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Sasamiya is one of my favourite BL manga, so I was very excited for the anime. Did the anime deliver? Yes, but with a problem. Is it worth watching? Yes. It's a good anime for BL fans, for anyone who is looking for something to pass the time, for anyone who wants to watch something cute and light.

Stuff about the characters, story, etc., I have already said in my manga review and it still applies here, so I won't mention it again. On to the rest. The animation is good, flows smoothly imo, the colours are appealing and go well with the soft vibe, there ... aren't many weird-looking panels that I have noticed. The sound is fine too, op and ed are nice but probably unmemorable, voice acting sounded good.

So, what is the problem that I mentioned before? The draged-out scenes. In the first episodes there aren't any issues, the story sets off fine. But somewhere in the middle of the show you will start noticing that some episodes/scenes feel so dragged out it becomes boring. I gave a seven to the story because of that. The show should have 8 episodes max, 12 episodes is too much for what it has to offer. Now, you could argue that the manga is slow-burn, but let me tell you I love slow-burn and love the manga for that, but that is not what I'm talking about. While the anime is also slow-burn and there's nothing wrong with that, that's not what I'm referring to, it's about the dragged out scenes. I don't care if it takes 12 or 20 episodes for someone to realise their feelings, for a couple to get together, for a fight to happen, wtv wtv, as long as those 12 episodes aren't stretched. Some scenes feel like they needed to drag stuff to make it to the 24 (?) minute and 12 episodes mark. That happens somewhere in some episodes in the middle of the show, then it becomes 'normal' again in the last episodes (I think?? I'm watching the episodes as they air and my memory is shit, but I think the last episodes I watched were fine.) I don't think they are that bad to watch and the show is still a good show nevertheless.

Was it enjoyable? Yes, definitely. Would I recommend it? Definitely (while also telling you to read the manga if you can). It was fun, it was cute, it was nice to watch despite the dragged scenes. I love the main characters and side characters (my fav is even a side character), the story is light and plays with its own clichés, the last episode was so cute it made up for any problems the anime had... I'm looking forward for the next season.

The fact that this is tagged as bdsm in some sites is wrong.... while yeah, one of them displays masochist's traits, the other is definitely not a sadist. He is violent but not sadist.

So, this guy is a creepy stalker that has been following this other guy that beats people up because he gets aroused from people beating him up. To each their own ig? Tho this guy likes to really be beaten up. Like punched and kicked and everything. That's not normal, you should seek help boy. But the stalking thing and how he forces himself to the other dude's life is...... But the ... fact that they treat the kink like the guy is worse than an animal for it but ignore the stalking that has been happening for YEARS......... Also, the only reason we get as to why the 'bad' guy beats the others up is for them to 'listen'. What kind of reason is that???! And we see him beat one guy because that guy wanted drugs and didn't want to pay, is that not listening? I'm hella confused here. And he punches the stalker guy when he had to leave without telling him, after saying he wouldn't hit him again! Why??? Because he was mad. He beats people because he gets mad and can't deal with it and the whole 'listening' thing is just bullshit to excuse him.

So, from the start the story is already weird but it just keeps getting confusing. More characters appear that idk what their contribution to the story was and other parts of the story I just didn't get. Maybe I'm just dumb idk.

I also didn't like the art much, I think it has potential but needs to be improved.

I'm just gonna state here that I have not read the parent manga and have no idea what happens there, therefore this is just based on my opinion of what I've read in this manga solo.

(review written in 2020)

This has 4 stories in total, not related to each other.

The first one is the main one, about a guy who goes to a parallel world and there he and his 'rival' are in a relationship. When he comes back to his world, his feelings for his 'rival' have changed.

The second story is about a guy who has a voice fetish that meets another one that doesn't like to talk because he's insecure about his voice.

The third one is about 2 best friends, where one is in love with the other but the other doesn't know. That guy is after a girl and the other ... helps him, despite being in love with him.

The fourth one is about a guy with a chubby fetish or something that meets a chubby guy and basically assaults him in the back of the bar where he works. That's literally it. This one is the worst. The other ones at least were consensual, they had a lot of issues but at least were consensual.

The main story is kinda cute and funny. The 2nd and 3rd are nothing special but yeah, it's just one chapter for each so you might as well read them while you're at it. And just skip the 4th story. Don't waste your time with it.

(review written in 2020)

I thought this was gonna be a deep story from the first pages. The first chapter was really good, despite the comedic scenes and kinda awkwardness, it was emotional in a way. The other chapters changed my opinion about this manga, I really thought it was gonna be something about overcoming one's past and trauma, but no. For me, this story felt kinda mixed. It was good in some aspects but others not so much...

The trauma could've been handled better, we don't even get proper closure. Did he overcome his trauma? Therapy? How is he suffering from that trauma since he was a kid without ... trying to get proper help? His fear is poorly handled.
I completely disliked the brother. Not the character itself, the character could have been completely normal and logical, but how they made him interact almost romantically with his brother and look like he was in love with him. It was unnecessary. His character would still make sense as a brother that wants to protect the other WITHOUT the being in love with Him part. They don't specifically mention that he loves him but you get such strong hints as to that. It's really weird and I would have gone much better without it.

Both main characters are nice, the dark-haired one being really cute. He made me smile sometimes. The last chapters are just cute haha
It's a fun and entertaining story.

(Review written in 2020 on another website)

Warning: spoilers about how the manga ends, but I tried to signal where. Since I have already finished the manga, it's hard to talk about everything without mentioning what actually made me dislike it, which is mostly the end.

Well, where to start? This story had a high potential to become something I really enjoy. The concept was great, and the first chapters were very interesting. I was angry, disgusted, and very looking forward to what was to come. Then it started going downhill, and midways it completely crashed and burnt. Oh, first I have to state that I love dark, psychological and twisted stories, so ... my dislike for this manga doesn't come from the fact that it is a fucked up story or anything like that. My dislike comes from how it played out.

Story:

Let's start with the concept and story. The concept, as I said before, was great. But it was just that. The reasoning behind the caste game is that everyone has malice in them, desire to rule if given the chance, will act according to the ambient and the people around them, following the group mentality, etc. Someone in the high castes will act high and mighty even if they would be losers outside the game. And it was a great concept. But it never went further than being a ploy for rape and bullying. It never evolved. It was never explained, how it started, why, why people agreed to it. It was just an excuse for high castes to rape lower casts and no one saying anything because 'the game'. I understand the whole thing about 'if you refuse to participate you automatically become a target', but if many people refused to play, they wouldn't be able to control them. The ones who are always naturally at the top, the famous, good-looking ones have no reason to play, since they are naturally at the top, and the targets and low castes have no reason to play either cause they are going to get bullied and abused ans they can't say anything. Also, you will become a target if you don't play, if you disobey, if you act outside of your role. Why does no one tell the teachers? Because they don't do anything. Why don't they do anything? We don't know. Why don't they tell the police? Their parents? We don't know. There is never stated a reason to why the game exists and everyone participates, besides 'people are influenced by others and the ambient they are in', you know, basically joining the bandwagon. And while that, as I said, is a great premise, it can't stand on its own. It needed more foundation, a more solid base.

The game was also never questioned by almost all the school, aside from a few characters that decided they would 'end the caste game' (this only after they were put through bad situations, because these characters only have morals when they themselves are in the low) and then they did absolutely nothing.

So, the manga had a great concept/premise, but it didn't stand. The story was also practically nonexistent, and the tiny bits of the story that did exist were terrible. It was all rape and victims falling in love with their abusers. Let's not even say anything about what happened to the game, cause if it was that easy then I don't know why no one did that before.

[spoilers here] The ending was also bad. I mean, it's not like I needed a happy ending where everyone got arrested and the game ended, I would love a fucked up ending where the caste game continued, everyone went unpunished and kept being horrendous people, if the vibe/mood of that ending was something dark, like a 'look how fucked up the world is', 'those who have power and influence can do whatever they want'. I would love that and I love those types of stories that show the horrible side of the human being and human society. But a romantic mood, everyone in love and happy with their abusers ending? Feels like it's romanticizing and excusing rape, because the abuser actually loves you etc etc. Kinda nheck to me. When I say that the manga crashed and burnt midways is because not only some abusive couples were already happily ever after, it started to hint at the main couple ending up together and it really went that way. It could also have ended with Azusa somehow getting his revenge on that mf, but it didn't. none of these endings happened (or other endings someone could come up with) and it's a shame how it eneded, a waste of a good psychological setting.

[spoilers end]

Characters:

So, the characters. The characters were all horrendous, hateful people. They fit with the setting of the story. It was just weird how almost everyone was a rapist, a gang rapist and a rape plotter. Also, everyone knew that rape was happening but no one did shit. The characters have no purpose in the story, aside from providing rape scenes. And they all in the end have a somewhat redeeming reason as to why they raped or planned to rape someone. Which is totally shit because it feels like the author is trying to excuse their actions with a sad background story.

[spoilers here] Don't even get me started on how the main character, who is shown to have a strong personality even after all he is put through, never wavering, never submitting, becomes sex needy and affection needy with his abuser whom he hates. Going against everything set in his personality and behaviour. Even if he, like everyone, actually needs affection and someone to trust, it doesn't fit his character that he seeks it in the person he hates the most. [spoilers end] But I liked his character, I think it was nice how he was the only one who never changed throughout all the game despite what caste he is in, he stayed true to himself, while the others just played whatever role they were given.

There was only a side couple who wasn't part of the 'victim ending up with their abuser' trope. They were both crazy and loved each other like that, with their fucked up relationship. I liked that one. Stayed both fucked up till the end ahah.

Art:

The art is the same as this author's other manga. It's not perfect but it's nice. It has this sexy aura (?). I don't know if it's just me but Azusa (the main character) is very sexy.

Overall:

It starts great for those like me who love fucked up fiction. It ends bad for those like me who like those stories to stay fucked up to the end. Or to end in the right way like abusers getting arrested and victims being free and healing. It's either one or the other, it either ends with the lesson that society is fucked up and the human being is horrible, or it ends with the happy ending that people who do bad things get punished. But if you don't mind victims ending with their abusers (this is fiction after all, the fact that i don't like that type of ending doesn't mean no-one can't like it) then maybe you'll like it. It's such a shame for me, because I really really loved the first chapters.

This is so unbelievably cute and funny. I found myself laughing a lot of times. I laughed a lot at Miyano BL fanboying and other characters BL fanboying/fangirling hahaha (the characters fanboy/fangirl a lot but they never cross the line, sexualizing or fantasizing about people, or forcing people together or wtv. Their fanboying is really soft imo and not really harmful. The people involved don't seem to care that much. I don't agree with shipping real people together in real life but this is not it). Also, I could relate hard with Miyano's enthusiasm about BL manga and finally having someone to share this interest ... with. His happiness when talking with Sasaki about the thing he loves is endearing. And how he spends so much money on manga and reads it all on a day sksjjsjs

The artstyle is so simple yet cute, it fits the mood of the story really well. The story progresses really well too. It's not rushed like some of the same genre use to be. It's actually really slow-burn.

I am particularly delighted with how the main couple handles their emotions. They're straightforward about their feelings, don't go beating around the bush and creating misunderstandings that could've easily been avoided with communication. If they like, they say they like. If they're not sure, they say they're not sure. It's rare to see that. Sasaki is really honest with his feelings about Miyano, which I think is great, and Miyano is honest about his /confusing/ feelings too. He takes his time figuring out and understanding how he feels about the other, if it's love or friendship.

Also, Sasaki never tries to force his feelings on Miyano, and is overall just happy to be with him in a friends way. Which I think is awesome. He wants more, ofc, but always respects the other and goes at his pace. He doesn't try to rush Miyano into giving him an answer, he doesn't force himself on Miyano, he doesn't cross the line between friendship and love. Plus he is so gentle, caring, respectful, overall great personality, I can't express how lovely he is. Miyano is also a great character, cute but in a different way than Sasaki, with different characteristics. The side characters are all nice too, they add much fun to the story.

The premise is nothing original, not at all, but the characters, pacing and overall atmosphere make up for it. The slow pace of the story makes it realistic, gives time for the characters to develop and understand their feelings, and as you on the edge of your seat wanting them to get together. This paired with lovable characters makes this a must-read. I'm excited to see how the anime will turn out.

This review comes from someone who follows the manga, so take that in consideration. I already knew what was gonna happen and since the manga gives you more depth and emotion, when you watch a scene you kinda feel the emotion you felt when reading, because you know more about the characters and the story, you have bonded more deeply with the characters, etc. so you're basically just revisiting all the emotions /pain/ you have felt before.

I loved it. I've been waiting for this for almost a year and it didn't disappoint. Has always, given is really well adapted. The ost is amazing, eventhough we've ... had the music for months they still make me emotional and fit so well with the scenes.
Altough the adaptation is really good, I do have some issues with it. The scenes that were cut out. The scenes that lost some of their meaning. The things that were so well explained in the manga and here they were rushed. Complex characters like Ugetsu and his relationship with Aki deserved better. Aki's redemption arc deserved more depth. etc. For example (light spoiler until almost the end of the paragraph), the scene where Haruki leaves his home and is crying while walking on the street had such a huge impact on the manga (because honestly Haru is baby and one of my favourite characters after Ugetsu so that might have something to do with it) but here I didn't feel the same kind of impact. I mean, there was feeling but it was just not the same thing. The same happened with some other scenes. Not something that ruins the movie but I've read the manga and I'm a little biased.

Of course this, as following the manga, has the same scene that has problems and was considered unnecessary for a lot of ppl. It's not terrible (coming from a person who has read/watched a lot of this genre) but it's something I definitely did not expect from given and that could've been handled differently. But that was the manga's author choice and already a problem on the manga so I won't be discussing it on the movie review, since it doesn't concern here. And since I already knew it would happen and had enough time to muddle over it and be kinda mad at the character in question, it didn't impact much my enjoyment of the movie. I'm not sure how it would be for anime-onlys tho, you'll probably be mad about it like we all were.

That being said, as I am a huge fan of given, I really am biased and that's what made me like this movie so much. Seeing this finally animated, even if it isn't perfect, was a source of joy and well, tears, because I love these characters a lot.

Also if you haven't read the manga I recommend you do so. The manga is absolutely amazing and way more profound.