Alternative TitlesEnglish: Kokoro Connect Synonyms: Kokoroco Japanese: ココロコネクト
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 13
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jul 8, 2012 to Sep 30, 2012
Duration:
24 min. per episode Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing company
StatisticsScore: 8.081 (scored by 36288 users)
Ranked: #3742
Popularity: #193
Members: 66,497
Favorites: 915 1 indicates a weighted score
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SynopsisThe five members of the Cultural Research Club - Taichi Yaegashi, Iori Nagase, Himeko Inaba, Yui Kiriyama, and Yoshifumi Aoki - encounter a bizarre phenomenon one day when Aoki and Yui switch bodies without warning. The same begins to happen to the other club members, throwing their daily lives into disarray.
At first the five students find some amusement amidst the confusion, but this unwarranted connection also exposes the painful scars hidden within their hearts. As their calm lives are shattered, the relationships between the five students also begin to change...
(Source: Crunchyroll, edited) |
Related AnimeAdaptation: Kokoro Connect
Sequel: Kokoro Connect: Michi Random
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Reviews
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SeitenSoushi
10 of 13 people found this review helpful
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13 of 13 episodes seen
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| Overall |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
Is it just me, or do I only review shows beginning with the letter K?
Anyway, just so you know, I'm also including the Michi Random specials in this review.
Story: 10
What would you do if you and your friends started randomly switching between each other's bodies? Or if your deepest darkest desires were suddenly brought to the surface, out of your control?
Here we have a series that takes a supernatural storyline, adds some well-written high-school romance and plenty of compelling drama, and pulls it all together into one amazing package. Although some of the ideas may have been done many times before, Kokoro Connect manages to make it fresh and funny, whilst also being surprisingly realistic with how it portrays the effects of each of the phenomena. I felt the drama wasn't overdone at all and every arc introduced interesting new aspects of the story and allowed many sides of the characters to be shown.
Ultimately, Kokoro Connect succeeds in blending its comedic school life shenanigans with more serious emotional moments, a testament to the quality of the writing and the great direction.
Art/Animation: 10
I really liked the art for this series - everything is crisp and smoothly animated. The characters instantly reminded me of K-On!, though upon checking, I was surprised to find that these two series don't actually have the same character designer.
The settings are fairly detailed and we have some beautiful backgrounds and lush scenery. As far as I could tell, there were no off-models or problems with animation.
The characters are all very expressive when they need to be. Whether they are happy, angry, embarrassed or otherwise, their on-screen demeanours fit very well with the excellent voice acting.
Whilst I enjoyed the colourful and upbeat opening animation, it was the endings that really shone in my opinion.
Overall, Kokoro Connect is a very attractive looking show - Silver Link doing a commendable job here.
Sound: 9
The background music is great to hear; they fit the scenes nicely and add to the drama and emotion.
The ending song also fades in before the ending animation, which I always find to be a nice touch when executed well like this.
My personal favourites were the 2nd OP (Kimi Rhythm by Imai Masaki) and the 3rd ED (Salvage by Team.Nekokan [Neko] feat. Katakiri Rekka), though they are all really decent.
In terms of voice acting, I think it was a job well done by all the seiyuu. Even Heartseed with his tired, monotone voice I found to be sufficiently entertaining. Throughout the series, a wide range of character traits and personalities were portrayed.
Characters: 10
The characters are what really make Kokoro Connect. Unlike some other school-based romantic comedies, Kokoro Connect features fully fleshed out, three-dimensional people, each with very real pasts and flaws, which was what made me really care about them as I watched their story unfold. They are apparently all somewhat misfits, so they form a Culture Club of sorts.
Without going into too much detail, we have:
Taichi, an altruistic pro-wrestling fan who has a selfless urge to help others;
Iori, a friendly energetic girl who is popular and loved by all;
Himeko, the cool and responsible one of the group, with considerable skill in information gathering and analysis;
Yui, an expressive karate practitioner, who loves cute things;
and Yoshifumi - their casual friend, who is attracted to Yui (though she resists his advances).
I also have to mention one of the cutest imouto in anime - Yaegashi Rina - who is a caring sister that looks out for Taichi and, despite being younger, seems to give him advice about his relationships.
Enjoyment: 10
Kokoro Connect was really one of if not the best show of its season. Watching the characters mature and develop was very compelling. Over the course of the series, their pasts are revealed, along with their own shortcomings and how they overcome them. The highlight is the character drama, and all in all, the series was practically perfect for me.
Overall: 10
I have to say, Kokoro Connect is a must watch and I recommend it to everyone. It was fully entertaining throughout. As the supernatural phenomena start to take their toll on the five main characters - will their friendship be able to survive? Join them on an emotional rollercoaster as you see them handle various unusual situations, all the while learning more about themselves and each other.
Thanks for reading! Please give feedback if you found it helpful （＾ω＾） read more
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DLshoujofan
20 of 26 people found this review helpful
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13 of 13 episodes seen
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| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
Disclaimer- this review takes into account the 4 episode "sequel" to the show
With the massive rise in access to entertainment and media/pop culture, we have gotten to the point where our options on what to watch are so stratified that we have the privilege of not liking something because its not our particular taste. In the world of anime and manga this leads many to disregard shows that simply don't fit the criteria of what we find entertaining. However, this does not mean that certain shows are objectively good or bad, it sometimes means that a show is an excellent version of whatever style or genre it is supposed to be.
Kokoro Connect is a perfect example of this concept. I am relatively new to Anime, and (despite my actual list) my tastes range from the classic DBZ (im old) to my new favorite Spice and Wolf (season 3 please!). I try to watch each show objectively recognizing how it is supposed to fulfill its role in its particular genre. Aside from Toradora (the show that made me pay attention to slice of life shows) i cannot think of too many shows that do such a great job of showcasing compelling drama, laughs, and heart warming romance. For what it is supposed to be, Kokoro Connect is almost perfect.
Story- 8
The story of Kokoro Connect (KC) revolves around a supernatural conceit that drives the drama of the story. Simply put, a group teenagers (already known for not having the best sense of control) are put in a position where they no longer truly control their own bodies. Over the course of the story this takes on several different forms (some more compelling than others), but the awesome thing about it is that the writers were clearly creatively inspired by this seemingly silly premise. A show that could have easily went on an ecchi, slapstick, "accidental pervert" fest, decided to use this as a way for the characters to learn more about themselves and each other, and we as the audience end up doing the same. Toward the end the show does wander into some of the inane melodrama that plagues a lot of animes, but understanding that this is an inherent characteristic of the medium, such things cannot be helped. To put it in perspective, this is the first anime i was able to get my completely uninterested wife to watch (most of it at least).
Art/sound-9
As a relatively new serious fan of anime (i had been a casual fan for decades) I really can't speak from confidence on sound and art. I have not developed a discerning eye for these things. Ill just say that i personally enjoy clean, smooth, and crisp visuals/sound in my anime. I have seen my fair share of shows in the past few months, and with many, i just cant get past the visuals. Whether it be an awkward and uninteresting art style, (Bokura Ga Ita) bland sound (Kimi No Todoke) or dated visuals (Peach Girl). Kokoro Connect is great in all categories, its just not anything spectacular (Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions).
Character-10
I am an English teacher by trade (writer by fantasy). I know what good character development is and how it is supposed to be done. Although the techniques are gimmicky, and there are a few one note main characters (Aoki) i was still very impressed with the amount of depth delivered by the characters in this story. More significantly, this was not the typical anime that made me roll my eyes at their behavior (most of the time). When the inevitable love triangle presents itself, it makes sense. When the guy starts choosing, it makes sense, when people get hurt- it makes sense. When the drama and tension rises- it makes sense. All of the characters motivations are not fully developed, but they are developed enough to make you care and not swoon over how contrived they are. Again, for the genre and medium, this was an amazing job of characterization.
Enjoyment- 8
I have a short attention span when it comes to anime. So when i actually watch all the episodes of a show (instead of wikipedia searching the plot til it gets to the good parts) i have to give that show high marks. My favorite thing about this show is that it is an almost perfect length. They dont draw out the inevitable sooooo long (I love you Toradora but im talking to you) and they dont end it anticlimactically (every 3rd SOL romance does this). The second to last arc was a little weak and less compelling and funny than the first two, but it was short and still entertaining. Again, if you are looking for a SOL/romance/comedy anime that doesnt make you embarrassed to be a fan with ridiculous characters, gratuitous fan service, and a blah ending. You cant do much better than this.
Overall-9 read more
Recommendations
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Feelings, emotions, love affairs + supernatural touch.
Both anime have a similar story about relationships between friends
AnoHana has more in common with the heavier aspects of Kokoro Connect, primarily personal issues and how these strain friendships. While Kokoro Connect might be how a group of friends can fall apart, AnoHana starts with estranged friends after the damage is already done. A visitor tries to change that, though reconciliation can be a difficult journey.
There's a very similar atmosphere in both series. Each of the characters are extensively explored and gain a better understanding of each other through very unnatural experiences.
The premise of the series may be different, but excluding that, if you like the character development in either of the series, you'll sure to like the other show.
They both focus on à group of friends and due to some supernatural events their feelings and relation are put on the edge. Both anime have the same warm feelin. There's comedy but Both series also touches some heavy subjects, wich makes them both great.
Ano Hana and Kokoro Connect are similar because they both involves friendship and romance. Problems come up between the friends but they eventually solve it and have a better understanding of each other.
Both are drama anime that deal with character relationships and life problems. AnoHana is almost always serious with a melancholic tone, whereas Kokoro Connect tends to be lighter with more comedy. I encourage any drama fans to check these out.
Both are great anime dramas
Kokoro's group of friends face issues that may tear them apart, and Ano's group faces issues which also cause life-changing effects
Both animes have a bit of supernatural aspect to them
They both are very well crafted stories that delve into the human condition and the relationships between the characters through a supernatural event. Both stress the importance of friendship and the supernatural catalyst causes them to come together (In Anohana this is more evident and Kokoro Connect delves far deeper into what strains can develop between friends).
Both are based on a group of friends that go through various conflicts due to supernatural causes
Both plots arise and fall because of the strong emotions that run through the groups
Both have love/hate relaitionships within the group
First of all Kokoro Connect probably won't make you break down AS hard as Anohana. Besides that all the character relationships are there among these friends. So sally forth on another emotional rollercoaster!
Both stories center around childhood friends who went through a series of trials and struggles together upon encountering a supernatural phenomenon. The theme for both series revolves around the importance of friendship and accountability. They were also able present impeccable artistry (especially the musical scores) and spiritual value.
Both anime are capable in mixing the viewers' emotion as they offer emotional conflicts. They also provides the viewers with a lesson about life, as the conflicts that appear in the anime are somewhat similar to our daily life and may happen in regular occurance
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When looking at the artwork for Kokoro Connect and Hyouka, the artwork looks strikingly similar to each other, despite being animated by differing studios. Hyouka's artwork is a marvel to look at since it was animated by KyoAni, but Kokoro Connect's artwork is also very good.
Kokoro Connect, synthesizes comedy and drama in a very appealing way. It does not rely on straight gags, and it doesn't try too hard for laughs. This is a positive, because it doesn't seem forced like in other anime. The drama is not over the top and does not seem forced at all. There are also slice of life elements in Kokoro Connect, but is not the central focus for this anime.
Hyouka is marketed as a Mystery anime, but it does have some supernatural, comedic and dramatic components as well. The mysteries that are solved in most of the episodes may be trivial, but the process isn't boring at all. The mystery solving process is done through continued interactions between the characters.
If the mysteries were solved straight away... then what would be the point of having entire episodes? Just to force laughs out of the person watching, like some other anime do? Hyouka paces the mystery solving very well, and also contains slice of life and some romance to mix things up.
If you liked Hyouka and also a great mix of comedy, drama, with some romance and supernatural... without seemingly forced... then give Kokoro Connect a try!
Daily life anime (actually an acceptable name of a genre in Japan, being called nichijou which literally mean daily life,) but with a teaspoon of supernatural touch.
Kokoro Connect actually have somethings extraterrestrial taking place (body switching) but refuses to treat itself as a supernatural anime. Instead it always goes on like it is no big deal.The mood and tone of the show resembles other daily-life anime where sci-fi or supernatural elements cannot be found.
Hyouka on the other hand actually have no sci-fi context or supernatural power whatsoever, but is being treated as having one. There are sequences that look otherworldly, but no, there are nothing outside Physics law.
It is also worth noting that while production quality is not as stellar, Kokoro Connect character design (not about they look or personalities, but how they are drawn by animator) closely resembles that off KyoAni's Hyouka. Which possibly be another reason you might like the show. There are plenty of people who prefer anime with certain styles of art regardless of genre, so if you like K-On, Hyouka or other KyoAni goodness, why not give this a try.
Both Anime aired around the same time, both have a school setting, both have a mystery element and they have similar styles. They also deal with clubs that are rather minor and simply print a particular publication which isn't typically a big deal for the rest of the school.
I just have this feeling they are similar to each other since strange things/phenomena happen with both clubs although Hyouka is more on solving mysteries. But still when I see Kokoro Connect, it reminds me of Hyouka.
Both series revolves around a group of friends at a school life setting with a mixture of comedy and drama.
In both series, there is a slice of life style theme as the students breeze through the typical days.
Both series also contain a mystery like theme with questions that needs answers.
Additionally, both series has great artwork and a fitting soundtrack to go along with the mix.
Both anime are similar in the sense that they don't force you to like them from the start. Rather they slowly pull you in and get you hooked before you even realise it. Both are quite simple but at the same time are very interesting.
They both start on a K-ON artwork + slice-of-life framework, but develop their premise in an inspired and convincing fashion on top of it. Both have elements of mystery and drama and are heavily character-driven. Hyouka is somewhat more episodic and self-contained with different cases to be solved in each episode/arc. Kokoro Connect has more of a single thread of plot, although it's still very slice-of-life in that, while each episode leads to the next in an interconnected fashion, there's not much going on externally. For both, much of what happens is internal - within and between the characters.
Both have some mystery in them and very interesting changes.
Both, on the surface, seem to have a very typical slice-of-life with a twist feel to it but are both beginning to explore this twist deeper then usual.
The style of drawing imo is very similar. Both anime's are mostly about a boy and his day-day relationships with other people (though in Kokoro Connect theres a weird twist). This is a very good pickup for anyone who likes how a main character comes to love somebody. However, almost no romantic scenes exist in this anime until the very end, so if you're super into romantic stuff, then turn away now. However, if you're interested into how a boy eventually comes to realize his feelings in the very last episode, watch it. ;)
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Opening Theme#1: "Paradigm (パラダイム)" by eufonius (eps 1-10)
#2: "Kimi Rhythm (キミリズム)" by Masaki Imai (eps 12-13)
#BD: "Kimochi Signal (キモチシグナル)" by Sayuri Horishita (eps 1-10)
Ending Theme#1: "Kokoro no Kara (ココロノカラ)" by Team.Nekokan [Neko] featuring. Junca Amaoto (eps 1-5)
#2: "Cry out" by Team.Nekokan [Neko] featuring. atsuko (eps 6-10)
#3: "Salvage" by Team.Nekokan [Neko] featuring. Rekka Katakiri (eps 11-13)
Fansubbing Groups
Which fansubbers do you like the best? Click + to approve of their subs for this show. Click - if you don't think they did such a great job.
Related Clubs, Takahiro Mizushima fanclub, John Mr Johhnny Fanclub, Anime Revolution ♡, Phase Two, Anti Alpha Male Shoujo Heroes, Yui Ogura and Kaori Ishihara Fan Club, Beautiful Romance, School Life Club, Jmacs Creative Corner (J.C.C.), Parades of Cards Club (P.C.C.) , Kokoro Connect, Limitless Recommendations, Romance+, Anime Adapted Light Novels/Novels, Taichi Yaegashi FC, Tsundere is Not Annoying , Slice of Life Club , All the Hot Guys from A&M 2
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