TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You - High School Days

I must admit, this four-part ONA continuation of TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You (storywise, these are just additional episodes of the main story, not a spin-off or any other side branch) felt better than the entire second season. Across these four episodes, I found myself more engaged and entertained compared to the previous twelve. Not only were there more new characters introduced this time around, but each episode also seemed to brim with more enjoyable situations than the entire previous season combined. Yet, amidst all the new elements, the series maintained its signature romantic ambiance, albeit occasionally overly sweet. The final episode, in particular, stood out with its numerous nods and allusions to the traditional Japanese story about Princess Kaguya, hinting at a deeper connection that the series has yet to fully unveil. Perhaps the release schedule, with a two-week gap between episodes, contributed to my enhanced enjoyment this time around. It might be why I didn't mind the sweetness and the fact that the plot often dragged more than any average slice of life. Regardless of the reasons, I found myself thoroughly immersed in Tonikawa once again, perhaps even more so than before. I'm genuinely curious about what lies ahead and how the new characters will shape the narrative. If this part is any indication, I'm hopeful that the series will continue to excel as a charming ode to marital bliss. 6.5/10 (23/08/2023)