First love is the subject of many a story, from the classic romances of yesteryear to newer tales and modern reimaginings. These stories carry a strong relatability across various barriers, partly due to how universal the idea of first love is.
So, it’s no surprise that plenty of anime series have attempted to tackle this timeless theme, and the typical romance anime fan can rattle off a long list of these narrative pieces without breaking a sweat. However, there’s one forgotten series that many anime fans have missed: Tsuki ga Kirei. Let’s explore this wholesome romance series and discuss why it’s worth watching.
The Background
Tsuki ga Kirei goes by many names, including As the Moon, so Beautiful and different variations of that title. The series came out in the spring season of 2017, alongside returning heavy hitters like Attack on Titan season two and My Hero Academia season two, as well as newcomers like Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Throw in a few of the summer 2017 series like Kakegurui, Made in Abyss, and Classroom of the Elite, and it’s easy to see how Tsuki ga Kirei got lost in the crowd. After all, while this romance series is one of the most well done slice of life romances in more recent years, it’s a relatively simple show. Still, the show’s simplicity is one of its strongest elements, and it’s what allows so many of the show’s different components to shine.
The show follows two middle school protagonists, Koutaro and Akane, as they navigate the relationship that develops between them while balancing it with the other facets of their lives. Koutaro is an aspiring writer who focuses on his writing and his ties to his local community more than his schoolwork, resulting in poor grades. Akane is a studious athlete on the track and field team who’s prone to anxiety when it comes to running.
The relationship between the two leads progresses at a realistically calm pace, especially with the characters being middle school students. An air of awkwardness hangs over their first real interactions, but as they grow closer, the nerve-ridden discomfort gives way to admiration and a genuine connection. Even yet, the relationship finds itself shaken at points both by the dynamics the leads share with other characters and the way the relationship affects their personal obligations.
The characters feel authentic and the events that transpire throughout the series feel just as representative of real life. One core trait that bleeds into every aspect of this show is its devotion to realism. Granted, the show does have its critics and one common criticism is its relatively leisurely nature. Additionally, the series is no exception to the timeless story mechanic of miscommunication or lack of communication leading to problems that could’ve been solved otherwise. However, even the greatest tales of romance fall victim to this feature and it’s still accurate to real-life relationships.
The Cast
Compared to typical anime protagonists, Akane and Koutaro are both relatively mild-mannered characters who tend to go with the flow more often than not. While that could be boring to watch if handled poorly, this series uses it in a way that keeps viewers engaged. That being said, the subtle nature of many of the show’s events and character interactions could be less than ideal for some viewers. Although, the steel determination Koutaro and Akane harbor for their respective passions melts away in their interactions with one another and leaves them rather shy.
The side characters are just as important to the story as the nervous lovebirds. The series has a well-rounded set of characters who serve different purposes to the story and the character development of the leads. Several actions from the side characters even directly progress Akane and Koutaro’s relationship.
Have you gotten tired of the anime trope where the parents are never home or never even mentioned in the story? Well, Tsuki ga Kirei does away with that whole trope and maintains the families of both of the protagonists as purposeful characters. Speaking of tropes, the show goes to great lengths to avoid many of the tropes viewers have come to expect of romance anime and anime as a whole.
The Art
Last, but not least, let’s discuss the first thing viewers will notice about this series: the stunning art. Similar to the story or characters, the show has a subtle art style that manages to look delicate and gorgeous at the same time. Viewers who appreciate the graceful, photorealistic yet dreamy art style of Komi Can’t Communicate or A Silent Voice will feel right at home. This series uses a similar blend of soft pastels, low saturation, and dazzling lighting details to create a world that’s lovely to look at.
The series also uses cinematic framing to tell the story in a powerful way while delicately conveying the moods of the scenes and the feelings of the characters. The visual symbolism and masterful composition of different elements on the screen add even more meaning to the plot as it unfolds. Now, it must be said, that the series uses CGI animation here and there, but it’s only used on characters in the background, and it’s easy to miss when you’re focused on the story unfolding in the forefront.
Currently, viewers can find the series in its entirety on Funimation or Crunchyroll. Tsuki ga Kirei is only 12 episodes long, so it can be split over several viewings or binged in one shot. Viewers are sure to wish a second season was on the way with how enjoyable the series is, but it’s very unlikely with the first season’s strong ending. Additionally, since the series is an original series like Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop, and other anime greats before it, there’s no source material to pull from. Give it a watch and even if you don’t love it, you’ll at least feel the cathartic, yet bittersweet pang of nostalgia.