The Horimiya series is continuing its magic with the release of Horimiya: The Missing Pieces anime on July 1, 2023! The creative team behind the anime dropped a new visual and promo video which disclosed a new cast member, the theme songs, and, to top it off, the premiere date for the anime.
Based on the manga by HERO, Horimiya follows the gradual development of the main character’s relationship as they navigate the ups and downs of high school, friendships, and their blossoming feelings for each other. The Missing Pieces segment takes this high school romance a step further by giving the untold stories in the manga a chance to shine, which means it will include the manga chapters which were absent in the original anime adaptation.
Falling in the romantic comedy genre, Horimiya is a cute teenage love story in progress. This new addition allows loyal fans to enjoy undisclosed moments and heartwarming interactions from the series, leaving you grinning from ear to ear. You can stream the anime on Crunchyroll to learn more about the endearing duo’s life and how it unfolds.
Also, Read New Horimiya One Shot To Be Released Soon
Horimiya – Everything We Know
The name of the series comes from meshing the names of the two main characters in the series. ‘Hori’ from Kyouko Hori, the female lead, and ‘Miya’ from Izumi Miyamura, the male lead. Hori-san to Miyamura-kun or Horimiya began as a manga series, initially written and illustrated by Hiroki Adachi, then later illustrated by Daisuke Hagiwara. From a four-panel serialization by the author to ten volumes published by Square Enix, Horimiya has traveled a long journey.
The anime’s first season aired on January 10, 2021, and ended in April 2021 with 13 episodes.
The second installment of the anime will air on July 1 in Japan but on July 5 for international viewers. Masashi Ishihama takes the director’s role while it CloverWorks animates the series. Haruko Iizuka is in charge of character design, and Masaru Yokoyama composes the music. The opening theme song, Shiawase (Happiness), will be performed by Omoinotake, and the ending theme song, URL, will be performed by Ami Sakaguchi.
The Synopsis and Cast of Horimiya
Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura may seem like your typical high school stereotypes, but really, they’re anything but that! At first glance, Hori-san looks like your typical popular girl, but deep down, she’s down-to-earth, practical, and values her family above all else.
Then there’s Miyamura-kun, who, with his glasses and gloomy demeanor, might seem like an average schoolboy, but to our surprise, he’s an attractive guy who rocks the “bad-boy” vibe with his piercings and tattoos. The two encounter each other outside their classroom, and that’s when the adorable yet humorous love story begins.
The new cast member announced is Takeru Sengoku (Kakeru’s father), who will be voiced by Daisuke Namikawa. The other cast members return for the second season, lending their talent to bring the characters to life.
Haruka Tomatsu voices Kyoko Hori, Kouki Uchiyama voices Izumi Miyamura, Seiichirō Yamashita voices Toru Ishikawa, Yurie Kozakai voices Yuki Yoshikawa, Nobuhiko Okamoto voices Kakeru Sengoku, Reina Kondo voices Sakura Kōno, Daiki Yamashita voices Shū Iura and Jun Fukuyama voices Akane Yanagi.
Other cast members include Taku Yashiro voicing Kōichi Shindō, Momo Asakura voicing Honoka Sawada, Daisuke Ono voicing Kyōsuke Hori, Ai Kayano voicing Yuriko Hori, Yuka Terasaki voicing Sōta Hori, and finally, Hisako Kanemoto voicing Motoko Iura.
Also, Read Horimiya Season 2: When Will The New Season Come?
Worth a Watch?
The anime can easily blend in with other rom-coms, disappearing in the background with no distinct existence. A popular girl meets an unpopular guy and surprise, surprise, they click and show each other different sides of their personalities. With high ratings from critics but ‘mixed feelings’ from viewers, we can say that the anime adaptation had immense potential but couldn’t deliver the right package.
Though some say, it’s a new take on the common romance trope, many disagree, arguing that the plot is very cliché and portrays nothing exciting. Undoubtedly, many have fewer complaints about the manga and more complaints leaning toward the anime adaptation. However, the stunning animation and character interactions are some things to praise. The interactions between the characters give this romance slice of life anime more depth and emotional layers.
Overall, with 6 out of 10 ratings from readers and viewers across, the anime can either be a hit or an unsatisfying watch for you. To find out, catch the first season on Crunchyroll and come back for the second season on July 1!
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