Bokura ga Ita

Going into her first year of high school, Nanami Takahashi is filled with the hope of making many new friends. After meeting the shy Yuri Yamamoto, she hears about a popular boy in their class: Yano Motoharu. Yuri cares little for Yano because of his past relationship with her older sister Nana, and at first, Nanami doesn't like his attitude either. However, Nanami soon begins to warm up to Yano and takes a liking to him. The two spend more of their time together and eventually decide to start dating. But their love is not without challenges; Yano has trouble opening up to Nanami, since his first girlfriend, Nana, died in a car accident the year before, and she had been with one of her ex-boyfriends at the time.

Finding themselves living in the shadow of Yano's relationship with Nana, Nanami and Yano struggle to keep their relationship afloat amid misunderstandings and heartache with the certainty of their love for each other.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Yano, Motoharu Main

Yazaki, Hiroshi Japanese

Takahashi, Nanami Main

Sasaki, Nozomi Japanese

Takeuchi, Masafumi Main

Kawakubo, Takuji Japanese

Yamamoto, Nana Supporting

Yurin Japanese

Yamamoto, Yuri Supporting

Nakayama, Erina Japanese

Takeuchi, Ayaka Supporting

Enomoto, Atsuko Japanese

Mizuguchi Supporting

Shimizu, Kaori Japanese

Kagawa Supporting

Ichinose, Hidekazu Japanese

Yano, Mother Supporting

Fuchizaki, Yuriko Japanese

Taka-chan Supporting

Terasaki, Yuka Japanese

Aburai, Takuya Producer

Kawamura, Aya Producer

Ooshima, Yasushi Producer

Hieda, Susumu Producer

Reviews

Apr 15, 2025

Mistykal

Recommended

Apparently, a lot of people don't understand what they're watching/reading. It's not a girl trying to save the boy from his painful past. Whoever wrote this definitely didn't understand the story.

Bokura ga ita (the manga but especially the anime) is without a doubt the most emotionally intense romance/slice of life you'll ever see. Raw emotions are thrown in your face from beginning to end, the characters and what happens to them is much more realistic than you think. You want to scream for the characters to make the right decisions but at the same time you realize that everything they experience is so realistic. The ... author's writing is just incredible. You just forgot your youth. All the unsaid things, all the awkwardness and all those first times. Remember your first love and you'll see that it's not a cliché. What's more, in Japanese culture it's perhaps even more the case. So yes, if you want to appreciate Bokura ga ita at its true value, you have to be receptive and emotionally invested in the story.

In addition, I see a lot of reviews that talk about the animation in a bad way when in reality it is a real strong point. It is necessary to contextualize: we are in 2006, the golden age of shoujo. We have this somewhat old school animation, very simple, very minimalist in pastel tones. And in fact it works particularly well for Bokura ga ita, simply because the animation makes a huge contrast to the story.
Oh and also for those who say that sometimes an eye is missing, this has nothing to do with the animation. At that time, it was common for mangakas to draw only one eye (especially in shojou) for several reasons; saving time, wanting to attract attention and show the emotions of the character etc. In fact it has become a bit of a trademark at that time. So if you read the manga you will be able to see that this is also the case so nothing to do with the animation. I find it both fun and interesting. Also the ost are magnificent and never too much (Kotoba and Aozora by Kato Izumi are two of the most beautiful music I have ever heard).

In short, everything is there. Bokura ga ita is not just a simple love story.. it is a story larger than life that shows the ups and downs of youth, shaky and imperfect decisions that we can make at that age. It is a frustrating truth that is presented to you without compromise. One of the most beautiful anime that I have seen in my entire life. A real time capsule for all those who have not seen it yet.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Mistykal (1)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Mar 3, 2025

Puri20thboy

Mixed Feelings

First of all, I wouldn’t recommend this series if you’re not a fan of watching highly toxic relationships. Bokura ga Ita tells the love story between Yano, the most popular guy in class, and Nana, a girl who, like him, has just started high school and is looking to make new friends.

The anime starts off well, with a charming and heartfelt tone. While not everything is perfect, the beginning is quite enjoyable. The two protagonists initially clash, with Nana disliking Yano for his lazy and carefree attitude. However, their relationship evolves, and they eventually start dating after the school festival. Up to this point, the ... emotions of the characters are portrayed realistically, and their development feels natural and well-constructed.

From this point onward, the story becomes a series of dramatic events. While some of these situations reflect real life relationship struggles, many feel overly exaggerated and coincidental, such as sudden family illnesses or unexpected moves.It’s true that teenage relationships can often be toxic, especially when they’re your first. However, the constant barrage of dramatic events, always happening at the worst possible moments, can feel over the top and exhausting.

Despite this, the series does capture the complexities of a real relationship, particularly the communication issues, past traumas, and lingering insecurities that can create cracks in a partnership.

Yano, though initially unlikable due to his behavior, is arguably the most well-developed character. He’s not perfect, but his struggles with past relationships and his tendency to lie to himself to cope with pain make him a compelling figure. His growth after breaking up with Nanami shows his determination to improve and fight for his love.

Nana, on the other hand, is a relatable character who embodies the insecurities and jealousy of a young girl navigating her first serious relationship. Her distrust and emotional struggles feel genuine, though they often contribute to the series’ excessive drama.

It’s true that teenage relationships can often be toxic, especially when they’re your first. However, the constant barrage of dramatic events, always happening at the worst possible moments, can feel over-the-top and exhausting.

The soundtrack effectively enhances the emotional tone of the series, and the animation, while dated, suits the style of the story. The character designs are simple yet appealing, adding to the overall charm of the anime.

In conclusion, Bokura ga Ita is not a bad series. It features well-developed characters who feel like real people, though the excessive drama can be overwhelming. If you enjoy intense, emotional stories with flawed but relatable characters, this might be worth a watch. However, if you prefer lighter or more balanced narratives, this might not be for you.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Puri20thboy (16)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Jun 19, 2022

buzzinpotato

Not Recommended

From everything it was "compared" to i thought this was going to be one of those super cute animes. And it was, for the for little bit. Yano was that popular guy that everybody liked and off course it was the person Takahashi met. Freaking Yuri, i was thinking she was a chill person for a while, she's the typical kuudere, talk only want needs to be sad however she feels needed.

**Going over what i dislike and liked in detail sooo kind of spoilers*****

I was a little confused when they started to talk about nana-san so much, sometimes I'd get confused which one they ... were talking about, but that wasn't a problem for too long because after a while they just started to show her face anytime she was mentioned sometimes even like 5 or more times in one episode. Like i get it, she was verry important person but cant think of anything else to show then constantly a face of a dead character. I don't know, its probably just me but they did it was too often for me. i felt that when they added Takeuchi it was a little weird maybe i just don't remember him from earlier or something i did binge the show in two nights, but the extra come about his " transgender brother" who's just "a man in a dress", something to that effect and kept going kinda rubbed me wrong, and that was kinda early on when they were first showing his character made me not want to root for him really. But later one we see him with his sister and he seems nice to her now, i don't know if i just read it wrong or what but i feel like if they have a good relationship why did they need those comment. At a couple point i did start to question if a man wrote it and surprisingly google said it was a girl. Had me question the types of things teenagers watch and which ones they decided to copy. And i hope its not these couple of teenagers her. i also wondered why continue watching it and i wanted to see how they would end this thing.

it went from showing how stupid Nana-san was for staying with her abusive boyfriend, how everybody around her speaks about her, and how they feel about the situation but then when he catches that she has a bruise because of him she slaps him(or pushes her{she hits like the closet}) so at that point i was shocked. But then i saw her go back and forth, not that i get it but now the boyfriend who was calling her stupid for staying with the last guy for hurting her, hurts her.. idk. I get why he has a sort of hate and regret, he didn't get to apologize in time and that usually eats you away. Hate on how she went back to her ex. But yeah maybe apologize sooner, but who knows in the show they didn't really show what he was doing up until the point that he tried to call her and when he got the call again saying that she got into the accident.

From Yano holding on to the fact that he slept with Yuri to lying not only to Takeuchi about what happened, and then later on with on to Takahashi (HIS CURRENT GF), to then only telling her in a way of a joke.. a terrible one at that. Of course she gets over that very quickly like millions of little things here and there that either come out wayyyy later or doesn't get "solved". The way Yuri keep was the one that kept coming to him really pissed me off and really gave me stalker vibes. And what she says to Takahashi never get talked about with Yano which was little weird to me, but maybe nit pickky. The way that Yano push her so she doesn't her didnt sit right with me, and so many other instances that made me feel like Yano was a bit of a narcist. I mean i can't tell you enough how much i wanted to stop watching when Yano literally told her put your hand up if it hurts and ill stop and when she does he does. I don't know that how animation and scenario made me feel gross to even finish the episode..

I don't know by the end of it im guessing we were supposed to be crying to but i dont know. I feel for the mom it seemed like a loveless marriage and seems like she got married because "Yano needs a father figure" i hope that's not the only reason she got remarried, a lot of the problems could have been solved with simple quicker communication. Maybe because it is anime it seems like we have these trips or plans and sometimes all we are shown is they got to the bus and that's it. Then later find out they still have the same problem, like so what they just chilled there and didn't talk about the thing they were just worrying and crying about, just feels dragged out sometimes. Happy they didn't have sex didnt think it would be the anime with it but what can you do.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by buzzinpotato (1)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Hokkaido Prefecture

by tzippurah

15 Entries · 3 Restacks

Must watch/starter pack shoujosei anime

by piripara

50 Entries · 10 Restacks

hidden gems

by peaceink

31 Entries · 50 Restacks

	Poll: Bokura ga Ita Episode 6 Discussion jacobpaige - Mar 15, 2008	46 replies	by Jassir_bllrh »» Nov 20, 2025 3:56 PM
	Poll: Bokura ga Ita Episode 12 Discussion jacobpaige - Mar 16, 2008	42 replies	by InnoBlindSelfish »» Aug 21, 2025 1:19 AM
	Poll: Bokura ga Ita Episode 26 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) jacobpaige - Mar 16, 2008	136 replies	by catzolasnahouse »» Nov 16, 2024 7:20 AM
	Poll: Bokura ga Ita Episode 16 Discussion jacobpaige - Mar 16, 2008	33 replies	by miyatobio »» Apr 6, 2024 11:28 PM
	Poll: Bokura ga Ita Episode 19 Discussion jacobpaige - Mar 16, 2008	26 replies	by Suoly »» Mar 20, 2024 10:10 PM

Top 25 Best Romance Anime of All Time

Let's just be honest and admit that every story is spiced up if it contains at least a small degree of romance. Love makes everything better, so here are the 25 most romantic anime shows in which love plays a very important role.

by FreeNightFalls

8,350,402 views

Spoiler

RecommendationCollectionCute GirlsCute GuysKawaiiLoveGIF

9 Anime's Greatest Directors: Writer's Picks

If you ask the general public to name anyone associated with anime, they’re almost certain to name a certain director – Miyazaki Hayao. But for anime fans themselves, the director is a crucial component of anime success that’s too often overlooked.

by GuardianEnzo

102,824 views

RecommendationCollectionAnalysisDirector