Blue Period

It's a bit absurd when an anime series centered around drawing has poor animation. The show features long static shots, jerky movements, and awkward character expressions, all combined with a near-slavish devotion to the manga source material that fails to consider the techniques that work on paper but may not translate well to the screen. Normally, I would say goodbye to the show's creators and watch something else. However, I kept watching Blue Period for two reasons. First, the show has expertly crafted characters and a captivating storyline. The original manga is so well-crafted and has such a strong foundation that it mostly manages to overshadow the series' other shortcomings. Second, the issues mentioned earlier are mostly present in the first three episodes, during which the animation team was still figuring things out, and the screenwriter was trying to adapt the manga frame by frame. However, the quality of the episodes improves, and the tenth episode, set in Odawara, is particularly impressive, with a beautifully Haruki Murakami-esque feel that showcases the show's strengths. Blue Period is not just a narrative about someone falling in love with illustration; it's a story about different characters with varying motivations, problems, and opinions, all on a journey of self-discovery in which drawing is their constant companion. The anime's creators have managed to capture this journey, the essence of the characters, and the essential themes almost perfectly. Achieving this is no small feat. Initially, I didn't believe I'd experience the same emotions while watching the show as I did when reading the manga, where Yatora's life story resonated strongly with me. I'm giving Blue Period a solid four-star rating, with a special mention for the opening and ending, which I think are spot on. (15/04/2022)

I have never been much of a painter, and I have always gotten a C in art class, but every now and then, I come across something that reignites my passion for art, and Blue Period did a pretty good job in that regard. It contains some interesting styles and ideas, and I found most of the paintings featured in this show intriguing. Likewise, I totally got what Yatora likes about it and why he feels so strongly about it. Even though the male main protagonist's love of painting was believable, it was not all about the love of painting; I think it was more about finding yourself and a lot of the inherent drama that comes with growing up and trying stuff out. In addition, there was a lot of depth and intensity to it all, perhaps too much so at times. Sometimes the main male protagonist and the anime's writers seemed almost masochistically weighed down by it all, and I wondered where the joy of painting had gone. However, even then, it still mostly worked for me, thankfully. I was interested in the characters' problems and all their inner struggles. I felt the heaviness of the trials and tribulations of deciding where to go next in life and the difficulties of gaining self-esteem. I was surprised by the little details and backstories around most of the supporting characters that allowed me to get to know them. However, I did not get to know them as profoundly and strongly as the main male protagonist, although that does not really matter. This anime series is an engaging show, full of real emotions, frustration, and joy with lots of likable (sometimes almost unrealistically so) characters, led by the two teachers who took care of Yatora. All in all, I enjoyed it quite a bit and would like to see a follow-up. 7.8/10. (11/12/2021)