Anyway, it is safe for me to say that this is my favorite anime this season and depending on the ending may be up there as one of my favorite anime in general as well. This is because of multiple elements that make up the refreshing and, in my opinion, unique experience of watching this series.
Story [8/10]:
The best thing that I like about the story is that there is no horsing around with who the male protagonist, Usa, likes. It is clear from episode one that he is heads-over-heels for shy, bookworm, and possibly loner, Ritsu. This makes it easier for the audience to form an emotional connection with their growing relationship as there is no wondering "Oh, is he gonna start liking this girl? Oh, what about this transfer student, is he gonna like her now? Who will he end up with?". The audience pretty much knows that they will end up together but since Ritsu is pretty anti-social it's all about how Usa goes about getting closer to her. Having all the characters live in the same complex makes for some hilarious and smart situations. Overall, for 13 episodes only, the series is refreshingly slow-paced and lighthearted and very relatable.
Art [9/10]:
As an artist myself, I very much enjoy the art of this anime. Though nothing "revolutionary", the use of colors and lighting is absolutely gorgeous and fits the mood of the anime so well. If you pay attention you'll notice that much of the anime takes place when the sun is setting or rising and this gives plenty of opportunity for the anime to show off it's beautiful spectrum of colors. It's safe to say that there are many scenes where you can see the whole spectrum of the rainbow and values from very dark to very bright. The show would just not be the same without the art style.
Sound [8/10]:
The opening and ending songs could be better, but I have gotten attached to them as I have watched the current episodes multiple times each and never skip them. Although, where the sound truly shines are the moments between Usa and Ritsu. I still remember the piano medley playing when Usa and Ritsu first meet eachother and how it suited the atmosphere so well. Overall, the music score never gets boring and knows just how to set the mood of any scene especially romantic ones.
Character [10/10]:
The characters have to be the best part about this anime. There are six main characters who live in the same complex and all of them are of different ages. It is only Ritsu and Usa who are close to the same age and that also reinforces their "fated" love because the older tenants are constantly either helping make or break their relationship. The interactions between characters in this anime are some of the most down-to-earth and realistic I've seen in a series so far. There is nothing outlandish like constant pantyshots or somehow tripping and grabbing a breast or even a bathtub scene (so far, atleast). Each of the situations and conversations the characters have gotten into are something that could easily take place in real life and that makes it all the more relatable to the viewer. I especially hate the "frenemy" dynamics of Mayumi and Sayaka. As girls who are insecure in their own ways they are really catty to eachother and I know many girls in real life who are like that.
Enjoyment [10/10]:
I took a break from anime and even when I got back into it last month I haven't encountered one that made me want to rewatch it as soon as I finished it, or caught up to the most recent episode. This is the one that did it for me. I have seen the current episodes at least three times each and it maybe takes me 40 minutes to watch a single one because I'm constantly replaying parts. I don't know what the "secret ingredient" is or why I enjoy Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou so much but there is just something special about it. If you read this far you would have seen the word "relatable" many times by now and that's because this anime is just that, at least to me. I'm a hopeless romantic who's first love and romance was very much less sweet and innocent as Ritsu and Usa's so I guess the combined "romanticized love" and relatability of the situations and conversations of the series makes it a winner to me.
Overall [10/10]:
I feel like I really buttered this anime up and at the same time might lack experience to say it's the bomb.com but I feel how I feel about it right now and that's what's important. Toradora! is my favorite anime of all time and what I consider a masterpiece of rom-com. Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou is no Toradora!, I have not shed a tear yet, or gotten angry or too anxious. But it is that in itself that makes this anime special. It's a true "slice-of-life". No cliche's, no situations that would never happen, but all nostalgia of a time when relationships were so innocent and friendships didn't hurt.
Great anime.
