There are a few things holding it back, though, which makes an unsatisfied feeling. I'll fully explain that through this review.
~ WARNING: possible spoilers ~
~ Story 8/10 ~
The story is nice and not over the top. It's realistic which blends well for it's dramatic feeling. Our main character is sick with Hepatitis A. Not dangerous but he will be relaxing at the hospital for some time. Quickly we learn our main character is the adventurous type and tries to leave the hospital numerous times for self enjoyment if the nurse doesn't catch him and tosses him back into the hospital bed.
Although Yuuichi Ezaki spends time talking to his nurse and a couple of the hospital residents, he seems a bit bored at his bed-resting lifestyle even if his school friends visit him.
This seems to change when the nurse brings up a girl from East Ward:
Rika Akiba.
Yuuichi goes to visit Rika and they slowly grow attached to one another.
However, Yuuichi doesn't have too much to worry about.
On the other hand, Rika is in a different situation and suffers from heart complications that will keep her from living not too long.
The story revolves mostly around the evolving relationship of both these characters as they deal with each others' emotions, pasts, and illnesses.
It all comes down to Yuuichi to decide for himself on what he should do if Rika will die soon.
It follows a realistic pattern without things getting too hectic from the story. You will greatly enjoy the small comedy and laid-back feeling you get watching this as light drama comes in. You will ESPECIALLY enjoy the sudden random bits of huge drama out of nowhere happens, changing your view of the story or characters as soon as you find out.
Dialogue and personality mostly makes this anime what it is which would be a must watch.
~ Art 8/10 ~
The art is lovely. It's not overly done and is greatly nice. Sure, you may not find breath-taking animations or art, but that's not the appeal of the anime. There isn't a need to focus on that. Even so, it does well to add in little bits and extras to atleast make it look pretty nice. Character designs are nice and background designs are also done well.
~ Sound 8/10 ~
As the mood changes quite often, so will the music. Although not major, it's small and fits greatly with the mood. It starts at the right moments, not too early or late and displays the current atmosphere of the scene. Is it playful, sad, shocking? The soundtrack goes quite well to display these emotions.
The opening and ending themes are also quite enjoyable. They both fit the overall vibe of the anime and were great choices.
~ Character 9/10 ~
Characters are lovable and easy to grow attached to. Yuuichi is an average high school kid with a kind heart. He's pretty easy going and a bit of a trouble maker. You grow to like his role more and more as you learn about him and see what he does. You'll laugh, you might sympathize with him, and you might even get pissed off. However, he doesn't let down the viewer when it comes down to being his role of a nice, heroic character type.
Rika is someone with the slightly stereotypical tsundere personality. Although, it isn't a self defense like most. Rika is naturally socially awkward because of her illness which causes her to act out. She can be slightly mean, judging, and harsh. However, she can be kind, intelligent, understands the idea of justice, and even honest. Her character isn't annoying and quite easy to enjoy.
Other characters you will meet and sadly due to the shortness of the anime, wont grow to know too well. However, you will begin to love their roles as you like the nurse's personality, get aggravated at the doctor, root for 'Zebra Mask', and other characters. Sadly, it seems like the story doesn't dwell hard enough to get to the bigger roots of everyone so you can feel attached with every character. Some character don't even seem important at all. With that said, though, most the characters are lovable and hard to forget about.
~ Enjoyment 10/10 ~
I can't find one thing that I didn't enjoy about this anime. Everything was great. Each episode was great and the story progressed so well. Most focus will be on the characters which the story greatly works hard to display great traits of. It seems each detail, story, information, and everything else in this anime is not only important, but it's tender and loving. The comedy isn't too heavy but noticeable. The drama is consistently existent whether it's light and subtle or heavy and heart breaking. The romance isn't always there, but implied quite well. It's not extremely heavy and greatly focused on the entire time. Although, when it shows, the romance counts greatly. Everything about it doesn't feel too extreme and can grow to moments of on-the-edge suspense when things get hectic. This anime feels unique and without a doubt not feeling like a romantic cliche'. It's touching from start to finish and leaves you with a good feeling of happiness and satisfaction. You'll be constantly surprised and not expecting what will happen and what will be said which is mostly what makes this anime a must watch.
Overall:
Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora is such a great anime. I didn't know what to expect when watching it. In fact, I was thinking the anime was going to be an average drama/romance. Quickly, however, I was proved wrong. It was well made and well written. Each aspect was taken well care of. What really kept this from getting a higher score you ask?
It's potential.
This anime has something where it could be great and offer so much but seems to be cut short from time. It was an anime that was squished into only six episodes. Now, yes, not much happens in the anime you'd think as the entire series mostly takes place in the hospital. However, seasons and time passes as you watch and characters change as they speak with one another. Things happen. It feels so....rushed, though. I felt like the anime ended before it even began. One minute, I'm developing into the beginning of a beautiful romance and then it was just over. It was a tasty dish but just too small to enjoy enough. I wanted more from the story, more development, I wanted to learn more about the characters, and just improvement all around. Not because I'm picky, but because there was SSOOOOOOO much to offer.
Even though you'll watch this and feel like you didn't get enough, it's still a great anime.
If you want a good romance and story, this one is worth checking out
If you have any intention to watch this, give the first episode a chance. You've already finished one/sixth of the series. It's not that long. I'm sure the first episode will already have you wanting more.
