Ep 1. The World Runs on Love

The World God Only Knows revolves around Keima Katsuragi, an infamous high school student who is known as the "God of Conquest" for his prowess in the world of dating sim games. His life is turned upside down when he unwittingly makes a contract with a demon named Elsie, who tasks him with capturing escaped spirits from Hell by luring them out of girls' hearts and into special magic orbs.

In the first episode, "The World Runs on Love," we are introduced to Keima as he quietly plays his dating sim games in class instead of paying attention to his teacher. When Elsie suddenly appears before him and explains the situation, Keima quickly dismisses her as a delusional fan and tries to continue playing his game. But when Elsie demonstrates her powers by revealing that the entire classroom has been turned into a rainforest, Keima reluctantly agrees to help her in exchange for her erasing his memories of the supernatural encounter.

Their first target is a spirit that has possessed the heart of Ayumi Takahara, a girl in Keima's class who is beloved by all for her kind nature and leadership skills. Elsie enrolls in Ayumi's school as a transfer student and befriends her, while Keima uses his vast knowledge of dating sim cliches to win over Ayumi's heart and remove the spirit. Along the way, we see flashes of Keima's real personality as he grudgingly goes along with Elsie's plan and constantly criticizes her lack of common sense.

The episode is filled with hilarious moments and clever references to dating sim tropes, such as Keima's observation that Ayumi's "flag" (romantic interest) has been raised and Elsie's insistence on wearing a school uniform despite it being the middle of summer. The animation is bright and colorful, with detailed character designs and lively background music.

Overall, "The World Runs on Love" sets the stage for a fun and entertaining anime series that blends romance, comedy, and supernatural elements. Keima is a unique protagonist with his quirky personality and gaming obsession, and Elsie provides a perfect foil for him with her earnestness and lack of knowledge about the human world. Fans of dating sim games and anime alike will enjoy this first episode and be eager to see what adventures Keima and Elsie will embark on next.