That being said, I still liked his character and the series as a whole because it is a series about high school students and the mistakes they make. Yes, Makoto is a despicable character but if you look at it objectively, what high school guy would not have made similar mistakes/decisions. I believe that the critics have been tainted by the romantic anime norm where the characters only make small mistakes but are able to make up for them and have a happy ending.
I feel that for those that have been through high school, college, and life at work, these things happen. I'm not saying they do to this scale but who hasn't been servery wronged by the person they love, or severely wronged the person that they love? Or not even know who they really loved? These feelings create mistakes that can be never taken back or forgiven.
That's why I love this series. It's about the mistakes you make that can never be forgiven and the emotional devastation it causes to those all around you. This is a series that made me depressed, smile and feel like throwing up at times. The reason is that you, a family member, or a friend has had similar situations when the only decisions that were made were the wrong ones.
The ending is also one of the most disturbing and satisfying endings I have ever seen. Without giving away the twisted and shocking last episode it really shows how fragile, desperate and delusional a human heart can be.
Small Spoiler:
I also loved the last round of credits where Makoto's cell phone usually has pictures of the girls he's involved with one way or another, but this time it is a blank black screen. And repeating the innocent monologue from the first episode really leaves an impression on you. This is an anime that I will not soon forget.
