Isshuukan Friends is exactly the opposite—I mean its kind of expected since it was made 10 years ago—it has a character I call extrovert in life of an introvert. Under her own rules she can not make friends but as the story goes on we do realize that she actually loves to have many friends, she loves to talk to people, hang out, go, see different places. She wishes all of that but she can't have them.
Now isn't that just lovely... We get to see characters try to befriend each other in situations, practically impossible. I as a writer seeing such an idea am about to bloom into a little butterfly and go explore the world of this story, however this anime doesn't really give me that satisfaction. With all characters being imposed to great plots and stories the writer doesn't take the opportunity to develop them, have them all build their worlds.
I don't really like to bring facts up in my reviews but I guess that is also part of criticism. For say, the main characters family, who are they? what did he do in the past? what are his hobbies? Or This dad that our girl has, Who is he? Why is his face blurred?
In a story you will not have the characters shine if you are not giving them enough of "me" time. They need to have their world build as the story builds up. Having the characters only interacting with each other with no kind of self story only makes them seem fake. Our girl—already forgot her name, sorry— is an example of a well made character, she has her own world that builds up alongside the story, although not that detailed, it is enough for a character to feel somewhat interesting in a story, but the others are so not like that. They need more detail and story in their timeline.
Talking about story... I must say it is outstanding. We have all these different things to talk about when we watch a show, music, character, art, story, writing, acting, etc... however in this anime we have one thing that shines the most in my eye and its the story. Though only a slice of life kind of style, it has many lovely turns and twists that leave it shining like an egg in this soup of characters.
All the ups and downs are fun in the rollercoaster, even if after the ride you vomit all over place or start crying you can not deny that, that was another experience. I love seeing characters living a life so simple yet so complicated like a slice of life. I love seeing them throw some kisses of romance here and there, though so pure they call it friendship. I love seeing the pages turn cloud like white just to show how pure and kindhearted these guys are. No matter what you do, you can not get me away from my peaceful time with my peaceful romance, comedy, slice of life anime.
