Just Because!

JUST BECAUSE!

ANIME

STATUS
COMPLETE
EPISODES
12
RELEASE
December 28, 2017
LENGTH
24 min

DESCRIPTION

The original anime Just Because! focuses on subtly portraying the feelings of a group of high school students nearing graduation. Near the end of second semester at third year, when students have very little time in high school left, and are just waiting for graduation, the appearance of a new transfer student begins to change what remains of their high school lives just as they were about to graduate.

(Source: Anime News Network)

CAST

Ena Komiya
Lynn
Mio Natsume
Karin Isobe
Eita Izumi
Aoi Ichikawa
Hazuki Morikawa
Yuna Yoshino
Haruto Souma
Taishi Murata
Yoriko Inui
Arisa Sakuraba
Momoka Suzuki
Reina Kondou
Watanabe-sensei
Tooru Ookawa

EPISODES

Dubbed

| | |

Not available on crunchyroll

REVIEWS

WillQ
60/100
the last stretch of youth
The end of high school is commonly portrayed as an extremely nostalgic period of time, especially in anime. It’s the symbolic end of youth, the moment you stop following the beaten path, say goodbye to your friends, and go your separate ways. It’s often used as a motif in stories of young adults having trouble finding themselves and still longing for those school days, but also as the symbol of inevitability for freshman and sophomores who ponder about the flow of time and come to realize how soon their youth will end.

But it’s suprisingly rare to see a story that actually focuses on the very last stage of student life, those last few months of senior year, when it becomes apparent how different everyone’s lives will become soon. Some people already have their college recommendations, others are busy studying for exams, and there are even those who are already done with their education and will join the workforce immediately after receiving their diploma. It’s the twilight of high school, and you’re at the crossroads of how you’ll begin your adulthood. On one hand it feels like being suspended between these two completely different phases of your life, on the other it’s the last minute to do the things you can only do now, before moving on. Confess love to your long-time crush, rethink your career path. Try to find a surrogate for the achievement you were never able to accomplish, in hopes of having fewer hang-ups going forward.

Just Because is brimming with the atmosphere of fleeting time. Between washed-out color palette, grounded designs and quiet, calm soundtrack, the show drowns the viewers in nostalgia and melting mood. The timeframe of late autumn-early winter definitely helps in creating a very somber, but warm and charming story. It can also feel very personal and touching at times, thanks to detailed animation of faces and gestures. This show associates a particular taste with this time period, a taste not everyone will recall from their own last few months of high school, but it’s so palpable here that almost everyone should be able to empathize with some of the characters in one way or another.

On a different note, it’s worth mentioning that this is first and foremost a love story. Some kids have feelings for one another, which they explore and decide how to act upon. Perhaps all I’ve been writing about, the atmosphere, the theme, are just a window dressing for the events of love lives of a couple of teenagers. But for me, it’s the exact opposite - the drama is just there to drive the plot, while main focus is on those little touches, background events and other aspects of the show, that combined together create its mood.

The characters aren’t very complex, largely defined by just few traits and interests, but there is some nuance to at least a few of them. The relationships between them seem to work largely on the things unsaid, and on how they dance around topics and keep thoughts for themselves, afraid of the other party’s reaction. This leads to a lot of nice, subdued moments, and a few emotional outbursts which appear powerful by contrast.

All this results in quite a unique show. Between the unexpectedly rare timeframe, lowkey drama and nostalgia oozing out of every moment, Just Because manages to find its niche in the everbusy high-school-slice-of-life genre. It’s hardly revolutionary, but it delivers on its promise and I could definitely see it being exactly what people longing for their high school days might be looking for. It’s comfy as hell, and that’s as much as anyone could ask of such show.
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FalconDreamer
88/100
One of the most relatable and realistic romcoms I have seen
Note before the start: This obviously has some spoilers. The review is from MY PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW, everyone will appreciate and see something else, by this review I wish to give you a new look on the anime :D, feel free to let me know your POV... everyone is unique and values something else more than others.
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Intro

I planned to watch Just Because! As something just to turn my mind off to after a day of part-time job... and I was able to do that. But not only that. This anime also kept my focus and interest the whole time. This anime is only a slice of life romcom, we could say. But for some including me, what made it more special and relatable was that it was around graduation and entrance exams. In my country we have a different school system than in some other places... so I have already taken one entrance exam for high school in the past and that means I "graduated". I hope that gives you a hint to you why I may praise this slice of life romcom more than maybe some others. Just because not only impressed me and became one of my favorite animes because of it being relatable. But also what I really want to point out is how simplistic and realistic this anime felt like. The plot, the characters, events and also the behavior of the characters. I believe that for someone who experienced entrance exams for any kind of school and also graduated. Let's say it may give you nostalgic vibes more or less. With that said, lets check out some of the characters and then go to the main takeaway because as I like to say. Any anime has some sort of
takeaway.

With that said, lets check out some of the characters and then go to the main takeaway because as I like to say. Any anime has some sort of takeaway.

Eita Izumi

Eita Izumi is the main male character of just because anime—at first i instantly got hachiman hikigaya vibes—to some extent that was true, but not completely. Eita is a guy who in his past few times transferred schools because of his parents work. In the plot he transfers schools in the second half of his third - graduating year. Because of him transferring multiple times and also being more introverted. He studied most of the time and got recommendation to university. That meaning he could just chill for the second half of the year and mind his own business without much worries, well since he transferred to a high school where he reunites with one of his old friends named Haruto from middle school and also a girl named Mio Natsume he was interested in middle school. I think this itself just told us that it probably wont be such a calm ride for him. The anime set the relationship between them in a sense where Mio has an interest in Haruto — this made Eita give up on pursuing her back in middle school and also in the present of the plot; but after some events and arguments between Eita and Mio. Their relationship develops into a place where Mio Natsume realizes she actually isn't interested in Haruto, but in Eita(going to say more on this in the Mio Natsume column). What I really appreciate to this day is how the anime showcased the struggle of Eita with his emotions, self-confidence and his nature. He really wanted to approach Mio Natsume, deep down he was wishing "just make the damn move!", but on the surface he wasn't willing to do that... his nature just didn't see that as an option... he saw it as a done and closed deal. At the end of the graduation, Eita symbolically hits a home run and tries to chase after Mio Natsume and confess to her — but he can't make it in time, this is where the anime stretches it to the very last possible moment. The confession from both comes 2 months later at the start of college — better late than never, I guess. With that said, I'd like to close out Eita Izumis character as someone — who is insecure and doesn't have much self-confidence — but when something is really precious and important to him - he forgets about this and goes for it, even if it means changing himself.
Mio Natsume

As we said before, Mio Natsume had in the past been interested in Haruto. This interest ends when Mio after a long time, returns an eraser to Haruto, which (in my opinion at least) served as the bridge between letting go of the past interest and also an excuse for not moving towards the present with an open heart, even if it means getting rejected. What also forced Mio to evolve as a person was the fact that Ena Komiya had an interest in Eita — Mio catches herself and slowly realizes that she wants Eita for herself more than anything else. I think Mio almost has the same problem as Eita Izumi. She just is too insecure, scared of things ending up badly and also not wanting to let go of the past, resulting in not taking action — and if she does, its in the last possible moment, if not completely missing out on the chance. The only difference would be that I feel like she actually pursued and tried to break the ice between her and Eita more at the end. Honestly, after her leaving at the end and not waiting for Eita at the hill... I thought we'd get a — I guess we could say sad ending, but no. Mio saved the day.

Ena Komiya

Ena Komiya is the support of the series, so im gonna try to make this fairly quick. Even though she is meant to be a support, I feel like the anime could end up in a way where she and Eita go out. From what I've seen, not many people would mind it. I also believe it was a possible way to go. She was very lively compared to Eita. So it wouldn't be a surprise if those two opposites would work, but I also think that the fact that despite Ena Komiyas efforts. Eita Izumi still was loyal to Mio Natsume, even tho it seemed pretty certain most of the time - that he doesn't have a chance, it only made the ending more pleasant to watch, I guess. So to close out Ena Komiya. She was a key part to the relationship between Eita and Mio... without her, our two main characters, emotions and feelings would remain basically unchallenged. I believe she was one of the best supporting characters I have seen in a slice of life romcom genre anime.

Haruto Souma

Haruto Souma, the old friend of Eita Izumi. His personality again, like Ena Komiya is more outgoing. With that said, I feel like he played the second main character row role alongside Hazuki behind Eita and Mio pair being the main focus. In the anime we basically followed Haruto trying to win over Hazuki Morikawa's heart, finding the courage to confess to her and to also get close to her more. I would say he was very successful in this regard. Not only because of his efforts, but also by Hazuki Morikawas efforts(im gonna say more about this shortly once we check her). But back to Haruto, what I really liked about him was the determination he had for the things he did. Once he had a chance to spend more time with Hazuki or to help her or some of her friends, he just didn't overthink any of that. Truly a nice guy to be friends with, the only downside was that he could get too passionate about stuff, which sometimes was good because it gave some other characters like Eita the push they needed. But it also could scare away, temporarily, someone like Hazuki.

Hazuki Morikawa

Now for Hazuki Morikawa, as I opened it up before. She played a big role in making the relationship between her and Haruto so open since she was more of a calm character, she was able to think through everything. She at first rejected Haruto, but as I said before, that was because for her it was too sudden, and she replied in the heat of the moment. After having some time to think... she worked her own feelings out and changed her response, the fact that she kept in touch with Haruto while waiting to settle into her life in college and also Haruto settling into work... I think this was really important to make their relationship work in a long run... if that actually happened... I guess we will never know.

Yoriko Inui

As for Yoriko, another supporting character, just a few words, she supported the Haruto and Hazuki pair very well; she always made an opening for Haruto to get closer to Hazuki... and she also tried to always support Hazuki when she was indecisive.

Takeaway/Conclusion

So with the characters being covered... what's left are the takeaways. Number one would be taken from Eita and Mio, don't overthink stuff. Have some self-confidence and be honest before its too late. Second, Ena Komiya showed really well how to be honest, and I believe she was the one who actually changed Eita in this thing. Number three, Haruto presented the spirit of going all in with the things that are important and precious to him. As for Hazuki, she showcased how extra time to think and not rushing into things can help and make lot of things work out in the long run. And the last one I would say overall is to enjoy the time you have with people in school, its not forever. So dont fake the relationships and be honest with yourself and others so you dont need to regret this later in life.

Thanks for reading. Sending lots of luvs <3
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TomKranich
43/100
Just Because is Just Boring

And I mean it.
Some of you may have seen my previous review, which was fairly harsh on Just Because.
I’ve decided to rewrite my review.
Why?
I thought about it again and came to the conclusion that I might have misunderstood the intention behind the series.
Just to be clear, I did not rewatch Just Because for this review, but I still have a particular picture of it etched in my mind.
I’ll fully admit that I love some good drama and tragedies, none of which are the main focus of this slice-of-life romance. And to be totally honest, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing per se, so I’ve decided to change the perspective of my review and try to give it another chance.

So, Just Because aims to be a simplistic, personal addition to the romance genre.
There surely are wholesome, intimate and realistically portrayed romances as well as absolute entertaining train wrecks out there.
The thing is…

Just Because fails at being either of them.
And I really do mean it.
It is an original anime, thus giving it the advantage of establishing a dedicated story at its own pace. Theoretically, that should been the case.
What it manages to be is just… mediocrity. With a story that bland, characters being so forgettable and the visuals so flat, I fail to see the why Just Because should stand out from the rest.

Alright, well, it does stand out. Just not in a positive way.
I shall explain in greater detail.
The bare plot is about the protagonist returning to his home town to finish high school while reconnecting with his old friends, while focusing on their relationships and their future.
The story is executed in such an unimaginably lethargic and shallow way while having all the typical clichés that someone would expect from a show of this genre.
It doesn't add anything new to it and is predictable to the fact that I already know what will happen after the first episode.
The pacing, however, is the main weak point of Just Because. The first half is busy with introducing our “main” characters, while not really establishing them or their motives behind anything, really.
The rest is spent with attempted drama and development, none of which are necessary nor bring the plot forward and ultimately, it just becomes more boring as the show drags on and on.
And thus, being boring doesn’t necessarily equate being realistic or good in any kind of way.
Further adding to the misery are the characters, which are the vital point of a romance.
Unfortunately, Just Because manages to divest my interest in them fairly quickly.
Obviously, the show aims for a more realistic tone, and I don’t expect crackheads or blonde exchange-students to suddenly appear but I can’t comprehend how bland these are.
With Eita Izumi supposedly being your typical high schooler, I cannot even remember what his background is.
He doesn't show any emotions through the whole ordeal and could easily be replaced by any generic anime protagonist.
His friend, with whom he regularly plays baseball is just as unmemorable and cardboard-like. His love interest is a girl who plays the trumpet. And yes, this is genuinely the only thing I can say about her.

The main romantic interest herself is not really interested in the protagonist until the plot says so otherwise, the consequences are to be expected: they have little to no chemistry at all and seem very distant to the point where it feels like they don't know each other at all. Funnily enough, this makes them perfectly fit as a couple as they both never show their emotions, never do something to bring them any closer and, literally, just feel dead inside.
They all have something in common though, they all lack interesting or unusual character traits which would distinguish them, making them very shallow and leaving them without any real character development.
There is no real focus on fleshing out the characters so I can’t actually relate to them.
As they are right now, I can't be bothered to care about any of them.
The only character that is memorable in some way is the leader of the photo club, being energetic and somewhat likable (in comparison to the main cast) but except that, she doesn’t have much going for her.
Truth to be told, no one can save Just Because from sinking into deep, ice-cold water.
The visuals are alright, but nothing outstanding. Character art is downright ugly and animation is mediocre at best.
Good visuals set the tone and mood of the show but this here does absolutely nothing.
The soundtrack just follows up. The opening (over and over from yanaginagi) is fine, but the ending is already forgotten the moment it ends.
__Final thoughts__
Well, what should I say? Having such a slow story progression stuffed in 12 episodes doesn't end well.
It's lifeless, dull, and frankly, bad. The protagonists are characterless and legitimately uninteresting and their only purpose is to already add to the misery that this show is.
Even considering the direction of this show, Just Because is so disappointing with so many obvious flaws including the outstanding sub-parness of everything that nothing ever gets together.
It’s boring, unrealistic and annoying to the point where it annoys me.

And again, being boring doesn’t necessarily equate being realistic or good in any kind of way.
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