_This review contains MAJOR SPOILERS for The Dangers in My Heart Season 2_
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Peak romance in 3... 2... 1...

Done listening? Now you gotta listen to me rant about all the important details this masterpiece has to offer, starting with the OP song. I've always liked the themes for the BokuYaba opening sequences. A Your Lie in April character once said 'When you find someone you love, your world begins to look more colourful'. Yamada brings, or rather, is the light to Ichikawa's world. And it's not just because of his feelings either. She opened up so many opportunities and so many perspectives for Ichikawa that it changed his whole life. What better way to understand this than to listen to the fresh OP completely filled with flawless visuals and beautifully honest lyrics. Aye, anyone else remember the karaoke transition from Episode 7? This how you know there's love for the show.

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Dominique Toretto: 'Family'

Before I get into the more important parts of the review, I gotta talk about the wholesome family interactions. Pretty rare to find a romcom that introduces both sides' families and gives them purpose. These are middle-schoolers ffs, so I'd be shocked if they didn't have a say. And yes they did. The first time Ichikawa met Yamada's mom, she was very wary of him as Yamada's schoolmate of the opposite sex, but once she figured out that he was the one who Yamada always cheerfully talked about, her stance altered. After she found out Yamada lied and slept over at Ichikawa's place, she didn't scold her, but assured her that she'd always be on her side, giving Yamada safety to be honest.

Finally, we got Ichikawa's sister. Cannot not include Kana when talking about anime family members. She's one of the best siblings in the industry. She was the first person Ichikawa opened up to about his love life. Though she may not seem like it, she's surprisingly mature and caring when it comes to one and only brother. Did you see her holding him as a child? Did you see her speed on a motorcycle to help him during a crucial situation? All I need to say.

Adachi redemption arc

He was honestly one of the only two characters I disliked from the show and you took that away from me. You gave that man a redemption arc. Now I gotta mention his name. I mainly hated him, not because of his perverted goofy shit, but because of his willingness to be an asshole whenever females were involved in the conversation. He normally talked down to Ichikawa and boosted his self-esteem with that. At one point I even thought 'How is getting bitches your primary goal in life, but you haven't gotten one for 14 straight years?'.

During the sports festival arc, he apologised for intentionally framing Ichikawa for Yamada's fall back in season 1 and even challenged him because he knew Ichikawa was a good guy and a better guy for Yamada. When Ichikawa explained how you can't just say you like someone based off of their appearance (gotta get to know them), Adachi agreed. He understood that his concept of 'liking someone' was superficial and that he's never actually given effort. At least he made Moeko's heart flutter a bit. Her putting the wet towel over his head was not an innocent, caring scene, but rather, her implying that she noticed him. Small details like these are common in BokuYaba.

An underrated protagonist

Ichikawa Kyoutarou is an awkward, anti-social loner that often provides the viewers some hilarious inner monologues. His habit of overthinking the smallest occurences, his cringey one-liners and his inner remarks always struck deep within me. However, he can't express himself to save his life- at least, that's how he used to be. Little by little, Ichikawa's opened up to his sunshine Yamada, expressed his thoughts to his new friends and stood up for his feelings. This guy may look like a wimp, but he would kick anyone's balls if Yamada were hurt. He was growing taller and his voice deepened. We got his mental growth along with his physical growth. Package.

This season, we tackled his biggest problems. Him comparing himself to others, his self-deprication and his inferiority complex. At first, he compared himself to Yamada and came to the realization that Yamada was much farther than him. She had a reputation, a career, ambition, friends and heart. He, on the other hand, hadn't tried giving effort in anything since grade school and remained this dissapointment who neglected others. My man talked it all out with his schizophrenia embodiment Lucifer Nigorikawa and casually dropped one of the best quotes in the series. 'If Yamada was just a normal high schooler that would make things simpler, but that wouldn't be the Yamada I fell in love with'

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Then came a contender for top 5 greatest romcom episodes oat. Episode 6 dropped, my jaw dropped. Ichikawa was given a script for a farewell speech to the 3rd years, but forgot it at home. I understood all too well how it felt. You panic, look for an excuse to leave, you feel pathetic, you gain resolve and start ad-libbing inside your head. Ichikawa heads up to the stage and 'resetless heart' by Kensuke Ushio starts playing. Chills. Lucifer Nigorikawa, the embodiment of Ichikawa's inner conflict appears and says the realest and most emotional shit. 'The one who believes in you, the one who likes you the most is me' referring to Ichikawa himself. Don't run from yourself. He ad-libbed the latter half of the speech by directing the words to himself. 'Don't be afraid to take that step forward'. 'Learn to love yourself'.

"Those ignoramuses. They were nothing compared to me."

The romance

Ichikawa and Yamada's innocent, yet brilliant romance displays steady progress and healthy growth with a touch of realism to it. There were sooooo many instances of good writing that at this point I feel like I should list them and elaborate:

1. Episode 1 - When you're in love, you do stupid things. Yamada lost the keychain (forgot which taro it is mb gang) Ichikawa gave her, so she feels guilty and negative. Ichikawa notices this and goes out to search for it in the thick snow. He knew it was futile, yet he did it anyways for self-satisfaction and for Yamada's sake.
2. Episode 2 - When Yamada opened up to Ichikawa, he instinctively felt the need to hug and comfort her. He initiated the physical contact because she was at her lowest. Just a daily reminder that Ichikawa would do the impossible if Yamada was pained.
3. Episode 3 - Ichikawa told his true opinion about Yamada's chocolate and she wasn't sensitive about it. Accepted the criticism and moved on. Relationship goals.
4. Episode 4 - Yamada used 'chocolate shogi' to hand out her Valentine's day chocolates. Might be one of the best ways I've seen someone hand them out, but Ichikawa's self-deprication did not allow for him to comprehend. By the way, did anyone else notice Ichikawa almost pulled off the smoothest move in history? The show would've been over right then and there. When Yamada asked 'Did you get any chocolates other than family and stuff' Ichikawa replied 'nah'. He got some from Yamada, but he replied nah.
5. Episode 6 - Peak romance moment from Yamada. Nanjo (bitch ahh senpai) confessed to Yamada and asked her to hold on to one of his uniform buttons. She replied by saying 'There's someone I like. My hand is full and I can't hold anything else' while holding the keychain. If that's not romance for you, then this ain't for you my g.
6. Episode 7 - This episode explored a problem many teenagers experience, that is comparing yourself with others. However, this time, Ichikawa is comparing his relationship with Yamada to other relationships. Later on, he realized that spark between them does not have to be anything. Doesn't have to be mature, romantic, lovey-dovey. It's beautiful the way it is. The way it always has been. Them hanging out and their heart pounding over the most trivial matters. Nothing corny, nothing too romantic, nothing erotic. Just 2 seasons of pure wholesomeness between two middle schoolers figuring out their feelings. (We got the 'Yamada's mine' moment this ep too, just lettin you know)
7. Episode 8 - We even got symbolism. Ichikawa and Yamada played 1-on-1 basketball, and Ichikawa said to himself 'If I make this bucket, I'm gonna confess'. Tha ball rattled off and was just about to fall when Yamada jumped and tipped it back in.
8. Episode 8 - Yamada slept over at Ichikawa's house. When Yamada hugged Ichikawa, of course his heart was racing because that was Yamada, but he strangely felt at ease. He had spent so much time getting to know her that he could relax and drop his guard in her presence. Another realistic portrayal. When Yamada 'fell asleep', naturally, Ichikawa was tempted to kiss her, but he didn't do it because who tf would want their first time to be like that? Pure urges and no consent? I'm sure Yamada wanted him to do it, but a part of her loved him even more for not doing it, and simply casting the blanket over.
9. Episode 9 - When it comes to love, you overthink. It's inevitable. A figure came up behind Yamada as she was talking to Ichikawa on a videocall, and her phone fell into the water, ending the call. That's why situations like these where you think 'Is she in danger?' always makes you question whether you should stay calm and sit down or run out and find them, for their safety, and self-satisfaction. He went thru the exact same stages. You panic, you try to stay calm, you rationalize, you overthink, you take action.

Je t'aime

The most important episode of the whole series aside from Ichikawa's character development. The confession scene. Yamada wears the mask to mask(pun intended) her true emotions as she sneaks into a path separate from the group. Ichikawa followed her and took off her mask. He basically read the lyrics of the OP songs out loud and explained his love in the most appropriate manner. 'I'm sure I would enjoy the school even without you, but you helped me see how beautiful it all is'. She literally changed his life and I would cry too if I was him. Gorgeous lighting showers upon him as he says the words 'I love you'.

Yamada messages him to meet up at 'the usual spot' to which he responds by sprinting through location after location, memories overflowing. This is what the jogging was for. Yamada asks him out and then they try to kiss. They couldn't figure out how to do it (amazing touch), so Yamada settles on a kiss on the cheek, which leaves Ichikawa soulless. Opening 1 starts playing, and the rest is history.

Sooooooo

_In conclusion, I feel like this anime is too good for it's own sake. The gorgeous lighting and the fluid animation gets overlooked because people are just too focused on the diabetes and inner monologues.
Written by someone who knows romance, has a main character with enjoyable traits and realistic development, contains actual humour that isn't generic anime bs, music is composed by Kensuke Ushio , adds realistic touches to the character designs and character interactions, has surprisingly good voice acting. A masterfully done romance comedy that is also somehow masterfully executed. All I need to say. I'm done here._

I'm done, so here's an ED song containing all the important moments from both the past and current seasons, effortlessly depicting their love story and Ichikawa's personal growth:

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