Aug 22, 2021
This is my first ever review I written so don't go too harsh on me if you read this..
Smile down the runway is a story about an aspiring model named Chiyuki Fujito who has everything needed to be a model, except for height, something well beyond her control. Similarly, it dives into the story of Tsumura Ikuto, the eldest son of a family struggling with hardships who has a talent of designing clothes. Unfortunately his family's financial woes is something that hinders his ability to design clothes and he resorts to using clothes donated to him by peers.
Throughout the story, both characters' personal struggles are
...
explored and it's actually quite sad to watch at times as their own downfalls are things well beyond their control. In life, no one's height is certain and you can't really grow after a certain age (usually 18). At the same time, families with financial difficulties are far too common in the world and these families with children often see their child's dreams and hopes abandoned or crushed just because they cannot afford it.
Personally, I'm a guy content with life. I have pretty solid looks, I come from a relatively well-off family and I enjoy what I do as a student (programming video games). My height and family's finances were never a problem in life. Sure like other people, I wouldn't mind adding a bit more to my height (I'm 171 cm or slightly taller than 5'7) and it wouldn't hurt to have a bit more money in life. But other than that I'm really content with that I have.
But this story really hit me like a truck. There are people out there in the world, just like Chiyuki and Tsumura who have huge aspirations but see those aspiration crushed just because of things they can't control. I rarely often feel bad for the background stories of anime characters, but in the story of Runway de Warrate, I truly did feel something for the 2 main characters.
And yet despite that, Chiyuki and Tsumura worked until the absolute end to achieve their dreams, despite their own struggles. Being shut down from your dad's own modelling agency just because you're too short or trying to find different jobs to finance your own dreams AND support your struggling family didn't hinder these 2 from becoming a top model and fashion designer, and that is truly something to admire.
Overall, I don't think this is nearly as emotional as some other anime that deal with the whole "personal hardships" department like say Your Lie in April, I do think it's a really good try. The characters are admirable, a simple story that is not boring and kept me engaged and always hoping for the best for the 2 main characters and pretty solid visuals and I think you get a pretty good watch from Smile down the Runway.
8/10 would recommend. Though it isn't a truly grand anime, its something everyone can watch and admire.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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