Another good reason to take a look at HIDIVE is Bloom into You, simulcasting on Fridays. In no way is that a general statement – the Bloom Into You anime is a surprisingly excellent entry into the list of recent Yuri anime. (2018 is going to actually be a fun year to write up that top anime list!)

Because I have detailed every single concern I have ever had with the manga in previous reviews, I’m going to just set them aside. Not because the anime addresses them, but because the anime gives us additional layers and nuance to the story. I didn’t expect that…and I liked it.

The story is pretty much done straight from the manga. This is very typical in a Kadokawa series that runs in Dengekoi Daioh magazine. Traditionally, the anime runs through the first couple of manga volumes to stimulate interest in an ongoing series. It would thrill me to know that we were going to get to the point of the school play in Volume 6, but I do not expect it. ANN lists 12 episodes, which sounds about right for the typical Kadokawa marketing plan. 

As ever, I find myself watching Sayaka, here voiced by Kayano Ai – who seems to be a regular in many of the popular Kadokawa series. The anime really plays up her longing looks at Touko and the laser-like intensity with which she regards Yuu. For her, the animation really amps up the tension. 

The animation itself is all right. The faces strike me as having weirdly pointed chins which reflects the art of the first volume, but not the better art of later volumes. Backgrounds are given more detail than people, as is the way these days, but I feel the gap here is less pronounced. Body movements (and clothing motions) seem better animated than I expected and the backgrounds aren’t that hyper-realistic that makes the characters seem out of place. I do have one very sincere complaint, however. The eyes are animated strangely and yet, are constantly the focus of close-ups. I don’t mind that the faces are not exceptional well-drawn – I deeply mind that we’re forced to zoom in on them over and over. Dear gods, visual media directors, please stop doing every scene in close-up. For pity’s sake, back the fuck up.

Overall its balanced, if not brilliant, animation, with way too many close-ups on strangely drawn eyes.

Those of us following the manga won’t be in for any surprises regarding the plot, but if you haven’t been reading the manga I can actually recommend the anime as a solid place to start. And, man, does that feel good to be able to say. When I was at Yuriten and saw the poster for the anime, I actually groaned inside. After the last couple of Yuri anime that I could not recommend and frankly wish were wiped out of the collective consciousness, it feels really good to add another Yuri romance to Asagao to Kase-san among the recommended Yuri anime to watch for 2018.

Ratings:

Art – 7 -1 for the eyes, so 6
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Yuri – 5 + 1 for Sayaka, so 6
Service – 1 on principle

Overall – 8

I was delighted to find the anime quite enjoyable. I hope you’ll give HIDIVE a trial and see for yourself.