The premiere of Honey Lemon Soda at Anime Frontier drew a large crowd, underscoring the high anticipation surrounding the anime’s release. Despite a near miss with attendance, as the room quickly reached full capacity, fans were eager to witness the first two episodes of this highly anticipated series.
Honey Lemon Soda (HLS) centers around Uka Ishimori, a high school freshman with a troubled past. Having been bullied for her reserved nature in middle school, Uka’s difficulties continued when she froze during her high school entrance exam, resulting in her failure to gain admission to her desired school. However, things take a turn when she meets Kai Miura, a boy with bright yellow hair, whose presence and personality quickly become integral to Uka’s life.
The story primarily explores Uka’s journey of self-discovery, as she begins to overcome her past struggles and build her confidence, with the support of Kai and his friends. The series touches on themes of personal growth, self-assertion, and budding romance. Early audience reactions were positive, particularly during a scene where Uka plays basketball, showing her growth both physically and emotionally. Over time, Uka finds herself developing feelings for Kai, pledging to confess her love once she gains enough confidence to do so.
In many respects, Honey Lemon Soda follows a familiar pattern of high school romance narratives, featuring a popular boy who takes an interest in an often overlooked girl. Kai, who appears to effortlessly support Uka, provides exactly what she needs in each situation, from his words of encouragement to his timely appearances. Moreover, his group of friends immediately accepts Uka, fostering an almost ideal social environment for her to flourish.
While the series has all the hallmarks of a wish-fulfillment story, there is a charm in its simplicity for those who enjoy shoujo anime. However, for some, like myself, the first two episodes fell flat. The chemistry between Uka and Kai felt forced, and their relationship lacked the depth needed to truly engage viewers. Additionally, while the themes of self-improvement are compelling, the romance-driven narrative overshadowed them, making it harder for me to connect with the characters and their journeys.
Despite my personal reservations, fans of high school romance and shoujo anime will likely find enjoyment in the series’ lighthearted approach. For those who are eager to see the development of Uka and Kai’s relationship, Honey Lemon Soda promises more to come in future episodes.
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