Note: I haven't read neither of the source materials yet, this review based solely on the context of the anime.

Well, this is a hard one to assess; I should be honest. "Dreaming Boy Is A Realist" offers you a seemingly simple yet smartly done trope that makes it stand out from the heap of SOL (slice of life) high school romance genre.

Usually, I'd refrain from writing a review for a series that hasn't been majorly impactful to me. Still, I feel like this story has something special mixed in that might resonate with the audience. What is it, you might wonder. Giving that special someone you sought to have a more intimate relationship with than just being friends is the special message of this series.

The characters may feel familiar because they are. An ordinary boy falls in love with that one girl who's "out of his league," or so Wataru Sajou thinks. His earnest and frequent efforts to woo Aika Natsukawa had been going on from middle school to the first year of high school. He's a determined boy who's lacking a bit of self-esteem. But what he lacks in that department, he makes up for with his genuine aspiration to improve himself to be "worthy" of the one he loves. However, his blind and constant advances leave a bad taste in everyone's mouths, yet he does not listen to those disdainful comments from others until that one fateful day when he...

Dodges a football?

Yeah, it sounds a bit off-handed, but I think it can be classified as one of those "what the hell am I doing?" moments that you might have experienced in your life too. And strangely, it works. But why it works is largely dependent on one seemingly secondary yet charming character, Kei Ashida, a friend to both Aika and Wataru. She somehow sees Wataru's relatively good intentions and genuine admiration for Aika. She acts as a wise intermediary to both of them to help them navigate through their conflicted feelings. She honestly is a good character.

If I have to be honest, Aika initially comes off as an unpleasant character due to her rapid change in demeanor after Wataru distances himself from her. Her frustration at not receiving the attention she seemingly disliked leaves a bitter taste. Conversely, Wataru takes a serious step, a step that is undoubtedly painful for him by putting distance between Aika and himself. He thinks he's the reason she's not more popular than she is because of him and his antics, after Kei points this to him. He does this, recognizing he may have pushed too far with his advances. This poignant moment reflects the show's greatest strength – its portrayal of the bittersweet realization that change was needed, even if it meant shouldering the blame. It's genuinely heart-wrenching. I must admit, I was able to feel how caustic of a feeling that was, and it was really heartbreaking. I feel like that portrayal was by far the biggest feat of this show.

So, if you're still on the fence about whether to watch "Dreaming Boy Is A Realist" or not, here's the gist:

• It's an easy watch with an immersive storyline.
• Character art is decent, but the same cannot be said for animation and environment.
• Voice acting is pretty good; it was pleasant to experience.
• Although it's a pretty overused genre and trope, it offers a fresh insight into interpersonal relationships.
• It will not change your outlook on life or leave a lasting impact.

I hope reading this will help you make up your mind or you'll find something you missed while you watched the show.

Best regards,

Jerkov.