Review of Tsukigakirei

You know that feeling you get when you send a meaningful text to someone you like or someone close to you, and you’re not sure how they’ll respond? That anxiety you feel as you wait for them to text back? The thoughts of ‘oh shit oh shit oh shit’, where you’re not sure if it was a good idea or not to send it? How about the ecstasy and relief when they reciprocate your feelings in some way and send something meaningful back? Or when they send something that can be taken in a deeper meaning but you’re not sure if they meant it thatway? All of these emotions, all of these experiences are awkward and tense, but if it goes well it will have all been worth it. I’m a bit of a romantic and so I am very familiar with these emotions. And this show, Tsukigakirei, is the only show to capture those particular feelings of love. Even when you’re in a relationship you will still have these emotions and thoughts. This is the only show I’ve seen to capture the true sense of a realistic love. It’s pure joy when you are with the person, you have that sense of calm but also excitement. But there’s also an underlying uncertainty, especially if it’s your first relationship. I think Horimiya did the best interpretation of the high school experience, but Tsukigakirei is the best depiction of love. This is the most realistic anime I’ve seen (until Flowers of Evil). There’s none of the anime bullshit you come to expect. Not in the plot, the characters, the humor. It’s all just natural. The dialogue is extremely natural and while Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai has the sharpest dialogue, I think this show has the most realistic. The characters are more quiet and a bit socially awkward. Even when they start dating they’re not sure how to go about it. They’re quiet when they’re with each other and a bit awkward but there's always that sense of warmth. Over time they become more comfortable with each other and talking becomes easier. They work so hard to support one another even if it doesn’t always work out. It’s all just so fucking wholesome. They’re in middle school so there are no indecent thoughts going through their heads allowing for just the cutest interactions. I love the way they slowly get together as well. Nothing is overdramatized and their progression is believable. This is a goodass show. I will say the ending montage was cheesy and the cgi background characters look like shit but other than that this is the best depiction of romance in television that I’ve seen.