Ao Haru Ride tbh is probably one of my favourite shoujo animes I've ever watched in my whole life and I love shoujo animes haha. But genuinely this one felt quite unique and so heartwarming I binge watched the whole season 1 in my room in the dark until like 3 am in the morning on a school night so clearly that's saying something. Like look at the main leads - Futaba and Kou - they are just so smartly crafted and are so amazingly written I love their personalities SO MUCH. They grow on you and stay with you forever. Even though people might say it's cliche the author just makes the characters so perfectly you don't care how much cliche it is. (Also the manga is double as great!!!!)

Don't even get me started on their trope. They knew each other during their childhood right but then they get distanced from each other because of Kou's complicated family problems but Futaba misunderstanding him. So they end up not talking to each other for a while but then long story short Futaba bumps into him at her school and her past love for him sort of rekindles and it is just so adorable.

Spoiler, click to view

OMG I love the scene where Futaba's really upset about something and she's crying alone outside next to an open window and Kou sees her. She goes to talk to him but when people approach he sort of tucks her head in his shoulder to they won't see that she's crying- he is such a gentleman!!!

I wish there was a real life Kou out here for myself in the future lol.
And I love it when their class goes on a school trip - that's where their friendship subtly develops and that scene on the table (I think I added a picture) OMG I SCREAMED HAHAHHA.

To add I love the friendship dynamic in the series i.e Futaba's friendship group. I love how there's a mix of people in it: Futaba is passionate and strong willed for the people she loves and is willing to protect and care for them, Kou is like the cold and serious guy in the group but deep down he has a kind and gentle soul which is a classic boy personality in a shoujo, same with Murao; she's quite serious and quiet but she is always included in the friendship group which is great, Makita is the sweet, kind and cinnamon roll girlie in the group (at times she does get quite pick me when wanting to get Kou's attention but otherwise she's nice) and finally Aya Kominato. He's the really energetic, loud and talkative person in the friend group who always wants to hang out and not study. He's really funny.

this image literally summarises they're personalities so well lol! This is honestly one of the best high school teenage romance I've ever seen and it will definitely stay in my heart forever: the plot, the characters, the cosy vibes, the OSTs and music and just everything shoujo about it will remain in my mind 24 7 rent free. People should go read the manga if they haven't yet already because not only does Ao Haru Ride have such a unique art style, colour and aesthetic but the story doesn't stop where the anime does - I wish they made a season 2 I can't stop saying that! I am willing to wait even if I'm like 90 years old and season 2 hasn't come out yet. I'll stay alive waiting for it. the covers are just so pretty. They're so eye catching and beautiful :)