The stark, gorgeous background of the snowscape earned lots of brownie points for me. I personally love the snowy background for it melded quite well with the story. It many aspects this is quite a well done anime from the art to the music and to the story itself.
The story was weaved with such delicacy and subtlety that in the last roll of the credits I was literally aghast and shocked with what happened in the end.
I am such a sucker for romance animes.. perhaps it accounted for the ennui after I watched this one.
THis is definitely a recommended anime.