Myself; Yourself
Synopsis
In the peaceful little town of Sakuranomori, a group of young friends are about to bid farewell to one of their own. Due to his parents’ business plans, Sana Hidaka has to move away from his quiet childhood home to the boisterous city of Tokyo. Though it pains him, he must say goodbye to his precious friends—the kind-hearted Aoi Oribe, the spunky Wakatsuki twins, Shuri and Shuusuke, and the cheerful and upbeat Nanaka Yatsushiro. But even though he is reluctant to leave them behind, he believes that no matter how far apart they are, they will always cherish the memories of their friendship. Five years later, Sana, now a 16-year-old high school student, returns to his hometown with the hope of restoring his old life. However, he quickly realizes that although his town may not have changed drastically, the friends he left behind are not who they used to be. Unsettling shadows loom over Sakuranomori as his friends hold new secrets and bear burdens that threaten the bonds they once shared. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
The anime evokes mixed feelings from viewers. While some appreciate the emphasis on friendship, character development, and overall artistic presentation, others find the plot predictable, the animation inconsistent, and some characters grating. The ending is generally considered rushed and unsatisfying, leading to a somewhat underwhelming conclusion for many viewers.
Strengths
- Strong focus on friendship and character development.
- Art and animation are well-done, especially backgrounds and character designs.
- Music enhances emotional scenes.
Weaknesses
- Predictable plot with some unnecessary filler.
- Inconsistent animation quality and awkward character movements.
- Some characters' voices are annoying; Aoi's voice is frequently mentioned as irritating.
- Ending feels rushed and lacks depth.