A thorough review of the moving and realistic depiction of tears in "True Tears"!

true tears - True Tears - Detailed Review and Recommendation

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

game

■ Broadcast period

January 6, 2008 - March 30, 2008

■TV anime

tvk January 5, 2008 to March 29, 2008 (Episodes 1 to 13) Every Saturday 25:00 to 25:30

Kansai TV January 8, 2008 to April 1, 2008 (Episodes 1 to 13) Every Tuesday 26:45 to 27:15

Chiba TV January 9, 2008 to April 2, 2008 (Episodes 1 to 13) Every Wednesday 25:30 to 26:00

Teletama January 10, 2008 to April 3, 2008 (episodes 1 to 13) Every Thursday 26:00 to 26:30

Tokai TV January 10, 2008 to April 3, 2008 (Episodes 1 to 13) Every Thursday 27:35 to 28:05

BS11 January 11, 2008 to April 4, 2008 (Episodes 1 to 13) Every Friday 23:30 to 24:00

Kids Station January 11, 2008 to April 4, 2008 (1st to 13th episodes) Every Friday 24:00 to 24:30

Toyama Television April 7, 2008 to June 30, 2008 (Episodes 1 to 13) Every Monday 26:05 to 26:35

■ Online distribution

Bandai Channel January 18, 2008 to April 18, 2008 (Episodes 1 to 13) Updated every Friday from 12:00

■Broadcasting station

UHF, Kids Station, BS11, Bandai Channel

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■Original Story

La'cryma

■ Director

Junji Nishimura

■ Production

・Animation production: PAWORKS

Produced by: True Tears Production Committee (Bandai Visual, Lantis)

■Works

©2008 true tears Production Committee

■ Story

Nakagami Shinichiro, the only son of a sake brewer, is interested in a girl. Her name is Yuasa Hiromi. She is Shinichiro's classmate, and due to certain circumstances, they are living together at Shinichiro's house. Shinichiro has always been attracted to Hiromi's cheerfulness, but since they started living together, he has been frustrated by the gloomy expression she has begun to show... One day, Shinichiro meets Isurugi Noe, a girl climbing a tree in the school's backyard to pick "red berries." Noe says she cannot cry even when she is sad. Shinichiro is confused by her unexpected behavior, but for some reason he feels a mysterious attraction to her. This encounter gradually brings about changes in Shinichiro and the people around him...

■Explanation

The story of a girl who lost her tears... a page from the youth that everyone has experienced is here!

Noe Isurugi is a girl who is unable to shed tears due to a trauma she experienced in her childhood. She has not changed even now that she is a high school student. One day, someone kills a chicken kept at the school. As she connects with her classmate Shinichiro Nakagami, who she meets at the time, will Noe be able to free herself from the trauma of the past and change?

*Quoted from Bandai Channel

■Cast

・ Shinichiro Nakagami/Makoto Ishii

・Noe Ishido/Ayahi Takagaki

・Hiromi Yuasa/Kaori Nazuka

・Aiko Ando/Yuka Iguchi

・Sanyoyoshi Nobushi / Hiroyuki Yoshino

・Jun Ishido/Hiroo Masuda

・Tomoyo Kurobe/Tomomi Watanabe

・Shin'ichiro's father / Keiji Fujiwara

Shinichiro's mother / Rieko Takahashi

・Boy at the Sake Brewery／Yuki Tsuchikura

■ Main staff

・Original work: La'cryma

・Director: Junji Nishimura

・Series Composition/Mari Okada

・Character design: Yumeto Ueda

・Character design and chief animation director: Kanami Sekiguchi

Art Director: Yusuke Takeda, Riko Shinohara

・Color design: Katsue Inoue

Director of photography: Fukushi Toru

Edited by Junichi Uematsu

・Music: Hajime Kikuchi

・Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi

・Music Production: Lantis

Producers: Takayuki Nagatani, Yoshiyuki Ito, Ryosuke Hiramitsu, Kenji Horikawa

・Animation production: PAWORKS

Produced by: True Tears Production Committee (Bandai Visual, Lantis)

■ Main Characters

・ Shinichiro Nakagami

He is an ordinary high school student in the midst of his impressionable youth. He aspires to be a picture book author, but is troubled by his reluctance to take over his family's sake brewery business.

・Isurugi Noe

A girl who cannot shed tears due to past trauma. As a typical innocent girl, she sometimes gets to the heart of the matter, which deeply troubles her.

・Hiromi Yuasa

A girl who lives under the same roof as Shinichiro. She also has a scar in her heart, but hides it every day. She is a gifted girl at school and is a member of the basketball club.

・Aiko Ando

She is Shinichiro's childhood friend and the poster girl for the Imagawayaki shop "Ai-chan." She has a boyish personality and is dating Shinichiro's friend, Sanyoyoshi.

・Nobushi Sanyoyoshi

A good-natured boy in the same class as Shinichiro, who always hangs out with him no matter what they do. He's silly, noisy, and sometimes has lewd fantasies, but his feelings for Aiko are serious.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: I gave away my tears (2008/01/05)

・Episode 2: What do I want to do? (2008/01/12)

・Episode 3: What happened? The other day (2008/01/19)

Episode 4: Yes, clap your hands (2008/01/26)

Episode 5: Meddlesome boys are stupid (2008/02/02)

Episode 6: Is that a joke? (2008/02/09)

・Episode 7: Say it properly, write it here (2008/02/16)

Episode 8: A Town Where Snow Isn't Falling (2008/02/23)

・Episode 9: It's hard to fly... (2008/03/01)

・Episode 10: I'll do everything right (2008/03/08)

・Episode 11/It's not me you like (2008/03/15)

・Episode 12: From my eyes that see nothing... (2008/03/22)

・Episode 13: Your Tears (2008/03/29)

■ Related works

・True Tears Episode 13 Special Edition

・True Tears Mini Character 4-Panel Theatre

・True Tears Tulip Broadcasting Station Special Edition

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1

・Period: 1-12

・Reflectia

Lyrics: riya

・Composition: Hajime Kikuchi

・Arrangement: Hajime Kikuchi

・Song by eufonius

・ED1

・Period: 1-12

・Tears of the World

Lyrics by Aki Hata

・Composer: Kenichiro Suehiro

Arrangement: Kenichiro Suehiro

・Singer: Aira Yuuki

・IN1

・Period/10

・Just the way I am

Lyrics: riya

・Composition: Hajime Kikuchi

・Arrangement: Hajime Kikuchi

・Song by eufonius

true tears - True Tears - Detailed Review and Recommendation

"True Tears" is a 13-episode TV anime series that aired in 2008 and is based on the La'cryma game. It was directed by Junji Nishimura, produced by PAWORKS, and produced by the True Tears Production Committee (Bandai Visual, Lantis). The story depicts the sadness and growth of youth, and revolves around the emotional journey of a girl who cannot shed tears.

Story and Characters

The protagonist, Nakagami Shinichiro, is the only son of a sake brewer and aspires to be a picture book author. However, he is reluctant to take over his family business and is troubled by it. Then, a girl named Isurugi Noe, who cannot shed tears, appears before him. Noe is unable to shed tears due to past trauma and sometimes surprises those around her with her naive personality, but her purity moves Shinichiro's heart. Yuasa Hiromi, who lives under the same roof as Shinichiro, is also an important character and she too carries her own emotional scars. Furthermore, the story is enriched by a variety of unique characters, including Ando Aiko, Shinichiro's childhood friend, and Nobuse Miyokichi, his friend.

The story begins with Shinichiro and Noe meeting, and depicts how their relationship gradually deepens. Each character's inner thoughts are carefully depicted, such as Noe's past trauma, Hiromi's emotional scars, and Shinichiro's anxiety about the future, evoking deep empathy from the viewer. In particular, the process in which Noe is able to shed tears features many moving and touching scenes, conveying the sadness and beauty of youth.

Animation and Music

The animation of "True Tears" is known for PAWORKS' beautiful drawings and colors. In particular, the detailed depiction of the backgrounds and the changing of the seasons make it a visual treat. The character designs are also attractive, and each character's personality is well expressed.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The opening theme "Reflectia" is performed by eufonius, and riya's beautiful voice and Kikuchi Hajime's composition enhance the atmosphere of the story. The ending theme "Sekai no Namida" is sung by Yuki Aira, with lyrics by Hata Aki and music by Suehiro Kenichiro, creating a moving finale. The insert song "Just as I am" is also performed by eufonius, and brings out the deep emotions in important scenes of the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"True Tears" has been highly praised as a youth drama. In particular, the story, which carefully depicts the growth of the characters and the changes in human relationships, has touched many viewers. In addition, the beautiful animation and music enhance the appeal of the work, allowing you to enjoy it both visually and aurally.

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

1. **A moving story**: The story of the growth of a girl who cannot shed tears and the sadness of youth will deeply move viewers. In particular, the process of Noe being freed from the trauma of her past has many touching scenes, and you will not be able to watch it without crying.

2. **Charming characters**: Each character's personality is well-drawn, allowing viewers to empathize with their growth and the changes in their relationships. In particular, the relationship between Shinichiro and Noe symbolizes the beauty and sadness of youth.

3. **Beautiful animation**: PAWORKS' beautiful drawings and colors are a visual treat. The detailed depictions of the backgrounds and the changing of the seasons add to the atmosphere of the story.

4. **Emotional Music**: The opening, ending, and insert songs all enhance the atmosphere of the story and move the audience emotionally. In particular, eufonius' "Reflectia" and "Just as I am" are beautiful songs that touch the heart.

"True Tears" is a moving work that depicts the sadness and beauty of youth. The story of the growth of a girl who cannot shed tears and the joys and sorrows of youth will surely deeply move many viewers. The beautiful animation and music also enhance the appeal of the work, allowing you to enjoy it visually and aurally. Please watch this work and feel a page of your youth.