Horimiya is an anime that presents itself as a refreshing take on high school romance, diverging from the usual tropes by introducing characters who have layers beyond their outward appearances. The initial premise is engaging, following the seemingly perfect Hori and the reserved, tattooed Miyamura as they discover each other’s hidden sides. However, while the series excels in its casual and natural portrayal of teenage relationships, it struggles with its execution, leaving an experience that, while enjoyable, feels incomplete and at times unsatisfying.
Animation wise, Horimiya is clean and aesthetically pleasing, with vibrant colors and expressive character designs that capture the warmth and lightheartedness of the series. The animation quality remains consistent, and CloverWorks does a good job of ensuring that interactions feel fluid and dynamic. The facial expressions are particularly well-done, adding weight to emotional scenes. However, while the art style is appealing, the direction doesn’t always maximize its potential, certain dramatic moments feel visually underwhelming, and the overall presentation lacks a unique touch that would make it stand out among other romance anime.
The story follows a slice-of-life structure, emphasizing moments rather than an overarching plot. While this works in some cases, Horimiya suffers from erratic pacing. The early episodes are engaging, filled with charming character interactions and lighthearted humor. However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident that the anime is rushing through content from the manga, skipping several key developments and condensing arcs that would have benefited from more breathing room. This results in certain emotional moments feeling unearned or lacking depth. While the romance itself is resolved relatively early, the remaining episodes feel somewhat scattered, shifting focus onto side characters without fully exploring their arcs in a meaningful way.
Characterization is both Horimiya's strongest and weakest aspect. Hori and Miyamura’s relationship is refreshing in how it breaks common romance anime patterns, there’s no endless will-they-won’t-they dynamic, and their development feels genuine. However, Hori’s character takes a turn that may be off-putting for some viewers, as certain interactions between her and Miyamura introduce problematic elements that are brushed aside rather than addressed. Miyamura, on the other hand, is given some backstory to explain his reserved nature, but the anime barely scratches the surface of his emotional struggles, making his growth feel somewhat hollow. The side characters, while entertaining, suffer from lack of depth. Many have interesting dynamics that could have been explored further, but due to the anime’s pacing choices, they feel like afterthoughts rather than essential components of the story.
Worldbuilding is minimal, as the focus remains on character interactions rather than an expansive setting. The school environment is typical, serving more as a backdrop than a fully realized world. The themes, however, are meaningful, self-acceptance, breaking out of societal labels, and the contrast between public and private personas. While these ideas are introduced well, their execution is inconsistent. Some character arcs resolve too quickly or are abandoned entirely, making the overall message feel underdeveloped.
The soundtrack complements the anime’s tone, with gentle background music that enhances emotional moments. The opening and ending themes are particularly strong, with catchy melodies that capture the essence of youth and romance. However, the background score itself, while fitting, is not particularly memorable. It does its job but doesn’t elevate the series beyond what’s expected from a romance anime.
As a romance series, Horimiya succeeds in portraying a relationship that feels natural and mature. However, as a complete narrative, it falls short. The rushed pacing leads to missed opportunities, and the resolution, while satisfying in some aspects, lacks emotional impact due to the absence of proper buildup for certain arcs. The final episodes attempt to tie everything together, but rather than providing a cohesive conclusion, they highlight how much was left unexplored.
The moral message of Horimiya is largely positive emphasizing authenticity, self-acceptance, and breaking societal expectations. However, the way some character interactions are handled, particularly with Hori’s characterization, creates conflicting messages that might leave some viewers feeling uneasy. While the core romance is wholesome, some elements within the relationship dynamic feel questionable and are not addressed critically within the story.
Overall, Horimiya is an enjoyable but flawed romance anime. It has strong character moments, appealing visuals, and an engaging central relationship, but its rushed execution and underdeveloped character arcs prevent it from reaching its full potential. It offers an entertaining watch, but for those seeking a more fleshed-out and emotionally resonant experience, the manga provides a much richer version of the story.
P.S. Sometimes, love isn't about perfection, it's about the little moments. But when those moments are rushed, the magic fades before it has time to settle.
