Aonatsu Line

Aonatsu Line is a very human story of growing up and forming connections with others. Every step we take, every person we meet, our threads intertwine with each other as we affect each other through our various actions. In particular, the time of high school is an ever-fickle period, with hormones and emotions at their peak. Trying to sort out these complex emotions with others as we navigate through the maze of life is what reinforces the threads and connections we have with each other and what ultimately grows and shapes us as we become more experienced.

At its core, Aonatsu is a story made for the characters. Each character has their own struggles they have to overcome, their own internal fears they have to conquer. Through their bonds with each other, they are able to overcome these hurdles while growing closer in the process. Nothing in life is handed on a silver platter and tears will be shed, characters will be pushed to extreme heights of emotional turmoils. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. All of that suffering was not futile as there is a happy ending awaiting them all, rewarding them for their suffering. The friendships made along the way are strengthened, as love blossoms for those yearning for it. New heights are reached and hidden potential finally unlocked after searching for it. Aonatsu is truly a story about growing up. Youth is a period of confusion and yet the characters find a way to stabilize themselves and come out as better people.

Yui and Kotone’s routes both exemplify this standard in the best way possible, setting up a story where both of the heroines overcome those mental blocks that hold them back. Tatsumi, the protagonist, is not exempt from this either, as he learns and grows along with them. Life is an intertwining story and having only the heroines grow as a result would be counter-productive to its core themes and what Aonatsu is trying to convey to the reader. Everyone is involved and everyone learns from each other as they hash out their differences and expose the feelings they previously repressed deep within themselves.

Miki's route is definitely the star of the show. The drama is well executed and does not overstay its welcome. Miki and Tatsumi are weighed down by the shackles of a tormented past and both are pained by their past experiences. However, with the introduction of two new members to their group, emotions of love begin to become more complex. Forever their friend, Chihiro realizes this ever-growing swirl and tries to push Tatsumi to make his move before he has any regrets. Interspersing the past with the present, Tatsumi finally confesses to Miki, burying the hatchet in years of pain, finally making the push to change himself. Miki accepts and they finally release years of pent-up frustration, their struggles paying off. Their bonds have been strengthened as a result of finally resolving their problems, overcoming the hurdles together and facing it head on. Positive change can never come with being complacent, push yourself to be a better version of yourself. The final scene of Miki's route closes with Chiriro, Miki and Tatsumi baring their repressed feelings to each other and purging themselves clean. They slowly begin to understand each other more, their bonds tightening. And through that, the path to a happily ever after becomes that much closer.

What I like about Aonatsu is how it integrates its theme of growing up directly with its character growth. It truly is satisfying to watch all the characters develop as people and grow with each other. It's a story of connections and the final epilogue really shows that. The future is an infinite stream of possibilities and like a basketball in flight, its trajectory is bountiful. The connections we make with others is what drives us to change and pushes us to become better people.