In the world of anime , romance is one of the most popular genres, so it's no wonder that every year dozens of new adaptations are released with similar premises, which often end up becoming just another one in an ocean of mediocre anime. However, with Horimiya, the story was different.
Horimiya ( Hori-san to Miyamura-kun ) is a work that has several adaptations. It was originally published in digital format with four panels from February 2007 to December 2011 on the Dokkai Ahen website, created by the writer and illustrator Hiroki Adachi under the pseudonym HERO.
The work later received a print version from Square Enix , under the Gangan Comics label, with its chapters compiled into 10 volumes between October 22, 2008 and December 28, 2012. In January 2021, the work received an anime adaptation by CloverWorks studio, based on the manga Horimiya , adapted and illustrated by Daisuke Hagiwara, under the supervision of HERO.
In the anime, two characters form the main couple: Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura. Throughout the episodes, we follow the development of their relationship and the relationships between the other characters.
Questioning the Self:
Horimiya is an innovative anime, not because of its themes, but because of how it addresses them. The main theme is the self, who I really am and who people are seeing. At many points, it's possible to stop and think: " Am I truly happy being who I am? " or " Do people know the real me? ". Questioning has become commonplace. Questioning the self and especially the world around you.
The anime raises important questions about our society, including the negative side effects of the high expectations placed on young people. This theme is noticeable at various points throughout the anime, but especially in the character Izumi Miyamura,
who frequently questions whether this has become commonplace.
Horimiya: A couple in evolution
Being a romance anime, couples would form. However, the spotlight is on Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura. Two extremely interesting characters who reflect the questions the anime sets out to analyze.
Izumi Miyamura is a 17-year-old boy with black hair and blue eyes. Quiet, brooding, and antisocial, he is also a sweet and caring person, but due to past traumas, he struggles to express himself. Miyamura is an extremely interesting character because he portrays the difficulty of self-acceptance.
Kyouko Hori is a 17-year-old girl with brown hair and golden eyes. Besides being very energetic and popular, she always creates a happy atmosphere around her. However, even though she never tries to hide who she really is, she is ashamed of being that way. This represents fear and insecurity.
The couple evolves throughout the episodes. Not only in terms of stages, but also in terms of personality. The fear and insecurity that were once common become silly when they are near each other.
Horimiya's conclusion:
Horimiya is a special anime because it offers the opportunity to reflect on who we truly are. And it manages to lead us to the conclusion that even though it's an arduous task, it's extremely enjoyable.
The people, situations, and especially the challenges we overcome are not just memories in our subconscious, but parts of ourselves. They have become important tools that have helped shape our true selves.
Even though the future is uncertain, one thing is certain: destiny has done its best so that we can be proud of everything we have experienced.
Horimiya is an excellent anime, definitely one of the best in the genre. Besides presenting a cute and fun story to follow, the anime highlights the difficulties of self-acceptance, showing the journey of characters who could be you. It brings to light questions that are valid for everyone, even those who believe they have found themselves.