Review of Horimiya

Listen, this show in my opinion completely captures the realism of romance. I’ve read some of the other reviews and to my understanding most people thought it was bland. I understand where they are coming from but I really feel as though this adaptation captures the most important parts of the manga. I’d like to start with the realism of the characters relationships. Every character feels realistic, the way they interact is amazing and it perfectly captures the fun sunny days of highschool life. But the realism doesn’t end there. The relationships are also so realistic, I think it is amazing how quickly Hori andMiyamura become close and how they start dating. It’s not even a last episode thing. They start dating in episode 4!!! The series rather than showing a slow buildup of their friendship to lovers dives straight into lovers. It explores their relationship as a couple instead of friends which has been done so many times over. Miyamura becomes part of Hori’s family and while we don’t see much of Miyamura’s family it is implied that Hori also goes over to his. Now best of all I think is the scene in episode 7 where Miyamura and Hori get down and dirty. ITS SO REALISTIC no fan service, no jumpy blushing bull shit, no distractions or interruptions. It’s just heavily implied and I think it’s so great that they did that since sex is for some reason avoided like the boogie man in these highschool romance shows. Also to top it off no one’s parents are dead. I can’t stand how many of these highschool romance shows has one of the main couples father ALWAYS THE FATHER dead. But I must move on form just Hori and Miyamura. The other characters snd their relationships are great too, Yoshikawa and Ishikawa’s relationship follows more of a classic romance rout with the fake dating but what’s great is they both admit that they wouldn’t mind dating for real and straight up just start dating. Isn’t that great?!? It all feels so organic, friends from other classes, different years and schools. I love it all so much because it feels genuinely real. Of course I will be one of the first to admit that the lovers forever isn’t very realistic but it’s also fun actually happens. There are people who have been with their highschool sweethearts for life.

Now I will briefly cover animation. It’s great. Nothing feels weird there are no odd angles or funky animation scenes. Of course it’s just a romance show so there isn’t as much attention needed to those details. But, let me make myself clear. The animation is incredible, the water paint vibe in certain scenes is amazing, and the characters all look so fleshed out and vibrant. Of course everyone’s hair being some sort of color from the rainbow is insanely unrealistic snd I feel bad for the background characters in that sense since they quickly blend in. But in this instance it also helps the main cast stick out.

Now I want to cover the one singular issue I have with this show. The insanity of bullying. I can never for the life of me understand why in almost every show these bullies are out to get normal regular people. I feel like I would cut it some slack if he was bullied for the tat and piercing but he got those after he started getting bullied. It’s always so confusing since he genuinely did nothing. I know in the manga it goes more in depth but not to enough of a degree to even begin bullying him in the first place. Now the second part of my issue about this is how miyamura was sad because he was outcasted for his bullying. Which makes no sense to me, Shindou was popular and had friends. So why on gods green Earth did Miyamura act like everyone hated him? And additionally why on Earth was he still picked on after finding a friend? Would that make him easier to open up to? Maybe it’s a bit of a culture difference as I have never been to Japan nor do I know what it’s like to grow up there. But bullies often are just… bullying for the love of the game. Kinda wonky imo. At least from my experiences people who are picked on are picked on by losers in those kinds of context and there are plenty of people who are willing to accept others with open arms.

All in all I think this is an incredible adaptation. Of course the manga I feel is significantly better. It touches way more on Hori’s parents relationship, Miyamuras background, side characters and much more. But for an adaptation it captures what was most important. I HEAVILY suggest you watch the series. Miyamura’s breakthrough at the end of the series is incredible. I love the development of his character and Hori’s to let walls down on who and what she’s like out of school. If you finish the series, go, watch, horimiya pieces. It cover so much side plot that was thrown out for the main story. And if you enjoyed it. Please go read the manga, it is genuinely a perfectly crafted romance.