Tsukigakirei

Introduction

I don't hate on what's popular just for the sake of having a different opinion. In fact, I rather enjoy shounen action, cheesy romance, and even Makoto Shinkai movies from time to time. As an acquaintance of mine on this platform once said in regard to this very series, "these generic shows that are a dime a dozen are easy to kick back and relax to once in a while."

However, in romance as in any other genre, there are bare minimum standards to be met. The bar for slice of life series is notoriously low, as the rules defining what exactly makes a show fit into this category has never been clearly defined.

I have delayed posting this review because I feel as if I may be too harsh on Tsukigakirei, as it comes right off the heels of a newly discovered favorite of mine: Clannad: Afterstory, which also happens to fall into the same genre as the former. Any show would have seemed lackluster in comparison, but I feel the unfortunate timing of my viewing combined with its many faults of writing align terribly with my personal expectations for a slice of life romance.

Synopsis

Tsukigakirei, subtitled "As the moon, so beautiful," follows middle schoolers Mizuno Akane and Azumi Kotarou as they fall in love with each other amidst the constantly shifting world of puberty. Mizuno is a popular girl and star track runner, while Azumi is the introverted president of the literature club, and secretly involved in a cultural festival performance later in the year.

They meet each other and begin chatting daily over text message, attending festivals together and engaging in typical slice of life shenanigans. Mizuno watches Azumi perform at the festival, and Azumi watches her set a new record at the track meet. The two then are faced with the decision of what high school to attend in the coming year.

The two are each confronted with a romantic confession from friends, but they are quickly dismissed and no hard feelings are maintained over them. This is, essentially, everything that happens over the course of the entire series.

Strengths

Tradition dictates that I must include this section. Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing I can say this series did better than expected for me, or even better than the industry average. I wouldn't consider it a strength, but since this paragraph is barebones enough already, I will say the visuals and music were both passable.

Weaknesses

The main characters, not to mention any of the other characters, have zero identifiable personality traits. They exist to serve as a shell for a coincidence-driven plot. Their romance is unfounded and barely present, recognizable only by their willingness to spend time together and gifts given sporadically.

Nothing they say or do indicates that they find the other to be special in any capacity. In fact, their very meeting stems from the fact that they were forced to participate in a group project together. They meet once outside of school and Azumi decides to issue a confession.

Every single instance of conflict and drama in the series was glossed over and inconsequential. Both the male and female leads are confessed to by other students, and the other shows jealousy and annoyance at each entertaining the other.

However, both of these confessions cause separation for less than an episode before the main couple is back together again, apologies are issued, and the confessing characters are magically unaffected and willing to rejoin the friend group with minimal awkwardness.

The finale was shaping up to be the saving grace for the series, but unfortunately failed to deliver on all fronts. The events of such could be considered a mild spoiler. I recommend clicking if you don't care.

There was some comparatively suspenseful buildup to the big event that would cause this one-dimensional duo to realize that love is not simple or easy to maintain. But the series ended with a cowardly cop-out and simply presented a slideshow scene at the end of the last episode that alleviated any of the already insufferably minor concerns posed by the plot in question.

Conclusion

Tsukigakirei attempts absolutely nothing new. There is no interesting twist, no violence or conflict, no tragic ending. Many shows attempt this and perform absolutely fine, but they have to excel in displaying degrees of realism and really embrace the slice of life mentality that makes everyday events interesting.

This show in particular focuses on the everyday activities of each lead character, but does not use them to further their relationship. Conflict with side characters is instead shoehorned in but pushed aside quickly enough to have no impact on their so-called romance. This, added to the disappointing events of the ending, is utter cowardice in writing and downright offensive to to other shows that claim slice of life as a label.

In short, nothing that happens in the show matters. From episode one all the way through the end, there is never any doubt that the main duo is destined for each other and will stay together forever. To summarize my thoughts on the series, it was boring, uninspired, and simplistic to an agonizing degree.

Like I said at the top, I will never hate on popular for popular's sake. But a reviewer's credibility is based on their dislikes as much as their likes, so long as they have a consistent voice. As always, feel free to leave a comment on my profile if you have any counterpoints. I'd love to hear from you.