I've watched many rom-com animes over the years but Ao Haru Ride has always given a feeling that most don't. As a manga reader I can tell you now that you won't enjoy this as much if you don't move on to the manga.
The anime explores Futaba's unrequited love for Kou (this is a gradual realisation in a sort of hate/love way). Kou is a hard character to watch. We can't tell what he's feeling most of the time and for most of the show, he's non-chalant and uncaring about everything. So, we just have to watch Futaba push to learn more about him, little by little. But that's why it's so satisfying when he'd show gradual signs of opening up, especially with Futaba. She pushes him, not only to share his feelings with her, but also to value his relationships with others (i.e his brother and friends).
The anime ends with Kou appreciating and connecting with Futaba; but their relationship only slightly passes a platonic level. The manga is where things get interesting: SPOILERS AHEAD.
The manga reverses things. Kou is being revisited by his past, having to relive the trauma all over again, but this time in wanting to comfort Narumi, who had similarly experienced the passing of her parent. This put Kou and Futaba back to square one. After pushing so hard but being constantly blocked by Kou again, Futaba understandably decides to move on. Touma, a character briefly shown in the anime, falls for Futaba to which they eventually start dating.
Kou and Futaba at this stage have such intense romantic tension. With every glance they make, I feel a PULL on the heartstrings. Normally, I'd be rooting for Futaba to get over Kou and find comfort in new love, but somehow... it didn't seem right in this situation. Her relationship with Kou felt more natural to me compared to Touma and it was clear that Kou wasn't in the right state of mind at the time. The best part was watching Kou unmask and break in character after realising how depressed he'd been making himself, by blocking everyone again. He sees that with Futaba, he is undeniably happier but... a little too late. Having realised this, we now see HIM pursuing Futaba, which is wayyy out of character, and I love it. He gets to the point of making her uncomfortable by doing things for her which makes her feel conflicted. Even in the way he just LOOKS at her when she's with Touma or in general is PACKED WITH TENSION.
I love how slow but satisfying their love is formed, with both of them experiencing what its like to be on the other end of the spectrum. It makes the ending all the more genuine. Unlike other animes, especially current rom-coms, the relationship between these two seem more real with both of them having earned each others love by the end.
The anime explores Futaba's unrequited love for Kou (this is a gradual realisation in a sort of hate/love way). Kou is a hard character to watch. We can't tell what he's feeling most of the time and for most of the show, he's non-chalant and uncaring about everything. So, we just have to watch Futaba push to learn more about him, little by little. But that's why it's so satisfying when he'd show gradual signs of opening up, especially with Futaba. She pushes him, not only to share his feelings with her, but also to value his relationships with others (i.e his brother and friends).
The anime ends with Kou appreciating and connecting with Futaba; but their relationship only slightly passes a platonic level. The manga is where things get interesting: SPOILERS AHEAD.
The manga reverses things. Kou is being revisited by his past, having to relive the trauma all over again, but this time in wanting to comfort Narumi, who had similarly experienced the passing of her parent. This put Kou and Futaba back to square one. After pushing so hard but being constantly blocked by Kou again, Futaba understandably decides to move on. Touma, a character briefly shown in the anime, falls for Futaba to which they eventually start dating.
Kou and Futaba at this stage have such intense romantic tension. With every glance they make, I feel a PULL on the heartstrings. Normally, I'd be rooting for Futaba to get over Kou and find comfort in new love, but somehow... it didn't seem right in this situation. Her relationship with Kou felt more natural to me compared to Touma and it was clear that Kou wasn't in the right state of mind at the time. The best part was watching Kou unmask and break in character after realising how depressed he'd been making himself, by blocking everyone again. He sees that with Futaba, he is undeniably happier but... a little too late. Having realised this, we now see HIM pursuing Futaba, which is wayyy out of character, and I love it. He gets to the point of making her uncomfortable by doing things for her which makes her feel conflicted. Even in the way he just LOOKS at her when she's with Touma or in general is PACKED WITH TENSION.
I love how slow but satisfying their love is formed, with both of them experiencing what its like to be on the other end of the spectrum. It makes the ending all the more genuine. Unlike other animes, especially current rom-coms, the relationship between these two seem more real with both of them having earned each others love by the end.