Reviews for Love Through a Prism

Love through a Prism is an anime that quietly grows on you. It doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or fast pacing, but instead focuses on emotions, atmosphere, and the inner worlds of its characters. What stood out to me most was the overall mood of the series. The visuals use soft, gentle colors that create a warm and reflective feeling, making each episode feel calm and immersive. It’s the kind of anime that invites you to slow down and really absorb what the characters are going through. The music plays an important role as well. The soundtrack is subtle yet beautiful, supporting emotional moments without ever feelingintrusive, and it fits the tone of the story very well.

The voice acting deserves special mention. Atsumi Tanezaki and Koki Uchiyama give sincere and amazing performances that bring authenticity to their characters. Their acting, especially toward the later episodes, adds emotional weight and made many scenes feel genuinely moving.

This anime may not appeal to everyone, particularly viewers looking for high-energy storytelling. However, for those who enjoy character-driven stories with a gentle pace and emotional depth, Love through a Prism is a meaningful and rewarding watch.

9.5 out of 10

The visuals of this anime are the only parts of it that I found amazing, you can feel the vibe of the scene through the colors alone, and that's so cool But that's about the only amazing part (except catherine, I loved catherine) Considering that this is tagged as a romance, the romance was lackluster and honestly VERY frustrating. The leads do not communicate at all, hell I haven't even seen them talk to each other properly in all of 20 episodes. They like each other... why exactly? the buildup wasn't there because we don't see them interacting as much as it would take to bebelievable. I get that they love each other's paintings but.. that's just called admiration, not love. You can love someone's art without falling in love with them.

Even then it would have been tolerable but lili pissed me off so much, she kept stuttering, tripping over like, LITERALLY nothing, and she never said what she thinks.

All in all, the art is amazing but if you're watching for the romance, prepare to be very disappointed.

I'm not sure that this review needs a spoiler warning, but just in case, I will put it there, while at the same time trying not to spoil any major plot points. If I were honest with my feelings, I'm not sure an Average rating is even a low enough rating for this show. The absolute cringe of the story writing and the main characters is on a level I haven't seen in anime for awhile. At first I was captured by the beauty of the backgrounds in this show. They felt like they were striving for Miyazaki level art, like it was so abovethe level of attention of what a niche anime like this, normally receives. But then I read that it was widely suspected of having had AI used not just on the deplorable opening, but also the backgrounds, and suddenly I lost all respect for what little this show had going for it.

The main character Lili, is so obnoxious, I physically cringed whenever she was on screen. She came off as a self entitled brat and not at all the respectful Japanese girl, you would expect a woman from the "era" she's living in, to be. Because while the West was going through a women's liberation era. Japanese children were still very much, being taught to be traditional, respectful and thoughtful. And their women were definitely not openly embracing the progressive ways of the West, the way Lili does. She travels around with no chaperone or fellow classmates and friends, often. As if London were perfectly safe for a woman and she had noting to fear. And while I can understand her finding Kit irritating, her outbursts and constant anger towards him are over the top and left me and my 11 year old, unimpressed with this character. I don't think I was rooting for her even once, throughout the show.

Kit has these grand moments of thoughtfulness, and grand moments of obliviousness, that make him draw you in and spit you out in the same breath. I do not feel he deserved to be treated the way he was, by Lili and why he loves her, is your best guess.

I would have enjoyed seeing a lot more of Catherine, she was the only character besides Peter, who had growth and emotional intelligence.

Onto the plot and setting.

The writers obviously put little to no heart into the timeline of this story. As a history buff, the liberties being taken with most modern historical dramas, drive me insane; and LTAP is no different. The fashion was all over the place, ranging from styles 30 years before to 10 years after when the story is set.

There are only maybe 2 or 3 famous artists mentioned the entire time in a show about art. If you've ever watched Blue Period, you'll understand how ridiculous this is. A show about art and you learn next to nothing about art. Blue period was what, 8 episodes shorter? and you learn so much in such a short amount of time, it truly makes you appreciate art and the lives of artists. In LATP you might hear mention of a couple art techniques, but they take no time to teach you, let alone, show you, which only takes away from this story, further, because the romance aspect is subpar at best.

The women do not act like women fighting for a place in a "Man's World". They show London as this sparkling clean place, when that was not the reality of the time.

Travel by map style timing, is obviously used throughout the show. When characters leave London at sunset and travel THREE hours outside the city and the sun is still stuck at sunset LOL. **SPOILER** Lili spends a long time working on a painting while Kit is on his way back to England, and at the same time, Shin is also working on his art, but they don't see each other, for what should have been a month, but act like it's only been a few days **SPOILER END**

EDITED TO ADD: I recently found an 2 part anime movie called Here Comes Miss Modern, that came out in 2018. My daughter and I watched it and I was disgusted to realize that LATP took a large chunk of it's plot along with the main characters. A very loud, determined young Japanese woman (so much less annoying than Lili, I might add) and a gorgeous blonde (in this case a half) European aristocrat, during... you guessed it! The time leading up to and through WW1. AAAAAAND guess what else!? He goes MIA (loses his memory too) and is declared dead. The FLC has a best friend that's more modern and independent and out making her dreams come true. She gets engaged to another man. It's not scene for scene, but definitely a rip off. Taking my scoring down again, from 4 to 3.

Overall, I would not recommend this to anyone, there is so little merit to be given, I think the only reason I got through it, was I kept hoping things would get better. I can't think of anything positive to say about it, other than, I barely managed not to throw my remote at the TV in frustration, while watching it. In retrospect, I change my scoring from a 5 to a 4.

Prism Rondo feels like a series made by people who care deeply about visual composition and cinematic language. The mise en scène is carefully controlled, with color, lighting, and background design doing as much storytelling as the dialogue. The show treats its environments as emotional extensions of the characters, and its strongest moments come from how image, sound, and pacing work together to communicate inner conflict and artistic identity rather than relying on heavy exposition. Where it becomes less convincing is in its narrative structure. The dramatic build is inconsistent, some arcs take too long to develop while the final emotional resolutions are compressed. Character decisions,especially in the romance, sometimes feel required by the story rather than emerging naturally from prior development. This creates a disconnect between the care put into the form and the uncertainty of the storytelling.

It isn’t a failure, and it isn’t a clear success. It’s a work with strong formal intelligence and uneven narrative execution. I admire its craft and its seriousness of intent, but I remain unconvinced by how completely it earns its emotional conclusions.

My impression of the first three episodes: The story is simple, ordinary, and very repetitive. As I expected, it’s about a Japanese girl’s surprise at the differences in life in the West—reflecting a Japanese inferiority complex. It is especially evident in the Western concept of women’s liberation, which is noticeable when she is surprised that women can ride bikes or wear pants. The plot's objective is trivial and commonplace; it's like something out of a Disney movie: someone from a different culture tries to be the best in their field within the confines of that culturally different environment. The character art design was irritating, and I didn't likethe style.

But for the background and landscape art, it's just so peak; a masterpiece.

The character writing is typical and repetitive: a typical Japanese girl who falls for a blond, blue-eyed foreign boy, accompanied by a supportive friend, and a Black character (a Netflix trope for supporting Black people). There are also three bullies who antagonize the heroine for no reason (a Disney or generally childish movie trope).

The worst thing about the writing is that it hints at what's going to happen, so you can predict what will happen every few minutes. Even the jokes and comedy are predictable because they're so repetitive and bad.

For the Romance part; it isn't visible till now, but for what I've seen it is typical, childish and poor written until now, nothing interesting in the relationship between the main characters.

The anime relies heavily on its atmosphere, hoping its target audience will appreciate the overall ambiance.

In short: repetitive and its message is bland. The character designs are poor, but the backgrounds and atmosphere are great.

My rating for the anime:

Art 7.8/10, OSTs 7/10, Characters 5.5/10, Story 3/10, Voice Acting 5/10

Final rating: 4.2/10

The English version is below the French version Prism Rondo est un anime abordant le thème de l'art qui ne cherche pas à en faire trop, et c’est justement ce qui le rend touchant. On sent dès les premiers épisodes une vraie volonté de créer une ambiance douce et émotionnelle. Ce n’est pas une série qu’on regarde à toute vitesse, mais plutôt une œuvre qui se savoure tranquillement. Visuellement, l’anime est agréable et cohérent avec son univers. Les couleurs et les jeux de lumière apportent une vraie identité, et même si tout n’est pas spectaculaire, l’ensemble dégage une certaine poésie. On sent que chaque détail est pensépour refléter l’état d’esprit des personnages.

L’histoire avance à un rythme calme, parfois lent, mais jamais inutile. Ce choix permet de mieux comprendre les émotions et les relations entre les personnages. Ils paraissent humains, avec leurs doutes et leurs fragilités, ce qui les rend faciles à apprécier et à comprendre.

La musique accompagne bien les scènes sans voler la vedette. Elle renforce l’atmosphère et aide à se plonger dans l’univers sans jamais être envahissante.

Au final, Prism Rondo est un anime sincère, qui mise sur l’émotion et la sensibilité plutôt que sur l’action ou le spectaculaire. Ce n’est peut-être pas une série pour tout le monde, mais pour ceux qui aiment les histoires calmes et pleines de sentiments, c’est une expérience agréable et touchante.

Alors, laissez une chance à cet anime de vous montrer ce qu'il y a entre le pinceau et la toile.

(j'ai regardé l'anime d'une traite pour vous montrer l'effet que l'anime a eu sur moi)

ENGLISH VERSION (sorry if i made mistakes)

Prism Rondo is an anime that explores the theme of art without trying to overdo it, and that’s precisely what makes it touching. From the very first episodes, you can feel a genuine effort to create a soft and emotional atmosphere. It’s not a series to watch in a rush, but rather a work to be savored slowly.

Visually, the anime is pleasing and consistent with its universe. The colors and lighting contribute to a distinct identity, and even if nothing is spectacular, the overall effect exudes a certain poetry. You can tell that every detail is designed to reflect the characters’ state of mind.

The story progresses at a calm, sometimes slow pace, but never unnecessarily. This choice allows a better understanding of the characters’ emotions and relationships. They feel human, with doubts and vulnerabilities, which makes them easy to relate to and appreciate.

The music complements the scenes without stealing the spotlight. It reinforces the atmosphere and helps immerse the viewer in the world without ever being intrusive.

In the end, Prism Rondo is a sincere anime that focuses on emotion and sensitivity rather than action or spectacle. It may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy calm, heartfelt stories, it’s a pleasant and moving experience.

So, give this anime a chance to show you what lies between the brush and the canvas.

Bing watched the anime to give you an idea of the effect it had on me.)

Love Through A Prism was a frustrating watch from start to finish, largely because of its female lead, Lily. The biggest issue is her characterization. From Episode 1, she already left a bad impression. A kind classmate went out of her way to show her around, and Lily just walked off without even a simple thank you. That moment perfectly summarizes her character throughout the series. She is consistently rude, loud, and unnecessarily hostile toward people who are trying to be kind. Instead of meaningful development, the story leans heavily into her insecurity as if that alone justifies her behavior. Her interactions with the male lead are especially exhausting.Rather than building chemistry through growth and mutual understanding, much of their dynamic revolves around overreactions, jealousy, and immaturity. By the end, any attempt at character growth feels superficial and unearned.

Love Through Prism is one of the most beautiful pieces of art Wit Studio has ever created. Sadly, it has flown under the radar due to Netflix’s poor marketing many people don’t even know this anime exists. If you ever stumble upon it, don’t skip it. Here’s why this anime is absolutely worth your time. First, the story is genuinely unique. It’s a coming-of-age romance set in early 20th-century England, which already sets it apart from the usual high-school romance formula. The characters are mature, layered, and refreshingly not the typical 16-year-old protagonists. The emotional conflicts feel grounded, and the drama is portrayed with subtlety andgrace rather than cheap exaggeration.

Visually, this anime is stunning. The art direction and animation are top-tier, even by Wit Studio standards. The background art deserves special mention, it’s pure eye candy and adds so much atmosphere to every scene. Honestly, it feels like one of Wit Studio’s finest works, where every frame looks carefully crafted.

If you’re a fan of shoujo anime or simply appreciate a well-written romance, this is an absolute must-watch.

Not a bad series, but a pretty average anime. It's basically a shoujo cliché story, packed in a narrative form / structure typical for western cartoons that are aimed towards teenagers and adolescents - it's obviously intentionally produced in that way for mass appeal on western markets and for the likings of mainstream audience. What this means in practice: - very straightforward, melodramatic storytelling - very clichéd character types and romance- emotions that are told / shown in a pretty plain way

- occasional average humor used for regulating pacing and tone

- it's nice too look at because of high production values

- there is not much depth beneath that surface

And this sentence describes Prism Rondo perfectly - it's nice to look at - and that's it. The overall mix was boring to watch for the majority of length of the series.

If you want emotional rawness, intelligence, subtlety and involvement found in stories like Violet Evergarden, Hibike! Euphonium, 86, Nana, Honey and Clover, Hanasaku Iroha, Clannad, Monogatari etc. - you won't find it here. Prism Rondo is a series that can be casually watched and liked my someone who wants an overdose of typical, bittersweet and visually appealing romance. People who want to feel and not only see emotions on screen will be disappointed.

If you watched Hibike! Euphonium S3, you might remember the scene / confrontation between Kumiko and Reina by the end of episode 12. The reason why this scene works and why Kumiko's hand gesture on Reina's face makes wonders on emotional level is because of very slow, nuanced character development; because of emotional build-up and silence in many scenes throughout the series - silence that speaks louder than words; and because emotions aren't shown in your face - they are restrained. When release comes, you cry and choke, because story and character writing actively involved you in relationships, you weren't just a passive consumer.

Prism Rondo can be a nice series for those who prefer the latter - passive and comfort emotional consuming. Nobody says every series should be emotionally mature as Hibike! Euphonium, but if that's the level of refinement you are looking for in portrayal of character development, as I am, after watching 1500+ anime - Prism Rondo won't give you that.

If that's the case - you better skip it.

This is my Pride and Prejudice. This anime whisked me off my feet with its beautiful scenery, larger-than-life characters, and sincere ode to romance. Not only did I appreciate how the characters are in their 20's, but they dealt with themes that make you ponder your own life. I never expected to have the urge to draw again after 4 years of quitting, but this anime convinced me. To make art is to face yourself. To be honest, I haven't felt like this in a while with a romance anime. Somehow, it made me feel like I was watching Kids on the Slope, Skip to Loafer,Fruits Basket, Orange, and The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, all rolled into one. So if you enjoy any of these, I'd love for whoever reads this to experience Love Through A Prism and take your time with the series. Hopefully, you'll see some of the connections I've made with the series I've related to!

What drew me at first was how Ghibli-like it was for Lilli to enter London as the new transfer student. The London she traveled to really did feel like London. The background landscapes and characters immersed me and it makes me want to travel there to see the art museums one day. It is phenomenal to see the care and effort the animators and artists poured into this series. As for the music, it actually wasn't that memorable to me. There were some moments where the music shone, but again, it didn't really stick out to me. I guess that the focus was more on the art than the sound.

I think any series with an ensemble of characters with different personalities will always have a soft spot in my heart. Like others, I wish I had gotten to see more of them, but it was understandable. As for the romance, I loved the rollercoaster, to be honest. It was frustrating in some parts, but what do you expect from two young artists who only know how to express their true feelings through painting? People assume that if characters are in their 20's, they have their lives figured out, but I appreciated how they had to struggle and find the right words to say to each other eventually.

As for the clichés, I actually found them charming. Not everything has to be so mind-boggling that it calls for critical thinking! I feel like this series is meant to slow down and feel the story as it unfolds. To me, familiarity is something comforting. In the end, the clichés didn’t take away from the story; they remind me that sometimes simplicity and emotional honesty are more than enough! If you don't like this, then maybe it isn't for you.

Let Love Through A Prism stir up your heart. Watch with caution, as you will tear up from time to time.

9.5/10.

I see this anime as: "Japanese girl with an inferiority complex falls in love with a privileged white man". I noticed that from the first episode. The protagonist arrives in England desperate to prove she's worthy to Europeans, and her entire motivation revolves around validating herself to them. It's uncomfortable to watch. Characters that seem straight out of a yaoi Wattpad novel written by a 12-year-old girl. Not to mention their lack of personality. Kit is the typical "cold guy". He has no real development, he just goes from being unpleasant to being in love. Lili doesn't have any personality beyond working hard either. The supporting characters areeven worse, they only exist to move the plot forward or get in the way. None of them feel like real people with complex emotions.

Shallow plot development, the story is very simple and rough.

Everything is predictable: they meet, they hate each other, they fall in love, superficial obstacles, the end. There are no interesting twists or anything that makes you think. They completely waste the potential to talk about art, cultural identity, or class differences that the historical setting allowed them to explore.

It seems like they only want to talk about food when they mention Japan, nothing about real history, they just add food names so people feel identified.

They could have gotten much more out of the plot by adding more conflicts between characters.

There was so much they could have done. Cultural tensions, serious artistic rivalries, moral dilemmas. But no, they prefer silly romantic misunderstandings that get resolved in one episode. The supporting characters that could have been interesting end up being unimportant filler.

Pretty animation, mediocre story. 3/10.

This is my Pride and Prejudice. Love Through A Prism is one of those anime that sneaks up on you. You think you’re getting a cute, visually aesthetic romance with a quirky color motif and soft soundtrack vibes… and then suddenly you’re staring at your ceiling at 2 a.m. re-evaluating your entire emotional bandwidth. The concept alone is gorgeous. Love isn’t just a feeling here, it’s refracted, distorted, intensified. Every relationship feels like light hitting glass at a different angle. Some bonds glow warm and steady. Others scatter into sharp, blinding fragments. The metaphor commits. Fully. No half-hearted symbolism thrown in for Tumblr edits. Visually? Stunning. The useof color grading to reflect emotional shifts is borderline disrespectful to other anime trying their best. Scenes transition from muted greys to oversaturated brilliance in a way that feels intentional rather than flashy. It’s not just pretty for the sake of it. It hurts in HD.

The character writing is where it really wins. No one exists just to prop up the main couple. Every side character has their own emotional spectrum, their own shade in the prism. The slow-burn development feels earned. The misunderstandings aren’t manufactured nonsense that could be solved by one text message. It’s layered. It’s messy. It feels human.

And the soundtrack? Criminal. Soft piano themes that evolve as relationships do. The final episode reprise nearly ended me. I sat there in silence like I’d just witnessed a life event.

It balances tenderness with quiet devastation in a way that doesn’t feel manipulative. It trusts the audience to sit with complicated emotions. Wild concept, I know.

Five stars because it’s beautiful, thoughtful, and emotionally precise. Also five stars because I will absolutely be rewatching it even though I know exactly which scenes will ruin me again. Apparently, I enjoy suffering, but at least this one is aesthetically pleasing.

9.5 out of 10

Love Through a Prism has undoubtedly become one of my favorite anime. From the very first minute, its beautiful cinematography and fluid animation draw you in, but what truly makes it special is the meaning behind the story. The series explores dreams, creative insecurity, and the fear of not being good enough in a very honest way. The friendship between Cath and Lil is wonderfully developed and feels genuine, supportive, and essential to their growth. The characters are not perfect, but their flaws and evolution make them deeply relatable. This anime was an emotional journey from start to finish. It even inspired me to start drawing againafter a long time of self-doubt, which says a lot about its impact. The message of chasing your dreams and not giving up on what you love is powerful and beautifully conveyed.

With strong character development, a heartfelt narrative, and stunning visuals, everything comes together perfectly. An inspiring, emotional, and unforgettable experience.

As I always do before reviewing something, I tend to watch at least half of a series (whether I like it or not) before forming an opinion, unlike many people who complain about nonexistent issues after just the fourth episode, or even the very first one, of a 20-episode series. I’ll start by saying that the whole thing is centered on a romantic–historical story set in England, with the theme of art as a background. If one of these elements does not interest you, then you will (quite frankly) find it a bit bland. Not because it is slow, but because it tends to be contemplativeand “comforting.” Over the past year I’ve watched many anime with terrible animation and a careless, poorly executed use of 3D.. this anime, in terms of style and animation, is genuinely well made and carefully crafted, among the best I’ve seen. You can clearly tell there was a budget behind it.

The story itself is fairly simple, the typical cliché mix of romantic storytelling, relationships between friends and family, noble circles, and a touch of passion for art. I read a review claiming that every artist should feel “offended” by how art is portrayed in the anime XD I come from ten years of art studies (God spared me from such torture and now I'm here writing), and the last thing I would think to do is get angry about it haha feeling offended or finding it ridiculous is a childish reasoning so I distance myself from it. On the contrary, I believe it can actually be a pleasant journey, especially for those who are less inclined toward art or do not find the topic interesting, to develop at least a bit of interest - and if this idea really bothers someone that much, let’s look on the bright side: thanks to this anime, we’ll probably get more tourists in Rome going to see Michelangelo’s "La Pietà" hahaha

Of course, there are some weak points. Unfortunately, some characters remain more like background caricatures, but since they are not the core of the story, this is not an insurmountable problem for me. In fact, if you continue with the story, you may be surprised by how some characters you wouldn’t expect actually evolve and develop. This simply isn’t something that can happen in just four episodes of any anime (so I don't understand some of the controversy about the issue that the characters don't evolve from people who didn't continue the anime).

Another point I find somewhat amusing is that the irony and exaggerated facial expressions have almost nothing to do with the overall style. Obviously, even in the 1900s people had their gags, but these are really over-the-top. At times they reminded me of the random joke shifts from a normal scene to a goofy one in Totally Spies, popping up unexpectedly in the middle of an event.

To avoid going on too long, I always recommend not letting reviews influence you too much. Tastes are personal, so you may or may not like it depending on many factors, such as the ones I mentioned at the beginning, or the strengths and weaknesses highlighted by both positive and negative reviews from others C:

Love Through A Prism is a beautifully animated, character-driven historical drama that uses the framework of a romance to explore more profound themes of artistic purpose, duty, and personal growth. Set against the backdrop of pre-WWI London, it tells a patient and often poignant story that prioritizes emotional and artistic development over conventional romantic plotting. The series’ greatest strength is its consistent and breathtaking visual presentation. The art style is soft, delicate, and meticulously detailed, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of early 1900s England and the luminous beauty of its natural settings. The animation is fluid and purposeful, serving the story’s emotional beats—from the quiet intensity ofa sketching session to the dramatic sweep of the countryside. It is artistic in the truest sense, never distracting but always enhancing, making every frame feel like a carefully composed painting.

While tagged as a romance, the narrative is better described as a coming-of-age story for its two leads, Lili and Kit. The central drive is not their courtship, but their parallel journeys to define themselves as artists and individuals against societal and familial pressures. Lili battles a strict deadline and financial insecurity, while Kit grapples with the weight of aristocratic duty and artistic alienation.

The 20-episode structure allows the story to breathe, developing its world and supporting cast (like the well-meaning Shin or the complex Catherine) with care. The mid-series shift to a country estate and the late-series time jump are bold narrative choices that deepen the thematic exploration of legacy and time’s passage. However, this focus means the core romantic relationship often recedes into the background for long stretches, and a recurring pattern of Kit emotionally withdrawing from conflict—though a intentional character flaw—can test viewer patience. The finale provides satisfying closure, but the path there is deliberately indirect, emphasizing earned personal resolution over fairy-tale romance.

The character writing is a significant strength. There are no mere caricatures here. Lili’s determination is balanced with vulnerability, and Kit’s aloof genius is convincingly rooted in privilege and pressure. Their growth feels authentic because their flaws—Lili’s occasional single-mindedness, Kit’s avoidance—are consistently portrayed and challenged. The supporting cast, particularly the rival-turned-ally Catherine and the loyal Dorothy, are given their own nuanced arcs, enriching the world and preventing the story from feeling like a two-person show.

Your enjoyment of this anime will hinge on your expectations. If you seek a fast-paced, plot-heavy romance, you may find the pace deliberate and the focus diffuse. However, if you appreciate a slow-burn, atmospheric drama where relationships evolve through shared passion and unspoken understanding, this series is a gem. The "fanservice" is entirely in the sublime artistry, not in titillation. It is a thoughtful, often melancholic, and ultimately hopeful meditation on how love—for a person, for a craft, for a dream—can refract through the prism of life’s hardships to reveal our true colors.

Overall, Love Through A Prism is a visually masterful and emotionally resonant series that succeeds more as a portrait of artistic souls than as a traditional love story. Its imperfections are often tied to its ambitious character-focused goals, making it a memorable and beautifully crafted viewing experience for the patient audience.

I can't express my feelings about this anime; it made me laugh and cry. It's one of the best anime series, a 10/10. Story 10, Art 10, Plot 10, Characters 10. The events unfold at a calm and distinctive pace. The atmosphere transports you to a beautiful world. Everything is wonderful. I was truly captivated by the anime's beauty. The author, Yoko, continues to amaze us with her work, just as she did with "Boys Over Flowers." Honestly, it rekindled my passion for drawing. The visual colors are excellent, the work is very well done, and the backgrounds are stunning. Studio wit did a fantastic job.

This anime is just a masterpiece for those who love calm and sentimental story. 10/10 for sure, I LOVE IT The animation is amazing, coupled with the colours, the rendering is just unbelievable. The anime transports us to a London of the early 1900s. Or we follow the story of a young woman who has just arrived in a prestigious art academy, we follow her through all her journeys, whether artists or sentimental. The geopolitical context of the anime adds a grain of drama, which makes it much more captivating and interesting. Side characters are also very interesting, everyone has their own dreams and ambitions withtheirs differents vison for the art.

I love this anime—so raw and genuine. The main characters aren’t annoying at all (which is rare), and it’s easily one of my favorites. I loved how the story focused on art, her struggles, and her emotional transformation throughout the series. The fact that he never painted any portrait except hers completely broke me. The yearning is unreal. The art style is absolutely beautiful. I really appreciated the level of detail in the visuals it added so much depth and emotion to every scene. If you enjoy romance, I genuinely think this is worth giving a try. Every character felt meaningful and well written. Dorothy ismy favorite; she’s so caring, and honestly, I wish I had friends like her.

For a story from someone with such a high pedigree, I find myself a little... whelmed. I finished the anime earlier today and the only aftertaste I have is slight disappointment. The final episode in particular just set off like 3 separate bombs that disappointed me (the fact that FIVE characters all got their long hair cut is ridiculous, I've grown to hate that trope) but even prior to that, I can't think of much to say about this show. If you are in the mood for a decent shoujo romance, this might be up your alley. I liked Lili and Kit's dynamic, found it to have afew laughs, enjoyed the side cast, but the problem is it just kinda spills a lot of things on your lap clumsily along the way.

I thought they'd address the natural challenges that come with being a Japanese woman in early-1900s London but outside of some nasty comments at the start (and a running string of microaggressions from the best friend of the MC of all characters), they don't actually address any racism. Even the nasty bully characters just kind of peter out after they do their one dastardly event.

They introduce a Japanese boy and his mute sister and their role is mostly "gee, Lili, aren't you homesick? Isn't Japan so awesome?" and for Shin (the boy) to be a pseudo-rival/threat to Kit but honestly, it only really feels like Shin's a "threat" because of genre awareness, he just kind of is The Japanese Guy for most of the story. Idk if (his sister, not that she matters literally once in the entire story) Sakura's spiking his tea with estrogen or something but they say Shin likes Lili and then he just kind of meekly accepts the events of his life as they come to him. You could replace him with a cardboard cutout of Ryu from Street Fighter and nothing would change.

(that being said, while I did kind of like Lili/Kit's dynamic, there's something to be said for how much Kit """deserves""" Lili considering the way he acts during the show but the heart wants what it wants, I guess, I guess trying to be realistic about love is a losing game)

They build a relationship between two of the side characters in Lili's crew just to throw their hands up and do nothing with it.

She hints at things and either lets them fizzle out or spills them onto your lap all of a sudden (even real-life historical tragedies are just drama fodder more than anything else and I personally was taken aback that we were going there) and that's kind of how the story goes for the most part.

It doesn't really feel like people move naturally into their roles, so to speak. They're good at art and then get invited to College A or Country B (unless you're Dorothy, who can get fucked both literally and metaphorically apparently) and that's the story of their lives, I guess. One of the guys has a mental breakdown and argument with Kit but it's honestly used more for Lili/Kit drama than anything related to him. He just kinda reappears, they smooth over the relationship, and he decides his story's going to end like [the ending to his story] and yup, that's all we get.

I guess it's a decent show but it's utterly unmemorable. Not the worst way you could spend 20 episodes, not to mention not even the worst thing Netflix has pumped out onto us in Winter 2026, but unless you're just REALLY hankering for this specific type of romantic setting or you just wanna see what Boys Over Flowers Gal cooked, not really any reason to check it out either.

I was really excited for the show because it had an interesting premise; but unfortunately i was not fully impressed with what we were given. The anime has the cringiest and the most cliche lines I've ever heard in an anime. The story is based on England and it's the only England thing about it. It feels more like what Japanese fantasize and romanticize about England. The Art: It's so beautiful and charming. I have not seen an anime with breathtaking sceneries in a long time. The style of the characters are also captivating, but unfortunately this is the only wonderful thing about the anime TheCharacters:

Most of the characters are one-dimensional (aside from very few others) to the point that you can call them with a nickname and that nickname will define their whole personality for example: drunker guy, Indian, mute girl, the hearty eater etc. They did not even bother to give each character an episode of their own so we can relate to them or even care. They just show you the characters and tell you "now they are friends with the FMC and no explanation needed "

The female lead is so naive and insufferable. In one scene the male lead told her she wouldn't understand why he did what he did (leave art for his duty and country) and then she proceeded to PROVE his point 😭

The Story :

The story had a great start but i doesn't know whether it wants to be character driven or story driven because it keeps mingling the two together without clear path of what it wants to be. Like the fact they suddenly throw the war sub-plot at you out of nowhere and wants you to accept it. The anime, despite it being about art, it relies too much on telling than showing ! Like in one scene the hearty eater girl tells the FLC that she likes the drunken guy and he likes her back ( I was like "how ? where? When?" ) but they NEVER showed any chemistry between them and they treated each other like childhood friends at best ! and then brush the whole thing to the side like she didn't just say important information.

The Couple :

There is no charisma whatsoever between the two. The two girls (lily and cath) have more charisma than the lily and Chris. They barely speak to each other or spend time with each other for them to fall in love. We only know about the male lead from OTHER characters which is really absurd. I swear the girl most have lost 50kg from running after this man, it's pathetic.

She has some charisma with the other Japanese guy and they did spend time together and we can see that the JP guy want to get close her because he loves her. Also the last 3 ep really describe that meme " I waited for 3 and a half years white man did it in one week" my poor Shin ="(

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This anime didn't have a high rating because it's a masterpiece, but because people really long for these types of "English Period drama". They used to make them a lot in the 80s and 90s but we barely get one once a year. There ARE audience for these genre so i don't know why they are not making more of them.