I think that if people were to look back at the past when they were a child, with all the pretend-games they played, the roleplaying as their favorite superhero, and they hyperactive way in they acted, they would blush in embarrassment and try to throw away all thoughts in the matter. At some time we grew up and integrated to society's demands and social expectations, and shook out head at the way we acted as a kid. But deep down, I believe we all have a sense of nostalgia and loneliness, some kind of ambivalent feeling to go back to simpler times where we wouldn't be shunned for our spontaneity.
This is the beautiful theme presented in Chuunibyou. It goes through the eyes of the protagonists Togashi Yuuta, a boy entering his high school years who wishes to do away with his past as a middle schooler that liked to pretend he was a "Dark Flame Master" and scared away his classmates. He meets a girl, Takanashi Rikka, who is a chuunibyou but has yet to throw away her delusions and imagination.The story begins with their meeting and follows the two as the deepen their friendship, and in doing so, seeing the different viewpoints held by the two. Yuuta's rejection of his past, Rikka's rejection of reality, the interaction woven between these two form the theme of Chuunibyou.
And it is done well. One of the biggest problems in any form of media is that they tend to throw their theme or lesson at your face, and tries to force you to adhere to it. It tends to become annoying, to the point where you want to slap your monitor. What Chuunibyou does is not directly tell you which is good or bad, but presents the theme through the interactions of the characters and allow you to form your thoughts on the subject without being pretentious. When the drama begins, it does not feel forced nor contrived, but goes naturally. The magic of this show is that it amazingly manages to put together comedy and drama together, without giving the sense of awkwardness when the setting flows between the two. You can be laughing at the silliness of Rikka at one scene, then feel a hint of sadness at another when you realize she isn't just a delusional happy girl, and has problems of her own that comes with her choice to stay as a chuuni. It does say much when your slice of life typical beach episode fills you with laughter and joy that you would expect, then manages to make you feel the opposite feelings minutes later.
The theme aside, the animation in this show is beautiful. Kyoani seems to have a budget that could allow them to purchase nuclear warheads, and most of it is spent on the animation. The characters move brilliantly and so much detail is put on their body language, gestures, and reactions. Take a moment to look at the background and you can see there will always be something move or taking place. It becomes almost baffling at the small things Kyoani decides to animate as the show moves on, and for me, it is vastly appreciated. And when the "magical fight" scenes begin you are rewarded with a beautiful orgy of colors, vibrancy, and life.
The sound quality is amazing as well and no lack of effort is seen throughout. The sound effects are all wonderfully done, the music is extremely catching and flows together with the scene you are watching to tug on your emotions, and you can't seriously tell me hearing a regular high school student, then hearing Lelouch Lamperouge isn't amazing. However, don't let Fukuyama Jun fool you in to believing the other cast does an amazing role as well.
There are some problems with the show. Initially, it may seem that Chuunibyou doesn't take the matter of being a high-school student delusional delinquent seriously, mainly because Rikka is allowed to get away with her antics without much consequence. But as the show goes on it does begin to present some of the problems; it just takes a few episodes to delve into it. At times the episodes also seem formulaic, and some of the jokers on the show are overdone. It also does pander to the audience with its cuteness and hyperactive characters.
That said, if you can cast aside these few problems, you are presented with a overall enjoyable show that portrays its theme wonderfully, gives you high-quality animation and sound, a cast of funny well-developed characters, all of which tug at your emotions. Unless you are a true hater of Kyoto Animation and what it stands for, I would recommend this show.
