H2O: Footprints in the Sand

Characters:

First of all, i would just like to point out that the characters were very well developed, even the supporting characters, such as the uncle. Although the viewers are able to delve into the minds of these main characters, i would have to say that not many would be able to relate, or even intrigue the viewer. One of the main characters, Hirose, happens to be the only male protaganist, which deems this as a vantage point for this anime, because he presents himself to be someone of a weak stature. We see in the early episodes, Hirose does not do anything to defend his relationship with an alienated girl, Hayami. Often, we see Hirose being dragged away, leaving Hayami to once again, be isolated. This continues for several episodes, dragging the rating of the anime down.


Age 'Appropriate?':

This is the part of my review where i would like to point out that this anime would have been, say, ten times better if the characters were not in fucking middle school. All right? It's hard to believe that these middle schoolers would know the true meaning of 'love,' a subject which has appeared throughout the later episodes in the anime. I would highly support the contingent, and hypothetical choice of all of the characters being at least four years older.I would say that if they were in their senior years in high school, it would have been a lot more believable.


Setting:

All i have to say is, "What the fucking hell?" In the very first episode, Hirose, the ballsackless, impotent, and young main characters appears to be blind. He is magically healed in the end of the first episode, but that's a point i'll adress later. Anyways, I have nothing but criticism for this section, because we see that the type of school he goes to is an art school. Now what the fuck? An art school? For someone who can't even fucking see? What does he expect to draw/paint with?

We also see that Hayami, the loner girl, lives on the other side of this bridge. Yes, it's literally a bridge. And out of SHEER fortuitousness, there is a waterfall right outside of an abandoned trailer (Hayami's house), which is where she takes a shower. Let's say that waterfall wasn't there. Where should she cleanase herself?

The point i'm trying to make out of the setting is that it's just horrible. A story based off of pure coincidence. The reason as to why Hirose came to the village in the first place was to heal his blindness or some shit like that. But seriously, would a blind kid be going to an art school in the first place? Horrible.

Hirose:

Yes, this section is dedicated to the main character, Hirose. What i would like to point out is that this contingent, lucky, fortuitous, unrealistic, mother fucker just happens to be a charming handesome knight, which all of the girls happen to want to fuck. One of the main aspects of any character really which absolutely rubs me the wrong way is their complexion. What are the chances that a blind boy would be handesome? Blind guys and Good complexion do not blend!!! Again, i would like to criticize his weakness, because it is not a trait any male protaganist should have. He allows himself to be pulled away, almost as if telling us he wants to isolate Hayami. He starts to grow some balls in the later episodes though. The only types of people he hangs out with are chicks. WTF??? He doesn't hang out with guys because the only other guys in the school are these 2 bullies who hang around this pretentious, spoiled, arrogant girl named Yui.

Magic:

How Hirose gets magically healed in the end of the first episode strangely doesn't piss me off as much as it does to other people. I actually happen to support that fact because it adds a lot more creativity to the story. There is a magic fairy chick named Otaha, or some shit like that, but she doesn't appear that often, nor does she use her magic often. Only Hirose can see her, and you'll find out why if you watch the anime.

Tragedy and Comedy do not FUCKING blend!!!:

I do not support dramatic relief AT ALL! WHATSOEVER! I came to see an anime of tragedy, so i expect to fucking get one! Let me tell you that right in the middle of the episode, usually, something really tragic happens, and directly after that, they play a small slide of silly cartoon drawings to relieve the tragedy of the scene. The uncle is mainly used to display this, and it really pisses me off. I would have had a much much much better experienceif it were sheer tragedy and NO comedy!

Romance:

I don't support middle school romance, because i just think they're too young. Although it didn't appear as much throughout the series, i would still have to disparage it because i don't think children this young would be able to grasp the true meaning of love.

Plot:

All i'll tell you about the plot is that it revolves around family ties and bonds and shit. It's pretty interesting, but very much unrealistic to Americans, which is another factor that rubs me the wrong way. I can't blame the plot, because its origin is all in all, japanese, and probably intended for japanese, but the point i'm trying to make is that most people outside of Japan wouldn't probably be able to relate to something like this and just consider it PURE Badinage.


Overall rating: 6.5/10. It seems appropriate, but i feel as if giving it such a low rating would discourage you guys to watch it. I did enjoy watching this series because it was only 12 episodes, and very short, but giving it a 7 would feel like i'm only giving it more than it really deserves. I do recommend it, because it was better than Yosuga No Sora, or at least, in my opinion.


FINAL OVERALL RATING: 9.5/10. After watching the conclusion, i have come to the realization that there is no feasible way to eximplify my liking towards this anime. The conclusion was so emotional and i just loved it. The conclusion of this anime was able to bump this anime's rating up by an entire 3. My previous overall rating was based off of watching only 10 out of 12 episodes, which i have learned, is completely unacceptable. When writing reviews, i have learned to watch the entire series before i even start. Anyways, the ending just blew me away. I didn't even have this urge to even want a second season because it had ended so well. I loved it so much. After watching the last episode, i now know why the characters are in middle school, and not in high school. I bestow this anime my utmost respect and complete veneration because it elicited me to imbue an emotion of Gen-you-ine happiness. That's how much i LOVED the ending.

At first glance I thought the title was a bit odd, but since it was based off of a visual game, it's not so unusual. I gave it a chance when I saw the description about a boy who was blind and his emotional struggle to overcome his mother's death.

The storyline is jumpy and can drive you up a wall in places with the comedy and joke placement, but it's not bad overall if you can handle some "viewer discretion advised" jokes. As far as plot goes, it's average and has the typical struggle and overcome type of storyline.

The music is lovely and has some great flute music in it, I love the dramatic touch it adds!

The characters are lovable and playful. I did not get tired of them at all, not even the annoying and mean (except the VERY EVIL ONES) side characters. The main characters relationships with each other are tied in nicely with everyone as well as the background characters. I give them five stars for making another great anime couple, Hayami-chan and Takuma-kun! Not every anime couple's story turns out amazing, but as far as romantic and heart-warming, this would be it!

I just love every bit of this anime. It will make you cry, weep, and sniffle. My throat hurt during many episodes. Don't forget to breathe during the last few minutes of each dramatic scene!

I love the story line of this anime series mostly where Hayami Kohinata is starting to build trust with the village thanks to Takuma Hirose. To me the animation is wonderful even if its 2012 compared to other anime I would say that for an old anime it still got a grate graphic.

This has been one of my favorite romance anime starting from 2011 my last favorite romance anime was "Myself; Yourself".

If you like this anime check out "Myself; Yourself" as well. http://www.crunchyroll.com/myself-yourself

This turns out be quite the psychological anime show. I really enjoyed it. It was hard to get into at first but once you get through the first few episodes one begins to get comfortable and settles in.

If I had compare this show to anything I would think along the lines of M. Night Shyamalan's early films like Sixth Sense (especially in regards to Hirose's condition). It's the kind of show that flows along normally then WHAM, surprise plot twist (and you will experience such with Hirose, Kohinata, and Hinata).

All in all this is a great series with some loveable (and a few very hateable) characters. A coming of age story that involves love, hate, loss, and a fair bit of tragedy. But even with the tragedy, the show sprinkles some happiness through it (I specifically think Otoha when I mention that).

As the title says, this anime is ONE HELL-OF-A SAD anime!! one of the anime which will make you tear THROUGHOUT an ENTIRE episode, not just a single part of it. but the WHOLE EPISODE ..

story-line is EPIC, characters are very well made. you will truly feel their feelings. The ending was.... well, how do I say this, hmm, FRUSTRATING!!!
*spoiler* I just cant believe she died.. although they showed her at the end, but it doesnt change the fact the she's gone! It just made me a lot sadder when she showed up and knowing she's only a spirit *spoiler* ..

oh man!!! writing this review just made me tear .. well then . i'll leave you guys to judge this anime.

T^T i'll bet my life if you dont cry to this anime.

Solidly in the magic realist camp of storytelling, this short series starts off seeming to be a typical harem anime with a mild twist (blind protagonist). The martyr of the story is the misunderstood and mysteriously troubled girl who becomes the town scapegoat and the primary love interest for the hero, as expected. Also, as expected, he becomes the central interest of several girls almost immediately, despite his lack of any special powers or abilities (beyond the ability to interact with a magical spirit girl), although there is mention that his family has powerful political connections However, what wasn't expected (to my happy surprise) was that the show has a nice "Six Sense" meets "Shutter Island" type of Hitchcockian twist that totally caught me off guard.

Some episodes were a bit uneven, and the short length means not all the characters get developed much. Even as comic relief, the hero's uncle, for example, gets so little screen-time, he is barely more than a grace note in the proceedings. But I like that it kept focus on the central love triangle and the various threads of the plot are neatly wrapped up by the last episode for the most part. Other comments indicate some confusion about certain developments in the show which is understandable: the show switched between what seems to be reality, flashbacks and pure fantastical elements several times, so it's easy to lose track.

Personally, i think the people who believe in the most optimistic reading of the ending are emulating the hero's descent into complete self-delusional psychosis. You have to accept it, all of it, including the ending you may not have desired, if you wish to awaken and truly understand the meaning of this series.