Rainbow Days
2016
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- comedy
The story
Nijiiro Days follows the colorful lives and romantic relationships of four high school boys—Natsuki Hashiba, a dreamer with delusions of love; Tomoya Matsunaga, a narcissistic playboy who has multiple girlfriends; Keiichi Katakura, a kinky sadist who always carries a whip; and Tsuyoshi Naoe, an otaku who has a cosplaying girlfriend. When his girlfriend unceremoniously dumps him on Christmas Eve, Natsuki breaks down in tears in the middle of the street and is offered tissues by a girl in a Santa Claus suit. He instantly falls in love with this girl, Anna Kobayakawa, who fortunately attends the same school as him. Natsuki's pursuit of Anna should have been simple and uneventful; however, much to his dismay, his nosy friends constantly meddle in his relationship, as they strive to succeed in their own endeavors of love.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated pastels and clean cel-shaded lines give this series a sunny, sugary look, with school hallways in flat daylight, winter streets strung with Christmas lights, and cherry-blossom-pink spring afternoons. Camera work is bouncy and quick, with exaggerated reaction faces, sudden zooms and comic freezes that cut away on a punchline. The soundtrack is upbeat J-pop and light piano, pushed up for comic beats and dropping into warm, sweet interludes during romantic moments. The vibe is cheerful and scatterbrained, the kind of show that suits a lazy weekend, a comfort rewatch, or background while folding laundry. Pacing is brisk and episodic, with each episode built around a new crush, misunderstanding or friend-group scheme. Emotional register stays light: heartfelt but never heavy, with the leads' romantic awkwardness played for laughs. Intensity is low: there is no real violence or gore, only slapstick and comic overreaction, but the frequent sexual innuendo, crude jokes and fanservice-style gags, including a character with kinky fixations, make it unsuitable for children and for anyone wanting something purely gentle. It is for viewers who enjoy teen romantic comedy, ensemble banter and good-natured silliness about first love.
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