It might seem strange, since Umechazuke's art don't seem to stand out very much, but don't let the plain aesthetics fools you, I think this match up was awesome, unexpectedly.
Takemiya's works are not very deep philosophically, nor enlightening emotionally (should be the other way around, I know), but she has a great talent, not for drama and romance, even though that's the only thing on her resume, but in building characters. Banri must be one of the plainest and most relatable character in comic for the last 10 years. He's really all struggle and no look, and yet, his struggle is so gripping, I can't let go of the pages. This section might go a bit too much on the story, but Takemiya's source material is just amazing, as always, not helping is the fact that this is my favourite story from her. The set up seems a little rudimentary, a lost memory college student leaving home for the big city to get away from the pity stare his friends and family give him because they were looking for their son and friend to come back. In the process, he met new friends and a new women, and fall in love with her. If you have seen her previous works, particularly Toradora, then you can sort of expect a good bit of development from every character, and she did. However, unlike with Toradora, I think the cast for Golden Time is quite a bit weaker. Toradora's cast was so, so amazing, it's difficult to come up with something on the same level. Yet, I prefer Golden Time for the same reason I prefer UBW out of the 3 routes in Fate Stay Night, it has focus. Of course the spotlight was entirely on Banri's struggle with his identity and memory lost, as his past self, connection came back to haunt him, as well as his fear that one day the friendships and relationship he has at the moment will slip away. The precarious situation he's in fuelled most of the drama of the second half, but to me, the first half was what took the cake. The shift from the drama about the main love interest onto his problem was done so, so well. Interweaving the web of relationship during the first 25 chapters was an amazing idea. No small part thanks to Umechazuke.
I have mentioned before that Umechazuke's art isn't spectacular, but that doesn't mean it's not good. In fact, it is almost perfectly adequate for the story. Umechazuke, which I presume is a lady based on their other works, has that sensibility to transfer the light novel onto the comic page. When it comes to certain genres, drama and romance in particular, things like beautiful background and characters aren't as important as conveying the emotion, the weight, the drama, the tension. Umechazuke handled that, in my opinion, expertly. I love seeing Banri's anger, frustration and anguish as the situation around deteriorated. It contrasted very well with the light hearted jokes they pull, and created this whiplash of emotion, almost as if it reflects Banri's dealing with the anxiety in his heart by putting up a fun, happy front. It makes the emotional outburst scenes that much better. When Banri admitted that he was done waiting and being treated as a friend, it was awesome to read. Even though I know it's just a regular old shoujo drama, his anger and frustration were delivered so well, I can't help but having to keep going and cheer for him. He's not the star of the first half that I liked, however. It was his love interest. Her struggle and journey to become more mature and strong was very intriguing and fun. She also never really got over it, but she dealt with it as she develops into her own person. Though that's Takemiya's magic. Umechazuke's magic is delivering her anguish, not succinctly, because the comic is definitely quite wordy, but sufficiently, carrying that emotional weight punch.
I wouldn't have felt as strongly about the comic, admittedly, if I didn't watch the watered down version done by J.C. Staff. I loved the comic, but watching that made me love this so much more. The way J.C. Staff conveyed the drama and emotion felt so stiff, boring, and even cringeworthy at times. In contrast, Umechazuke handled it with enough joke while delivering that emotional impact, is nothing to sneeze at. I can't say that it didn't remind me of the old Toradora's during the golden days of J.C. Staff, when they can handle emotional maturity and deliver the weight of the story with grace. Toradora was so well done, in contrast, Golden Time felt like stale bread. I am surprise there are people drooling over it, failing to appreciate how good the story is. It's so good that it makes the Golden Time animation seems palatable. Having re-experienced Umechazuke's awesome adaption, it reaffirms my feelings on the animated series. Don't watch it, is my recommendation. Good opening however.
Who's this comic for then? I would recommend it to everyone, especially young people. Pre-teens and Teens can learn from the emotional maturity and aspects of how to grow as a person. From obsession over romance, idealism about partners, recklessness, selfishness, delusion about self-sacrifice to knowing when to let to go and accept reality, as well as working hard to keep your friends and connections. It's rudimentary, but it is so for a reason. We all live on borrowed time, treasure everyone moment you share with others and yourself.
