Jul 14 2012 06:32 PM Hmm. I don't disagree, but it does have a certain something to entertain, but not for the mass audience of course, which is never a good thing commercially. Not easy to put in words, but the feel of the overall piece has a warm glow of summer memories of lazy days passed with friends doing much of nothing, and this is what most days for most people are like, for better or worse. This of course points out the obvious fact that such material isn't very suitable for storytelling, unless a simple reminder that our memories aren't these moments that slowly ooze through our lives, but the very condensed highlights that seem mostly absent in this show.
But it still has that certain something...
The problem is watching it in little bites as these episodes are. Little episodes require bigger material dramatically or emotionally. This show would be better in larger mouthfuls like most days of our lives really are. It seems that by the time you get into the groove of this show's style and tempo, it's over... and you don't really regret that fact, nor want more. It comes and goes like the breeze and isn't the type to get attached to, which isn't a bad thing for the viewer, but can be for the production company, advertisers etc., as such shows don't attract large audiences. This type of show would be better to watch in one go, fast forward through the music etc after the first episode and let it come and go like the wind... a soft summery type of breeze that is refreshing, if not short lived.
I like the show, but it's not the type to watch twice, like most days of our lives. Most shows/stories focus on the highlights, or on characters with dramatic, over-the-top lives, or just people in pain of some sort which becomes the nexus or turning point in their lives... characters that grow, evolve and learn the meaning of life, theirs and nature in general. Haven't read the manga, but this show is like most people on pause, awaiting that big moment that changes their daily routine from the mundane to the eventful, too bad that is usually through the catalyst of pain. K-On! is an example of one that focuses on the delightful and makes it exceptionable, mostly by the same basis of friendship, only adding the music that really does change the show to something special. Kimi to Boku needs some catalyst to change this show and put it on fast forward. That's what stressful situations, painful or not, do, they provide the real story, and that is what is needed in this show. Maybe it's just the pressure to make a decision about what comes after high school, the easy being college as an extension or continuation of high school with a little difference being additional independence, but that seems already written into the script, so something else is needed lest the show fades away like that summer breeze that first brought it ashore.
Perhaps the manga remains the same and thusly remains a limitation unless the show breaks out. Either way, it was different, and that is always a good thing.
