It was disappointing to say the least.
The story. (4)
I love the premise of the plot. What would happen between two people sharing a secret? It was really enjoyable until 20 chapters, later on reading felt like a drag. I was constantly looking for the development, affection, or something to happen. I endured until 40 chapters, decided to look up some spoilers and reviews for the chapters forward and decided to drop the manga. I found it boring.
The art. (6)
Simple, clean, maybe too simple. But it was OK.
The characters. (5) (small spoilers)
I loved the two main characters very much, it was interesting to see this trope of sharing a secret between them that only they know. I loved them and genuinely rooted for them and their growth as individuals and as a couple. But, after they got together and Miyamura cut his hair, it felt like I was reading about a different Horimiya? I didn't recognize them at all, they felt so different. It also felt like they weren't a couple? There wasn't much affection... even holding hands. Their development... I felt it was cut short, it wasn't enough. There was really so much potential, sigh. I also felt that cutting Miyamura's hair and taking away his piercings was super unnecessary, but that's a separate essay.
As for the side characters and side couples, I liked them at first but... they didn't really interest me later on. It felt like a whole lot of filler, we barely even see the side ships who appear like every n chapters.
Enjoyment. (4)
The first chapters until the confession were the most enjoyable, for me the only enjoyable chapters. After that everything felt like a drag and I was already skimming chapters at that point. I would have rather done homework.
Overall. (4)
I had expectations, Horimiya didn't meet them. Maybe it's good but I have bad taste? Maybe. But I didn't enjoy it, I can only disappointingly sigh. Some fans might say "No! Wait for this chapter! It gets good!" I'm sorry, I really can't anymore. There's nothing that's pushing to me to keep reading it, I'm not hooked at all. Maybe some people who enjoy SOL and slow paced stories would enjoy this? I'll still follow the anime until to the confession, but after that I'll indulge in other things where I hope to fill this gap of disappointment.
