Review of Tsukigakirei

Tsuki ga Kirei is simply mesmerizing. It is something that only by experiencing can one truly understand the beauty of. It is an anime that executes every crucial factor with rarely seen mastery. Words are, in my opinion insufficient to convey what is so great about this anime. I’d implore people to go into this anime with an open mind and an understanding of the setting: it is a school romance and the prospective viewer should temper their expectations accordingly. It would be erroneous to expect them to behave like adults with years of experience. When construing it like thus, the interaction between the characters– who are young – makes perfect sense. The awkwardness with which they interact is perfectly normal for people of that age and I believe many viewers will find that aspect to be quite relatable. Because of this, the setting and facial expressions often convey the emotions without even a word being spoken. This might lead many to conclude – again erroneously – that the dialogue is inane. That would be a grave and unjustifiable error. The dialogue is quite hard hitting, and this is precisely because the few words that are spoken, come to have great significance due to what has been been shown instead of said. This is an aspect of this show that I find quite brilliant.

It is ultimately a story about young love. But where it stands out is in how realistic and original it is. It almost never uses the common romance anime tropes and it just felt so incredibly refreshing. I can see this working as a live action drama just fine. Although that said, this anime in some ways represents the very finest of what this medium can really offer. Many have compared this anime to Shinkai’s “5cm per second”. While I think that comparison is not incorrect, I hold the view that both represent different side of “young love.” While Shinkai’s 5cm per second embodies the ephemeral nature of it when people lack the will and intensity of love to really just come together. Tsuki ga Kirei on the other hand is about surmounting distance and continuing the intense bond and even deepening it. While 5cm per second teaches us to move on, Tsuki ga Kirei gives us a ray of hope that through our will, maybe we can really be with our precious loved one no matter how disagreeable the circumstance.

The interaction of the main characters is the highlight of this anime. Both being inexperienced and shy teenagers, their conversations with each other does establish this fact quite excellently. It is something that many of us will find relatable and reminiscent of how we ourselves behaved (or behave). A large portion of the interaction also occurs through text which drives home the contemporary nature – and therefore making it even more relatable – of this anime. The other characters are quite interesting but due to the short length of this anime, they’re not given much exposure. That said, what we do see of them is enough to establish them as distinctive. But, it should be remembered that this anime is quite focused on the main characters and the side characters have very little screentime outside of how they interact with the main characters. The shorts after the ending does partially address this but not entirely.

The artwork and animation complements the brilliant voice acting perfectly. There is very little to nitpick about how the scenes were drawn. Most are eye-catching and does embody the talent and skill of the artists. The facial expressions were subtle and aesthetically pleasing while also accomplishing their goal of conveying the emotions of the characters. The character design – barring a few instances – is quite realistic and in line with the general “tone” of the anime. One common criticism throughout multiple reviews has been the fact that the CGI used for crowds in certain settings. It was most certainly quite disappointing. The movements were sloppy and the “crowds” were not detailed beyond the barest minimum. It really didn’t feel like it fit in the otherwise neat and pretty art of this anime. It would’ve more forgivable if it was one-time thing. But it was unpardonably frequent. Some poignant moments could be said to have been ruined by it. Other than that, the animation and artwork was beyond any doubt solid.

The soundtracks were doubtless used appropriately. It created a peaceful and moving atmosphere. Shifting with the emotions of the characters, the soundtrack did manage to make the scenes even more excellent. It never felt out of place and I see no way to improve on this point.

This anime kept me grinning throughout. I found the interaction between the main characters to be quite adorable and relatable even. It is an anime that is just the kind that I absolutely adore. That’s why it will have a special place in my heart. This is ultimately an anime that embodies hope. Despite the chaos and forces beyond our control, in its ending we can see the victory of human will. The relationship of Akane and Kotarou is something that I found truly wholesome and pure. This is a show that I think most people who enjoy romance will love.