"Where We Were" review: A moving story depicting the brilliance and sadness of youth

"We Were There": A moving story depicting the pain and beauty of youth

"We Were There" is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Yuki Obata, which aired from July 4 to December 26, 2006. It aired on KBS Kyoto and TOKYO MX TV and was loved by many viewers as a moving story that depicts the pain and beauty of youth. The work realistically depicts the realities and dreams of 15- to 16-year-olds, as well as their growth through friendship and romance.

story

The protagonist, Takahashi Nanami, is excited to start a new life as a high school freshman. She dreams of making lots of friends and enjoying high school life, but her classmates' conversations are always centered on a male student named Yano Motoharu. Yano is a popular boy who two-thirds of the girls in the class have fallen in love with at least once, but to Nanami he just seems like a mean and annoying guy. However, as Nanami learns about Yano's past and his true kindness, she begins to feel touched.

Yano had lost a lover in the past and was trying to recover from the trauma. His childhood friend, Masashi Takeuchi, supports him. Takeuchi has a kind and serious personality, the polar opposite of Yano, and he is Yano's emotional support. Nanami's classmate, Yuri Yamamoto, is the younger sister of Yano's deceased lover, and she also plays an important role in the story.

character

Nanami Takahashi : A first-year high school student. Although she is clumsy and a little naive, she is not particularly pretty, nor does she have outstanding grades, nor is she an all-around athlete, nor does she have outstanding proportions. She is just an ordinary, cute girl. Her growth and change are at the center of the story.

Yano Motoharu : Nanami's classmate and popular in the class. Although he is traumatized by the death of his lover in the past, he faces the people around him and grows as a person. His complex inner world and kindness add depth to the story.

Masashi Takeuchi : Yano's best friend and childhood friend. He has a kind and serious personality, the polar opposite of Yano, and is Yano's emotional support. His presence adds warmth to the story.

Yuri Yamamoto : Nanami's classmate and the younger sister of Yano's deceased lover. Her presence influences the relationship between Nanami and Yano, further deepening the story.

staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of "Where We Were." The director was Heitaro Daichi, the chief director was Koichiro Sotome, the series composition was Mamiko Ikeda, the character design was Nobuaki Shirai, the art direction was Chikako Shibata, and the music was by Jun Abe and Seiji Muto. The animation was done by Artland, and the production was handled by the "Where We Were" Production Committee (Marvelous Entertainment, Pony Canyon, Sky Perfect Wellthink, Shogakukan).

Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Only You..." with lyrics by Maika, music and arrangement by Yumiko Mori, and sung by Mi. There are multiple ending themes, including "Aishiteru," "Koko ni Ite," "Sunset -album version-," "Suki Dakara," "Futari no Kisetsu ga," "Utsukushisugite," "Kimi ga Iru," "Merry-go-round," "Kotoba," and "Hoshi wo Counting Yori." These songs deeply express the emotions of the story and resonated with the hearts of viewers.

Broadcast information

"We Were There" was broadcast from July 4th to December 26th, 2006, with a total of 26 episodes. It was broadcast on KBS Kyoto every Monday from 26:00 to 26:30, and on TOKYO MX TV every Wednesday from 18:30 to 19:00. It was broadcast on KBS Kyoto and UHF, and the subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1 (2006/07/03)
• Episode 2 (2006/07/10)
• Episode 3 (2006/07/17)
• Episode 4 (2006/07/24)
• Episode 5 (2006/07/31)
• Episode 6 (2006/08/07)
• Episode 7 (2006/08/14)
• Episode 8 (2006/08/21)
• Episode 9 (2006/08/28)
• Episode 10 (2006/09/04)
• Episode 11 (2006/09/11)
• Episode 12 (2006/09/18)
• Episode 13 (2006/09/25)
• Episode 14 (2006/10/02)
• Episode 15 (2006/10/09)
• Episode 16 (2006/10/16)
• Episode 17 (2006/10/23)
• Episode 18 (2006/10/30)
• Episode 19 (2006/11/06)
• Episode 20 (2006/11/13)
• Episode 21 (2006/11/20)
• Episode 22 (2006/11/27)
• Episode 23 (2006/12/04)
• Episode 24 (2006/12/11)
• Episode 25 (2006/12/18)
• Episode 26 (2006/12/25)

Evaluation and Impressions

"Where We Were" has been highly praised for its realistic portrayal of the pain and beauty of youth. In particular, the growth and change of the main characters, and the deepening of human relationships through friendship and romance, have captured the hearts of viewers. The story unfolds at a fast and slow pace, drawing viewers in. Additionally, the characters' emotional states are portrayed in detail, making it easy to empathize with the characters, which has also been praised.

The music was also an important element in adding excitement to the story, and the opening and ending songs struck a deep chord with viewers. The ending theme "Aishiteru" in particular played a key role in further enhancing the emotional impact of the story.

Recommendation

"We Were There" is a must-watch for anyone who loves youth anime. This work, which realistically depicts the pain and joy of youth, and the complex emotions of friendship and love, will deeply move viewers. It is especially recommended for young people in their teens and twenties. Through the story, you will be able to look back on your own youth and gain an opportunity to grow. It is also recommended not only for fans of youth anime, but also for people who love human dramas.

In addition, the original manga for this work is also very popular, and by reading the original you can learn about episodes and character backgrounds that are not depicted in the anime. By enjoying both the anime and the original manga, you will be able to understand the story more deeply and experience the emotions.

Related information

The original work of "We Were There" is a manga by Yuki Obata, serialized in Shogakukan's "BetsuComi". The original work is characterized by a more detailed storyline and portrayal of the characters' emotions than the anime, and is loved by many readers. The anime has also been released on DVD and Blu-ray, and is popular among viewers.

Additionally, related goods such as character song CDs, soundtracks, and figurines are also available for sale, making them collectibles for fans. Through these goods, you can enjoy the world of the work even more.

Conclusion

"We Were There" is a moving story that realistically depicts the pain and beauty of youth. The growth and change of the main characters, and the deepening of human relationships through friendship and romance, capture the hearts of viewers and leave a deep impression. Music is also an important element that adds excitement to the story, and it resonated deeply with viewers. This work is a must-watch for those who love youth anime, and is highly recommended especially for those in their teens and twenties. Enjoying the original manga as well will allow you to understand the story more deeply and experience the emotions more deeply. "We Were There" will continue to be loved by many people as an eternal masterpiece that depicts the brilliance and pain of youth.