The anime Orange was probably on my “to watch” list for 5 months before I actually got around to starting it. But after watching the entirety of it in one sitting, I can wholeheartedly say that I made a mistake of epic proportions in waiting so long. Personally it’s extremely difficult to rate an anime. I ensconce myself in the story, and like virtually everybody else, I develop feelings for it. Even still, it’s important for me as someone who reviews anime to maintain an objective viewpoint towards whatever it is that I’m reviewing. That being said, there are many factors that make the anime Orange as incredible as it is.
Recall many of the prominent and long-term anime. There’s Naruto/Naruto Shippuden, Fairy Tail, One Piece, or even Hunter x Hunter. Of the many aspects that make all of these so popular, character development is definitely something that has always stood out to me. For the viewer to grow attached to the protagonist -or any character really- their development and portrayal must be done adequately. Which brings me back to Orange; it has some of the best character development I’ve ever seen. In the small span of 13 episodes, Naho, Kakeru, and Suwa all become extremely dynamic; however, Naho in particular, practically flourishes.
At the beginning of the story, Naho innocent and kind, but also seemingly incompetent. Of course, for the anime’s sake, Naho not following the Letter’s instructions and not being open about her feelings towards Kakeru are essential. But it does prove to be a detrimental character flaw. Thankfully, she is later able to give Kakeru some of the experiences that her past self wasn’t able to. Like winning the school’s annual field games. Or regularly preparing lunches for him (which seriously is the cutest thing ever). Whether it was lunch, or a field day victory, these events brought Kakeru genuine happiness. Evidently, Naho’s eventual ability to be strong willed allowed for Kakeru to find light in such a dark place.
Along with character development, the producers did an outstanding job of portraying something as complex as depression. Thematically, Kakeru’s regret-inspired depression plays a large role; its imperative that the audience is able to understand his feelings transparently. On numerous occasions we were given insight into what was going on in Kakeru’s mind. Initially, Naho’s letter was highly indicative that something simply wasn’t right concerning the emotionally damaged 16-year-old boy. Actually, the letter even states that Kakeru is no longer alive 10 years in the future. Furthermore, everything is made clear when Suwa and Naho comfort their troubled friend after class one day. Conclusively, the overall production is what truly allows the viewer a look at something like depression. If you’ve ever taken an introduction to film course or something similar, you’d know that various elements like shot angles or even coloring play a huge part in evoking certain responses from audience members.
I genuinely do recommend this anime for anybody who is interested in romance or drama; it was enjoyable and captivating all the way through. So let us know what you think about Orange in the comments section below. Also, this is unique- but if you’d like to hear my take on a certain manga or anime I’d be glad to take suggestions and write about it.
