Review of Tsukigakirei

A school slice of life coming of age series? But i can guarantee you that this isn't supposed to be like your typical romcoms. Although the animation and some filler/transitions scenes seemed a bit rough, the art was really nice (except the way background characters were drawn and animated) where the main protagonist seemed like the most basic and common (no crazy hair style or color, discrete facial features, etc) but at the same time the most captivating because of who they are as we learn more. Story was really simple but powerful with every scene showering us with meaningful aspects of life, love and relationshipswhether it be romantic or friendly (although the latter could've been touched deeper).
In one single word: feels.

Young love is often times hard to describe and portray but the way it was shown here (pure innocence, the randomness, the awkwardness, the struggles and pain) was just perfect (we got a bit extra with the long distance and loyalty which isn't often a common theme) as well as the opposite side of the good side of things of a romance: heartbreak and sadness experienced by friends who can't get what they want.

The series definitely ended on a high note giving us full closure of the young couple as we discover how their relationship advances through different still pictures time skips of cute messages and name changes in contact info until eventually their love bears fruit.

Most recommended and probably would've been a 10/10 if I watched this a few years back but as of this point it is only a 9/10 because the feels are there but just not the right ones.