Review of Tsukigakirei

Tsuki ga Kirei (As The Moon, So Beautiful) is a really enjoyable and refreshing piece that has been years staying still on my plan-to-watch list until today, and I regret a little bit for not watching it earlier. It is a school-life romance, it is light, but it's not bad, rather it's very good, so good that I finished the twelve episodes in two sittings (will be one if it's not for restroom and evening pray). I used to think that the show is just a generic drama and romance packed in a school life setting. Well, it's still a romance story between school student charactersbut it's not your typical title of the genre.

The first episode of the series starts with the introduction of our two main characters at the start of their final year of middle school and apparently, they ended up in the same class. Further, their friends and hobby were also shown to strengthen their background and nature. The boy (Kotarou, 安曇 小太郎) is your average middle schooler that likes literature and introduced as a literary writer while the girl (Akane, 水野 茜) seems like a fine woman from the track club. They have their own circle friends and hobby, and they seem fine around it.

However, Kotarou and Akane couldn't even talk a word to each other and just produces weird noises like "uh?", "eh", "hak?!", "engg..." and so on that I honestly found a little bit annoying. Saying otherwise, their facial expressions are indicating that they're interested in each other because when they are with their regular friends, they feel just casual. The play of body language is one thing that I found remarkable in this show.

As the show progresses, Kotarou and Akane started to chat constantly thanks to LINE and a conversation over a team project. Again, however, they still had a hard time to chat normally when their faces met while they're eventually trying their best to fix it, until--Kotarou asked Akane out and I'm like--wtf? Calm down boy the show is not even halfway through. Though, I kind of understand what Kotarou feels when he finally feels comfortable and encouraged with someone besides his regular friends, specially a girl, considering his background.

Still, I think the motive is not strong enough to ask someone on such a sacred relationship among school students. If I have one complaint about "Tsuki ga Kirei", it will definitely be this. But well, what do you expect from a middle schooler that has such a big ego and desire? In response, Akane demands more time to think and after a certain event, they started to develop more serious feelings and yeah, going out finally. Since then, a journey to protect and develop the relationship is started and I found it so interesting.

The conflicts ahead are not complex, it's just around middle schooler love life--jealousy, misunderstandings, personal feelings, perceptions about what needs to be done--anything that gets in the way of the relationship. That said, the main spices of the show are born from all the characters relations, triangle loves, disagreement on something, ignorance, selfishness in between, and so on. The development from these was outstanding, it's not forced and slid clearly.

Side characters related were not dense, pretentious, and hopeless. They know what they're doing, they're trying their best to fight for their interests without looking forced and stupid. I like how certain people said "Am I not enough?" rather than as long as you happy bullshit. With proper and enough introduction of each relation and conversation, "Tsuki ga Kirei" succeded in building the feelings. The boy and girl think, speak, looking for a solution, what and how something needs to be done and so on, they're matured together.

With the right composition and execution of it, the story flows at a right pace where the characters maturing themselves, learning from their environment and experience. What I like about the conflicts served is, they're efficiently impactful to the development of the characters, relationship, and the storyline overall, what needs to be done is done. Unnecessary events and occurrences, the most common errors of most romance anime, are avoided.

Let's say some like, the hardship in dating leads them to a more mature way to do things related, the dispute between Kotarou and his mother resulting in resolve from both, and finally the finale where the two MCs accept that life is not always straightforward. Again, how the story is flowing and executed are the things I like the most from the show, it's light yet deep and meaningful. As the good story flows, the characters are developing in a great proportion too.

Moving to the art, it is good enough I think, the motions are fine, though I'm a little bit surprised at the first time seeing how the students move is a 3d rendered. Character design varies yet not exaggerated, ideal enough for a school life romance type show. The coloring, I love it. Colors are a bit contrast but it's attractive and pleasing to see. Not your typical anime palette but will attract your eyes whenever you see it.

The angles really did a good job in portraying the meaningful events because I found that positioning and angle selection play an important role in representing romances and dramas in anime. Just for your info, the studio (feel.) is responsible for some decent slice of life type shows like Oregairu, Hinamatsuri, and Konobi. Oh yeah and Kiss x Sis and Yosuga no Sora, too....

Ah, the overall sound including OST and SFX is very pleasing to hear. Seiyuus (voice actors) put their best in saying things that construct the atmosphere. Opening, ending, and insert songs really are building the tense and immerse the audience in feelings every time it is heard.

Overall, "Tsuki ga Kirei" is a decent show that portrays the hardships of a middle school love life where innocence and ignorance are common things. It is light and uplifting, don't watch this if you're searching for a show that has a complex and deep philosophical plot. For me, again, watching this show really is an enjoyable ride because I find it's so funny and heartwarming to see some middle schoolers who are newly trapped in a grown and/or love life maturing together in a very fine and meaningful way.