White Album 2

When we talk about a show, doesn't matter if it's a TV Series or an anime, the ending is pretty influential. It can ruin the entire thing, or even "fix" it. Of course, some people (like me) says that the ending is not the most affecting thing in a show, but the journey is much more important. I didn't have a show that was totally ruined by the ending. But we can have exceptions, right?

The story is pretty simple: the guy protagonist, Kitahara Haruki is a tipical class rep, helpful, but strict to the rules guy. The two main female characters are Touma Kazusa and Ogiso Setsuna, who were convinced by the boy to join the Light Music Association, to make a performance at the school festival. That's how their complex, emotional love triangle starts!

I don't wanna be a mean guy, so first I'm gonna tell what I liked about the show: literally everything from episode 1 to 11. The plot is plain and generic, but it's a perfect starting point and the anime really makes a good use of it. It builds up characters that we enjoy watching, doesn't matter if they are main or side ones, each of them have good, funny moments, and emotional ones (but the latter applies of course mainly to the main characters). The music is fantastic, it goes very well for the scenes and they can really easily turn the mood as they wish.

And now, episode 12 and 13, the tutorial how to destroy everything you built up just to make a "good ending". But how can I enjoy a good ending if you literally destroy the characters and make them so terrible, that's unimaginable? And again, don't get me wrong; I can't hate a character if their personality makes a complete twist. If it was built up well. If. But it wasn't, Mr. White Album 2. You can't just ruin a character without any build up, because you will ruin the experience. Yes, I'm looking at you, Haruki, you piece of sh-

So only two questions remain: 1. Why did I gave a 5 still? The answer is simple: the first 11 episodes for me were 9/10. I can't just ignore everything, just because the ending was screwed up.

2. Do I recommend this anime? If you like to feel disappointed, than go ahead, watch it. If not, please don't. I don't want to hurt you by ruining the entire experience by this ending.

I have 3 main reasons.

1. I would admit the TV series is not so perfect, one of the reasons is the limitation of time and space. But I would like to mention, the whole story of the galgame is far more wunderbar (unfortunately I didn't find the game on imdb). By making different choices you may experience how you will continue the life with different people. One thing different from WA2 and some of the galgames is, the feelings here are so real, it's like a replay of life.

I would also like to mention that, people growing up in East Asian/ more introverted / having emotion trauma, etc, may have more resonance with the story. One thing I feel surprised and interesting is that WA1 even only got 5.6 (as in 17.10. 2024). For this type of stories, when they talk about love among young people, something may fit the fantasy and psychology for the groups I mentioned above better, while for most Audiences on IMDB, that's something they may never have to think about and hard to understand. I would not conclude things roughly to culture difference. But as I am able to "vote", I would say it's just a TEN for me.

2. This story has become an important memory in my life. No matter those happiness, or those sadness. At that time I was young, I met many fantastic friends because of it. I did many things I've never done before. I played in the bands, I learned the guitar and bass. People met, and people left each other. For a period I got depression, I lost "die natürlichen Selbstverständlichkeit", so far I am still not sure how to describe and explain everything. But only great piece can have such huge impact on human, right? XD

3. For the music, for Uehara Rena, Naoya Shimokawa, and everyone, and character voices, it's absolutely no doubt a TEN. (For the picture... I love Takeshi Nakamura's style a lot but.. Takeshi kun, you can do better, I trust you)

One positive about this anime is that the music and animation in this anime were absolutely cool. However it's main character lad is pretty much a dull who belittles the girls for their talents and the whole plot sense was pretty predictable as a high school romance story.

The only reason why I skipped the first White Album series is because of the sequels high rating and heard a lot of good reviews about it so here I am! Seriously if it was a heartwarming story, I wouldn't be complaining here but all I can't complain is the music and animation as I said already...

What initially looks like a basic love triangle in teen novels, gradually builds depth and desperate actions.

It is worth watching, which initially seemed just another one, turns out to be a well-constructed script with its due complexity.