"Horimiya: The Missing Pieces" Is A Nostalgic And Heartfelt Return To One Of The Best Anime Romance Stories

1 year ago 8

You’re always wishing for just one more episode and one more chance to be with your favourite characters — and Horimiya: The Missing Pieces grants anime fans that opportunity.

"For years, the only person I knew this well was myself. I never knew a world like this even existed. Thank you for shattering my reality. Thank you for wanting a future with me."

"What can I do for you? How can I repay you for what you've done? The spring sky is bluer than I've ever seen. If only I could gift you this wonderful sky. No, I know what'd you like better. A cake with lots of whipped cream."

These are the last words spoken during the final scene in Horimiya, a feel-good slice of life romance anime that ended in 2021. In it, Izumi Miyamura reflects on how much his life has changed for the better after meeting his girlfriend Kyouko Hori.

If it weren't for that fateful encounter, Miyamura would still be a social outcast — forever alone and wishing for someone, anyone, to speak to him. Likewise, Hori would be the popular girl who would only reveal her true identity once she was back home. But it was their meeting and eventual relationship that inspired these two to embrace who they are and open themselves up to the world.

Now, Miyamura is finally able to make amends with his younger self and fully embrace a future where he's not only comfortable being himself, but has found others who accept him just the way he is. And the best part? After accepting his proposal, Hori will remain by his side forever.

Although there are some loose ends involving the supporting cast, Hori and Miyamura's story is complete. It's bittersweet watching the credits for the last time because, as the viewer, you are always wishing for just one more episode and one more chance to be with these characters you have fallen in love with. Luckily, for Horimiya fans, that wish came true.

Two years after its final episode aired, Horimiya is back — although, technically this isn't a second season or a direct sequel. Instead, the 13-episode run, titled Missing Pieces, is intended to delve into the untold stories and behind-the-scenes moments that shaped Hori and Miyamura's relationship — including a Kyoto field trip, a sports festival and more.

In more ways than one, Missing Pieces is the perfect title for this new collection of Horimiya episodes. It's not only filling the blanks between the manga and the anime adaptation, but it also presents a unique chance to revisit these characters and flesh out their storylines.

One of my major gripes after watching Horimiya was that the pacing was incredibly quick — and that's understandable considering how much of the manga was packed into the series' initial 13-episode run.

Much of the runtime was dedicated to following Hori and Miyamura's romance — and while there were other plotlines devoted to exploring the complexities of other characters, like classmates Toru Ishikawa, Yuki Yoshikawa and Shu Iura, these often fell flat and felt incomplete because they were quickly sidelined.

We got glimpses of who these characters were beyond their school life — like with the loud and charismatic Iura being a quieter and hard-nosed mentor to his younger sister at home. It's a shame that the original Horimiya didn't have more episodes, because it would have been a great opportunity to explore all the complexities that come with growing up and being a teenager.

But that's exactly where the Missing Pieces fits in — we already know how Hori and Miyamura's story ends, so instead we're treated to the silliness, joy and sheer awkwardness that exists between both the main and supporting cast as they navigate student life.

Revisiting these characters is both wholesome and entertaining. It's like seeing a friend that you haven't spoken to for a while. At first, you're not sure if things will be the same, but after a couple of minutes the pieces of the puzzle start slotting in perfectly and it's like nothing has changed.

We still have Miyamura dragging Toru into some hilariously embarrassing situations as he attempts to hide his tattoos from the other students.

We still have scenes of Miyamura coming out of his shell as seen at the sports festival when he cheers Hori on.

And above all, we still see Miyamura be his usual shy, but also incredibly charismatic self.

All in all, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces is a beautiful reminder of everything that made this anime such a success in the first place. The gorgeous animation, the strength of its characters, the relatable storylines and the ease at which it instantly transports you back to a time in your life when you didn't have so many responsibilities.

Crunchyroll

It's a nostalgic return to one of anime's best romance stories — and it's definitely one I'll be rewatching when I need a much-needed boost of sertonin in my life.

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces is streaming on Crunchyroll now.

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