yumemiru danshi wa genjitsushugisha episode 1 summary
The anime adaptation of The Dreaming Boy is a Realist (Yumemiru Danshi wa Genjitsushugisha) is a collaboration between studios Gokumi and AXsiZ, with Kazuomi Koga taking on the role of director. The scripts are skillfully written by Michiko Yokote, while the character designs are masterfully crafted by Miyabi Ozeki, and the captivating music is composed by Ryohei Sataka.
yumemiru danshi wa genjitsushugisha episode 1
The talented cast includes Naoya Miyase as Wataru Sajou, Akiho Suzumoto as Aika Natsukawa, Yumiri Hanamori as Kei Ashida, Mikako Komatsu as Kaede Sajou, Kaori Ishihara as Rin Shinomiya, Minami Kurisaki as Fuka Sasakim, and Iori Saeki as Mina Ichinose. Kaori Ishihara lends her captivating voice to the opening theme song "Paraglider," while the ending theme song "Yume wa Mijikashi Koiseyo Otome" is beautifully performed by Akiho Suzumoto.
The TV anime adaptation of The Dreaming Boy is a Realist is based on a light novel written by Okemaru, which originally debuted on the Shosetsuka ni Naro website in December 2018. Hobby Japan later acquired the rights to the novel, featuring captivating illustrations by Mizore Saba, and began publishing it in print. Additionally, there is an ongoing manga adaptation by Popuri Yoshikita, serialized on Kadokawa Shoten's Shonen Ace Plus website since March 2021. The manga currently consists of three volumes, with the fourth volume set to be released later this month.
As the first episode unfolds, it leaves me somewhat uncertain about its overall impact. It's commendable that the protagonist, Wataru, realizes that stalking his classmate and crush, Aika, is unacceptable. However, it becomes disconcerting when people express disappointment with his decision to stop stalking her. The episode presents an odd contradiction between these two attitudes, creating an unsettling viewing experience—especially considering that Aika appears to be among those unsatisfied with Wataru's change.
If Aika genuinely enjoyed the attention from Wataru, that would be perfectly fine since personal preferences differ among individuals. However, the presentation of these actions feels awkward. The episode places great emphasis on Wataru's shift in behavior, with Aika even visiting his house to understand what's going on. If they had engaged in a mutual game, where he exaggerated his feelings for her and she pretended to be unaffected by them, that would have made more sense. Yet, the way it unfolds is perplexing, particularly if one doesn't immediately grasp that the soccer ball scene at the beginning serves as a metaphorical revelation. It took me a moment to realize that Wataru doesn't possess some kind of psychic time-slowing power, although upon reflection, it serves as an effective means to depict his sudden realization that his actions are inappropriate.
how to watch yumemiru danshi wa genjitsushugisha episode 1
Another concern is Rena, an older girl who initiates (and concludes) her own mild stalking of Wataru in order to make her long-term boyfriend jealous due to a passing comment he made while conversing with other guys. I'm not entirely sure of Rena's purpose or significance. Perhaps it's meant to show Wataru how uncomfortable it can be to have someone follow you around. However, he has already reached that conclusion on his own. Is it intended to make Aika jealous? It's a possibility, but nothing else in the episode suggests that she enjoys his attention until the end, when she shows up at his door. Ultimately, Rena's presence only serves to slow down the episode, leading to tedious conversations while the plot loses its momentum.
Despite these shortcomings, there is potential for an engaging storyline. Exploring the complexities of Aika and Wataru's interactions and their introspective journeys could be captivating, especially since both characters seem to be undergoing some soul-searching. However, this particular episode fails to fully engage the audience, relying excessively on mundane conversations among characters who are not particularly compelling or well-established enough for viewers to develop a genuine connection. It's likely that the original novels offer a more immersive experience.
