[LIGHT SPOILERS ARE MARKED]
#Overview
Contrary to what you might think of this anime based on the title alone, A Galaxy Next Door is not about a literal galaxy that can be accessed with a portal next door. (Although there’s an idea for a manga if anyone feels like it)
It’s actually a wholesome anime with a fairly fluffy romance in center stage and heartwarming sibling relationships. Even if it's mostly a thin layer that doesn't really strike your heart deep.
The three Kuga siblings live in a townhouse (I don’t recall if they managed it too or were just tenants, but I think they did), without their parents. The eldest, Ichiro, is a mangaka who works at home, taking care of his kid sister Machi and brother Fumio. They live peacefully, until one day, Ichiro’s new assistant arrives: Goshiki Shiori.
Shiori is a little strange, from her awe at small things to the way she says “lovely!/suteki!” when she likes something. Even so, she’s skilled, with a pleasant, cheerful demeanor. The Kugas take an instant liking to her, Machi and Fumio especially.
A coincidence, accident, and misunderstanding later…it seems that Ichiro's inadvertently got them stuck in a betrothal pact.
Shiori ends up moving into the townhouse as a new tenant, and the two of them are now figuring out how things will be from then on.
It's pretty mundane, honestly. If you were hoping for a deep story, you won't be getting one here.
Got a clue of what it’s like yet?
#The Good/Positive
Every time I think of words to describe this anime, “cute”, “sweet”, and “wholesome” are the first ones to come to mind. I feel like I tend to underline this whenever I talk about A Galaxy Next Door. (which…isn't all that often, mostly after I finish an episode and it's on my mind)
Most of my enjoyment might be biased since I felt that I could relate to some of it. Being able to relate makes the watching experience more engaging for me. (Not that I relate super often…) cough cough anyway
As I mentioned before, this show isn't one that's really thought through. However, I feel that the simplicity might be a good thing; sometimes you just wanna unwind and watch something that makes you go "aw, that's sweet" without thinking too hard about it later, y'know?
Good and bad sides to everything.
The siblings were heartwarming. I’m not just talking about Machi and Fumio–although their interactions are definitely cute–but all three of them. Ichiro seems to be quite a handful of years older than Machi, while she and Fumio are close in age. But they’re still close, even with this age gap. Ichiro always works his hardest at his job, making sure his younger sister and brother can live comfortably and happily. Meanwhile, Machi tries to hide it, but she worries for her big brother sometimes. Fumio is just plain adorable, and while he seems rather young, based on how he speaks, he also cares for his older sister and brother.
Especially in episode 12, when
Spoiler, click to view
Fumio purposely invited Ichiro to play and wanted to play with his older brother, thinking that Machi had turned down her friends' invitations to go play to hang with him.
I find this really endearing of him, definitely amped up his cuteness levels for me.
~~Honestly… I think I might like Fumio cause he reminds me of my own younger brother, back when we were kids around that age~~
The opening music was decent, I let it play instead of skipping like I do with most anime. Around the final episode, I decided to download it. The lyrics seem to match the show pretty well…didn't give the ending music a listen though, I ended up skipping it.
The art style was nice to look at. Shiori is pretty, and the two younger Kuga siblings look cute. (Though that might be the little kid effect)
#The Bad/Negative
If you’ve read the other reviews on this, you can probably tell that most people don’t think very highly of A Galaxy Next Door, describing it with words like "mediocre".
When thinking about it as a whole and from a more “professional” point of view…this might be the case.
I’ll be honest; I was so wrapped up in my positive opinions and thoughts that I didn’t really think too hard about the flaws until I read the other reviews. ~~(Guess my positive outlook on just about everything and my habit of looking on the bright side are starting to become a problem, huh?)~~
Some of the views I had to disagree with…others, I couldn’t quite defend.
I can’t lie, when thinking of the highlights of this season, A Galaxy Next Door didn’t come to mind. I didn’t give it much thought unless I was currently watching an episode, just finished watching an episode, or looking through my tabs thinking about what I’ll watch. As cute and sweet as it was…this show doesn’t leave a lasting aftertaste, pleasant or otherwise.
It doesn’t really have a particularly special quirk, other than being one of the few that reminds me of, well, I’ll let you wonder.
From most viewers’ perspectives, this is just another romance anime.
The one thing that may or may not have made it different sadly did not feel fresh to the mind (I feel as if the “stuck in an arranged marriage” or “accidentally in an arranged marriage” thing isn’t very new) and overall, didn’t stand out that much.
Shiori’s mysterious upbringing and such could’ve been left out of it, too. It didn’t really have much effect on the show.
In fact, we could throw out everything that makes the word “galaxy” in the title and turn it into realistic fiction, a slice-of-life romance sort of show. It wouldn’t change much; it actually might make it more popular with viewers.
Now, here’s a random thought: was it too easy for them to fall in love?
I feel like there could’ve been more obstacles other than Shiori’s parents disapproving in the later episodes. (10-12 in particular, if I recall correctly)
There could’ve been more character development as well…Ichiro and Shiori are pretty much the same people they were before at the end. The only difference was that they were head over heels for each other.
All in all, I can’t disagree with some opinions others brought up, but at the same time, I enjoyed watching A Galaxy Next Door. Even if there wasn’t really any intense hype or excitement.
This show just can’t shine when next to some other greatness airing in the season.
Things may have turned out better for it if it picked a different time to air…
#Do I Recommend?
Honestly?
I think it’s not a priority.
I would insist you watch some other really good romances out there first unless you’ve already seen them.
~~there’s really only like one person out there who I'm being pushy with and pressuring to watch…you know who you are~~
Given how most people feel about this, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re new to romance anime and looking to try out the genre since it might make you dislike the category altogether.
If you just feel like adding another one to your belt, go ahead.
What can you expect if you do watch?
- endearing moments that you’d really only rave about until you’ve cleared your mind
- some cute SoL that doesn’t make you think too hard
- adorable kids (no, I’m not “one of those people”, I just happen to think they’re cute okay, no more than a kitten or something)
- mostly style but not much substance
Time to get this over with, I have stuff to catch up on.
~~Sorry if I brought up your hopes too high and disappointed you, mutuals~~
