Review of Tsukigakirei

Tsuki ga Kirei is a show that focuses on young love, on the budding romance between two people who grow closer with the passing year. Tsuki ga Kirei focuses on idyllic realism of love and the various stresses that could increases the pressures upon that very same love. For those much closer to their middle school years, Tsuki ga Kirei can perhaps be a bit painful to watch, its message and core theme perhaps hitting a little too close to home. However, as one distances themselves from their youth, that wistful nostalgia it invokes will inevitably seep in. Yearning for days that were, perhaps evenyearning for days that could have been; that is the tone Tsuki ga Kirei establishes with much success. It is a thematic exploration on the growing pains of love and the perseverance required to make it work. It does not stray too far away from its realism; thus, it respects the narrative and characters enough by not combining components that would only serve to dampen the experience, whether that be exhausting comedy or insufferable drama.

Tsuki ga Kirei is one of purest and most realistic expressions of love present within the anime medium. It is not overtly comedic or dramatic. It presents a very human story, failures and successes all wrapped up in one bundle. The language employed by the characters matches their age, hence creating a sense of realism with how the characters express themselves. Consequently, Tsuki ga Kirei creates a sense of verisimilitude by actually making the character feel like actual middle schoolers through their actions and their dialogue. That air of reality is what grounds Tsuki ga Kirei in its tone and its message. This extends to the characters too, who, while having their own individual personalities, do not escape into the realm of overexaggeration.

The pacing is one the deliberates advances the main relationship through purposeful increments. Key moments are honed in on during each episode to make meaningful progression without feeling too meandering or too quick. Just enough is shown to flesh out Akane, Koutarou, and the core of their relationship. Nevertheless, the end credit scene is where the pacing falters, as that portion would serve the narrative much better being expanded on more beyond a minute. While the nucleus of the show is within the growing pains of youth, a showcase of other elements would add an element of satisfaction as the story dashed towards its conclusion.

Ultimately, Tsuki ga Kirei is very much a grounded narrative on young love, and it portrays that aspect excellently. The emotional satisfaction it creates is one that brings a strong catharsis and belief. Sometimes, that pining for days long past has its worth.