Convenience Store Boy Friends: Unexpected but Expected More
Spoiler-Free Thoughts
ABOUT: Follows six high school students who regularly gather at a nearby convenience store after school, each with their own reasons for visiting, and the store becomes a place for them to relax and make small memories.
EPISODES: 12
GENRE: Slice-of-life, Romance
These two bounce off each other well and act like brothers. The disagreements they have shown are realistic because friends do have those moments. I questioned why Towa always spent the night at Haruki’s until later in the series. I think his growth as a character stood out to me. I felt with Haruki in terms of not being able to express the liking of someone and actively telling them, “Hey, I like you.” I love the scenes when they open up about what’s going on with them.
This couple did not have much effect on me until closer to the end of the anime. I could relate to Haruki, realizing his crush on her. Also, I did understand why Towa was getting irritated with Haruki — not expressing his liking when life is short. The friendship brewing between these two was something I enjoyed watching. What Miharu went through broke my heart for her. It was a fascinating twist that Haruki conversed with Miharu’s twin sister when they were younger.
This couple kept me invested in the series — total opposites, jokester and heads-in-the-books girl, an annoyance to lovers that was well-written. At some moments, I got annoyed with Mami because of her attitude and not living for herself. The progression between the two stood out to me. Seeing a different side of Towa was nice, especially around Mami. They both have family issues that alter their relationship, but being able to communicate is something they eventually do. They were one of my favorites.
I found their friendship cute and wholesome. The library scenes get me every time! Their personality dynamics mesh well together, so I love seeing their moments.
Here is one of my biggest gripe with the show. Focusing on the two couples, Towa & Mami, and Haruki & Miharu. However, I wish we knew more of the side characters. Intriguing me with their storylines, half of them seemed nonexistent to me. The only other couple to receive airtime were Mikado Nakajima and Waka Kisaki. Everyone else felt like they were there for the sole purpose of only helping the main characters.
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THEMES:
- Friendship: Haruki and Towa demonstrate the importance of bonds in male friendships, which is one of the aspects of the show that I appreciate.
- Romance: Although it wasn’t the main focus, the navigation of romantic relationships & crushes are explored.
- Growth: Experiences the characters endure through friendships and romantic interests.
- Everyday Life: Capturing the mundane aspects of high school life; another thing I loved seeing.
OVERALL:
I was expecting more than I anticipated. It would have been nice to see more of the other couples. I loved the friendships in the anime and how each character interacts with each other. This is a series you can get through in a day. Would I recommend it? Sure! It’s not in my favorites category, but I appreciated the elements of male friendships.
Rating: 3.5⭐
