Back to kkekek's Profile kkekek's Profile

Kuzu no Honkai is a show that addresses various complexities, and though it undoubtedly has its flaws, it overall weaves its loose ends into a bittersweet yet beautiful conclusion that brings an adequate amount of satisfaction to the viewer.

Spoiler free.

To simplify, the entire plotline revolves around romance. However, delving deeper into the story will allow viewers to understand that Kuzu no Honkai is anything but the typical shoujo, filled to the brim with topics on obsession, jealousy, manipulation-- and how the characters cope and experience pretty realistic developments. An aspect I particularly appreciated was the amount of time spent on each character. Providing the ... third perspective of their circumstances sets forth the stance on how these characters are not as malevolent as they appear at first glance, evoking the questions: is there really a solid antagonist in this situation? Or rather, is this the reason why all characters SHOULD be labeled as antagonists? This depthful approach sets the show apart from basic rom-coms with their very two-dimensional tropes and stereotypical "bad guys."

Nevertheless, several components lacked in many ways that led to its failure to appeal to viewers. Despite the previously mentioned "depthful approach," I found it a bit difficult to empathize with the characters themselves. The female lead, Hanabi Yasuraoka, endures her fair share of struggles throughout the story, and unfortunately, her thought process, reactions, results, everything, in a sense, simply becomes predictable. Sure, in the beginning it was intriguing to follow her train of thoughts and ultimate decisions, but to display this process in every episode will inevitably wear viewers down. This applies to the other characters as well. There were times when I contemplated dropping Kuzu no Honkai because of said repetitiveness, but my curiosity for the conclusion drove me to the end, which I do not regret.

Now, it is important to distinctify the fine line between the storyline and the characters. I feel that the characters did not portray their development to their fullest potential, which would have accentuated its impact and emotional value. Nonetheless, the beginning and conclusion’s setup of the plot was incredibly unique and thought-provoking, therefore the reason behind my positive bias despite this show’s flaws.

Kuzu no Honkai bravely approaches realistic issues regarding toxicity as well as individuals’ growth, and effectively displays them through the various relationships of the characters. Though some aspects leave a slightly bitter tang in one’s mouth, the show's uniquity is definitely not one to undervalue.