On paper I would have thought this is just an average romcom anime in a school setting with a less popular boy and a much more popular girl who everyone thinks is pretty and that's what I felt early on in season 1 but as it progressed the viewer isn't simply watching two kids fall in love with each other but instead watching two kids growing up and learning who they are and learning to love life around them, from their friends, family classmates, and ultimately loving each other because they helped them grow as a person. As I got more connected to the characters I started to really enjoy the comedy and found myself giggling like a child at all the cute awkward moments that happened. The viewer really sees Ichikawa progress from a introverted quiet person who hates school and all his classmates, to someone who loves Yamada and only really cares for her, to someone who loves life and realizes how great his family, friends and classmates are and loves Yamada even more for helping him realize this. Yamada also grows as a person and realizes to appreciate her friends and family through Ichikawa but this is seen slowly through Ichikawa's perspective which is very well done because you slowly see her change but also see Ichikawa notice more about her. The viewer is essentially living life Ichikawa and this greatly helps with noticing how is changing as person because his perspective on everything is slowly changing.
The production was insanely good. The animation was great but the director went off with how each scene was set up along with the amazing transitions that was all tied together beautifully with an amazing soundtrack. The openings were amazing but Kensuke Ushio really did a great job with the OST and it helped set the mood and tone for each scene and helped me cringe and how awkward some scenes were but also almost shed tears when Yamada and Ichikawa get emotional. This ultimately helps convey the theme of growing up and trying out new things because change is good and can help you meet new people and experience things who never thought you could've.
Overall, I believe this is the greatest romance anime of all time and truly believe it would be talked about as the best of its genre not just as a romcom anime but as a coming of age story. It has everything a great romcom needs great characters, very good character development, comedy that can make you laugh, awkward/cringey scenes that you can probably relate to, and a production that helps tie everything together and really convey emotion. As much as I want another season, the ending was perfect and a great way to end it off for some people or encourages other to pick up the manga