The Dangers in My Heart

Now I browse a little Reddit now and then to see if there’s anything I should keep an eye on. This anime has been mentioned a few times, and always in a very positive way. I remained skeptical though, as I hadn’t heard of anybody in my circle mention it at any point. Could a gem really be going under all of our radars?

It turns out yes, it could. This is such a charming anime. Ichikawa is an awkward guy in middle school who thinks he’s a little messed up. He also has a crush on popular classmate Anna Yamada, who also is a model. Meetings in the library between this unlikely pair soon evolve into more intentional meetups. The dynamic between these two is very sweet. Yamada tries to get closer to Ichikawa, who due to his nature often accidentally rebuffs her. He’s a bit down on himself, but at the same time he looks out for Yamada and others. While he’s an outcast I don’t think there’s anything other than a lack of confidence that keeps him there, as he’s shown himself to be a good guy.

This is also I believe the first romcom I’ve that takes place in junior high. Since everyone is a little younger than typical, there’s a bit of a “coming of age” feeling to this. People are awkward simply because things are new, boys are disgusting as their hormones take over, and there’s the worries of fitting in. Some things will still feel like the more common high school setting, but it feels different enough that it’s refreshing. We also have the most interesting take on title cards, appearing not exactly in the beginning, middle, or end, but rather appearing at the right moment as it expresses the thoughts of our characters. This means it often flashes up word by word as their thoughts come together. This unique structure helps give it a little more emphasis and meaning.

I breezed through the first season in nearly a single session. I’ll say I was a little unsure from the first two episodes, but from the third episode onward I couldn’t stop. Season 2 continues this excellence, with a bit more character development, especially for Ichikawa. Even some of the other cast who are mostly in the background get to be a bit deeper, though mostly our focus is still on Ichikawa and Yamada.

The status of the show is a little unclear at this point, with a recap movie with new scenes coming out in a few months. Those extra scenes could mean they are also planning a third season. On the other hand, the second season feels like a decent finale. Regardless of what may or may not be coming, this anime has proven itself to be worth a watch. I can’t say it’s quite lived up to my highest rating, but if it’s falling short it’s only a little off.