Yosuga no Sora

Finish date: 12 May 2026

Yosuga no Sora: In Solitude Where We Are Least Alone is a mixed bag. but what kind of mixed bag…part of it is the most rushed character and plot development together with the funny h-scenes that are hard to take seriously; the other part is themes that try to explore themes of belongingness, fractured intimacy, and transgressive ideas that challenge conventional social rules of personal bonds and romance. It's all held together by a beautiful soundtrack, occasional gorgeous visuals/scenes, as well as Sora’s wardrobe, all acting as the clear blue sky backdrop behind which the show unfolds.

It’s funny how episode 1 starts. We see the famous scene of the twins riding aboard the train which is nice, and then it’s almost comical how every girl has a crush on Haruka who just looks like some guy but oh well.

Kazuha Chapter

This was the first character arc in the anime and shows Migiwa Kazuha’s route. Not having read the VN like the larper I am, the introduction to the series and the fast transition to Migiwa’s story was just way too fast. We barely get to know Haruka and Sora and the story kinda forces us to care about Migiwa’s character. Plus, Kazuha’s story and conclusion are deeply tied to the character in the next route, Akira, but at this point we don’t know much about Akira either.

I usually fw the long black haired/yamato nadeshiko character in VNs/media but this…It’s bad but i cant really even find much faults about it, it’s just rushed and forgettable. Also the fact that Sora is just kinda there in this whole arc is kinda funny i guess. The only redeeming factor is that it has probably the best kiss scene of the entire 12-episode anime.

Akira Chapter

Amatsume Akira’s route suffers from the same problem as Migiwa’s. But it can be seen as a sort of expansion of Migiwa’s arc because of how the two characters are connected. We do get to see more of Akira, and through her we get to explore the themes of belongingness and identity that the anime attempts to express. Everything is just a bit more fleshed out at this point, and we get to see a better resolution to Akira and Migiwa’s relation. But the problem is that it is centered around Akira and Migiwa in a way that makes us wonder why is Haruka even there, like who even is he and why is he meddling deep into their family issues.

Nao Chapter

Though it definitely has more uhh narrative content and direct connection to the main characters’ past and is more concrete than the story of the previous two arcs, it’s not really better in other aspects. Though she is more of a complete character who has ties to the “main routes” of the plot and kinda has a better visual design than the previous two heroines, she lowkey is a horrible person. It’s not even just about the casual redemption and Haruka forgiving her after what she had done during their childhoods, like it was just…executed so badly. And that fucking bus stop, you better get used to seeing it from now on.

Also, the backshots at the door too and Sora discovering them was just too funny holy shit. At the end, i guess there is more of a reconciliation between the twins along with Nao

Sora Chapter

The final and most true route of the anime. Now, i said what i said about Nao, and despite her being a horrible person, i straight up still felt bad for Nao in this route when she was dragged along emotionally by Haruka with his attempts at lying and coping. Like she was just treated as an indirect emotional punching bag by Haruka because he didn’t want to face his true feelings, even if it was not intentional from him. Like half of the episodes were just Haruka “unintentionally” breadcrumbing Nao and going between her and Sora, it was a pain to watch. However, how Haruka and Sora eventually faced each others feelings and became close with one another was cute and soothing, i’d say. There’s something nice about that honest intimacy. And i like how the ending isn't all perfect, but that’s fine, as they finally resolved their dilemma and became honest with themselves together and are going forward.

Final thoughts

The show is overhated, but imo for the wrong reasons. It does take an honest look at people’s connections(sky of connection lmao) and feelings; how these things can develop and can be more nuanced and complex than the sometimes arbitrary “erm you can’t do that c-cause you just cant o-okay??” codes of society, as well, it explores what it means to deal and move forward while being honest with these feelings. Also, it tries to tackle the heaviness one carries with their feelings vs. the past. The overall visuals, the blue sky, the sunny japanese countryside, and the summer nights and atmosphere are executed really well here and go really well with the very nice original soundtrack. The show does know how to play these aspects to its strengths. Sadly, it doesnt really make up for the mid writing, weird episode structure, hilarious h-scenes, and almost non-existent character. Im kind of a YnS larper so i havent played the visual novel so i dont know how it compares to the vn though, but trying fit a whole ass route in 2-3 episodes is kinda…yeah. But overall, once you finish it, i’d say it's still a decent watch that leaves a bittersweet taste of late summer.

final score: 6.9/10

Kamen Rider Gaim

Finish date: Late April 2026

first review on this schizo ass site is not of denpa but of kamen rider but idc watch kamen rider. i recently finally sat down and finished kamen rider gaim.

i liked how the characters like kouta and mai and the rest of team gaim faced the helheim invasion together. and also kouta's struggle after he had realized what he had done in the first two episodes. but he was able to move past that together and fight for what he believes in despite his sins. also how after that the fight vs kaito and the opposing views between them, with him wanting to save everywone and kaito wanting to destroy this unjust world that leaves nothing to the oppressed, was really captivating to watch. sometimes it kinda gives off a fmd muramasa kind of feel, which is not surprised since the series was produced partly by nitroplus (crazy, there should be more vn-toku collabs)

i just wish gen urobuchi focused more on this interpersonal struggle of desires/justice(like in ryuki) instead of big plot/worldbuilding and angst, which sadly imo kinda hindered the pacing halfway through the show. the final form was cool but i think it came too early and he kinda spammed it too much and it kinda lost its aura after a while.

also i dont get why people say mitchy's redemption arc is undeserved. sure it could have been handled differently and was a bit rushed. but i think him trying to forgive himself and move past all his despicable crimes in the past, and to build connection with the team again is at the core of the themes of self-forgiveness and moving forward, despite the ugliness and faults of human heart, that Gaim represents. though i just wish the epilogue/finale wasnt tied to the villains of the movie that the writers wanted to tie back in, it just felt out of place like reintroducing a filler villain in an epilogue after the climax had already happened.

fave episode: episode 18 - farewell, beat riders

final score: 7.8/10