Review of Horimiya

7.5/10 (This review is for the entire series: S1, S2) +Sweet, simple story about relationships of all types +Most realistic portrayal of teenagers ever seen in anime +High production values: gorgeous animation, OST, and tight writing -Extremely poor pacing; side characters distract too much from central characters -Lacks central conflict to propel strong character transformation It’s said not to judge a book by its cover. Horimiya is no exception. The series high production values, rich cast of characters, and lack of dramatic cliches make it strong contender in the SOL genre. It’s refreshing to watch lovable characters discover themselves, something we all can relate to. Horimiya also has some ofthe most realistic portrayal of teenage behavior ever seen in an anime.

Yet the lack of conflict presented, deeper character work, and extremely poor pacing make it hard to recommend to the mature viewer. It isn’t shown how our key players change, but told through tedious monologues. We see our leads grow, but how? Why? These gaps are left to the imagination, resulting in an extremely disappointing watch. Its poor pacing also doesn’t do it any favors, spending more than half its run time on the supporting cast.

The viewer may enjoy seeing a simple story about relationships and how high schoolers interact, but for those looking for a rich romance or coming of age tale, Horimiya fails.