Background:

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If you've seen my review on Horimiya: The Missing Pieces, i explained quite briefly about my thoughts on the main show

This review in particular will be discussing the main show, and the main show only, No Pieces.

(Also why the hell is the watch order so confusing?, like i understand Cloverworks cut the runtime due to budget constraints BUT HOLY FUCK IS IT HARD TO WATCH HORIMIYA NOW!)

___ Animation: ___ Still, again, is safe, and doesn't play anything as over dramatically awesome or anything the silhouettes are quite recognizable, and doesn't feel generic.

it's more of a Light Boost to the quality rather than the main part of what makes the show good.
it still has its own theming with all of the outlines of the characters displaying their emotions.

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Characters:

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This is by far, the most notable thing about this whole anime.

The Pure Realism.

Every bit of character in this show is realistic, and can happen in the real world (a little bit more likely than other SOLs), which is a BIG plus (unlike a certain other one)

Let's start with the titular duo and easily the best characters in this show: Kyouko, and Izumi.

Kyouko may seem like your average high school girl, always smiling, always getting good grades, but she makes up for it because of the dynamic between all of the friends she meets, and how she has her own problems, her typically aggressive behavior scares her family and friends.

On the topic of Kyouko, while not explored much, the Hori family has a lot of depth and charm whether they show up.

Izumi: Quite literally changed my expectations in this show, while looks like an Edgelord, with all of those tattoos and piercings, he is at heart, a person with a lot of soul behind the edge, and every episode at least tells a bit about Izumi, even an entire segment in episode 8, where his backstory really is the main core of his character.

What makes these 2 really special: Their relationship, their chemistry is like no other I've seen in a while, it doesn't feel out of place (aside from maybe Episode 8 where she turns into a masochist halfway through), and in turn, while quite unlikely, they share their hobbies, Kyouko giving him some things that thought would make him amused (watching horror being the most notable one)

A little bit of suggestive talk, They had sex (quite literally lol), and this show ISN'T AFRAID TO SHOW IT! (i still don't understand why there aren't many slice of life anime in this same ballpark that has this)

Although awkward and may be very alarming to some people, it does enhance their relationship a lot more.

The Final Episode: BOY!, this is a great finale for this show (technically, in this context) is a fantastic turning point for their relationship, and allowed Izumi to reflect his emotions, is very heartfelt, and emotional to see Izumi being in this very wacky journey with Kyouko, along with gaining the things he couldn't get before. He really was gifted the sky.

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Now onto the side characters

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Tooru: The only one Izumi is confident enough to flash his pure edge into, he's a pretty good friend of Izumi and does help him in some dire situations, and has decent chemistry with Yuki

On the topic of Yuki, she's actually given an arc in this show, in episode 12 in particular, where her name shares the same as the weather (Snowy, that is), even to the point where Tooru wants to go out with her.

Shu, Overly loud, overly goofy (in a good way of course), never seem to get much coverage, but there are some contrasts with Motoko (his younger sister) and himself compared to him and school.

Kakeru: the student council leader, very smart and serious compared to others, but his crippling shyness towards others, especially with Remi, because of his slender skin.

Speaking of which, Remi is also a good friend of Kyouko's and in turn can sometimes help her with ideas about comforting Izumi.

the side characters aren't nearly as charming but they aren't soulless, as they have their own qualities that doesn't make them feel generic.

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Story:

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A slice of life with an actual plot and character development, WHO WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE RE-

anyway, so the pacing in this show is a little bit off, there are definitely moments that are quite slow burn (although i do understand the budget problems Cloverworks had while animating this show)

A confusing quality: Like explained before in the Background, with the release of the Missing Pieces, watching Horimiya in its entirety in chronological order is Nigh Impossible without a guide, and it's on specific timestamps for some reason, NOT episodes.

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Overall thoughts

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You might be confused if you watch it in the aforementioned chronological order

But if you can get through it, you will have a pleasant experience.