Anime has a unique way of capturing emotions and weaving them into unforgettable stories. Some romance anime are emotional dramas filled with tears and angst, while others are lighthearted rom-coms that show fans how enjoyable love can be. Over the years, Japanese animation has created several romantic stories; regardless, Horimiya is still hailed as the best shojo anime in recent memory.
Horimiya had the sweetest love story, realistic and relatable characters, powerful side characters, and an array of different friendship dynamics. The dual protagonists, Izumi Miyamura and Kyouko Hori, are refreshing characters who make fans cheer for them throughout the anime. Despite its massive fanbase, the anime missed its chance to shine in the shojo genre due to a minor story flaw.
A Small Story Flaw Holds Horimiya Back from Being the Ultimate Shojo Masterpiece
Romance anime can vary widely in terms of premise and emotional connection. Horimiya masterfully blends multiple genres while remaining a swoon-worthy favorite. With drama, romance, and comedy all packed into a breathtakingly animated storyline, there’s something for everyone in this romance anime.
The story centers around two differing teenagers named Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura. As the story progresses, the two discover they each lead secret lives their classmates aren’t aware of, bonding over their vow to keep each other’s secrets.
Indeed, the anime’s success is truly remarkable, as it garnered a huge following thanks to its captivating characters. Horimiya is romantic and heartwarming, featuring one of the cutest anime couples ever, Hori and Miyamura.
Horimiya (2021) pic.twitter.com/Am3SjQRMuv
— Anime Aesthetics (@shojopicture) November 18, 2024
Unlike the manga, the anime didn’t give enough screentime to the fan-favorite couple which ultimately hindered its potential. After a few episodes, the anime shifts focus from the main duo and gives more screen time to the side characters.
Additionally, the anime shifts its focus to highlighting and developing the side characters’ growth and relationships. Though the focus on the side characters was undoubtedly an adorable addition to the story, the production could have pushed those things to a prequel.
The screen time for Hori and Miyamura is minimal, leaving fans disappointed as there was plenty of potential to explore their relationship further. The duo is often surrounded by friends or Hori’s family, which might lead viewers to believe their relationship was added just for plot convenience, lacking real chemistry.
Undoubtedly, Horimiya remains a standout in the shojo genre. However, these creative decisions by the production studio could have uplifted its status, leaving a more memorable impression on the audience. Interestingly, the anime director once mentioned that the manga artist wasn’t heavily involved, which may have led to some mistakes.
How Horimiya‘s Author Played a Role in the Anime’s Downfall
In an intriguing interview, the Director of Horimiya, Ishihama opened up about the efforts behind the scenes in bringing the fan-favorite shojo anime to life. The most surprising revelation was that Hero, the original manga author, had minimal involvement in the anime adaptation. He added:
The authors didn’t provide many specific instructions.
Ishihama unveiled that Hero hardly gave any guidance on anything, pointing out that it gave the whole production team great creative freedom. Though Ishihama acknowledges that Hero’s lack of involvement didn’t affect the production much, but for fans, it would be a harsh truth to swallow.
The romance in Horimiya is so strong that it’s practically palpable to audiences.
Naturally, many fans believe the anime could have been a standout in the shojo genre, and now understand why it failed to make a strong impact due to minor flaws that the author could have easily addressed if involved in the adaptation.
Horimiya Season 1 & 2 are available to watch on Crunchyroll.
