12-sai.: Chicchana Mune no Tokimeki
Synopsis
Reaching a period of life where they are neither a child nor an adult, 12-year-old Hanabi Ayase and Aoi Yui meet with life-changing events. Due to the mischievous demeanor of her male classmates, Ayase does not think highly of the opposite sex. However, her perspective begins to change after she is paired with the kind-hearted Takao Yuuto for a class assignment and unexpectedly shared their first kisses with each other on the school rooftop. With her best friend discovering love, Aoi yearns to seek her own. She finds herself falling in love with the rash Kazuma Hiyama after protecting her from a rejected suitor who had talked behind her back. 12-sai.: Chicchana Mune no Tokimeki follows the four in this phase of adolescence. As they grow up alongside each other, this sweet romance depicts the innocence and excitement of first love. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is generally positive, especially among the target demographic of young girls. Many find the show cute, relatable, and a nostalgic reminder of first love, while some find it overly cheesy and simplistic, with underdeveloped characters and predictable storylines. The series is largely considered a harmless and enjoyable watch for its intended audience, but may not appeal to those seeking depth or complexity in romance anime.
Strengths
- Sweet and innocent portrayal of first love experiences.
- Convincingly portrays the transition from childhood to adulthood.
- Addresses anxieties and grey areas that come with growing up.
- Characters likability makes up for lack of development.
Weaknesses
- Overly sweet and corny dialogue, feels unrealistic.
- Male leads lack personality and depth.
- Uneven focus on relationships, one gets sidelined for extended periods.
- Animation is basic and cheap, character designs questionable.