Review of Kokoro Connect

Kokoro Connect is one of the most underrated high school anime but personally, it has portrayed the experiences of growing up very well. The anime centers around 5 typical high school students, who at first, we do not know much about, but through the supernatural phenomenons by 'Heartseed', it gave the story a much more interesting twist. Unlike many other typical high school animes, Kokoro Connect goes in depth about the lives and history of most of the protagonists (via the supernatural phenomenons) and to show the audience about the experiences that shape them to who they are today, while also allowing them to overcomemore challenges for them to continue to grow as people.

This anime has showed a much more realistic portrayal of growing up, where teenagers are forced to learn more about who they really are as well as who their friends really are while being in a realistic society where what others think about you is deemed important.

Throughout the series, the audience is able to learn more about each character while being able to connect with them on a more personal level as these experiences are very valid experiences in today's society. Other topics that this anime centers around are love and friendships, personal desires, relying on others and finding out who they are.

Personally, I absolutely enjoyed this anime and I find it a smart move to have the phenomenons support these characters, which otherwise there will be a lack of growth in the characters.
The final arc of this anime is the one I thoroughly enjoyed the most as I can relate to Iori's experiences as she's placed in this society, having the mindset of perfectionism and being untrue to herself just to gain acceptance. I've sometimes worry about what others would think about me if they realised that the Me I portray myself isn't always who I really am, parallel to what Iori has experienced thus I really appreciate the way Kokoro Connect has portrayed such a realistic experience.
Overall, the art and sound aren't something I really pay attention to but it was still very good. I think the selling point of Kokoro Connect is it's realistic and interesting story and having 3-dimensional characters that people can relate and connect to. I feel that if you are looking for an anime that deals with realistic problems that people experience while growing up, or if you want a different setting from a typical rom-com/shojo anime, Kokoro Connect is the perfect anime for you.