiso sits in a unique position, especially in American anime fandom, and I look forward to each episode teaching you young whipperotaku a thing or two about what it means to charm the ladies when all you had was a spoon in your pocket and a chip on your shoulder.
OGIUE MANIAX 
I think it’s just Americans. Japanese fujoshi surely love this show.
LikeLike
Most western world fujoushi have a twisted sense of aesthetics :/
LikeLike
this show has biseinen, shinshi moe and megane moe. easily my anime of the season.
LikeLike
These people have no taste. Cool oyaji = moe. Megane oyaji = double moe. Tsundere megane oyaji = FUCK YEAH.
LikeLike
Yes — the women in Ristorante Paradiso know that there’s nothing so sexy as a man who pays attention to you, and Ristorante Paradiso has those.
Their mouths are kind-of wide, though.
LikeLike
As a shallow fangirl myself, I’ll start liking these guys when I see fanboys liking a show with wrinkled, middle-aged ofukuro. Until then, don’t bother me.
LikeLike
lousy jingles: You’re not paying attention to these comments then, are you? I think the show is charming in a way. Probably because of the age of the males there. :P
LikeLike
I think the age thing is also a matter of taste, although I won’t deny the huge societal influence on people’s tastes (dating a much older person is still a taboo). There are people who like lolis and other who don’t after all.
However, I have a feeling that lousy jingles will quickly have to start liking these people: There are lots and lots of MILF fanboys who precisely like mature women. And if you look carefully, not all of the Ristorante Paradiso guys are actually wrinkled, they’re just middle-aged.
LikeLike
Obviously Porco Rosso is not for everyone.
LikeLike
Wow, I didn’t know Ristorante Paradise got the anime treatment! I’m really fond of Ono Natsume’s BL manga, her artwork and writing are sophisticated in comparison to… most of the junk that permates the genre.
Speaking of anime versions of Erotics-F series: I wonder what most fanboys will think of Takako Shimura’s Sweet Blue Flowers? Willing to bet their reactions will be pretty similar to this OTL
LikeLike
When I am old, I want to be one of the Ristorante Paradiso staff. They’re so…manly.
LikeLike
norio-k: Probably not, because there’s yuri in it. :V
LikeLike
is dis anime like Restore Garage except for about not cars
LikeLike
I’m guessing that this show is aiming for an older audience and the younger generation just aren’t used to seeing people over 20 in their anime. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’d admit that the wide mouths are turning me off.
LikeLike
Holy–!!! Maybe the fujoshi who didn’t like this are still teens or just women with a young-man fetish, but I absolutely LOVED this show! all the men were absolutely lovely, I was googly-eyed myself throughout the whole episode.
Thank you for posting this entry, else I wouldn’t have known about it!
LikeLike
I think I only visit the CR Rispara site to point and laugh at these girls.
LikeLike
It’s no wonder so many people divorce in america. Probably cause their husbands or wifes aren’t “BISHIE(WTF?!) or BISHOUJO material anymore. older people can look good to you know (I’m not an older person but…still these comments make me angry) yeah well i guarantee you most of those stupid fangirls of BEAUTIFUL MEN won’t be any great when THEIR old. Same with MEN. their gonna look like BEER BELLIES with their stupid dinky belly button stinking out. SO MUCH FOR BEING A BEAUTIFUL MAN IN YOUR YOUTH.
these men in the restaurant paradise are GAR and you KNOW IT.
LikeLike