Review of School Days

So I decided to write my own thoughts about School Days, and I am terribly sorry that most of my reasons are the "rage reviews" that most people have written here. I know everybody have different opinions, and I respect that. But you don't have to bash over something just because you didn't like it. Before starting, I want to share some random thoughts while I figure out how to give them some order: Since we have some tracking in history, humans have always felt the need to communicate and express through a lot of different ways. These ways are often called "art", and it's all abouthow the artist felt when he was expressing himslef. People often confuse this and are literally conditionated to think that art must entertain them. While this is not bad, I have certain differences. While there IS actual art that focuses mainly on entertainment, this entertainment itself can come in different ways, and could be aimed to make you experiment different experiences that you may or may not relate to your own life and desires. This may be called "amusement", and it's often mentally challenging. The most basic example could be Horror movies or similar. Okay, time to end this and go to the actual review. Sorry about this.

*On to School Days:

School Days is an anime that openly and directly touches "the other side" of high school, which, no matter where in the world you live, may be familiar with it. School Days is about Promiscuity, Bullying, Childhood traumas, Rape and most importantly, the consequences that our actions may bring us and others. I was not personally touched by this anime, nor I felt identified or anything, but my high school times were actually plagued with temptations and I could certainly relate to some extent. I don't know if I should write about this here, but there were plenty of people in my school that went to similar or even worse stuff than what happened in this anime. You are only lacking the drugs and nasty parties. So I could say this anime is pretty realistic, depending on where you live.

*As a random note, before you read, I am kind of assuming you haven't watched School Days yet, nor you haven't heard or even read anything about it either. I know it's just impossible, but I like to review this way.

Story: 8

The set up is fairly typical and dull. There's this guy called Makoto, who get delighted as he sees this well endowed-bodied girl called Kotonoha, but he's too shy to talk to her personally. Soon he befriends another girl called Sekai, who's really socially skilled, and thus, happens to befriend Kotonoha when he tells her about his teenager crush. The impression of this anime changes when we are revealed of Sekai's true intentions, taking some other sides of Makoto's personality out. It turns into a much darker and dramatic watch, and most people make their decisions after getting right at this point. "Do I keep watching or not?".

I must say, that the way the plot advances is really predictable, but there's this thing that just keeps you watching just out of morbid fascination. I liked how it wasn't affraid to show you this side of the teenager school life.

I liked how it was executed, because it achieved what it wanted. It was some kind of a big impact on me.

Art: 3

This category was really poor because of the lack of adventure and ambition it had. The character design barely let me distinguish them among themselves. The atmospheres could have been way darker, given the nature of the anime.

I would have loved to see "SHAFT" re-doing this aspect.

Sound: 5

*Note: I usually skip Opening and Endings completely. This was not an exception.

I liked Sekai's voice acting. I don't think I have anything else to say about this aspect. Nothing really shined nor was terrible either.

*By the 2 previous categories, you can tell that the focus on the anime is not a Technical-Quality one.

Aaaaand here comes the big one.

Characters: 8

Despite the fact that pretty much all the characters are archetypical and clichéd, I just have to say (and take my hat out) that they were really well executed. And I am NOT trolling. I am serious.

It is the characters and their "peculiar" interactions between them that moves this anime through time. And it does come up with big things to achieve the so desired impact. To begin with, we must go into their minds and accept and embrace the fact that pretty much everyone is a sociopath; And almost none of them will hesitate in using another person for their own personal desires. However, I would have liked the idea of having explored at least the main characters' reasons to do what their did (with the trivial exception to Kotonoha, which was more of a trauma). Although we all know 12 episodes are never enough, this could have been quite something if we were at least hinted that there was a reason to all of them. I will keep thinking about it in my eternal curiosity.

And yes, there's absolutely no development at all in any of them, at least in a positive way. The psychological chaos is achieved at a certain point and it only gets bigger every second.

Enjoyment: 7

As an anime that feeds you morbid delightment and curiosity, I liked it, but there was also this close "empathy" (if you can call it like that) for the cast.

However, I feel that the limits could have been pushed even further, and we could have had some sex and violence scenes.And yes, it can be executed in a pretty ellegant way. Take Yosuge no Sora as an example. But we are not here to talk about other stuff and compare it. School Days was one of these intense uncomfotable and different experiences. And I enjoy feeling like that. It's just a matter of exploring and finding yourself.

Overall: 5

In terms of Quality, School Days is a really mediocre Anime.
Even with this, I think you should try it just for the sake of the experience.

*Let me know what you think about this review. Constructive criticism is always well recieved :) We can also discuss about differences in our points of view about this. I know that SD has a lot to be put into the table and talk about it.