Review of The Fruit of Grisaia

(This has been adapted from my reddit thread) A common phrase that is often said is, "don't judge a book by its cover." Obviously, the saying isn't meant for books alone. It's aimed at anything that may look one way, but has more to it than just a precursory glance can give. From food to movies, sometimes it requires one to fully understand what truly lies behind the object. This particular expression can also be applied to people. The way one acts, thinks, and wishes to be perceived are all byproducts of the past that has created him or her. In certain cases, one's outward appearancesdon't match the real person hiding within. In Grisaia no Kajitsu, such a statement contains almost too much truth.

STORY

In Grisaia, main lead Yuuji transfers to a new school filled with only five other students: Makina, Sachi, Michiru, Yumiko, and Amane. While the girls all seem quite normal, what lies beneath their visible demeanor is more than just cuteness and kindness.

When Grisaia begins, it comes off as rather strange. Its dry humor and seemingly dark atmosphere blend together quite nicely. Yuuji talking nonchalantly with the girls while dealing with their troubled pasts creates a weird feeling that permeates much of the series. This is further reinforced by the setting provided. The barren school, the special task-force, and the grim subject matters provide world-building elements that make the anime seep in a less-than-cheery sauce, providing the flavor it has. At times, though, the show prioritizes misplaced fan-service that detracts from what the anime has to offer. Now, some of it is well done: Amane masturbating in Yuuji's room defines her character or Makina starting a make-out session demonstrates her social ineptitude. But when scenes are littered with random panty-shots or more focused on boobs, it doesn't add anything to the overall narrative.

While Grisaia may have the ability to balance hilarity and drama nicely, that doesn't speak for the quality of both. More specifically, the show suffers from terrible pacing issues. The beginning of the series is rather pleasant. Characters are introduced, the world is staged, and the mood is set. Everything is primed and ready for the inevitable character exploration. However, the show fails to adequately give the cast the appropriate amount of time in which to lay their story bare. With the exception of Amane, the other girls' arcs are simply unfulfilling because not enough attention is paid to them. Attempting to cram an entire character's worth into a single episode not only does zero justice for the person in question, but also comes off as incredibly rushed. The idea, obviously, is to look at each member of the harem, regardless of screen time. While doing so addresses the entire cast, the aftereffect is a shoddy composition that is just barely held together.

Deep down, the anime actually has a purposeful message. Each girl has a past mired in tragedy and despair that prevents them from being the person they want to be. Grisaia's tale, then, is one about moving on. Learning to accept the mistakes that were made, understanding what needs to be done now, and taking that first step forward is very mature. It's thoughtful, because it is more than just saying, "What I did was wrong." The importance is in growing from the events that shaped one's life up until this point in time. And while such mistakes may be made again in the future, having the ability to become better because of them makes a world of a difference.

ANIMATION

Grisaia actually does okay when it comes to the art and animation it holds.

The most prominent artistic decision is the use of wide-screen. It actually gives the show a more refined look, making the shots themselves hold a bit more importance or weight than they usually deserve. Plus, it oozes a certain movie-like quality that is just nicer to look at. The locations are also treated well enough, with areas being visited besides just the dorm and the school. Forests, city-scapes, and countrysides are shown, each with good lighting and apparent detail.

The character designs are hit or miss. Yuuji and the less relevant characters are somewhat boring or uninspired, trying too hard to be unique enough within the cast. The girls, though, fare slightly better. They look mature, given the topics at hand, are attractive, and contain a good amount of detail, from their hair to their eyes. Among everyone, Michiru stands out the most. With her blonde twin-tails and lion tooth, she just looks like a "Chiru-Chiru."

The actual animation involved is unfortunately not always the best. It does have its moments during more intense situations, but the dialogue-heavy anime usually resorts to mouth movements instead of character expressions or fluid gestures.

CHARACTERS

As a character-driven anime, Grisaia relies on the cast to carry it the whole way through. Sadly, some are just not able to tough it out.

Yumiko is a woman who comes off as entirely unapproachable. Literally wielding a switchblade to keep others at a distance, she is quick to point out the obvious yet is easily embarrassed. Being born as an unwanted addition to the family, she often feels trapped, with no one around to accept her for who she really is. And keeping others out only perpetuates the isolation she constantly feels. Arguably the weakest character, Yumiko is often sidelined due to her usual reserved nature. Not being loud or sincere in her actions, the other girls drown her out, causing the audience to want more.

As the dorm's "personal" maid, Sachi is respectful of the people around her. Kind in mannerisms and a listener rather than a talker, she appears to be tame in personality. However, she harbors a rather obsessive side. This quirk of hers stems from a harsh reality where one decision she made changed the outcome of her life forever. As such, she always takes it upon herself to see through anything to the end, disregarding any sort of personal safety. A proponent for what it means to be selfish, she upholds a heavy burden that any sane person would have difficulty with. However, much like Yumiko, once she is "developed," she is tossed aside, providing no further relevancy.

Makina seems out of place within the academy, usually due to her stature and childlike behavior. But the more one spends time with her, the more there is to learn. Her potty-mouth, unfettered emotions, and literal daddy issues make her a handful to deal with at any given moment. Taking solace in the comfort that Yuuji provides, Makina's psychological issues are at least calmed due to his intervention. A friend to all and a fan of Tuna Man, she may act like a kid, but her willingness to experience what life has to offer makes her anything but.

As a main character, Yuuji isn't normal by any definition of the word. Unemotional, unintentionally hilarious, and unable to follow the "easy" path, his background is shrouded in mystery. Oddly willing to help those in need, his line of work often left him wanting something more. And this was found in the girls of Mihama Academy; being considered a regular, everyday guy by those around him gave him a breath of fresh air from the usual pandering and doting he received everywhere else. As the catalyst for the girls' cures, he not only earns their trust, but is likewise deserving of having his harem.

Easily the most memorable, Michiru is a big ball of joy. Overreacting to everything and just plain silly, she never seems to stop being funny. She has a passion for animals and is more caring than would at first be believed. Having both a literal and figurative identity crisis, she more often than not is unable to cope with being her regular self. Knowing the meaning of "heartache," she refuses to believe she is worth anything more than the dirt on the ground. Undergoing the greatest amount of self-reflection gives her the needed boost in confidence that she's been seeking her entire life. And with such newfound confidence, her resolve to live is forever cemented.

Where Yumiko is the weakest, Amane is arguably the strongest. Beautiful, womanly, and overtly sexual, she acts without limitations when Yuuji is in the picture. Giving off huge vibes that her behavior is sensationalized, what she reveals about the trials and tribulations she experienced as a young girl provide the much needed confirmation. Her motif is regret: regret at being unable to help, regret at sacrificing those dear to her, and regret with not knowing what to do. She is a textbook example of a person wanting to punish oneself for what has already come to pass. What she discovers, though, is that it isn't so much punishment that she deserves. Instead, she deserves to be freed from the past that haunts her. And in order for that to happen, she must first forgive herself.

Mentioned slightly within these interpretations, it's important to understand why the girls are able to take the anime's overall theme to heart. At first look, Yuuji appears to be an anchor, being the answer to all of the girls' problems. And to an extent, this is true. However, it's better to see Yuuji not as an anchor but rather as a guide post. While he may sometimes get directly involved, he much prefers to have the women come to their own realizations. Whether he lends them advice or merely hears them out, it is up to the girls themselves to take the plunge towards resolution. Yuuji is just there to push them in the right direction.

SOUND

The OP actually has a strong opening sequence, followed by a slower, rather generic middle. The song picks back up after the halfway mark, ending on a literal high note.

The first ED is rather generic, with its simple singing and strumming of the guitar. It used hardly ever, which is for the best.

The second ED appears to be quite slow and calming, contrasting with the more grim tales that the show contains. But then it picks up, falling in line with the comedy and fun that it also performs well with. The quick drums and high-pitched singing give it that non-serious feeling.

The third ED is poppy and personal, reflecting Michiru's personality perfectly. It's also whimsical, giving it a hopeful vibe that fits her arc, too.

The fourth ED is quite melancholic. It begins with soft singing and a slow arrangement that brings a certain amount of sadness alongside it. It gets a bit more fantastical and subsequently happier the further along it goes, but that inkling feeling it starts with always remains.

The soundtrack consists mostly of mood pieces. The heavy-bass riff during dramatic build-ups and acoustic guitar and piano mixes during the more lighthearted romps. The pieces are fine for what they are, but are not worth listening to outside of the anime.

The voice-acting sees above average performances by most of the cast. A special shout-out goes to Kaori Mizuhashi as Michiru.

ENJOYMENT

I actually liked Yuuji and the comedy a lot. Much of it is quite bland in delivery, but that's the point. Offhand comments are the norm, but it is intermixed with Makina's and Michiru's brand of hilarity that was fun to see. The show, as expected, got less funny the more it went on, attempting to put whatever focus it could spare on the drama instead. The laughs became more infrequent, and since the drama wasn't particularly engaging, the fun slowly withered as well.

I'm a big fan of Amane, simply because I like attractive women. I couldn't tell if she exactly "won," but I'd like to think that that is the case here, which made me both happy and sad to see. She's hyper-sexualized, as that is her character to a degree, and part of my fun with the show came from seeing her in a sexual manner.

Grisaia no Kajitsu is a psychological anime that dabbles in comedy. While the pacing and cast are wobbly, it's a semi-enjoyable time that should at least keep one interested.

SUMMARY

Story: Fine, nice atmosphere, pacing issues reduce impact, meaningful message

Animation: Good, wide-screen, nice art, average actual animation

Characters: Fine, Yumiko, Sachi, and Makina are weak while Yuuji, Michiru, and Amane are strong

Sound: Fine, okay OP, okay EDs, okay soundtrack, above average VA work

Enjoyment: Fine, starts out nice but withers slowly

Final Score: 5/10