Review of Rumbling Hearts

I don't know if I would call Rumbling Hearts a "bad" anime, but I can't decide whether I actually enjoyed watching it. For some reason, I was captivated by its attempt at a "realistic" love triangle, yet I found myself constantly frustrated by the way it unfolded. One thing is certain—this anime is pure drama. It tries to present a grounded take on a love triangle but does so in a way that leaves no one satisfied, least of all the viewer. Note: I haven't read or played the visual novel (VN) this anime is based on, but given that it's a VN, I assume thereare direct routes for each heroine that allow the player to avoid the convoluted melodrama. However, the anime thrives on dragging the audience into its emotionally exhausting narrative.

(Some light spoilers ahead, but nothing major. Heavier spoilers will be marked.)
Next, I will go down the points I can construe on why this has easily dislikable characters.

Haruka's Character:
Someone once pointed out, "Why wouldn't a doctor just tell the patient that they've been in a coma?" And the answer is simple: forced drama. That said, I don’t dislike Haruka herself. She’s a victim of circumstances, lied to the entire time, and completely unaware that she’s been in a coma for three years. Meanwhile, the world moved on without her—her friends have grown up, gotten jobs, and their relationships have changed. So while her situation is heartbreaking, the way the story handles it feels frustratingly artificial.

Mitsuki's Character:
I actually liked Mitsuki’s character overall. She feels somewhat realistic but also overexaggerated, especially in how possessive and emotionally unstable she becomes. She genuinely cares for Takayuki and wants the best for him, but her jealousy and desperation are dialed up to an almost soap-opera level. I would have had no major issues with her character if not for one specific event (which I’ll discuss later).

Shinji (Takayuki’s friend):
Absolutely inexcusable. Just a garbage-tier friend by the end of the series.
(Medium spoilers ahead!)
Shinji sleeps with Mitsuki while she’s emotionally vulnerable and struggling with her relationship with Takayuki. Now, ask yourself: "Would I sleep with my friend’s girlfriend just because he’s emotionally torn between his once comatose ex and his current relationship?"
If your answer is yes, then I hope you don’t have friends—and maybe rethink some of your life choices.
(End spoilers.)

Takayuki's Character:
Takayuki is a mess, and while I can understand why, he ends up being one of the biggest reasons for everyone's suffering. His situation is undeniably difficult—he's caught between guilt, obligation, and love—but his passive nature only makes things worse. He’s constantly enabling the pain of everyone around him, whether it's by avoiding confrontation, refusing to make a decision, or just going along with whatever others want from him.
To be fair, some of his inaction is due to external pressures. Haruka’s family and her doctor insist on keeping the truth from her, and Takayuki gets roped into that lie. But at the same time, he refuses to take a stand in his own relationships, which leads to the whole mess spiraling even further. He’s basically the punching bag of the series, just drifting along without taking control of his life.

Final Thoughts:
The drama kept me watching, even though I didn't necessarily enjoy it. The story is highly frustrating, yet strangely captivating—I was hooked, even as I wanted to scream at the characters. The anime's attempt at realism is both its strength and its downfall. It makes the emotional turmoil feel raw, but it also makes the melodrama overbearing and, at times, contrived.
Both female leads feel somewhat believable, but their actions (and the plot’s forced twists) occasionally break immersion. The show thrives on making you feel miserable alongside the characters, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good storytelling.

4/10
Probably one of my most loved and hated anime experiences at the same time. If you enjoy intense relationship drama, you might find this compelling. But if you’re easily frustrated by passive protagonists, toxic relationships, and melodrama for the sake of melodrama, I’d recommend skipping it.

Thanks for reading! Hope this helps you decide whether or not to watch Rumbling Hearts.