Coming into this episode, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. Based on the synopsis from the summer preview I was definitely on the fence because I was worried about how the characters were going to be treated. However, I am really glad that I decided to sit down and give this first episode a fighting chance. Any hesitation I had coming into this series has been pushed to the side, and I’m anxiously awaiting to see what happens next.
This story follows a middle school literature club and from the very beginning we see that, for the most part, the girls aren’t super close. Aside from our main character and her best friend the other girls seem to get a long well enough, but we have only seen surface level interactions between the five of them. Personally, that makes me super excited because we have a chance to watch all their relationships grow and flourish! I’m excited to dig deeper into each of the girl’s thoughts and individual struggles.
In their club, the girls end up reading books that deal with sexual imagery and language which eventually has all the girls thinking about sex quite often. Thanks to this common thread we have been given a nice glimpse into each of the characters and how sex ultimately affects them whether it be knocking something off a bucket list, becoming a better author, or even dealing with one’s insecurities and prudish nature. Some of the girls are very mature when talking about the subject, but others become incredibly flustered at anything that could even be considered close to an innuendo – which in my opinion makes the story much more relateable. Of course, it’s been a hot minute since I was in middle school, but nontheless I think the anime has done a good job of showing us this awkward period in life.
This first episode focused focused heavily on Kazusa and her relationship with her childhood friend and neighbor, Izumi. We get countless, precious shots of the two when they are kids as well as how each of them grew up. Kazusa is generally seen as a plain girl who doesn’t pose as any threat to any of the other girls yet her connection to her neighbor causes her to become the victim of some pretty vicious stares. Izumi on the other hand has become quite popular in his class and a target for many of the girls looking to take his virginity. This, of course, puts a strain on their relationship as Kazusa tends to avoid him more often to avoid the jeers from her classmates, whereas Izumi tends to ignore these advances. Ah yes, the classic “remember how we used to be?” I love it.
While it seems weird to say, I liked the way that the episode ended. It gave me a lot to look forward to for the entire season. 
For those of you have seen the episode, you know what this is about, and for those of you who haven’t, I encourage you to go and give it a chance! I don’t want to spoil too much so I’ll keep this vague for all of you. I loved the way they portrayed the Kazusa’s reaction to finding Izumi. Honestly, even though the animation might have been exaggerated, her reaction seemed very real. The realization she has as the episode ties everything together just felt like a very good way to start that clumsy, funny, and emotional path toward adulthood.
I am so excited to see where this anime will go. I’m excited for it to punch me right in the gut and make me cry. Overall, I have high expectations for this show, but I’ll need to see how the next couple episodes play out, before I make that final call.
Possibility of Watching: Very, Very High
Possibility of Blogging: Incredibly High
I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but this is an adaptation of a manga by Mari Okeda…the same one notable for NagiAsu, Hanasaku, Maquia (love that movie, give it a shot), etc. Perhaps I’m biased but knowing that it’s written by her and her repertoire, it’s hard to pass on this. I guess I have expectations from this, and by the looks of this review, you do too.
Going into the series I didn’t know that she had done the manga for it,but as I was writing this I learned that she was involved and got really excited! I must admit, I almost passed on this just at first glance, but like I said I’m so glad that I told myself to watch it. Just by the single episode set up there’s already so many great things about it and hopefully it will only get better too!!