Many viewers see this anime as a masterpiece.
But sadly, for me, that is just not true. This anime is far from a "masterpiece"
The anime is simply not enjoyable. Its depressing. It makes you feel hopelessness. Its just not an enjoyable viewing experience.
The story is OK, nothing special. The short movie is split into three episodes, each telling a different section of the character's lives, as there is a timeskip after each 20-minute episode. First episode tells you about 2 childhood friends/love interests, who grow further and further away from each other as time passes, due to their parent's jobs, but they always keep in touch using the post and text messages. Basically, one day the girl tells the boy to meet her at a train station but surprise, surprise the train that the boy takes gets delayed due to snow and the boy has to wait through hours to get to the girls station. He gets depressed that she may leave as it is already 11pm as he waits for the train. Then he gets to the station to find out that she had been waiting there the whole time. They are happy to see each other, and talk, and eventually share a kiss.
The second episode tells you the boys life at his new school but there's really nothing interesting here. The third one tells you about their life as adults and lemme tell you that it is extremely depressing.
The story is not for you if you want a face paved, happy romantic comedy or something like that as its really depressing and slow-paced and the time skip and overall story doesn't flow well because of the slow and tedious pace and commentary.
Story: 6/10
Art:
Really good. Colours and backgrounds are amazing to watch, with vivid colours and good character designs. Very smooth animation.
10/10
Sound:
It had a very calm and soothing soundtrack which makes you feel right at home but there is not a great variety of songs. The tone and style of music is for the type of story this anime has, so it'd have to be calm and soothing for a romance drama anime.
Voice acting was good, and I do prefer the sub over dub as akari's voice in dub sounds too high
7/10
Characters:
The main cast (which is like, three characters ) have very bland personalities.
The male protagonist, takaki has a rather boring personality and doesn't really talk much, and kind of a socially awkward person. He only talks about his feelings and dreams about akari, the female lead.
Akari is OK, but she is rather bland too. She doesn't think of much except for takaki.
Kanae , the other female lead, is bland too. All she does is have a crush on takaki.
6/10
Enjoyment:
Weakest aspect of the anime. The tone is depressing and boring, and that is just not good for a romantic anime. As I said before, if you want something uplifting, this is simply not for you.
3/10
Overall:
The cons kinda outweigh the pros in this anime to be honest. The art and soundtrack are good, but they can't hide the fact that this anime is very boring, and that the story isn't great and that it doesn't flow well, and with no real conclusion.
This is a romance anime with no heart, and it leaves the viewer wanting to see more, but already knowing it is hopeless.
