Insomniacs After School

For some people, this is easily going to be the perfect Romance / Slice-of-life. The story is just as the title suggests - a couple of insomniacs befriend each other at school - a couple of anxious high-schoolers find a safe and secure place in each other's hearts. Yeah I know, it sounds a bit too much like a fantasy, but that's why it's a slice-of-life.

I like how this story dealt with insomnia. For both of these characters, they explore a root cause that's behind them not being able to sleep at night. A cause that's behind so much anxiety. And they do it slowly and steadily, till both these characters get familiar with each other. We go through this journey with them as they feel more and more comfortable and secure because of the other person. And I loved all these small details poured into this story by the author - how both of these characters easily fall asleep when they're with each other, listening to the Nakami's heartbeat puts Isaki at rest - small details like these makes this story so deep and somewhat realistic.

LIDENFILMS has now proven itself to be a very reliable studio because the animation is pretty good once again.

Overall this anime was great. It's just unfortunate that as a slice-of-life, it was competing with Skip And Loafer this season, which for me, was just too close to perfection. I thought the characters could have been explored just a bit more. And the final episode, I thought got just a tad bit too dramatic.

"Insomniacs After School" emerges as a heartwarming and refreshingly grounded slice-of-life romance that beautifully captures the awkward yet profound journey of two teenagers grappling with a shared affliction: insomnia. Far from being a mere plot device, their inability to sleep serves as the unlikely catalyst for a tender connection, allowing them to navigate the anxieties of adolescence and discover solace in each other's company.

At its core, the anime excels in its portrayal of the central relationship between Ganta Nakami and Isaki Magari. Their dynamic feels incredibly authentic, evolving organically from hesitant camaraderie to a deep, empathetic bond. It's not a whirlwind, dramatic romance, but rather a slow, gentle burn, mirroring the quiet nights they spend together. Both characters are flawed and vulnerable, and it's precisely these imperfections that make their connection so relatable. Ganta's initial grumpiness and Isaki's seemingly cheerful facade gradually peel away to reveal their inner struggles, and the anime masterfully shows how they provide comfort and understanding to one another in ways no one else can. They don't magically "fix" each other's insomnia, but they create a safe space where their shared burden becomes a source of connection and growth.

The setting of the abandoned astronomy club, which they inadvertently take over, is a stroke of genius. It not only provides a private haven for their nocturnal escapades but also ties into the visual poetry of the series. The anime boasts stunning visuals, particularly the night skies and the beautiful landscapes. The starry vistas, captured through the lens of Ganta's camera, become a recurring motif, symbolizing their quiet moments of introspection and the vastness of the world they're slowly beginning to explore together. The animation is consistently high-quality, with lush details and vibrant colors that bring the grounded narrative to life.

While some might find the pacing of "Insomniacs After School" to be on the slower side, this deliberate tempo is arguably one of its strengths. It allows the character development to breathe and the emotional beats to resonate without feeling rushed or forced. The lack of contrived drama or over-the-top conflicts is a refreshing departure from many other romance anime. Instead, the narrative focuses on the small, intimate moments - shared silences, whispered conversations, and the subtle gestures that convey a burgeoning affection.

However, a common criticism is that the supporting cast, while likable, doesn't receive as much development as the two leads. While they serve their purpose in supporting Ganta and Isaki's journey, some viewers might wish for a deeper exploration of their individual stories. Nevertheless, their presence adds to the naturalistic feel of the series, portraying a realistic high school environment where the main focus remains on the evolving bond between the two insomniacs.

In conclusion, "Insomniacs After School" is a quiet triumph. It's a genuine and heartfelt exploration of human connection, finding solace in shared vulnerabilities, and the subtle beauty of a nascent romance. Its strong character work, realistic pacing, and breathtaking visuals make it a truly immersive experience. While it might not be for those who crave high-octane drama, those who appreciate a tender, character-driven story with a strong emphasis on emotional authenticity will find "Insomniacs After School" to be a beautifully crafted and deeply satisfying watch. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most profound connections are forged in the quietest of moments, under the watchful gaze of a starlit sky.

There's a lot to praise here, but the main draw of the show is the progression of the two protagonists' relationship: it feels incredibly natural and is done in a beautiful way. Unlike many other romances, this show doesn't feel the need to oversaturate itself with comedy and us unafraid of being emotionally vulnerable and sincere. The relationship between the the protagonists feels compelling because it is built upon a genuine friendship that is portrayed convincingly. Finally, the depiction of these two gradually deepening their trust and intimacy in one another moved me in a way I didn't expect.

The side-characters weren't standouts, but they also weren't bad by any means, they felt like real people, even if undeveloped (and that's for the best, it's a short runtime and should focus on its primary characters). I would give this show a 9.5/10 for being the most compelling romance narrative I've seen since Steins; Gate.

Despite the well-known clichés (types of the main characters, conventions of Japanese romance) and the unevenness of the narrative, "Insomnia" definitely stands out from other slice of life romances and leaves a pleasant impression. The character design is the first thing that draws attention. Makoto Ojiro managed to create her own, original style of drawing, which is very well combined with her style of narration. Like the story, Makoto's drawing is quite original, but not catchy and pretentious, but calm and pastel. Like the story, her art lacks a bit of stability and elaboration.

A pair of protagonists is quite typical - a gloomy, insecure, hyper-reflexive psychasthenic guy, exaggeratedly suffering from learned helplessness, and his girlfriend - a cheerful, active, athletic, careless sanguine girl. The only thing they have in common is that both suffer from insomnia and, by chance, become members of the astronomical club. One more thing - this couple of lovers becomes sleepy from each other, which in their case, paradoxically, is a mutual compliment ) It is obvious that Isaki (the girl) is attracted by stability and reliability of the guy, and the guy (Ganta) is attracted by Isaki's cheerfulness and liveliness. And, unfortunately, it is also obvious that, due to the conventions of Japanese romance, confessions occur only at the very end. This is such a "hackneyed" cliché that it can't even be considered a spoiler. But the secondary characters, with whom Makoto seems to have allowed herself a certain freedom from cliches, are pleasing - especially the mature and reasonable Tao and the eccentric geek girl Yui.

As for the story, it turned out to be somewhat chaotic. It seems that after starting the story, Makoto could not decide for some time what and how she wanted to tell. This shift from calm, Seinen storytelling, to melodramatically exaggerated shojo-style platitudes, to geeky meditativeness (the technical details of camera setup, shooting the night sky), may well alienate some viewers. At times, the plot is filled with reflections and experiences of the main characters about their lives and short excursions into the stories of other characters, and at times it becomes empty and simply boring. But, in its second half, the story does decide what it is (calm, meditative Seinen romantic slice of life with a contemplative protagonist, his sweet, cheerful girlfriend and a pinch of geekiness), and ends with a completely successful ending. Even a certain personal growth of the boy is shown, when he, contrary to his obedience and responsibility, decides on an act that violates the rules, a "rebellion" against someone else's will. For his girlfriend, of course.

In general, "Insomnia" is a pretty good representative of Seinen romantic slice of life. What gives it some originality, apparently, is the fact that this is a Seinen created by a woman who could not help but bring the originality of her vision to this genre. As well as her own, peculiar, drawing. Although both the narration and the art style of Makoto are still unstable and raw, they undoubtedly have their own individuality. Just for this "Insomnia" definitely deserves attention.

I'm going to give insomniacs an early 10 out of 10 rating. Everything from the main characters to the romance to the side characters, the music, the opening and don't even get my started on the beautiful ending. (ngl one of if not my favorite ending to any season of anime ever)

I can't definitely see people giving this a watch and settling on an 8 or 7 out of ten and I understand that. But coming from a fellow insomniac this show just resonates with me so much. I can relate to it and i've never been more invested in a romantic development between two protagonists. Their chemistry is elite and my expectations are exceeded.

This show is beautiful and it is one of my only 10/10 I can confidently give to a slice of life.