Romeo x Juliet
Synopsis
On the floating continent of Neo Verona, the Montague family slaughters the entire Capulet family and seizes control of the kingdom. The true heir to the throne, Juliet Fiammata Asto Capulet, manages to escape the onslaught and is hidden away by loyalists for 14 years with hope that she may one day overthrow the cruel Montague regime. Despite having forgotten the murder of her entire family, Juliet now secretly protects the oppressed citizens of Neo Verona as a vigilante called the Red Whirlwind. During one of her escapades she meets Romeo Candorebanto Montague, the kind and selfless son of the tyrannical Prince Laertes Montague, and without knowledge of each other's background, they both fall in love at first sight. Unfortunately, however, their destiny is a cursed one: not only does each of the two families wish to obliterate the other, but an ancient secret hidden beneath Neo Verona also threatens their undying love for each other. Will they be able to defy the stars, or is this truly a love that can never be? [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience opinions are mixed on Romeo x Juliet. While many appreciate the creative liberties taken with the classic story, the strong romantic elements, and the beautiful soundtrack, others are critical of the inconsistent animation, pacing issues, and weak plot resolution. The series is seen as a loose adaptation, with some praising the enhancements and others finding them detrimental to the original story's essence.
Strengths
- Well-developed main characters, especially Romeo and Juliet, with balanced mental development.
- Beautiful and influential opening theme song, 'You Raise Me Up'.
- Creative interpretation and twists on Shakespeare's original play, adding new plot lines and elements.
- Strong and brave protagonists who dynamically grow through each episode.
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent art and animation quality, with character proportions sometimes being off.
- Pacing problems and a plot that feels all over the place, especially in the second half of the series.
- Weak climax build-up and a climax that is unrelated to the path leading to it.
- Over-reliance on fantasy elements that don't always fit in.
- Underdeveloped or rushed side characters.