Suzuka
Synopsis
Teenager Yamato Akitsuki has moved from the Hiroshima countryside to Tokyo to begin his high school career. In return for room and board, he has agreed to help his aunt and cousin run their bathhouse and the adjacent girls-only dormitory where he will be staying. On his way to meet his relatives, he passes by a local high school track and is mesmerized by a high jumper practicing her technique. Later on, Yamato finds out that the high jumper is not just another resident of the dorm, but is also his neighbor. Suzuka Asahina is a heavily scouted track and field athlete who is attending the same high school he is enrolled in. A perfectionist by nature, Suzuka is put off by Yamato's clumsy and carefree attitude and finds it difficult to be near him. Determined to win her over, Yamato joins the track team after discovering his hidden talent for sprinting. Through his interactions with the track team, his classmates, and the ever-inebriated college students in the dorm, Yamato finds the resolve to become a better athlete and a more suitable companion to Suzuka, even if it means pushing himself to the point of exhaustion. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is very mixed. Many find the main characters, particularly Suzuka, unlikable and the plot full of contrived melodrama. Some viewers appreciate the realistic portrayal of emotions and the development of certain supporting characters, however, the negative aspects appear to outweigh the positives for a significant portion of the audience.
Strengths
- Realistic portrayal of embarrassment, confusion and other emotions.
- Some supporting characters are well-written and likable.
- The soundtrack is good, especially the piano tracks that accompany dramatic scenes.
Weaknesses
- Poor art and animation quality.
- Main characters are unlikable and poorly written, especially Suzuka who is often seen as a 'bitch'.
- Predictable plot and contrived melodrama.
- Lack of chemistry between the main characters.
- Yamato's obsession with Suzuka is grating and unrealistic.