Atri: My Dear Moments Anime Review - A Submerged Tale of Human-Android Connection

Atri: My Dear Moments

Have you ever felt the urge to connect with existing and gone friends and family? Reestablishing a connection with them is not impossible if they are still alive, provided you try to overcome whatever caused your separation. However, reestablishing that connection can be infinitely tricky if they have already departed from this world. Relying on those who knew them and any mementos they left behind, we struggle to preserve their essence and establish a spiritual connection with them. Ultimately, we might also learn something about ourselves as our relationships shape us somewhat.

“Atri: My Dear Moments” is a 13-episode TV anime series that aired from the 14th of July till the 6th of October in Summer 2024. Aniplex and Bilibili produced it, Aniplex of America licensed it, and Studio TROYCA brought it to life. Each episode ran for 24 minutes, featuring the genres of drama, romance, and sci-fi, and received a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years or older. Asuta Konno, the author of "The Fruit of Grisaia," a visual novel, collaborated with Frontwing and Makura to adapt the series. It was released worldwide on Steam for Windows on the 19th of June 2020. It even spawned a manga series of the same title, which began publication on the 7th of October, 2022. Artist Jako created it, showcasing the drama and romance genres, and Comptiq serialized it.

The story takes place in a world where the dramatic rise in sea level has caused humankind to lose a significant portion of their habitable land area. Left with little choice but to rely on pre-existing technology to survive, life is anything but straightforward for the current populace. Among the hundreds of people affected by this natural tragedy, the protagonist, Natsuki Ikaruga, is a brilliant and recent graduate. Still, he had unfortunately lost a leg owing to a submarine accident. Given the dire circumstances, he lives on an almost deserted island. His life gradually transforms when he encounters a mysterious woman named Catherine and discovers an advanced humanoid robot that once belonged to his grandmother, Shina. Shina was a renowned climatologist, and the salvaged robot, donning the external appearance and demeanor of a young girl named Atri, holds some connection to her.

Atri reveals that Shina had tasked her with a crucial mission, but for some reason, she had forgotten it. Initially, our MC planned to sell Atri and move on, but the opportunity to connect with his grandmother's fascinating research through Atri prompts him to reconsider. After all, Natsuki once gave up his dream of participating in a prestigious scientific mission. Through this fated meeting, he also opens up to his fellow islanders. He discovers he can still make a significant difference in this otherwise desolate world.

In terms of storyline, this anime presents a poignant and emotional journey within a sci-fi world, complemented by a romantic element. Natsuki has lost much, including his mother, and has returned to his hometown in a sorry state. Much like most of us, he struggles to find his purpose and happens to stumble upon an old underwater warehouse left by his mother, which is where he meets. The story’s primary focus is on these two characters who spend time together, eventually uncovering secrets from the past and even forming a deep bond. This relationship challenges the boundaries between humans and machines, which can be perceived as either a positive or negative aspect, depending on your perspective.

In the meantime, the tale takes time to explore complex themes like loss, identity, and the ways of humanity. It even chooses to dig deep into the emotional complexities of bonds forged between humans and machines, which can turn off people who aren’t fans of the idea. Whether or not you like this story depends on whether you are okay with this Human x Robot thing. Regardless, it questions what it means to be alive, the resilience of humanity, and the undeniable power of hope when faced with adversity. Also note that the pacing is very slow, making it dull sometimes and discouraging you from watching further. It’s very easy to lose interest here.

Our protagonist, while intelligent, bears a heavy burden from his past. His interactions with Atri are essential; they allow him to hope again and even muster the will to move forward. Atri herself is a charming and curious Android, and her highly human-like behavior and complex emotions make her seem almost human. She is captivating in that her existence onscreen brings warmth to characters and viewers while making everything more complicated, too! Meanwhile, Catherine is a self-proclaimed 'debt collector' who gives our MC the idea of paying off his debts by salvaging his grandmother's sunken treasures; enough said. The only other notable characters are Ryugo Hayase, a scientist and former colleague of Natsuki's mother who gives insights about Atri and Sana, the classic childhood friend who is bright, optimistic, and supportive.

The central aspect of this department is the relationship between the leading duo. As someone who’s not a massive fan of the concept, here’s what I think: these two definitely have a dynamic, and their growing bond can be a significant distraction. The two progressively explore their human and android sides and start crushing on each other. I felt this was weird because Atri does not age; she looks like a child but has been around far longer than Natsuki. On the other hand, the MC is a typical high school student, making observing their "connection" awkward.

The best department is the Art and Animation, of course. Its beauty compels some of us to watch it through to the very end. The artwork employs a light but vibrant color palette, with many shades of blue, green, and pastel pinks. These color choices perfectly portray the essence of the Spring and Summer seasons in the most stunning ways, bringing a warm and calming feeling. Only a minor gripe: character designs are standard and lack distinction. More details could have done more. This generic look makes it difficult to form early attachments to the characters, too; I would instead stare at the backgrounds, which are simply breathtaking.

The management of the Music and Sounds department is commendable. The OSTs all make you feel something, just dripping with emotion. For this, they employ a beautiful mix of orchestral and electronic pieces that bring out the best sci-fi elements of the series. "Ano Hikari" by Nogizaka46 serves as the opening theme, evoking a strange and haunting beauty that perfectly sets the mood for this emotional journey. The ending themes are "Yes to No no Aida ni" by 22/7, "Dear Moments" by Atri (Hikaru Akao), and "Hikari Hanate!" by Mami Yanagi; all three are pretty soothing and reflect the episode conclusion we just experienced to an extent. In subtle ways, the sound effects match the settings. For instance, the portrayal of the ever-so-natural sounds of these islands, their wildlife, and the gentle sounds of water are flawless. The VAs performed their duties effectively, leaving no room for criticism.

Overall, "Atri: My Dear Moments" is not an anime I can recommend to everyone. The show's pacing significantly diminishes your interest, its themes are excessively numerous and complex, and its central romance can be pretty off-putting. However, this series still boasts a profoundly emotional and thought-provoking story, stunning artwork and fluid animation, well-developed characters and relationships for those who care enough, and an evocative soundtrack. Anyone who enjoys highly emotional and introspective tales and isn't offended by the central romance should check this out. How it explores topics like love, loss, and what it means to be human can become quite an unforgettable experience. However, your decision to continue watching this show largely depends on how quickly you lose interest, as the first 3-4 episodes move slowly. This show will stay with you for years if you can keep watching.