1. It can be a something where one can say that "I finally got the last laugh."
2. It can be something where finally someones' dream has come through.
Either of which can be correct, especially, when we talk about an anime like this, cu'z this anime was simply more than a breath of fresh air , it was more like a rebirth where this would be the only time that such anime like thing would be around and one can say that no other anime can match this, so, here are my ratings for this anime.
Story-Very Good 8: Cu'z the plot itself has an element of reality in the fashion world, competition was very much a cut throat and being a model can be a bitch in reality as we see 2 underdog with different goals in the fashion world but both have a lot to prove themselves, we have a struggling high schooler who is a fashion designer wannabe, it doesn't stop there cu'z he also happens to face a lot of adversities in his life from being born into a single parent mom who have to struggle to make ends meet , worse, his mom was gravely ill and the bills kept pilling up , he also have 3 sisters whom he has to take care of, I mean just that character along one would feel nothing but sorry for him. Next, we have a hyper model wanna be who was born into a well off family that is in the business in modeling , her problem , she a petite 5'2" which doesn't make it good for her, the only thing she has was being this bull headed girl who never stop trying . Lets be honest , it was really outstanding that original creator, Inoya Kotoba utilizes such reality and the characters struggle in achieving their goal , he also did a good job of putting such reality element in the fashion world in his story plot.
Art- Very Good 8: Don't be expecting any of Chiyuki, kokoro or any of the other female cast around here to bear some good fanservice , cu'z this was a fashion theme anime, so basically there will a lot of fashion around here and I could say that this was also one such anime where the fashion was pretty much good that I never hesitated to give this anime's art such a high score. Also, I kinda like Kokoro's fashion sense especially in the last episode where she wore a white dress with pleated skirt with matching red blazer and Chiyuki's blue dress in episode one.
Sound- Fair 6: I have no qualms about Ikuto's voice, but for Chiyuki to be voiced by Hanamoro Yumiri was pretty much a ill fit for her, she should have been voiced by Kokoro's seiyuu Kayano Ai and Kokoro should have been voiced by Hanamora Yumiri, then again I kinda like the opening theme.
Character- Good 7: Thought the title of this anime is Smile down the Runway, Chiyuki should have been the main character around here, but instead the role of being the main protagonist was split between Chiyuki and Ikuto at first the partnership seem to be working between the two of them when they were able to prove what they can do, but unfortunately most of the drama goes to Ikuto whom was born into a single parent impoverish life where everyday living was a struggle and for him to be able to fulfill his dream of being a fashion designer was more like a luxury that was too expensive to be afford, here we see him face all kinds of problems one after another in which he was almost tempted to betrayed Kokoro, but given that he has such admirable characteristic he prevails with his principle , Chyuki on the other hand being from a well off family, she could have gotten surgery to increase her height, frankly for her to have to struggle to be a model was just too unnecessary for her, then again for her to not undergo such trail would have defeated the original creator's plan of not making it easy for her as the other protagonist. There is also Kokoro who was portrayed as this tall girl who already has a successful modeling career which was some that Chiyuki envies, whom wants to be in the business of fashion designing , the road block, was her bitchy manager Yu Igarashi who seemly tries to talk her down into giving up her dream, but given that she too meek to say what's in her mind was quite annoying given that she was able to finally prove to her bitchy manager that she has what it takes to be what she wants.
Enjoyment- Great 9: Frankly, I never gave such ratings like this but given that this anime's original creator didn't play safe for the protagonists it was some to always looked forward to..
Overall- Great 9: It may still have that teenagers having to grow up fast thing , but then again for studio Ezo'La to give us an unexpected where we see Ikuto not making it was basically part of the story-line of the series'' title "Smile down the runway" cu'z it basically applies to Chiyuki who after being turned down multiple times and Kokoro whom her manager says that she has no way of making it as a fashion designers was basically one way to end the series where the metaphor behind it was that those who never give up and find a way around adversity would be the last to laugh.........So, this was highly recommended...... as long as there won't be a season 2, cu'z this series is only as good a being the only one without any sequel or OVA of any kind......
