1. MC seems to be a loner, but he is rather similar to Ayanokoji from Classroom of the Elite, if he was capable of healthy emotions & had no agenda. One of the best male leads and just male characters I've seen (along with his friend btw). He is a great friend & amazing brother. He doesn't do any special miracles, but he is just very well written in small things. It is not obvious at first, since he is similarly to Okabe from Steins;Gate , who wears a nonchalant persona both for others and himself (his relationship with sister is kinda similar to Mayushi). A lot of animes come to mind, that lean into realism, in terms of the way characters are written (for example, Sakamichi no Apollon. Friendship dynamics reminds me of Summertime Rendering, I just loved that group of friends, everyone was so adorable and real).
2. His friendships with mostly female cast are genuine friendly relationships, not harem clichés (compared to the mentioned Monogatari, btw). There is chemistry with everyone, but there is no delusional fantasy in it. It looks, NORMAL, real. Kokoro Connect is indeed similar here.
3. Female Lead is shown quite respectfully, aside the initial premise that has very reasonable explanation. All the women in general, there is no the usual anime ogling of school girls, aside when it makes sense (job related modeling photo or relationship related flirting). Female lead is also very impressive, she gives a great "older sister" vibe for few younger characters in need of guidance, as well as giving very "wife" vibe when interacting with the MC (they act like a old-timers, very cute and mature relationship). She is not giving the usual high-pitched voice or cutesy mannerisms female characters tend to do in anime, or exaggerated opposite. Just a young adult woman that acts like a real young adult woman does. Of course she also acts like a normal school girl, but given the traumas characters go through, the older mature vibe makes more sense for both leads.
4. just pretty art
5. Story is centered around different subplots and characters through the show (similar to Kokoro Connect and other detective/mystery slice of life animes). Some storylines are taking roots way before they end up being addressed. So, do not make any hectic ideas about who these characters are and why. It is more complex and nuanced.
Overall, it is a solid anime worth multiple rewatches. It has cozy and gentle atmosphere that makes you think and understand struggles of others (a Silent Voice or even Girl that Leaped Through Time have similar vibe). It is not too slow. Well-paced and well-written anime that totally deserves the hype it had at the release. I kind of regret I only watched it now.
Whoever gave this anime a low score is a dumbass. It is a solid future classic, but in a slice of life mystery genre, nor something well comparable to Monogatari and other more action oriented titles. Low scores just do not make sense to me, it is the type of anime that continues the traditions of Hayao Miyazaki's classics in so many aspects. There is just nothing controversial aobut the quality or the stories shown, aside the fantasy element not being scientifically accurate or whatever (geez what an argument against fantasy anime..).
