Let me say this beforehand, when it comes to movies, series or anime... for me a passable movie gets a 5, so 4 means it barely doesn't make the cut. Some people may like it so I won't say don't watch it, I'll just say there are many better out there.
Orange is a very typically executed romance/drama anime. The concept is quite unique though, a group of friends sends letters to their past selves, with instructions in order to prevent the suicide of one of their friends, Kakeru. The first few episodes work completely on this concept, which is a good thing, but the director really messed it up. The animators, too. Too much awkwardness, too little character development.
From the 4th episode on, things get better. We have more solid animation, and much better drama but the whole 'plot' really goes south, they pretty much do whatever they can in order to cheer up Kakeru, who has a solid reason to fall into depression, the main girl even confesses having feelings towards him, but he just doesn't believe he deserves any happiness.
Let me get this straight, this approach is rather realistic. Depression is like this, you can't expect a person to cheer up just because you're being a great friend or telling them you're there for them. And this aspect is one of the good points of Orange that got me to complete the series.
But it just isn't interesting. If you watch this, and then Clannad, Your Lie in April or Air, you'll know what I'm talking about.
The romance is clichéd, typical shoujo approach, too much awkwardness, too many 'missed opportunities' and it just gets annoying from a point on. I don't watch a show to get annoyed, get them together or don't, don't leave us hanging in order to fill 13 episodes.
Wasted potential, but I guess some shoujo fans will appreciate it.
Orange is a very typically executed romance/drama anime. The concept is quite unique though, a group of friends sends letters to their past selves, with instructions in order to prevent the suicide of one of their friends, Kakeru. The first few episodes work completely on this concept, which is a good thing, but the director really messed it up. The animators, too. Too much awkwardness, too little character development.
From the 4th episode on, things get better. We have more solid animation, and much better drama but the whole 'plot' really goes south, they pretty much do whatever they can in order to cheer up Kakeru, who has a solid reason to fall into depression, the main girl even confesses having feelings towards him, but he just doesn't believe he deserves any happiness.
Let me get this straight, this approach is rather realistic. Depression is like this, you can't expect a person to cheer up just because you're being a great friend or telling them you're there for them. And this aspect is one of the good points of Orange that got me to complete the series.
But it just isn't interesting. If you watch this, and then Clannad, Your Lie in April or Air, you'll know what I'm talking about.
The romance is clichéd, typical shoujo approach, too much awkwardness, too many 'missed opportunities' and it just gets annoying from a point on. I don't watch a show to get annoyed, get them together or don't, don't leave us hanging in order to fill 13 episodes.
Wasted potential, but I guess some shoujo fans will appreciate it.