Review of Kokoro Connect

The following review will consider both the original 13 episodes of Kokoro Connect as well as the 4 episode OVA that's the "true ending," I guess, since we probably won't ever get a season 2. In any case, I really enjoyed this show. It has a decent amount of comedy, but the main focus really is the drama that takes place as the 5 main characters take their time to get to know and understand each other as they're thrust into the supernatural phenomena that drive the story forward. At times, it can feel pretty melodramatic, but when you consider that theseare broken high school students, including victims of sexual assault and possible child abuse, being forced to reveal and reconcile their deepest insecurities, I think the level of drama is really appropriate. The amount of drama also keeps the pacing of the story from dragging. It feels like every episode there is a worthwhile development either in the situation or in a certain character.

As far as the ending, there is romance that develops throughout the main season, though in the main season, it primarily works to develop the friendships between the 5 characters. I would say that I'm disappointed that I didn't see the main romance fleshed out in the main season if the OVA didn't exist! The OVA is pretty much the ending arc and it's short enough that I'll consider the OVA and S1 as basically the same thing lol.

Watching this in 2020, if you've enjoyed shows like Bunny Girl Senpai and Oregairu, this will totally be up your alley!