The artwork is some of the most beautiful I've ever seen in an anime (not including the in-universe artwork). Its used to a great degree of effectiveness. Take the first episode for example. At times it uses cheesy news-like graphics (like the introduction stats) but other times it has the most beautiful uses of color, motion, and form (like when Sorata meets Mashiro). Nearly every scene is packed with some tidbit of interesting information, symbolism, foreshadowing, and easter eggs. (An example of this is while the first opening shows Sorata trying to take out a wasp/hornet nest, this is never shown in an episode. However, the labels on the chore chart (if shown) have "Wasp Nest" under Sorata's duties.)
What pulls the artwork together is really the sound. Their audio engineers are definitely top notch. Things can go from loud to soft, simple to complex and layered, and vice-versa without hitting you too hard or too little. Again, using the first episode as an example, lots of detail was put into the sound, especially environmental sound. From the musical-type sounds that help guide the story to the hot pot bubbling layered underneath to the way the evening market street sounded or the way the wind whooshed around with the cherry petals or the trains.
The voice actors are really great as well. They fit their characters perfectly and don't turn it into a stereotypical pile of rubbish like many very flat animes do. Together with the sound and art, truly you're pulled into the show. You may have heard a term for extremely realistic art - hyperrealism; this anime is like the perfect fusion of hyperrealism and hyper-idealism.
Now the story is interesting. Animes/manga based on light novels tend to have a better story in my personal opinion. The characters all have big strengths coupled with big flaws. The emotions and desires they express feel real. All characters have moments when they act human and "break character" instead of playing to whatever character sheet they have. Everyone benefits and suffers. Growing up is hell and Sakurasou is definitely an interesting pressure cooker of sorts.
Some might say this anime is predictable, which it is sometimes. If you begin it with an open mind and few expectations, you'll probably be left feeling like the story's progression and any predictability it had was rather natural. Those who latch onto something and preconceive the story in their heads are the ones who will be left disappointed; they will either be correct and cast aspersions or be incorrect and cast blame. I feel it's important to left this story play out.
Theme-wise, this anime discusses so many: hard work (how it works and how it doesn't), talent and skill (what is it and when does it matter), relationships and feelings, love and acceptance, unsupportive parents, what is important and what's not, childhood friendships and their issues. I also like the positive look they take at Mashiro's condition, which is something like high-functioning autism.
Overall it's just a wonderful story and anime. Watch it and let it wash over you. Don't try to swim upstream but let the show carry you along with it. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll feel a lot. After all, that's what it is to be human.
10/10
