If you're thinking about watching True Tears, then let me give you a warning not to expect too much of it, for that was my mistake right from the start.
The series began, for my taste, extremely promising and I couldn't wait for the second episode, but alas it was late and myself tired, so the only way to proceed was to sleep and watch the rest of the show the next day in one go. Little I new in my enthusiasm that I'd have to force myself to sit through the rest of the 12 episodes by drinking till I almost passed out.
One thing I remember clearly about the first episode was the „Kyaa! Ecchi!“-thing. I thought „wow, using a cliché from the harem-genre and putting it in a more realistic scenario, that's nice!“. I expected then an intelligent change from your everyday harem-anime looked at by a more realistic angle...and somehow I got it, but with a cast where I don't even know which character I hated the most.
The creators of True Tears should have been so honest to tell me poor soul that this show takes place on planet „Sadist IV“ where everyone, first and foremost the females, are committed to lie and hurt others whenever possible. If that would have been made clear I could understand why nobody seems to care about being treated this way. But for me, accustomed to modern earthly standards of not being an asshole, I just don't get it.
One character especially deserving of my hatred is Shinichiro's mother. Why no one really deals with this vile-spitting harpy is beyond my understanding. When you have watched the series, just ask yourself, what would have happened if she wasn't such a complete and utter bitch or had died years ago in a preferably painful fashion.
Noe seems to be somewhat of an exception in this line but irritated me in her own unique ways. Though I give her credit for trying to help others instead of thinking of ways to hurt them, as everyone else seems to do.
Another major flaw of the show is the plot consisting mostly of soap-like twists. While other shows might sometimes need or even profit from scriptwriting like that, True Tears would have done much better with concentrating on character development I think. Shinichiro doesn't really get to know any of the girls better, as there always seems to be a farfetched plot device lurking in the shadows, waiting to distract...most of all the viewer.
Well, all that being said, I actually rewatched the series, this time being prepared for what was to come and therefore without the need to drink myself senseless. Knowing the end and all I actually understood most of the reasoning behind the things the characters did and said, but I still wondered why they had to do it in such a cruel and self-serving manner and if such people really could harbor deeply romantic feelings in such a way. But I see at least a ray of hope for all people liking this show, generous as I am.
As for the animation and sound I almost resented them for being too good, because I got the feeling the story itself didn't deserve such embellishment, but it's certainly one reason I couldn't give up on True Tears and simply hate it without wanting to know why.
Why it was this series which attracted that much hatred from me, I'm unsure. It seems to be the above mentioned disappointment. At the end of the first episode I was ready to believe this was going in my top 10-list. While other series in the past turned out to surprise one way or the other, too, True Tears was a major letdown for me. So I really can't advice to stay clear of this one, just not to expect too much.
This review was my first one and I'm quite refreshed after writing my grudge away. If you facepalmed yourself several times while reading please consider my native language not being English as well as my perspective being shrouded in hatred and cynicism, thank you.
