One Week Friends
Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Yuuki Hase finally finds the courage to speak to his crush and ask her if she wants to become friends. The object of his affection, Kaori Fujimiya, is a quiet and reserved girl who cuts herself off from everyone and does not spare him the same blunt rejection she gives everybody else. Some time after, Yuuki finds her eating lunch on the roof where she secludes herself during break. He decides to start meeting with Kaori every day in the hopes of beginning to understand her better. The more time they spend together, the more she begins to open up to him. However, nearing the end of the week, she starts to push him away once more. It is then revealed to him the reason for Kaori's cold front: at the end of the week, her memories of those close to her, excluding her family, are forgotten, as they are reset every Monday. The result of an accident in middle school, the once popular and kind Kaori is now unable to make friends in fear of hurting the people dear to her. Determined to become more than just one week friends, Yuuki asks her the exact same question each Monday: "Would you like to be friends?" Because he knows that deep down, Kaori wishes for that more than anything. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Isshuukan Friends is generally well-received as a heartwarming and touching story about friendship and memory loss. Viewers appreciate the innocent and pure nature of the story and the beautiful art style. However, some find the plot too simple and the romance underdeveloped.
Strengths
- The anime explores the meaning of true friendship and the struggles encountered in building relationships.
- The story is innocent, pure, and touching, with no unnecessary drama like love triangles or violence.
- The art style is beautiful with light coloring and attention to detail.
Weaknesses
- The plot is simple and may be boring for viewers seeking complex narratives.
- Some dialogue that gives characters personality in the manga is absent in the anime adaptation.
- The romance is simple-minded and may not appeal to viewers seeking more mature relationships.