It's got some very interesting and relevant themes which were where the show found its depth and ingenuity. It's all about words; how we use them, our ability (or inability rather) to express our true emotions with them and the relationships we build through them. These themes and concepts are mainly conveyed through the main character, Majime, who is a very intriguing character. He's a man who can't find what he wants to say. He struggles to convey his emotions and feelings through words but has a vast, deep understanding of them. As a result, he finds trouble speaking normally with people and building friendships and relationships. He was a very relatable character for me and I emphasised with many of his struggles. The show did a good job of presenting his inner turmoil through the usage of visual metaphors and compelling imagery that really helped the show to stand out. The supporting cast was great too, particularly Nishioka and Kaguya. Nishioka was a very inspiring figure with a great deal of depth to his actions and Kaguya consistently made scenes that much more nuanced and beautiful through her own unique, understated charm. The romance between Majime and her was refreshing too because of its natural, relaxed progression that wasn't hampered by unnecessary, frustrating misunderstandings.
Fune wo Amu is criminally under-watched which is a shame because it really is a very good show. Give it a chance, and those preconceptions you had about it being or dull will disappear in no time. If you're fond of character studies or if you're desperate for some realistic characters, I strongly recommend this.
