Review of School Days

Without the infamous "surprise" conclusion to the show, School Days in many ways is a very typical and completely passable harem show. The show fails to be engaging at moments because of the vapid characters who evoke little empathy from the viewer despite the somewhat cruel circumstances that are presented throughout the story. The first few episodes present a somewhat interesting love triangle plot, however as things continue they soon become repetitious, predictable, and rather commonplace to the genre, leading you to develop the sense that you would actually be very happy if something BAD were to happen to SOMEONE. Eventually the plot developments becomevery apparent of the source they were originally derived from (a visual novel), which leads into much more rushed plot "twists" with the main male character of desire. "Disturbing" (and there really are much more disturbing anime shows out there, so don't watch this show just because of the ending) as the last few moments of the show may be, they hardly make up for what is to be endured towards that very moment.