I'm not very good at reviewing. I know what I like and don't like, but I can't explain it well, fair warning.
This anime is stellar. Everything about it is top-notch, and the only thing I wasn't absolutely in love with was the OP, but it wasn't bad, it was pretty good actually. The animation was great, the humor, despite not being new or groundbreaking, was quality and I laughed frequently. The soundtrack was great. The ED was stunning and is now my most favorite ED of all time. I'm inevitably going to spoil the story when I talk about why this anime changed my life, so you have been warned.
Backstory: I first watched this anime in March 2019, at the lowest point of my life. I was so depressed that I could not feel any emotions whatsoever. I also frequently dissociated and have major gaps in my memory. The only reason I even watched this anime was because Gigguk said it was his favorite of 2018. I now consider it the greatest piece of media ever produced.
On to the story: Have you ever wanted to do something amazing with your life? Something that not many people have done? Before watching, my answer was a resounding no. I was perfectly fine wanting to be a background character in mine and everyone else's life. But that was not the answer for Kimari. She decided that she had to do something to make her high school days special and meaningful. She hears about a schoolmate who wants to go to Antarctica and decides to go with her, enlisting the help of two other girls. Against all odds, they make it work and go to Antarctica.
Seeing their struggles and triumph made me snap out of the all-consuming depression and realize that I couldn't keep living like that. I didn't want to just have every day pass by in emptiness and despair, I had to do something. So I decided to make a change and start my own journey.
I decided that no matter the struggles I may face, I'm going to become the person I've always been on the inside. I have to make my life meaningful. I have to make my life have importance. I have to live as myself.
I decided to transition to being the woman I've always been.
Because of this anime (and the whole being transgender thing as well lol), I started hormone replacement therapy, which was the single best and most significant decision of my entire life. My depression vanished and hasn't been back in months. I finally know what it feels like to be truly happy for more than a fleeting moment. If I had never seen this anime, I would most likely still be living in sheer misery pretending to be a guy, never realizing that I can just say fuck it and transition, and would have never found happiness.
Now that I'm on this transitioning journey, it's time for me to start my second journey and fulfill my ultimate dream, which is to win an Oscar for a screenplay I write.
Thank you Madhouse and everyone that worked on this anime. You have changed my life for the better and I can never repay you all. I'll make sure to shout you all out in my Oscars acceptance speech.
