The romance genre suffers from a sever lack of quality writing. Most shows are carried by baiting their audience or by striking premises that are never properly developed. Horimiya's central gimmick does not have that large of an impact overall and the main romance develops at a satisfying rate. All of its characters are likable and well-considered, and they adaptation goes a step beyond in conveying the context and consequences of each scene.
It feels odd to praise a series primarily by what it does not do, but when a show leverages miscommunication as a way to immediately have a cathartic emotional moment in the first episode, it feels like this is just how every romance should be. Ideally something like Horimiya would be standard for romance anime, but in the modern landscape it is one of the that I can recommend without reservation.
The main couple is adorable, and their individual attributes are highlighted and criticized enough where they feel realized independent of their relationship. The side cast does not get as much focus as they deserve, but the time they do have is utilized well. Everything in the show is quality, so even if you are not as invested in a side couple it does not feel like a waste of your time. The overall momentum of the show falters in the second half, but never so much as to take down from the enjoyment of the series as a whole.
Horimiya is one of the most enjoyable 13 episode shows out there, and while the manga has expanded stories and a more conclusive end, I do not feel like reading it is mandatory. Hopefully, Horimiya will set the standard for romance anime in the future.
Score: Strong 8 to Light 9
