A Star Brighter Than the Sun

I must say, there's nothing special in this anime, no heavily emotional drama, usual misunderstanding, common romance-anime-character mentality, cute anime art style, and the list goes on and on... But, as long as it's well composed, then what's wrong with having nothing special? I mean, when it comes to romance-centric stories, there are only 2 types I wouldn't recommend, first one is the ones dominated with cringy or overly annoying characters, and the second one are those with too much romance-drama where the MC tries too hard to get their love interest's heart (which even I would go like, go and look for someone elsedude), but this one is neither of them.

Okay so straight up I'll say.. Watch episode 1 then watch episode 12 and you won't have missed anything really important. In a nutshell.. Dense protag, misunderstandings, and cack blocking the whole time. No comedy, side characters are 1 dimensional, main guy is only liked cause he is "nice" main girl is an idiot. And the whole time they talk in riddles to each other.. "I have someone I like... But I won't say who." kind of crap.. (When they are both in love with each other.) Anyways just a waste of time romance anime, no banter, no wit, no love, no romance.. Just many awkward conversations andanxiety induced internal monologues.. It tries to be pure romance, with no comedy to like the characters, and no drama to sympathize with the characters. So you're left with a frustrating feeling every episode.. (And the confession scene was also pretty bad too.. They said "I like you." then walked away, after they already chased after each other.) Normally I don't review shows.. But considering they want to make a season 2... But had almost no romance progress or a likable, hateable, or memorable character in the first season. I'd rather they use that time slot for a different anime.. (It'd be like Rent-a-Girlfriend got 4 seasons without 1 mutual consensual confession.. And I couldn't stand another show like that again so soon.)

Adolescence is the stage of life where self-image and identity often begin to clash with the expectations of the world around us. A Star Brighter Than the Sun (also known as Tamahoshi) explores this fragile period through a romance that focuses on the slow process of learning to understand oneself. At the center of the story is Sae Iwata, a girl who often feels overshadowed by the people around her. She is taller and physically stronger than many girls her age, something that constantly feeds her insecurity in a world where femininity is often associated with softness and delicacy. Without exaggerating this conflict for melodrama,the series treats Sae’s body image struggles with sincerity and restraint. Her doubts feel grounded and believable, reflecting those anxieties many people experience while growing up and comparing themselves to others. Much of the emotional core comes from Sae’s relationship with her childhood friend, Kouki Kamishiro. When they were younger, Sae was the one who protected Kouki from bullies, standing tall both literally and figuratively as the stronger presence between them. As they grow older, however, that dynamic begins to shift. Kouki becomes the admired and charismatic student everyone notices, while Sae begins to feel that she no longer belongs beside him. What Sae doesn’t realize is that Kouki never stopped seeing her as the same brave and dependable person who once stood up for him. In his eyes, she remains someone deeply admirable. This mutual misunderstanding becomes one of the story’s central emotional tensions. Sae believes she isn’t feminine enough to stand beside Kouki, while Kouki still sees himself as the weak boy she once relied on. Both characters admire each other deeply, yet their insecurities prevent them from recognizing how much they matter to the other. The romance between them unfolds as a slow burn. The series builds its emotional momentum through awkward conversations, subtle gestures, and gradual realizations. Their chemistry feels warm and genuine, and the relationship develops steadily enough that the story continues to move forward without feeling stagnant. The supporting cast also plays an important role in shaping Sae’s journey. Her friends are particularly supportive, encouraging her and often acting as enthusiastic observers of the developing relationship between her and Kouki. Their presence adds warmth to the story and helps give Sae the kind of normal high school experiences she sometimes feels she doesn’t deserve. Other characters bring additional perspectives to the narrative. One notable example is Ayukawa, whose interactions with Sae highlight another side of her personality. His presence briefly introduces a different dynamic, showing how Sae reacts when someone openly treats her as a girl rather than focusing on the traits she feels insecure about. From a production standpoint, the anime adaptation produced by Studio KAI keeps its presentation simple but effective. The visuals rely on expressive character animation and soft color palettes that complement the atmosphere of the story. It may not aim for spectacular visual moments, yet the overall presentation remains polished and consistent with the tone of the narrative. The pacing can occasionally feel slow, largely because the story spends considerable time exploring Sae’s internal struggles. The central misunderstanding between Sae and Kouki about each believing the other is out of their league also lasts longer than necessary. However, the series still maintains steady emotional progress, letting the characters to grow closer over time. In conclusion, A Star Brighter Than the Sun works best as a coming-of-age story about self-acceptance and emotional growth. Through Sae’s journey, the series explores how deeply insecurity can shape someone’s perception of themselves, and how meaningful it can be to have someone who reminds you of your worth. The romance itself remains sincere, allowing the story feel less like a dramatic love story and more like two people gradually learning how to connect with each other and with themselves. Anyway, keep in mind that no opinion is ever purely objective, and every perspective remains open to discussion. Even so, each viewpoint still holds its own value. If you happen to see things differently, simple mutual respect is more than enough. That same respect is the spirit behind this reflection as well. Wishing everyone a peaceful day ahead, and thank you for taking the time to read.