"We All Live in Kawai Complex" review: A masterpiece anime that depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the reality of communal living

We are all Kawai-sou

overview

"We All Live in Kawai Complex" is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Miyahara Ruri. It aired on TBS from April 4 to June 20, 2014, and is made up of 12 episodes. Animation was handled by Brain's Base and the director was Miya Shigeyuki. The series is a coming-of-age comedy set in Kawai Complex, an apartment building where unique residents live, depicting their daily lives and relationships.

story

The protagonist, Kobato, moves into an apartment building called Kawai-sou to start living alone when he goes to university. There he meets a number of unique residents: Nishino, a cool and beautiful senior student; Chiyo, a childhood friend who is a bit of a scatterbrain; Chiyoko, the cool and tsundere younger sister of Chiyo; and Kawai-san, the mysterious landlord. Through his life at Kawai-sou, Kobato is exposed to various events and human relationships, and grows as a person.

character

Obato-kun

The protagonist. He moved to Kawai House when he went to college. He has a serious and kind personality, but he can also be a bit clumsy. He grows as a person through his interactions with the residents of Kawai House.

Nishino

Kobato's senior. She is beautiful and has a cool personality, but is surprisingly caring. She is the leader of Kawai-sou and often teases Kobato, but deep down she cares about him.

Chiyo

Kobato's childhood friend. She has a natural and clumsy personality, but is cheerful and friendly. She enjoys her life at Kawai-sou and is a good friend of Kobato's.

Chiyoko

Chiyo's younger sister. She has a cool and tsundere personality. At first she treats Kobato coldly, but gradually she opens up to him as she is touched by his kindness.

Kawai-san

The landlord of Kawai Manor. A mysterious character who secretly supports the residents' lives. He sometimes behaves strangely, but that is also part of Kawai Manor's charm.

Background

"We All Live in Kawai Complex" is based on a manga by Miyahara Ruri. The original was serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion and gained a lot of support from readers as a youth comedy. For the anime adaptation, Brain's Base was in charge of animation production to bring out the best in the original. Director Miya Shigeyuki has created a deeper work by incorporating original elements while respecting the atmosphere of the original.

Recognition and Awards

"We All Live in the Kawai Complex" has been well-received by many viewers since it was first broadcast. It was especially praised for the dialogue between the unique characters and the realistic portrayal of youth. Fans of the original work also commented that the appeal of the original work has been further enhanced by the animation. In terms of specific awards, it won the "Best Work" award at the 2014 "Kobe Animation Awards". This is a testament to the high quality of the work and the support it has received from viewers.

music

The music used in "We All Live in Kawai Complex" is the opening theme "Youth is Like Fireworks" and the ending theme "Himawari no Yakusoku". The opening theme is a rock song that expresses the brilliance and transience of youth, while the ending theme is a ballad that sings of friendship and bonds. These songs not only enhance the atmosphere of the work, but also resonate deeply in the hearts of viewers. In addition, music from various genres is used as background music in the play, skillfully bringing out the emotions of each scene.

voice actor

Kobato

Voice actor: Hiro Shimono

Nishino

Voice actor: Saori Hayami

Chiyo

Voice actor: Maaya Uchida

Chiyoko

Voice actor: Sakura Ayane

Kawai

Voice actor: Sayaka Ohara

These voice actors further enhanced the appeal of the work with their performances that brought out the individuality of the characters to the fullest. In particular, Shimono Hiro's performance as Kobato-kun was praised for his realistic portrayal of the protagonist's growth and for his performance that resonated with the audience. Also, Hayami Saori's performance as Nishino exquisitely expressed both coolness and kindness, bringing out the charm of the character.

Film and Production

The visuals and direction of "We All Live in Kawai Complex" are drawn from a unique perspective while respecting the atmosphere of the original work. In particular, the scenes depicting the daily life of the Kawai Complex residents feature detailed backgrounds and direction that focuses on the characters' expressions and movements. In addition, the use of color and light is well thought out to express the brilliance of youth. For example, in the fireworks display scene, colorful images and dynamic camerawork convey the excitement of youth.

Cultural influences

"We All Live in Kawai Complex" has been loved by many viewers since it was first broadcast, and is considered a masterpiece of youth comedy. In particular, the dialogue between the unique characters and the realistic portrayal of youth resonated with many viewers. In addition, the themes of "friendship" and "growth" deeply moved viewers, giving them an opportunity to reflect on their own youth. Furthermore, the popularity of the series led to the development of numerous merchandise and collaboration projects, making it a work with cultural influence.

Reasons for recommendation

"We All Live in Kawai Complex" is a highly accomplished youth comedy. The dialogue between the unique characters and the realistic portrayal of youth will resonate deeply with viewers. Also, don't miss the animation production that brings out the best in the original work, and the music that resonates with viewers. This is a work that is especially recommended for adults who are nostalgic for their youth, and young people who want to feel the brilliance of youth. It is also recommended for those who enjoy works with themes of friendship and growth. We hope you will use this work to get acquainted with the daily lives and relationships of the Kawai Complex residents and reflect on your own youth.

Related Titles

If you enjoyed "We All Live in the Kawai Complex," we also recommend the following related works:

• "Your Lie in April" - A moving story about youth and music
• "Hyouka" - A popular youth mystery
• "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai" - A hot topic that combines youth and science fiction

summary

"We All Live in Kawai Complex" is a youth comedy that is appealing with its dialogue between unique characters and realistic portrayal of youth. Don't miss the animation production that brings out the best in the original work, and the music that resonates with the viewer. This is a work that is especially recommended for adults who are nostalgic for their youth, and young people who want to feel the brilliance of youth. Through this work, we hope you will get to know the daily lives and relationships of the Kawai Complex residents and reflect on your own youth.