STORY ~
The story is a combination of drama, fantasy, and romance, which is always interesting if you execute it the right way. I've got to say, from my first impression of the anime, I had high expectations right from the start and had a general feeling of the type of anime this will be. However, it turned out COMPLETELY different from what I expected, but still very amazing. In other words, Nagi no Asukara was a pleasant surprise with many extremely emotional scenes. I didn't expect it to make me cry and tear up so many times. Also, what surprised me the most was the plot twist for the second arc of the anime. The overall feel between the two arcs are very different: first one being brighter and happier, second one being darker and mysterious. I was on the edge of my seat a lot more than I anticipated. Of course there were some (but very little) parts where I would have preferred it to be done differently; and there were also small parts that felt a little dragged. But these small things are not enough to bring the anime down. It has a great balance of genres. Very enjoyable and creative, with a beautiful ending!
ART ~
Nagi no Asukara has the most gorgeous art and animation of any anime I have even seen/watched. It is simply breathtaking! The characters all look very pretty and handsome, and the best part would have to be the SCENERY. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful landscapes. The artwork was actually the first thing that grabbed my attention for this anime. Very well drawn and animated. Without a doubt, it deserves an A+.
MUSIC/SOUNDTRACK ~
All I have to say for the music is that it is wonderful. I absolutely love the soundtrack! And I'm not just talking about the OP/ED, but also about the music throughout the anime. Beautiful and emotional soundtrack that really enhances the scenes. It's really rare for me to love the music of an anime so much, that I would constantly search for them through the internet. Excellent music choices!
CHARACTER ~
In Nagi no Asukara, there are a number of characters: all very diverse and have purpose. Character showings were very off balance, but I didn't mind at all. Some characters had a lot more time on screen than others. This allows the audience to connect more strongly to certain characters, rather than the other ones. However, the showtimes for some characters shifted over time.
To be honest, I had a list of characters that I adored and a list that annoyed me. Character development was done very well and is very effective towards the storyline. I love how each of them matured and grew as a person. It was very rewarding to watch. By the end of the anime, I love every character! Very satisfying!!!
Nagi no Asukara has left a mark on my heart and I am very sad it has ended. Truly a masterpiece in so many ways. This anime deserves a lot more attention than it gets. I am very happy and satisfied, especially with the ending. Nagi no Asukara is truly an anime I will never forget.
