Aishiteru: Live, Love Anime - Part XVI

Sukitte li na yo (Say I Love You) (2012)

Video: Say I Love You Trailer

Mei Tachibana has always isolated herself from everyone due to her belief that all people will eventually betray one another and therefore meaning relationships are not worth the effort, but when she meets Yamato Kurosawa, everything changes. Yamato, the most popular boy in school, has fallen head over heels in love with Mei, but as Mei does not know how to approach others or handle her own feelings, she struggles to accept this fact. Despite it all Yamato continues to pursue Mei in hopes they can form a relationship that both goes beyond friends and will help Mei to understand herself, her feelings and the worth of others.

Why I began this series: I had seen Say I Love You many places for quite some time, and after just finishing Ajin I was looking for something a little more lighthearted - thus I began Say I Love You.

Thoughts on the series:

My feelings on Say I Love You remain jumbled. There were many aspects of the series that I enjoyed quite a lot, while there were also things I felt indifferent towards. While the series followed the standard romance anime formula, I was quickly impressed by how Say I Love You handled its romance elements, setting it apart from many other romance animes I have seen. The connection between Yamato and Mei felt very real from the start it was great to see such a strong relationship between the main characters that was not purely based on the physical aspect. While the relationship between Mei and Yamato felt rushed at the start their feelings for one another were constant and unyielding, showing how it truly feels to fall hard in love. This was a very refreshing take on romance and it made both Mei and Yamato characters that could represent anyone in real life relationships and how in the end we all just want to be loved for who we are. This and many other sentiments like it were some of the series best qualities, as both the main pair and many of the secondary characters dealt with issues that many young people experience today, such as body image. Say I Love You cont continually addressed this and many other issues and in the end sent the message that people who are worth holding onto will love you for who you are and there is no reason to change yourself for anyone. Unsurprisingly, the characters of the series were the driving force of these messages and many made strong impressions from the start. Though Yamato fit the general, adoring male protagonist, I was glad to see the female lead, Mei have a strong , reserved but direct personality. Unlike many other female leads in romance anime Mei always knew what wanted, even if she didn't know how to go about it and she always spoke her mind no matter what anyone else thought about her. Even as the series progressed and Mei came to better understand herself and how it feels to be in love her original spark and personality never faded and she ultimately did not change anything for Yamato, who in the end confessed that he loved her for her. The secondary cast was much the same, its characters eventually coming to the realization that you should not care what others think about you and that people will like you for you, but this said however, some of the secondary characters were very weak. With almost all of the character development of the series focused on Mei and Yamato, the secondary cast was often left to fend for themselves when it came to personal growth or change, even though almost all of the characters were able to do this at one point or another. The only character I particularly was not fond of was Kai Takemura, which saddened me as in the English Dub he was voiced by Andrew Love, the same voice actor who many times made me laugh and drove me to tears as Akio Furukawa in Clannad and Clannad: After Story. Despite Love's performance, Takemura suffered most from little character development in addition to not having substance behind him or a reason for being a part of the series except to shake things up. This said however there was no character in Say I Love You that I hated and I grew to like most of the characters soon after their initial introductions. But the characters were not completely at fault for their development, as there were many times that the plot outside of the romance seemed jumbled. I often felt that some episodes belonged before others, especially the final episode of the series which felt extremely out of place. If the series had had an easier flowing outline along with better pacing, Say I Love You would have been very different. Another element of the series that had me undecided on my opinions was its animation. Much of the series was beautifully done, especially its backgrounds and the immense amount of detail especially shown in the characters expressions. However, many of the character designs, including Yamato, had me constantly flip flopping between approval and disapproval, making me unsure whether to praise or or write off the animation all together. At first glance Say I Love You looks beautiful, but it is definitely an animation style to fit a certain taste. Then came the English Dub, which quite surprisingly, I did not enjoy. The only other anime where I have encountered this was with the newly released English Dub for Your Lie In April, which I did not nearly enjoy as much as I did the series in its original Japanese. Though I did not enjoy the Dub, I plan in the near future to re-watch Say I Love You in its original format to see if there is any drastic changes on my opinions towards the series. 

Within the realm of romance anime, Say I Love You is a good series that is definitely worth your time. Telling a wonderful love story of young love, Say I Love You reminds us all that it is alright to fall in love and it can strike anyone at anytime.

Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou (The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors & Hostile Behavior) (2014)

Video: Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou Opening

Usa Kazunari spends all his free time hidden within his high schools library, but not to read. Only there can he see Ritsu, a young girl and obsessed bookworm who can always be found buried in a book, and the girl whom Usa has had a crush on for quite some time. When Usa later that day moves in a boarding house known as the Kawai Complex and learns that Ritsu not only lives in the complex but is the daughter of the complex' owner, he couldn't be happier. Now living with Ritsu Usa hopes to become closer with her, but between school and their home life along with four unique residents will Usa be able to do so and will Ritsu finally open herself to others and recognize these unknown feelings she has for Usa?

Why I began this series: My first interaction with this series was unexpectedly finding its opening theme online which I discovered just as I was beginning to watch anime and instantly fell in love with. And almost one year later, I finally got around to watching the series that went with this great theme. 

Thoughts on the series:

Bokun wa Minna Kawaisou is simply a beautiful series. As its name implies, Bokun wa Minna Kawaisou is a cute and downright adorable series that between its hilarious and lively characters, its Slice of Life story and its drop dead gorgeous animation is a sight to see. A series only a few years old and centered around young romance, Bokun wa Minna Kawaisou is easily one of the best and well made romance series to date. The first thing that struck me about the series was its characters, a wide and colorful cast of individuals who all functioned as one, big dysfunctional family. While the cast was made up of your typical stereotypical characters - the innocent yet love struck male protagonist, the clueless female love interest, the woman for fan service, the pretty but devilish young girl, the masochist and the adorable old woman taking care of them all, they were such an amusing and intriguing cast that those labels in the long run made no difference whatsoever. All the characters were unique and quirky in their own way, making them not only relatable but also for a hilarious yet truly beautiful slice of life story. Usa may not have been the most impressive or original of protagonists but he still had a great deal of depth in addition to determination, with Ritsu being much the same. The secondary characters additionally were just as strong and fun to watch, all they all had distinct personalities that shower both their tough and soft sides. Even characters who were only in an episode or two were well done and developed so they felt like an equally important part of the story rather than just part of a side story, which can be difficult to execute especially in a romance and slice of life series. Following its strong cast was Bokun wa Minna Kawaisous relaxed plot line which for the main part remained purely focused on the relationship between Usa and Ristu. The plot line of teen romance may seem basic and somewhat overused, but the series extremely cute premise and characters were more than enough to make me want to keep watching until the very end. But of all the beautiful things in Bokun wa Minna Kawaisou its animation is the most notable and downright stunning element of the entire series. Bokun wa Minna Kawaisou is nothing short of a visual wonder, with bright, vivid colors and intricate lighting effects that are simply mesmerizing. The animation alone alone swept me off my feet, as each frame brought a new light and life to the scene at hand. Between the series vivid color palate, its gorgeous character designs and its wonderful lighting effects there was never a time I wanted to look away, purely because I did not want to miss any of its beautiful animation. and Bokun wa Minna Kawaisou it is easily one of the most beautifully animated series I have ever come across, as seen in both its promotional poster the series opening video and the photos below. 

Without a doubt Bokun wa Minna Kawaisou is one of the most stunningly animated, best Romance/Slice of Life anime out there. A coming of age story about love and the power of relationships, Bokun wa Minna Kawaisou is a series that is not to be missed or overlooked by any anime fan and a series that I would recommend to anyone, even if they do not care for a slower, less exciting story.

The Garden of Words (2013)

Video: Garden of Words Trailer

For young high schooler Takao Azizuki, rainy days are an escape from everyday society and the only days he will intentionally skip school to enjoy. Armed only with his umbrella and sketchpad spends these days in a small forest shelter where he can sketch the shoes he one day wishes to make. When he one day meets a a woman occupying the same shelter on a rainy day he at first is reluctant to join her, but eventually sits down with her and learns that she too skips work to enjoy these rainy days. The two agree to meet each other again but only on rainy days and they soon both find themselves longing for rain, not so they can escape the world, but so they can meet and perhaps help each other overcome the struggles that separate them from other and each other.

Why I watched this film: I had been meaning to watch The Garden of Words for quite some time, and as I had just received my Virtual Reality gear from Samsung I spontaneously decided to watch the forty-five minute film.

Thoughts on the film:

The Garden of Words was so simple, yet so beautiful. A story revolving around two people, their meetings, their feelings and how rainy days brought them together, this film was a simple but powerful feature that left me feeling a flood of emotions. I appreciated that the films romance was simple and more focused on the intellectual and emotional, as it detailed two people who had very different lives and issues. Using this as the entire plot line of the film, The Garden of Words seemed a very mature feature that could stand up to many of the full length animated films available today. Focusing completely on the two main characters, The Garden of Words told a very specific and detailed story of two people who found what they were looking for in each other because of the rain. Other elements of the film, including its animation, voice cast and soundtrack were top notch and added greatly to this already great film.

"I realize now, I was learning how to walk as well. I haven't mastered the steps, I fall too. But I'm on my path, my path... and one day that path... will take me to her"
- From The Garden of Words 

Doukyuusei (2016)

Video: Doukyuusei Trailer

Hikaru Kusakabe and Rihito Sajou are both part of their high schools choir club which has been preparing for the upcoming chorus festival. When Kusakabe discovers that Sajou, a young man who is considered a genius, isn't singing in class because he isn't good at it, he offers to coach him privately for the festival performance. Sajou agrees and the two meet regularly to work their chorus pieces but when they discover there is something much more than friendship between them, will they be able to be together despite their same gender?

Why I watched this film: I can remember seeing that Doukyuusei would be broadcast in select theater across the U.S in March, but sadly I was unable to attend any of its screenings. After remembering it suddenly and taking to the internet to see if the film was anywhere, I luckily struck gold and finally watched Doukyuusei.

Thoughts on the film:

Next to Love Stage!, Doukyuusei is the most well done yaoi I have seen thus far. A film only an hour in length Doukyuusei managed to tell its entire story in its run time and leave me absolutely and entirely in love with it. Only the beginning of its triumphs was its story, focusing on the lives and feelings of two young boys both in the choir club. While it seems that every anime, series or film, is set in your average high school and centered around teenagers who come to fall in love with their opposite during their various after school activities, Doukyuusei took this concept and took it to the next level. Unlike the main protagonist being part of such a club just to get close to the female protagonist that he happens to be falling for, Kusakabe offers to coach Sajou out of the goodness of his heart, before he discovers that he has feelings for him. This dynamic made Doukyuusei a joy to watch, and even after the choir festival was held both Kusakabe and Sajou continued to grow as they found themselves having to face their respective futures. The story of Doukyuusei was not only fresh, but incredibly innocent and adorable as it took a few turns that were unexpected and had me screaming at the screen. Alongside its story were its two characters, Kusakabe and Sajou, who fit the mold and mood of the film perfectly. While in the world of yaoi the roles of seme and uke seem cut and dry, they were brought to life in Doukyuusei in incredible ways - first by their voice actors and second by the films unique animation style. Kusakabe, voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya, was a perfect, relaxed and incredibly sensitive foil to the serious and concerned Sajou, voiced by Kenji Nojima. Their chemistry together was incredible and it truly felt as though they loved each other from the first moment they laid eyes of each other to their final kiss. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the film was its animation, a completely hand-drawn style that I had not come across anywhere. The animation at the start looked amateur, but as the series continued I found it to be one of the films biggest highlights. The drawing additionally was rough and not entirely perfect, perhaps reflecting on the idea that no relationship can be this way and will have its bumps and flaws. It additionally went back and forth between your usual camera shots and panels like something from a comic, as that is what Doukyuusei was originally based on. The entire look of the film is what ultimately impressed me as it showed that it was able to tell a moving, and very applicable story without flashy and over produced animation. 

(Doukyuusei Kiss Scene)

Doukyuusei is a diamond in the rough. A film that is worth seeing even in you are not a Shonen Ai fan, Doukyuusei tells a beautiful love story between two young people who are willing to do anything and defy anyone that stands in their way of being together.