Looking Up At The Half-Moon
Synopsis
After contracting hepatitis A, Ezaki Yuuichi has been confined to a hospital, away from his friends and family, much to his displeasure. To relieve his boredom, he has taken to sneaking out of the hospital, usually putting himself on the receiving end of a beating from his nurse. Upon meeting a girl his age also staying in the hospital, he is immediately captivated by her beauty. Akiba Rika's personality is not quite as captivating as her beauty however. In fact, she is rather selfish, moody, and bossy. But as the two spend more time with each other, they become closer, sharing the ordinary joys and trials of a budding teenage romance, even when darkened with impending tragedy—for Rika's condition does not leave her much longer to live. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is mixed, with many finding the anime to be a touching and well-executed romance/drama, especially given its short length. However, others criticize the rushed plot, unrealistic elements, and tonal inconsistencies. While the characters and emotional moments resonate, the execution leaves something to be desired for some viewers.
Strengths
- Touching story effectively uses its short run time.
- Characters are well-developed and relatable, especially the main duo.
- Music and art style fit the overall theme and enhance emotional impact.
Weaknesses
- Rushed plot development and forced character interactions due to the limited number of episodes.
- Some character actions and plot points are unrealistic or over the top.
- Inconsistent tone with humor clashing with serious themes.