Original Title: スクールデイズ | Sukuru Deizu | School Days
Release: 2007
Country: Japan
Director: Keitaro Motonaga
Running Time: 12 Episodes
Cast: Daisuke Hirakawa | Megu Ashiro | Haruka Nagami | Chiaki Takahashi | Ryôko Tanaka
Written by Miguel Douglas
Published: 11.11.09
School Days begins with high school student Makoto Ito arriving at the entrance ceremony for his first year at Sakakino Academy. Upon glancing around the campus, he notices a strikingly beautiful girl by the name of Katsura Kotonoha, who he later discovers rides the same train as him to school. He secretly develops a crush on her, but when his friend Sekai Saionji discovers Makoto’s feelings towards Katsura, she vows to help him get the chance to go out with her. All seems to work out as planned, that is until Sekai starts to fall for Makoto herself, which starts the complicated relationship that the three begin to form.
Beginning with a rather minimalistic approach to its story, School Days soon delves into and examines the emotional instability that develops during most youthful relationships. Given the fact that the entire cast of the show comprises of teenagers, this is, for the most part, a feasible notion, specifically if you take into consideration that individuals do tend to act out irrationally more so during this stage in life than any other. This emotional vulnerability can have drastic effects on the choices people make during this period, which School Days heavily derives from.
Take into consideration the characters of the show, all which encompass some form of insecurity. We have the impulsive and womanizing Makoto, the self-conscious and naïve Katsura, and finally the friendly yet inconsiderate Sekai. When these characters path eventually intermingle, not only does it enhance the already established awkwardness that the characters share, but to the viewer, it presents a situation in which foresight is inherently observed. How far can these characters push their boundaries before something eventually gives way? The audience is given a front row seat to this love triangle, knowing all too well that nothing good can arise from a situation such as this, only more despair and heartache the further we are dragged along.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical for the first couple of episodes due to it following the standard formula utilized entirely too much in romance-driven anime series of the past, but after the first initial episodes, it brings forth a story that is as interesting as it is shocking. Perhaps the nonsensical actions by the characters towards the series latter half is more “authentic” than any forced or contrived action—more specifically, the actions of Makoto made me despise him greatly, yet what he delivers is a character that is eerily more realized than most characters witnessed within the romance genre. Minus some of the series earlier episodes, School Days soon develops into an examination of characters whose irresponsibility towards their actions eventually lead to their own self-inflicted agony.
The animation School Days was done by studio TNK. They have been involved in many other projects such as I My Me! Strawberry Eggs, Licensed by Royalty, and Hand Maid May, just to name a few. As for the animation of School Days, it was kept to a minimum to say the least. Nothing too spectacular, and considering the show takes place primarily in a high school setting, it was sufficient.
One of aspects I thoroughly enjoyed about School Days was the soundtrack. The music was done by composer Kaoru Okubo, who also developed music for Kamen no Maid Guy, Da Capo II, and many other various projects. The soundtrack consists of many slow piano pieces that fit the series somewhat somber mood. Given that this is a show about emotional relationships, it seemed fitting to have such composition within the show. Besides the music, the voice acting was exceptionally well too.
Overall, School Days delivers a cautionary tale regarding how an individual’s impulsive actions can give way to drastic ramifications stemming from those actions. One of the hindrances within the show would definitely be its rather generic first half, but that soon vanishes to bring forth an interesting and intriguing story that will definitely give viewers something to think about after the show ends, and believe me, the show knows how to end.
