Dec 15, 2017
What can I say, this anime is a visual masterpiece. I really think that no other anime comes close to depicting the mundane details of the characters' daily lives and facial expressions to such an extent. I can't recommend any similar anime to Just Because as the show is just so unique and different; Tsuki Ga Kirei isn't even close except for its romance genre.
And the stakes here are high. An original anime series with a myriad of sponsors betting on this show - multinational corporations Canon and Odakyu to name a few. So for all the controversy surrounding the supposed 'delays', this anime is
...
nothing short of impressive.
Story: 10/10
In a world that's increasingly more uncertain the innocence of the story really provides a tiny bit of escapism for viewers. The depiction of everyday life, use of LINE, and the relationships among the main characters are particularly noteworthy. Episodes are barely melodramatic, aside from certain climatic exchanges that mainly serve to provide a direction for the overall story. Yes the premise might be cliche -
High school, typical confessions, 2 guys & 3 girls - a recipe for a predictable story line. However, what is so remarkable is how the story unfolds and its execution. Furthermore there are some scenes that might appear redundant but they are critical to the progression of the story such as the baseball games in the first half of the show and the exchange between Haruto and his mum. The overall pacing is just nice, some episodes might feel slower as if nothing has been achieved. Yet it sets a perfect foundation for what is to come next. I just wished that the show was longer.
Art: 10/10
I'll say it again: Visual Masterpiece. The drawings of the monorail stations, baseball games, exchanges on the bridge, the buses and the bus stops are stunning. More attention is paid to the facial expressions as well (not just the colour of their eyes). Yet for all the complaints regarding the use of CGI, inconsistency in the animation quality, it is highly laudable for a television anime to produce art of such quality. The producers are relying so much on these minute details and it isn't hard to see why they've nailed the slice of life genre perfectly. The overall art creates a mood that is in overall so relaxing and calming and makes you wish to be back in Japan again.
Sound: 9/10
The ED is notable and the lyrics are fitting for the story and mode. Furthermore, they're performed by the voice actresses! I personally prefer it to the OP. Well, the voice actors of the various characters perfectly match the roles. They speak with intonations that really depict what the character is like. For example, the voice actor of Eita really draws out the dullness of his character the producers desire to depict. Transitions, footsteps and also the Trumpet - Pretty good!
Character: 9/10
Don't want to dive so much or I'll spoil the story. Thus far, I feel that Komiya is mainly used as a tool to progress the story. Her character is by far unique and the most interesting among the rest. I also like how they showed the personal developments of Natsume and Morikawa throughout the series. The bond between Eita and Haruto as well as the entire group also makes the show noteworthy. The only downside was that Inui Yoriko was neglected, serving as the character to help sail the ship for the main cast (I wish the show was Longer)
Enjoyment: 10/10
I need not say more.
However, viewers should note that the supposed delays have nothing to do with the producers or the directors. I've been following @JustBecause_JP on twitter and the local broadcast appears to be on schedule every week on the various Japanese Channels. Furthermore, episodes are produced few months in advanced and the supposed one week break in the middle of the season was meant to give the local viewers a tour of the local Kanagawa sites that are featured remarkably on the anime. Hence, all the accusations against the director and the quality of various scenes are basically unfounded and largely bias.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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