School Days
Synopsis
High school student Makoto Itou first notices Kotonoha Katsura at the start of his second semester, freshman year. Immediately, he becomes entranced by her beauty, but his bashfulness doesn't allow him to approach her, even though they ride the same train every day. Instead, he snaps a photo of her in secret and sets it as his cell phone's wallpaper: a charm that, if kept under wraps, would supposedly help you realize your love. However, classmate Sekai Saionji spots the picture, but instead of ratting him out, she offers to help set him up with Kotonoha—going so far as befriending her just for him. Thus, the trio begins a rather impromptu friendship. School Days follows the lives of these three teenagers as they traverse the joys and hardships that come with being a high schooler. In a story alive and brimming with romance and melancholy, the tale of these three students will linger in memory long after the momentous conclusion. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
School Days is a highly divisive anime, primarily due to its unlikeable characters and shocking ending. While some appreciate its deconstruction of the harem genre and exploration of dark themes, many find it to be a poorly written and unpleasant experience. The main character's actions and the overall narrative often evoke strong feelings of anger and disgust, leading to polarized opinions among viewers.
Strengths
- Deconstructs harem anime tropes effectively.
- Ending is memorable and impactful.
- Exploration of complex themes like lust vs. love.
Weaknesses
- Unlikable and poorly developed characters.
- Mediocre animation quality.
- Story relies heavily on shock value and lacks depth.