Review of Blue Period

Blue Period is an anime about the overall journey of an aspiring artist called Yaguchi Yatora. Yaguchi is a hardworking student with good academic results. The anime revolves around Yaguchi following his dream of being an artist and trying to fulfill it while also being distracted by the difficulties he has to suffer from in the alleged field. I'd give the story a 9/10 rating. The story was inspired from the author's own journey as an artist. I don't have much idea about what an artist has to go through to make a name for themselves in the certain field, or how they can establish themselvesby being in this field since I'm not an artist myself. But still, Blue Period felt so realistic at times for me that I felt like I was the one drawing and painting in the place of Yaguchi. I felt like I was experiencing all the things he did in the anime. The phrase 'Blue Period' also refers to Pablo Picasso's own struggles as an artist. So being a Picasso fan, the anime felt closer to my heart.

I'd give the characters a 9/10 as well. Personally, I could feel myself being relatable to Yaguchi so much that I was shocked. The way he always had to wear a fake persona to try to be friendly with other people, the way he always tried to do things perfectly, the way he felt inferior to other people because their art was better, it all seemed familiar to me. I'm not an artist like Yaguchi, but I could still feel him being similar to me. Not just Yaguchi, but all the other characters were refreshing to watch as well. Yaguchi's friends and partners in the journey Ryuuji, Yotasuke, Hashida, Maki everyone had a similar glow in their faces whenever they were associated with art. All of them had dreams they wanted to fulfill like Yaguchi and they also tried harder and harder to achieve it. I was inspired by each one of them and I appreciate them from the bottom of my heart. Yaguchi's school art club teacher and his cram school teacher Ooba sensei played an important role in giving him the right direction towards him dreams.

I think the artstyle in this anime was pale in comparison to the manga. I really love Yamamori Mika's artstyle as a mangaka, she tries her best to express the characters' emotions and it all feels too real to me as she does it. But the anime did a poor job in this aspect and I felt like a lot of people lost their interests in the anime because of it. I'd give the anime's artstyle a 7/10.

Now, the soundtrack of the anime was superb in my opinion. The opening 'Everblue' by Omoinotake is one of the best pieces of Japanese Music I've heard till now. The lyrics smoothly conveyed Yaguchi's feelings towards his dreams. The beats and the vocals were great as well. I still listen to this song in loop, I just can't stop. The ending song 'Replica' was great as well. The soundtrack is definitely 10/10 for me.

Even if you're not an artist, even if you don't have any kind of strong sentiment towards art, please give Blue Period a try. Its not a suggestion, its a request. I want this anime to be recognised by more people since it isn't getting much recognition due to other popular animes being aired this season. Let us all support Yaguchi in following his dreams and making a name for himself.