Rumbling Hearts

Synopsis:

What we start with is your typical drama/romance anime where Haruka Suzumiya has a huge crush on Takayuki Narumi for the longest time. Being a brick-headed guy that he is, he never notices, so one of his outgoing friends Mitsuki Hayase decides that she's had enough of both ot their timidness and sets up a meeting up on a hill where Haruka and Takayuki meet but they have no idea that they've been tricked to see each other. When they see each other they realize that the whole thing was a set-up but Haruka takes a chance and flat out tells Takayuki she's in love with him and has been for the longest time. Surprised, Takayuki has no clue how to respond but agrees to date Haruka anyway and slowly realizes that he really does like being with her and drops the l-bomb on her too. On his way to visit Haruka for a date, Takayuki runs into Misuki and she mentions it's her birthday so being thankful for his setup between him and Haruka he takes a little bit of time to purchase her a gift making him late to his date (typical guy, eh?). Haruka gets worried about Takayuki's tardiness and decides to give him a call however as she steps into the phone booth to make a call the last thing she hears is the squealing of tires from a car that has lost control heading right towards her. Takayuki later learns that while she isn't dead but is in a coma that lasts for three years, Haruka awakens but doesn't realize the passing of time or the changes to peoples lives.


Reviewer: Endosanity
Number of episodes watched: 14


Review:

Drama, drama, drama, this series... this series really made me question the human psyche as I just couldn't understand how these four people could put up with each others emotional issues and the uncomfortable situations it puts them in. Now, the characterization itself was great and is presented to the viewer in a straight-forward manner letting you know everyone's stance on life in general and how each others relationship changed and developed over time while Haruka was in a coma. Takayuki goes into a depression after Haruka's accident and Mitsuki constantly stays with him and takes care of him, gives up her dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer then takes on a shit job while Takayuki spends his time wallowing in self-pity and doing nothing else... for over a year. I gotta ask... are people really this stupid? Are you really gonna give up your dream to support some bum that can't get off his own ass (for over a year!) and get a damn job instead of moping around? Seriously, who wants this much drama in their life? I couldn't answer these questions positively and it left me feeling disjointed and mocking the characters rather than understanding their disposition in life and love. I like anime drama but not so much that it show everyone's lack of common sense and that really pulled the series down separating the somewhat decent plot from the irrational characters.

Recommendation? The animation was good and the story was solid but placing a bunch of nonsensical people to play the part will more than likely just have you shaking your head and sighing so I'll say... no, if this sounds like a drama you'd sit through then you're far more understanding than I.

Rumbling Hearts (opening)

Recommendation: |Low|

Media type: DVD
From: FAILimation Undertainment
Languages: English;Japanese
Subtitles: English