The Dangers in My Heart

"From Dark Urges to Deep Affection:”

Love is a powerful force that influences our world. But have you ever wondered how people come to discover that special love, which eventually evolves into a romantic relationship? Young love teaches us to embrace life, learn from our experiences, and remain open to love's possibilities. Nobody is perfect, but it's important to embrace personal growth and the journey of learning how to love. "The Dangers in My Heart" teaches us how to feel one’s emotions and be human at the same time.

The Dangers in My Heart | Season One | Anime Review | Pinnedupink.com

Shin-Ei Animation and Hiroaki Akagi are the creators of the anime TV program "The Dangers in My Heart." It aired from the 2nd of April until the 18th of June 2023 on TV Asahi and its affiliated channels. The series features scripts by Jukki Hanada, character designs by Masato Katsumata, and music composed by Kensuke Ushio. Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series and is streaming it on Hidive, and it will also be broadcast on Aniplus Asia in Southeast Asia.

This delightful series was adapted from the manga with the same title and consists of 12 episodes, each lasting 23 minutes. Falling under the genres of comedy and romance with a school theme, it caters to the Shounen demographic, and it holds a rating of PG-13, suitable for viewers aged 13 and older. Norio Sakurai wrote and illustrated the manga series "The Dangers in My Heart." It began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion in March 2018 and was later moved to Champion Cross before being transferred to Manga Cross. It has been published in nine tankōbon volumes as of now.

The story centers around Kyoutarou Ichikawa, who appears to be a quiet and introverted student in middle school, but there's a dark side lurking within him: a strong urge to harm his classmate Anna Yamada and witness her suffering before taking her life. However, as Ichikawa gets to know her better, he discovers a completely different side of her. Frequently crossing paths with her in the library, he starts to realize that his seemingly perfect classmate is actually clueless and oblivious to her surroundings.

After spending even more time together, his feelings toward her begin to change in the most unexpected of ways: instead of wanting to harm her, he feels a deep affection and a strong desire to protect her! Could this unexpected shift in perspective lead to something more between the two? If so, what kind of relationship would that turn out to be?

Our young protagonist is one who gets caught up in a complex web of emotions and relationships, making him an honest portrayal of the challenges involved in forming connections with others, particularly when it comes to middle school students. The characters struggle to express their true feelings, and the series takes its time in developing their relationship, allowing viewers to savor the budding romance as well.

One notable aspect is the pacing, which offers glimpses of affection early on and progresses to moments of blushing, touching, and stolen glances. This refreshing approach avoids the frustration of prolonged anticipation commonly seen in other romances. It's particularly enjoyable to witness Anna's direct approach without resorting to being overly tsundere, which is a breath of fresh air.

Kyoutarou Ichikawa initially comes across as a cringe-worthy teenager. He has an edgy and creepy persona, even expressing a desire to harm his classmates. Surprisingly, he evolves into a much more compelling and likable character than expected. Despite his chuuni tendencies, his edginess grants him keen perception and awareness of his surroundings, and this perceptiveness allows him to offer assistance to others, showcasing his empathetic nature and genuine concern for those around him.

On the other hand, Anna is an adorable girl who appears perfect to those around her, but in reality, she often acts silly and does puzzling things that leave me puzzled as well. Kyoutarou initially places her on a pedestal like many other boys, but as their relationship develops, he realizes she is not as unattainable as he once thought. Although there is still some height difference, he no longer needs to look up at her on the supposed towering pedestal.

Have you ever watched a romantic series and gotten annoyed over how two characters just aren’t together already, considering they both like each other and everything that has transpired? Well, I have. Oddly enough, the main duo not becoming a thing immediately didn’t annoy me here. This can be credited to a defining characteristic of good romantic comedies: getting to see the two leads develop, both dependently and independently of each other.

No matter how much Anna is down for the acts, things won’t happen because the main character is terribly insecure and anxious. Thus, we see why he MUST change in order for their relationship to move onto the next stage, because he is way too emotionally fragile at the beginning for a healthy relationship.

He simply HAS to accept who he is! This kid is a well-dressed edgelord on another level, but we see moments where he would misinterpret things in an overly negative way, much like we have done at some point in our lives as well. While unsettling at times, they really nailed this character, and he fits seamlessly into the narrative.

On the other hand, Anna is anything but impotent and powerless. She’s super proactive when it comes to her feelings, but she is also quite considerate. Her occasional attempts at subtlety only serve to showcase her clumsiness and awkwardness, but she isn’t your typical “quirky” anime girl either. She is very much a middle schooler, so most of her attempts at romance boil down to internet searches, media portrayals, and guesses. Yeah, there’s a weird sense of relatability here as well.

I must address the concern of Yamada's sexualization, which may be excessive for those unfamiliar with anime. The series focuses on teenagers exploring their sexual awakening, emphasizing this through Ichikawa's hormonal experiences. However, it is important to remember that Yamada, who is only thirteen, is depicted in a sexualized manner alongside Hara. However, the most significant scenes in the series involve Yamada and Ichikawa engaging in casual conversations alone.

What sets this apart is the presence of occasional awkward silences, which is refreshing compared to other anime that often exaggerate interactions. Instead of feeling scripted or artificial, their interactions feel genuine, reminding viewers that there's a very human writer behind it all.

What the author was trying to do can be summed up as follows: redeem the best parts of Shoujo manga that made them appealing while cutting out the overly-cringy parts, and at the same time manage to convey just the right amount of appeal to the intended male audiences.

There are so many fetishes thrown into this, but it’s more so in its design sensibilities than in the scenario itself. For example, there is a character who is a literal fat fetishist, but he’s not the focus, and nobody is trying to forgive him for being that. This author isn’t trying to, in any way, legitimize middle schoolers attempting to get it on with their teachers and cousins, throwing any wishy-washy wholesomeness out the window.

The highlight of this show is its romanticism coupled with the acknowledgement of its own character’s sexualities. As such, it adopts a more mature stance, which makes it obvious where things would lead without ruining anything about the story or the power fantasy, for that matter. This makes the story feel more real, showcasing some relatable moments that are beyond hilarious at later points in our own lives.

The animation quality of the series is visually pleasing and serves to enhance the storytelling. The art style effectively captures the various emotions expressed by the characters, ranging from subtle facial expressions to intense emotional outbursts. The use of color palettes and visual symbolism adds depth and enriches the overall viewing experience. The series utilizes a significant amount of grays and muted colors as well, creating a wintery atmosphere.

The series showcases excellent direction, incorporating first-person angles, captivating color palettes, and well-framed shots to make for a great watch. The well-known Kensuke Ushio, who has worked on acclaimed anime like "A Silent Voice," "Ping Pong: The Animation," and the current season's "Heavenly Delusion," greatly enhances the show with his soundtrack.

The soundtrack enhances important scenes, making them even more impactful. The opening theme, "Setting Sun," is performed by Yorushika, while the ending theme, "A Few Sentimental," is sung by Kohana Lam.

"BokuYaba" is an anime that delves into the intricate dynamics of human relationships. It follows two seemingly contrasting characters who find themselves drawn together, and as their paths intertwine, we are taken on a journey filled with heartwarming moments, genuine emotions, and unexpected twists.

With its engaging storytelling and well-developed characters, this anime offers a captivating exploration of love, friendship, and personal growth for all kinds of audiences. Prepare to be immersed in a world where connections are formed, tested, and cherished, making this a must-watch series for fans of heartfelt romance and compelling storytelling. I highly recommend it to everyone, even if you aren’t a big fan of the specified genres.