Nagi no Asukara is a series that is easily overlooked, but proves to be a true diamond in the mainstream rough. Nagi no Asukara is a series that would either be forgotten or always be remembered. But for me, it proves to be the latter. It is simply an anime that describes love in its purest form. Love as happiness amidst the sadness. A kind of happiness that can only be found beside sad and rough emotions.
I just loved how it's not a rollercoaster lesson as any other love story drama there is. It doesn't make you experience a heartattack, but it makes you experience a subtle heartbreak. It tells you what love really is all about.
Watching this anime is like being in love. in true love. It is where you stay for the ride, you don't stay and wait for something to happen because that just leaves you disappointed with your expectations. It is why most people who probably dropped this show is missing from their lives (although maybe they just didn't like the artstyle, or do not believe anime is something for deep subjects such as pure love). Do you really know what love is?
Story: [9/10]
If you think about it, the story is a very simple tale of growing up with a supernatural twist. I can say that this plot isn't really complicated nor it is in that category of serious mindrape (which earns applauds from people who think a masterful plot is a logically stable one). No, this series is about love and love isn't about logic, it's about reason and feelings. And what better way to judge a tale of feelings and emotions than to see and understand it's story telling. The storytelling is the real star of this anime as it feels alive, it feels like love itself that cannot be rushed. It is very datailed but it's not boring. The plot is not forced on to you, but keeps you interested , if not hooked. You completely UNDERSTAND why everything is happening and why those love and reactions and feeling swirling around the characters happens.
Art [9/10]:
PA Works brings another beautifully done series in Nagi no Asukara. Very pristine backgrounds and character designs that just looks natural. It doesn't have much in the animation department because it's not really an action series, not do I think it is necessary so I gave it a stable 9.
Sound [8/10]:
The OST in this anime is just satisfying for me, and a bit on the average side. Although I was really moved by the soundtracks when they performed the Ojioshi-sama rituals. The opening and endings were treasures too that makes this series so lovable. The first opening clearly dictates an atmosphere that is all fun and cheery that reflects a child's positive coming-of-age experience while transitioning to the second opening by episode 14. The second opening is slow and a bit emotional, very right for the more dramatic half of the series.
Character [10/10]:
This has to be the most outstanding aspect of this series. The characters are very well-written and you can almost see everyone (even the sub-main characters like Kaname and Chisaki) in a 360 point of view. Some might question their behaviors as either being too bitchy, being too un-understandable, being too good or too stubborn. But in the end, all I could say is that they are all just very human. 14-19 year old humans that knows happiness, sadness, angst and pressure. The characters might look a bit cliched at first but their reactions and the time it takes for them to react is just real. They're not idealistic, they're not all just about love, they're not all smart and understanding. Because that's how the world works. They get exhausted and tired, they get up and go for it in another try; that's just how reality is.
Enjoyment [9/10]:
The enjoyment factor of this series varies from each watcher really. As with any other anime, but if you are someone who came to this series because you love drama-romance anime, if you love character-based series and innocent romances, you'd definitely enjoy the ride. If you're up to series that is full of heartattacks, drama and shoujo-type romance, this might not be your cup of tea. I for one enjoyed this series because of its very refreshing pacing and characters that are loveable and unforgettable.
Overall [9/10]:
This anime would not have been so successful if it weren't for it's really precise execution. The art style and unique undersea plot is already a plus but the core of this anime, the lessons it bring (no matter what age you are in), and the set of characters that makes this plot work and make the gears turn. Those are the real treasures of this anime that if not blended correctly, this anime could have been a bit of a flop. But it wasn't because it had good chemistry.
To summarize it all, this series is the perfect example of a good chemistry of a well-written plot, the diversity and richness of each of the characters and an outside factors that make the plot turn. Watching this series is like being in true love: you need a good mix of chemistry, quality time and nice pacing you have with each other and simply the chance and the devotion you have in watching it to the end.
