Asagao to Kase-san

This was my first yuri movie and I think, it was a great pick to start, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

I didn't know what to expect, I was a bit afraid of the subject to be honest, but what I got was a really well balanced mixture of romance, comedy, cuteness and seriousness. Nothing felt too much, forced, irritating, unrealistic or pointless. Just a well rounded story which picks up the thread at the point where other romantic animes usually end. The story revolves around the blossoming of their fresh relationship from the beginning to the fear of passing. Nothing we couldn't have seen in other romantic stories already, but even though, it's really a piece of art standing on its own.

I'm a grown ass man, but I must admit, this was heartwarming and adorable, definitely, will show it to the kids sometime.

(Mentioning that the show does not contain any fan service and all, is just a disgrace in itself. Obviously, it does not ;) Those tiny leaves popping out of her head when she is embarassed were really cute... Btw. Can we just have such determined male characters like Kase-san? Damn, Rascal was pretty close, but that show went into the wrong direction, imho.)

A sappy and kind of all over the place romantic anime, but it gets it. It's a film that knows exactly what it's doing, and works. I feel like there's something really authentic about depicting young/extreme/overly strong love in such a bombastic way. It's a smart approach, and makes for a film that's best engaged emotionally over all else. Don't think, just feel, and all that.

I also appreciated how it clocked in at under an hour. It's just a straightforward romance story with all the fat cut out, and begins and ends without much by way of nonsense or distraction. You could criticize it for being repetitive and a bit unremarkable narratively, but I liked how it was also straight to the point and certainly successful in conveying some emotional truths. That is sort of what it's like to be in love for the first time, and for that, Kase-san and Morning Glories has value.