Has it ever happened to you that you were just scrolling to find a good anime to watch and stumble upon a gem? "Houkago no Insomnia" was one of those gems for me.
"Kimi wa Houkago no Insomnia" is one of the most underrated romance anime in the industry. Even with a beautiful story written by Makoto Ojiro, the mangaka, it’s not as popular as fan-favorite anime like "Horimiya." Despite this, "Insomniacs After School" has the potential to be one of the better, if not the best, romance anime of all time.
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| Nakami Ganta looking at Isaki Magari with love |
Romance Review: Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia anime
The Hook: Will Magari Isaki die?
This is the question that keeps me hooked on the anime. Many viewers might wonder, 'Will "Insomniacs After School" have a "Your Lie in April"-type ending?' This uncertainty keeps me hooked to the anime. I even read the manga just to find out if Magari dies.
How other anime's used the hook?
Anime like "Kaguya-sama: Love is War" also utilizes this hook beautifully, making me want to know who confesses first—Kaguya Shinomiya or Miyuki Shirogane. This hook is something that many anime lack, causing viewers to stop watching or find the story boring, as happened with "Horimiya." "Horimiya" is an awesome romance anime, but it loses its hook after the confession scene, leaving nothing to keep viewers engaged. While there are cute moments in "Horimiya," I feel that a hook is very important in an anime, especially in romance anime.
VISUAL APPEAL
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| Nakami Ganta taking picture of Mawaki site in his camera | LIDEN STUDIO |
"Insomniacs After School" boasts beautiful animation. The star-gazing scenes, animated by Liden Studio, are commendable and top-notch. Liden Studio has worked on popular anime like "Rurouni Kenshin," "Tokyo Revengers," "Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi" (Kotarou Lives Alone), and many others. The beautifully animated starry skies make this anime worth watching for the animation alone.
Characters with Personalities
The characters in "Kimi wa Houkago no Insomnia" are unique, each with different personalities that bring them to life. They are fun to watch, with varied personalities like Anamizu Kanami being a tomboy, Kanikawa Motoko being your average horror-story-telling friend, Nono Mina being your not so average artist, and Shiromaru Yui being a helpful senpai teaching astrophotography to her underclassmen.
Notable Character
One of the best characters is Tao Ukegawa, a member of the student council at Kuyo High School. He is your typical childhood friend, always supporting Ganta and helping him navigate his feelings for Isaki Magari. Even the cats, "Two-Chan" (an unofficial name given by Magari Isaki) and Rollo (the cat of Shiromaru-senpai), ensure that Ganta and Magari end up together
Third wheels should just roll out
- Tao Ukegawa
The worst part of some romance anime is that the relationships don’t feel natural; they seem fake. The characters act foolishly as if they don’t have feelings for each other, which is often a way for mangaka
The Romance Buds Naturally
"Insomniacs After School" feels real. The romance between the characters develops naturally, and the scenes feel authentic. The characters seem more mature, helping each other confront their demons. Their friends are supportive, wanting Magari and Ganta to be together and rooting for them. That’s what true friends do, and Ukegawa taunts them in a friendly manner.
Why Are Isaki Magari and Nakami Ganta Insomniacs?
Isaki Magari and Nakami Ganta are both insomniacs, but why do they suffer from insomnia in the first place? Nakami Ganta is insomniac due to separation anxiety from his mother leaving while he was asleep, and Isaki Magari suffers from insomnia because of regular heart surgeries in her childhood, which made her anxious throughout her life.
Causes of Insomnia
One of the main reasons for insomnia is stress, anxiety, and depression. Since Ganta’s mother left him in the middle of the night, causing stress and anxiety, he was unable to sleep until he met Magari, who gave him comfort and love.
Isaki Magari’s insomnia stems from her childhood heart surgeries, which made her anxious about hospitals and surgeries, impacting her mentally. This anxiety and fear caused her insomnia in adulthood.
Overcoming the inner demons
Just as Magari helped Ganta confront his inner demons, Ganta helped Magari overcome her fears. They became people who could share their thoughts and be comfortable with each other. Their mutual struggles with insomnia helped them understand each other, becoming pillars of support and blossoming into a beautiful romantic relationship.
Conclusion
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| Isaki and Nakami sleeping on each other's shoulders peacefully | Liden Studio |
So, if you want to watch an anime with natural, relatable characters, where romance buds naturally and you see characters growing, sharing small moments of life, and enjoying each other’s company with beautiful animation and a bit of romance , you can check out "Kimi wa Houkago no Insomnia."
