Sola
Synopsis
Yorito Morimiya is obsessed with the sky. He especially loves taking pictures of its array of different faces—sunrises, sunsets, clouds. On one of his early-morning excursions to photograph the sunrise, Yorito meets a strange girl engaged in an argument with a vending machine. By the time that Yorito forces the girl's tomato juice out of the machine, she's vanished without a trace. Sola follows the story of Yorito, his sister Aono, and their childhood friends Mana and Koyori Ishizuki, as well as that of a mysterious girl who appears and disappears, and who seems to harbor a dark secret. In a world where magic and the supernatural are never far below the surface and no one is who they seem to be, love and loneliness vie for supremacy beneath Yorito's sky.
Audience Consensus
Audience opinions on Sola are mixed. While many appreciate its artistic merits, soundtrack, and initial charm, the series is criticized for its pacing problems, underdeveloped characters, and confusing plot developments. Some viewers found the ending emotionally resonant, while others felt it was rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, Sola is seen as a flawed but worthwhile anime for fans of romance and supernatural themes.
Strengths
- Beautiful art and animation, especially the sky visuals.
- Unique and well-executed soundtrack.
- Interesting plot twists and deeper meanings explored.
- Enjoyable character interactions, particularly between Matsuri and Yorito.
Weaknesses
- Pacing issues, with the story starting slow and feeling rushed towards the end.
- Underdeveloped or bland characters.
- Poor transitions between slice-of-life and fantasy/action elements.
- Confusing flashbacks and plot inconsistencies.