That's right: this show is much less melodramatic than I ever expected. Is this a good depiction of a person with insomnia? I can't say, since I don't suffer from it. What I can say, however, is that the genre of this show is mainly romance. The main couple being insomniac is more of a subtheme and a way for them to come together rather than the main point of the story. You're not going to be seeing crippling levels of insomnia where it takes a huge mental toll on both characters. It's not a dark and edgy story like that. It's more like a rather manageable amount of stress in their lives that they mitigate through companionship than anything else.
The show is also much less dramatic. No, nobody is dying in 24 days, and nobody's parents are murderers or something stupid. It's again, a bit unfortunate circumstances, but a realistic amount. Why yes, I know people who have suffered pretty harshly in life, but if the goal is romance, why bother with all of the over-the-top suffering and drama? There's a manageable and realistic load of depression, anxiety, and angst that comes along maturing and puberty that Ganta and Isaki both go through.
The problem is, does that make this good? Hmm, I think you're going to have to be the judge of that. I'm not the biggest romance type of person, so if the genre is down your alley, I'd say you would enjoy it. It certainly holds a sense of realism when it comes to dialogue, pacing, interaction, and character development.
Well, I guess realism doesn't mean too much when it's boring to watch. The entire show is Isaki and Ganta. Yeah sure, there are a few side characters, but let's be honest here, the entire show is carried by the main couple and the side characters barely contribute to the story very much. There are only two characters in the astronomy club, so it's basically a love nest. There are basically no relevant side characters, and the show knows that too, for the lack of focus on them. I think if there were a relevant cast of side characters that aren't clearly there as a supporting cast role, then the show could have been much more enjoyable than the lacking variety that you get from the scenes. In the end, you would have to decide whether or not the payoff is worth it. For me? I'll read the manga to decide. I, however, was not very impressed with the final half of the season for the lack of variety.
