The appeal and reviews of "Just Because!": An anime that depicts a realistic moment in youth

Just Because: A story of the end and beginning of youth

"Just Because" is an anime series that aired in 2017, depicting the end of youth and a new beginning. This work was produced as an original anime, based on an original idea by FOA, and animated by PINE JAM under the direction of director Atsushi Kobayashi. It aired for a total of 12 episodes from October 5 to December 28, 2017, and was available to watch on stations such as AT-X and TOKYO MX.

story

Just Because is set in the everyday life of a high school senior from late autumn to winter. One day, the protagonist, Ena Itsumi, suddenly reunites with her childhood friend Hazuki Morikawa, who transferred to a new school four years ago. This reunion triggers major changes in the relationships around Ena. Various characters appear, including Ena's friend Rio Komiyama, Hazuki's brother Haruta Morikawa, and Ena's classmate Miku Hatayama, and their worries, dreams, and love lives intersect.

The story carefully depicts the emotional turmoil of high school students as they approach graduation, and realistically expresses their feelings as they waver between the end of their youth and a new beginning. In particular, the inner lives of each character are explored in depth, including the scene in which Ena's heart is shaken by Hazuki's reappearance, Rio's relationship with her family, and Miku's struggle between her dreams and reality.

character

The appeal of "Just Because" lies in its characters. Below are the main characters.

Ena Hemmi

The main character, Ena, has a calm and gentle personality, but is shaken by the reappearance of Hazuki. Ena's growth and change are at the center of the story, which depicts the end and beginning of his youth from his perspective. Ena's character is easy for viewers to empathize with, and many people will be able to relate to her from their own youth.

Hazuki Morikawa

Ena's childhood friend, Hazuki, appears before Ena again after transferring schools four years ago. Hazuki has a bright and proactive personality, and is someone who moves Ena's heart. Her appearance greatly changes the relationships around Ena, making her an important character that sets the story in motion.

Rio Komiyama

Ena's friend, Rio, is depicted as pursuing his dreams while struggling with his relationship with his family. Rio's character represents the realities of high school students who are torn between the end and beginning of their youth. His relationship with his family and his attitude of pursuing his dreams deeply touch the viewers.

Haruta Morikawa

Hazuki's older brother, Haruta, is cool and intelligent, yet has a deep love for his younger sister, Hazuki. Haruta's character plays an important role in depicting familial and sibling love, and also depicts the end and beginning of youth from his perspective.

Miku Hatayama

Miku, a classmate of Ena, is depicted as someone who pursues her dreams but is troubled by the gap between reality and her dreams. Miku's character symbolizes the real-life situation of high school students who are torn between the end and beginning of their youth, and her struggle between her dreams and reality deeply moves viewers.

Animation and Music

The animation of "Just Because" is characterized by the careful drawings and beautiful background art by PINE JAM. In particular, the background art expressing the seasonal feeling from the end of autumn to winter leaves a deep impression on the viewer. In addition, the character's expressions and movements are drawn realistically, making it easy for the viewer to empathize with the characters' feelings.

In terms of music, the beautiful voice of Sana, who sang the opening theme "Over and Over," and the moving voice of TRUE, who sang the ending theme "Yume Sekai," add to the atmosphere of the story. The background music was also carefully selected to match the development of the story, playing a role in bringing out the emotions of the viewer.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Just Because" has been highly praised as a work that depicts the end and beginning of youth. In particular, the carefully drawn storyline of the characters' feelings, as well as the beautiful animation and music, have deeply moved viewers. It has also been praised for its realistic portrayal of high school students wavering between the end and beginning of their youth.

Many viewers have commented, "It's a work that realistically depicts the beginning and end of youth, and I was moved by how it overlapped with my own youth," "The characters' feelings were carefully drawn, and it was easy to empathize," and "The beautiful animation and music really brought excitement to the story." Other comments include, "The relationship between Ena and Hazuki was particularly impressive," "Rio's relationship with her family and her pursuit of her dreams were moving," and "Miku's struggle between her dreams and reality was realistic."

Recommendations and related works

For viewers who enjoyed Just Because, we also recommend the following titles:

"Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai"

"Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai" is a work that depicts the end and beginning of youth, and is a story in which the main character, Uta Saka, meets girls who suffer from various "adolescent syndromes" and solves their problems. Like "Just Because," it depicts the realistic appearance of high school students who are torn between the end and beginning of their youth, and deeply moves viewers.

"Orange"

"Orange" is a youth drama with a time leap theme, in which the protagonist, Takamiya Naho, receives a letter from the future and struggles to save the life of her friend, Matsumoto Takumi. Like "Just Because," it depicts the realistic portrayal of high school students wavering between the end and beginning of their youth, deeply moving viewers. It also adds a science fiction element of time leap, making it even more moving.

"Hyouka"

"Hyouka" is a youth mystery drama in which the members of the Classics Club solve various mysteries, and the protagonist, Houtarou Oreki, grows through the activities of the Classics Club. Like "Just Because," it depicts the realistic portrayal of high school students wavering between the end and beginning of their youth, deeply moving viewers. In addition, mystery elements are added, making it even more moving.

Conclusion

"Just Because" has been highly praised as a work that depicts the end and beginning of youth. In particular, the story carefully depicts the feelings of the characters, and the beautiful animation and music deeply move viewers. It has also been praised for its realistic depiction of high school students wavering between the end and beginning of their youth. Many viewers have commented, "It was a work that realistically depicts the end and beginning of youth, and I was moved by how it overlapped with my own youth," "The characters' feelings were carefully drawn, and it was easy to empathize," and "The beautiful animation and music livened up the story." Other comments include, "The relationship between Ena and Hazuki was particularly impressive," "Rio's relationship with her family and her pursuit of her dreams were moving," and "Miku's conflict between her dreams and reality was realistic." For viewers who enjoyed "Just Because," we also recommend related works such as "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai," "Orange," and "Hyouka." These works also depict the end and beginning of youth, and will deeply move viewers.