Tsuki ga Kirei wasn’t very kind to its leads this week, but its illustration of their respective setbacks made for one of its best episodes yet. I’m apparently a bit of a sucker for lengthy tonal interludes – whether it’s this or March comes in like a lion or Grimgar, I’m happy we’ve been getting a lot of shows that understand the power of silence. Tsuki ga Kirei doesn’t have the visual execution to realize all of its ideas, but it’s making a terrific effort all the same.

You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my episode notes below.

Kotaro’s parents still hassling him about his grades versus his extracurriculars

Kadoyama Publishing contacts him regarding his submission to the Newcomer award

Akane’s sister spills the beans

I love her mom’s long “ehhhhh?” This familial teasing

This show leans on its backgrounds, but some of the actual architectural feels a little stiff visually. It doesn’t fall into P.A. Works territory or anything, but it’s not ideal

I like the building anticipation of this long sequence detailing his trip into the city, along with the building song

Akane finally tells Chinatsu she’s in a relationship with Kotarou

A lot of this episode’s strength comes from precisely articulating the mood of the buildup to these two parallel events

Great small bits of animation for the line of runners, differentiating all of them

“I don’t think you’re cut out for serious literature. You don’t have talent. Plus, serious literature doesn’t make any money. Why don’t you try light novel-type stuff instead?”

Akane also fails. And man, these lonely, isolating shots are so good

Akane couldn’t focus on the race

Each of them decide to reapply themselves to their passion