Watched
After The Rain.
Finally! The first anime I've finished in 10 months! This is a very nice show, it might seem like the idea of a 17 year old who loves her 45 year old manager is creepy but the premise isn't even what this show is about. This is a tale of two characters with their own little problems and set backs, a story of emotions one can't help but have, and how Akira and Masami work out things in their life by forming connections with each other. Though this show has romantic elements, it's not so much a romance anime. It's about the different emotions the characters have, Akira and her fading friendship with Honoka, and foot injury that's kept her from being a great runner. and for Masami it's coming to terms with his age and lack of youth, and finding the confidence/inspiration to start writing again.
There are so many great parts in this series, and both Akira and Masami have their own unique issues that overlap. I really liked the relationship Masami has with his old friend and classmate Chihiro, it felt like they where real friends. This show's view of friendship is really great, it shows a real understanding of old friends, and the way these two characters of different ages can relate to each other is also unique. Early on Akira experiences so many emotions for Masami and it's presented in one of the best ways I've ever seen a show do. There are so many movements and expressions she has that really capture the feeling so well, and the show has the right pace and atmosphere to pull it off. These feelings evolve as well, and Akira is really fleshed out as a great character, same with Masami.
This show does very well in presenting the characters emotions, things are slowly revealed about the two and it never feels creepy. It's not meant to be that kind of show, it's about how the two characters connection helps them in other regards of their life. I really liked what this show did and the themes it presented, both characters where fantastic and the side characters did the trick, there was less drama that I thought, and for the better. The show maintains a good theme throughout and uses silence very well. All the flashy scenes when Akira experiences intense emotion where great, and the little things she observes and uses. I love characters like this, Akira and Masami really feel like real people, and there are so many small relatable things about both of them.
The animation was okay, there where some odd bits and the characters look decent enough for this type of show. The soundtrack was alright, though only a few pieces really helped the mood. Voice acting was very well done across the board and Aimer's ED is awesome. The OP isn't bad either, I like the animation. This is a really nice show and I'm glad it pulled off it's theme so well. This is not some weird love story, it's a look into two characters lives and their emotions, and it's done so well. Good stuff.