Tsuki ga kirei

Okay, let's talk about the beautifully understated and emotionally resonant anime, "Tsuki ga Kirei" (月がきれい, As the Moon, So Beautiful.)!

**What is Tsuki ga Kirei?**

•   **Original Title:** 月がきれい (Tsuki ga Kirei)

•   **Translation:** "The Moon is Beautiful" (a Japanese expression of love/affection)

•   **Studio:** Feel (known for *Dagashi Kashi*, *Remake Our Life!*, *My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax!*)

•   **Genre:** Romance, Slice of Life, School

•   **Episodes:** 12

•   **Aired:** Spring 2017

**Synopsis:**

"Tsuki ga Kirei" tells the story of Akane Mizuno and Kotarou Azumi, two third-year middle school students who become classmates for the first time. Both are quiet and reserved individuals: Akane is an athlete on the track team, and Kotarou is an aspiring writer who dreams of becoming a novelist.

As they get to know each other, they begin to develop feelings for one another. The series follows their delicate and awkward journey of first love, as they navigate the challenges of school, family, and personal aspirations, all while trying to understand and express their growing affection.

The anime is characterized by its realism, its focus on the internal thoughts and emotions of the characters, and its understated presentation of romance.

**Key Characters:**

•   **Akane Mizuno:** The female protagonist. She is a dedicated athlete and a member of the track team. She is shy and reserved but has a strong inner drive.

•   **Kotarou Azumi:** The male protagonist. He is a quiet and introspective aspiring writer. He is passionate about literature and dreams of becoming a novelist.

•   **Chinatsu Nishio:** One of Akane's best friends. She is cheerful and outgoing.

•   **Takumi Hira:** One of Kotarou's best friends. He is athletic and supportive.

•   **Roman Yamashina:** One of the adults they confide in, usually acting as an advisor.

**Key Themes:**

•   **First Love:** The series captures the awkwardness, excitement, and uncertainty of first love.

•   **Communication:** The challenges of communication and expressing feelings are a central theme.

•   **Growing Up:** The series explores the challenges of growing up and transitioning from childhood to adulthood.

•   **Dreams and Aspirations:** The characters grapple with their dreams and aspirations for the future.

•   **Social Media and Technology:** The series incorporates social media and technology into the characters' relationships and communications.

•   **Inner Thoughts:** A focus on portraying the inner thoughts of characters.

**Why is Tsuki ga Kirei Worth Watching?**

•   **Realistic and Relatable:** The series is realistic and relatable, capturing the experiences of middle school students in a genuine way.

•   **Understated and Subtle:** The romance is understated and subtle, focusing on the small moments and gestures that build a connection.

•   **Emotionally Resonant:** The series is emotionally resonant, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing.

•   **Beautiful Visuals:** The animation is visually appealing, with detailed backgrounds and expressive character designs.

•   **Excellent Soundtrack:** The soundtrack is beautiful and evocative, enhancing the emotional impact of the series.

•   **Focus on characterization:** The inner monologue of the main characters help make the series incredibly engaging.

**Things to Consider Before Watching:**

•   **Slow Pacing:** The pacing can be slow at times, as the series focuses on character development and everyday interactions.

•   **Lack of Dramatic Conflict:** There is not a lot of dramatic conflict in the series.

•   **Understated Romance:** If you are looking for a more overt or dramatic romance, this may not be the series for you.

**Where to Watch:**

•   **Streaming Services:** Check Crunchyroll, or other anime streaming platforms in your region. Availability may vary.

**In summary, "Tsuki ga Kirei" is a highly recomme