Not without spoilers This review is based on a mix of both my opinion and an objective view. While I give explanations for both sides I base my rating more objectively. Sasaki to Miyano is a really sweet BL boys love about two schoolboys who develop and confront their feelings for each other. They first meet when both of them go to stop a fight and later become reading buddies as Miyano shares the world of BL manga with Sasaki. While Sasaki realizes his feelings earlier on in the story the main focus is on how Miyano questions what he feels for the other until he finally comes to a conclusion in the last few episodes. Personally I think the anime world needed this story to be animated a long time ago as maybe it would have paved the way for many more BL stories that deserve the time and effort. This is just the anime for romance fans and new BL fans alike. Plot Personal score: 5/10 Objective score: 7/10 Now Ive read a lot of BL and many of them have similar plots two teenage boys realize their feelings for each other and spend a good majority of the story figuring themselves and their love out. You can even see this plot in quite a few shoujo anime. To me there were too many overused cliches for me to really enjoy this and it felt like they took every one and put it in. However dont let that fool you into thinking this isnt a solid entertaining romance. There are plenty of moments that will really have you smiling away and those that will have you waiting in anticipation. The developing feelings between Sasaki and Miyano and the moments that create them are the selling points of this anime. By just talking with each other you can see how they grow close and you might even feel connected with them too. The way the author uses the train ride home to develop their relationship is really well thought out. Each episode is a step further in realizing that yes they do both like each other in the same way. And lets not forget the visual effects used to show deep moments they have together which personally reminds me a lot of Horimiya. There isnt a lot going on outside of just normal school activities and encounters with characters. The plot also moves at an incredibly slow pace even though Sasaki confessed quite early on in the story. And the development in other character relationships is pretty poor. Theres just not much important happening apart from the crossdressing event. For these reasons I cant honestly rate the plot objectively more than a 7. Character Development Personal score: 5/10 Objective score: 6/10 I cant say that apart from Miyano the main characters have grown all too much. Clearly Sasaki confessed his feelings and tried to hold himself back from doing anything to Miyano but I fail to see where he grew as a person. He was already a nice guy with great morals so theres nothing to expand on. It just feels like its how he is and the same can be said of other characters too. This isnt to say that we dont get to see more of the characters seeing the Chairmans family life/experience was certainly a great addition. Miyano was really the only one to develop as a person as he accepts that he may look a little cute but hes still a man and as he mulls over his feelings for Sasaki. This said I found the characters to be quite static. Animation Personal score: 9/10 Objective score: 9/10 I dont have any complaints about the animation. I really appreciate that they put a lot of effort into making this anime look as best it can. There are many BL anime that dont have the animation time or effort they deserve so its nice that the wellreceived manga was adapted well. And of course I cant forget the effects they put in during those intimate moments. I loved those little flowers and triangles. Overall Personal score: 6/10 Objective score: 7.5/10 If youre looking for a sweet slow romance anime then this is for you. I think this would be an especially great anime for people new to romance and BL in general. The characters talk and laugh drawing you in with them. However this is incredibly slow the cliches are there and many and there isnt a whole lot going on. You need to have patience watching this something I ran out of a few times while watching this. Sasaki to Miyano is an enjoyable anime and its really cute but I wouldnt expect too much from it. I personally wish this had come out in 2017 or 2018 and had given BL more of a chance earlier on. Im also somewhat excited for season 2 and I hope you will be too.
75 /100
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