Review of School Days

Time for another review of a contestable show - I swear I won't make this a habit. I just feel like I have a little something to say, since there's a lot of mixed opinions on this show. Like the last one, I'll keep it spoiler-free. But I can't hide the mood, I think reviews are a great way to show a curious reader potential reason to (or not to) check out a show. And to hide the atmosphere would rob this show especially of what makes it so significant, to me at least. Story - 8 How could this show so often feel so boring, yetmotivate me to watch the next one by the end of the episode? Every time I thought this show was gonna settle down, some twist would pop out by next episode. Did I like the twist? No. But as every episode unfolded I was that much more compelled to watch further. Every solemn step in this show. I ended up watching this show in two sessions because after a certain point the story had this detestable grip on me. To a point where I was watching it out of disdain. By the end though, the story delivers on every little motif and theme it hinted and promised on. Even the truly ludicrous bits.

Art - 6
The art is pretty generic for 2007 even, and that's saying something. the show isn't poorly animated by any means though. Just very plain. this show was never trying to stun anyone with its visuals, the art is just good enough to convey what it needs effectively.

Sound - 8
Just like the art, it's here just to convey the heavily character-based narrative. Though I'd like to add that the OST does do a very good job at furthering the mood of the more intense scenes.

Character - 7
I don't think the characters are so much likable as they are appreciable. I don't agree with their decisions, but you're not supposed to. This is a story where you watch the ball of yarn unravel, where one ill-intention leads to a setup of a tiny mistake, where the characters just try to cover it up, which escalates further and further. And with that said, I appreciate these characters. They're dumb, selfish, sad, and whole. It's a lot more than I expected from what I heard about this show.

Enjoyment - 6
This show hurts to watch. Not that it was of poor quality (well maybe some of the characters morals were), but that watching it made me uncomfortable. Almost to the point of dropping it. You could have asked me at any point what I thought of the show, and every episode I would've given a different opinion, especially deeper in.
I started writing this review halfway through the series because I needed time to think and reflect if I wanted to continue. I didn't want to endure more of this, I didn't know what I signed up for. Hopefully you do after reading this.

Overall - what is anime bruh
I don't recommend this show if you're looking for a happy time. I wondered why this show has so many mixed ratings, and after finishing it, I feel I can confidently say that the scores given this show are only reflective of the perspective of the viewer and what they want when they watch something like this. I wanted to get off Mr Toad's Wild Ride multiple times, and hell that ending was only a good conclusion. But I'm glad this show exists. It's not perfect in it's execution, but it's a story worth telling. Do I think it's a great show? No! But I do think it's an important show, and "enjoyable" enough. One for the books. And I'll be sure to recommend it to some sap that I think will get into it.

(Potential Spoilers below)
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(PS KINDA SPOILER MAYBE: I did not enjoy the fan service, but at least the show delivered on why those elements were used, and it wasn't just unnecessary fluff. Also, I seriously got mixed up on how I felt about this show. Episode 1, like a 7, by ep 4, and 5. At episode 8 it was maybe a 9, but by next episode, it was a 3! Felt like the show was going to plaid, for real. And though that sensation never left, it pulled itself together enough to wrap up by the end. What a trip.)