Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi

I just want to start off by saying i watched this when i was four months pregnant and had no idea i was four months pregnant, and after i found out, my reactions to this anime made SO much sense! I was seriously bawling my eyes out hard. And the heavy themes are even more poignant since Ive given birth to my own little boy. Yes the anime has some flaws and i just seriously cannot get behind the "one piece" ish art style the characters are so silly looking, but im really glad i got over it and gave it a chance. I dont need to get into it and break it down other reviews have probably already got that covered i just wanted to note this probably will hit harder if your a parent, or in my case, expecting! Its a good hindsight of children and what you should and shouldnt do to mentor one in your life. Give it a watch and dont forget the tissues!

Despite the heavy themes, this is a very safe anime. It checks most of the boxes on a basic narrative level, but not in any outstanding way. It's your typical apartment comedy setup: central character and neighbors of different backgrounds have fun and learn lessons from their interactions, full of vignettes interspersed with little arcs focusing on Kotarou or one of his neighbors learning some kind of lesson, the kind that early South Park would parody with "you know, I learned something today." It's very evident within the first episode that this is meant to be a "healing" anime, something one might turn on and have in the background while they decompress. It does not have any deep themes, messages, drama, humor, or anything really. Yes, it does introduce many of those things but has such a shallow exploration that trying to engage with it will only leave you disappointed and unfulfilled. Everything is portrayed so lightly, despite many, many depictions of abuse (to an almost comical degree in the latter half with how frequent it is.) There is not a single scene that could be described as "intense." You will never get some "Whiplash"-esque seen of yelling and screaming and fear and anxiety. It will show only the surface of the various forms of abuse, and things will always work out in the end, to an almost delusional degree. That is what I mean by safe. There's no tension to any of the dramatic story beats because there isn't meant to be. The show skirts around showing the true face of abuse and the ugly reality that things don't always end in sparkles and sunshine. It's a Lifetime movie in ONA form. Overall most of the limp messages the show promotes are agreeable, there's not often an issue to take with what it's preaching, but it does greatly rely on convenience and cheap emotional manipulation to convey them. There is, however, one story arc that will make your brow furrow for not only how it diminishes the character involved, but for its takehome message as well, calling it controversial, to say the least. Every story has a message and at times it can feel preachy, especially with the strawmen and trite conveniences that make it go in the way it needs to, but they are mostly unobjectionable takes which makes it less so. The perspectives it gives regarding the various forms of mistreatment and abuse it illustrates are mostly self-evident to anyone with a brain, taking away much of the value of the stories in the first place, because without the message, the show does not really have anything else to it other than again, the cheap feel-good calming atmosphere. I called this a comedy, but it really isn't. It does have many attempts at humor. However, these mostly boil down to kids say the darnedest things lines, the oddness/quirkiness of the characters, and very rarely, actual intentional jokes/humor, although how effective it is, that's debatable. Kobayashi, a lawyer that interacts with Kotarou for plot reasons, is the only character that is consistently portrayed humorously, which is a tad dissonant from the rest of the rather grounded characters. This show isn't funny enough to be a comedy, nor is it dramatic enough to be a drama. Cheap and safe is very much the name of the game here. It's something that any audience can watch, but only people that don't really consume media will get anything out of. It's something you can show Grandma. But for me, it was a very middling experience, one I will surely forget, and would not recommend to anyone wanting substance.

I'm incredibly biased with this Anime. My childhood wasn't the best so a lot of the moments just hit really hard. I teared up or cried almost every episode. This just hit way too close to home and if I could my enjoyment would be Story: The pacing is on point, it doesn't dwell too long on a particular premise. The structure of the episodes feel more like a bunch of skits with an overarching theme. Art: The art was fine and did its job. I'd say the animation is normal but the character design is what stood out to me. Most of the side characters still have some charm. The other kids never annoyed me enough because of how cute their designs were. Sound: I enjoy the ending song quite a lot. Not much to say in sound, it did it's job for me. Kotaro's voice is very loveable. The other characters weren't overdone as well. They did a great job. Character: Kotaro is very well done. I also enjoy how each of the individual characters who live in the apartment are the types who're generally frowned upon by Japanese society. Enjoyment: Please see par 1. I am extremely biased with this anime. Overall: REALLY GOOD

If you're looking for a slice of life anime, this one is definitely a decent choice, lots of cute moments between the characters while also adding in moments that are rather bittersweet in between. My friend and I enjoyed it a lot when watching the show and it's definitely rewatchable. Watching Kotarou and how he interacts with the adults around him was also nice, just giving perspective into how he views the world and vice versa with the supporting cast. With the art, I did enjoy it, not really mind the sharp edges as the art style feels more unique in it's own way. Only thing that was jarring for me was the eyes on some of the characters though it was easy to get past it while watching the show. I do wish the show did a bit more of showing and not telling though as sometimes it feels like everything ends up being told to you directly, or that it's hinted at. Other than that, the show isn't horrible, nor is it the best show in the genre that I've seen. For those looking to watch there are some serious topics discussed in the show such as an eating disorder, child abuse, or child neglect, so for those who are sensitive to those topics, you should proceed with caution when watching.

Kotaro Lives Alone depicts as a character-driven exploration of childhood resilience, loneliness, and the small victories of human connection. The story centers on Kotaro Satō, a four-year-old boy living alone in a rundown apartment. Despite his tender age, Kotaro exhibits an extraordinary level of independence. He pays rent, cooks simple meals, and navigates daily life with meticulous care. This setup creates a narrative where precociousness and subtle humor meet poignant reflections on trauma and isolation. The narrative gradually reveals Kotaro’s backstory, hinting at familial loss, neglect, and a past filled with emotional hardship. Interactions with neighbors, particularly Shin Karino, a struggling manga artist, provide moments of warmth and human connection. Other residents of the apartment complex, eccentric elderly tenants and working adults form a microcosm of urban isolation, emphasizing themes of unconventional family, empathy, and the resilience required to survive in a world that often overlooks vulnerable individuals. The storytelling balances episodic slice-of-life moments with occasional deeper emotional beats, allowing daily routines and misadventures to coexist with glimpses of Kotaro’s inner struggles. The drama emerges through observation with much of the emotional weight conveyed in expressions. Despite these strengths, the story faces significant challenges in plausibility. The premise of a four-year-old living alone strains credibility. In reality, a child of that age separated from parental supervision would likely panic, be unable to manage finances or domestic tasks, and quickly attract adult intervention. This tension between emotional storytelling and real-world logic can disrupt immersion for anyone who consider practical feasibility. The narrative relies on this unrealistic premise to explore themes of resilience, but for some people, it risks undermining the emotional impact because the situation requires suspension of disbelief beyond ordinary limits. Additional narrative limitations appear in pacing and character focus. While Kotaro’s development is central, supporting adults and neighbors are often secondary, serving primarily as reflections or catalysts for his growth. Comedic and mundane slice-of-life segments occasionally undercut the weight of his trauma, producing fluctuations in emotional resonance. From a production standpoint, LIDENFILMS' visual and auditory execution is underwhelming. Animation often appears stiff, with character movements lacking fluidity, which diminishes the impact of otherwise emotionally charged moments. Backgrounds are functional but not particularly expressive, and the overall art style fails to fully immerse viewers in Kotaro’s environment. Music, while serviceable, is generic and rarely elevates the mood or underscores the story’s emotional beats. Even voice acting, though nuanced in places, cannot fully compensate for the lack of visual and auditory support that would make the world feel more alive. Despite these flaws, the series resonates emotionally by highlighting small acts of courage, empathy, and the subtle ways relationships can shape a fragile life. 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.

One day, manga author Shin Karino is greeted by four-year-old Kotarou Satou, his new next-door neighbor, who gifts him a box of tissues. In Karino's eyes, Kotarou is an odd kid: he speaks in an extremely formal manner, and he lives alone in his apartment—no parents or relatives in sight. But Kotarou neither seems to mind, nor wants to rely on people. Feeling sympathetic toward Kotarou's circumstances, Karino decides to follow Kotarou to a bathhouse in case something might happen to him and there he comes to understand the little boy is not so different from him. Little by little, Karino—along with the other residents of the apartment complex—grows fond of Kotarou and his antics. At the same time, Kotarou himself might have found something akin to a family in his unique neighbors. My thoughts: The English name for this anime is Kotaro Lives Alone. I watched the 10 episodes twice and I enjoyed it. For a 4yrs-old Kotaro has quite the eloquent speech. He portrays to the outside world that he doesn't mind being alone, but at times you see him reaching out to the others in the apartment complex. To those he meets he seems just a kid, but Kotaro always leaves them with thoughts to better their lives and they take to him, wanting to help and care for him. It's a very good and sweet anime. I recommend it if you want a quiet and mildly funny series to watch. I'm hope their will be a season 2. It's currently playing on Netflix here in Canada.

This is my first review on MAL. This show deserves that. My wife and I were looking for a change of pace anime to get away from the action of the other shows we had been watching. This is no doubt the best show we could have chosen for that. If you are an empathetic person or had hard times growing up, this show will make you cry just about every episode. The character development is great for there only being 10 episodes. I know a lot of people will probably hate on the animation style, I personally liked it. I would recommend this show to anyone.

"Kotaro Lives Alone" is a rollercoaster of emotions that had me oscillating between the warmth of human connection and the chilling emptiness of solitude. It's rare for a series to evoke such a gamut of feelings, but this one managed to pull at every heartstring. From the outset, the plight of Kotaro, a young child living on his own, is enough to break anyone's heart. Every episode drew tears from my eyes as I watched him navigate the challenges of loneliness, hunger, and the myriad hardships of his life. The depths of his resilience and vulnerability were both heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure. Shin's character evolution was a highlight for me. His journey from an indifferent individual to someone who genuinely cares showcased the transformative power of empathy and human connection. It was a reminder that beneath the hardened exteriors of some people lies a heart waiting to be touched by kindness. That episode with the tissues? I was devastated. The sheer magnitude of Kotaro's vulnerability and innocence was overwhelming, and that particular scene brought home the reality of his situation in a gut-wrenching manner. Admittedly, the show does present some scenarios that raise eyebrows. Questions like "Why is a 4-year-old living alone?" and "Why are others okay with this?" are natural reactions. These narrative choices might be difficult for some to digest. However, the underlying message seems clear: the silent complicity and lack of intervention when witnessing abuse or harassment are societal issues that need addressing. In conclusion, "Kotaro Lives Alone" is a poignant narrative that holds a mirror up to society. It pushes the viewer to not only empathize with its characters but also reflect on our own roles in the lives of those around us. Highly recommended for those who can brave its emotional intensity.

When Kotarou Lives Alone showed up on my Netflix recommended, I instantly dismissed it as a gimmicky and cheap-production anime. Only one of those was true. Kotarou Lives Alone suffers from honestly bad character design and almost non-existent complex animation. It's cheap, it knows it, and doesn't care. Because the value in this anime, and why it works as an animated manga recreation, is that it is fundamentally well-written to achieve its purpose and tell its stories. This show brings attention to mature themes such as abuse, neglect, and general child welfare - a rarity in anime - and does it well in a heart-wrenching method. It is not an exaggeration to say I cried at least twice an episode by the end of the season. Characters develop slowly - but the process of healing from their trauma is just as slow a journey. Some stories end bittersweet, if sweet at all; but perhaps there is some hope in that the worst is in their past and not their present. A barebones soundtrack becomes notable in its /lack/ of music in its revelatory scenes: there is no need to amplify the already goosebumps-raising realizations of Kotarou's childhood. I came away from this show emotionally destroyed but also having learned a bit more about how to spot neglect and need in children that may not get the attention and nurturing they deserve, something I didn't expect to get from an anime. Though the quality may be lacking, a well-meaning purpose and a solid narrative pushes this show to a 7.

I meant to post this a while back ago when I finished it back in March but here’s my first review. The first episode already has me in my feels with the whole crying is not a sign of weakness. I honestly was pretty turned off by the drawing and his eyes. I started crying halfway through the second episode to be honest and mostly through the entire anime. This anime really tugs at your feelings. This kind of hits home because the editor says, “to be able to act like a kid for a little while. Kids shouldn’t have to be so mature. They should just enjoy their childhood”. I resonate with this because I had to grow up faster than most people my age because my parents depended on me so much while growing up as a child. I don't think I had a lot of fun while I was growing up because there was so much expected of me. I like that this anime touches on abuse. I do not like that Mizuki just left out of nowhere. It does a really good job of showing how much child abuse can affect a child. Kotaro blames himself for what happened with his dad and says that it was his fault for the way his dad treated him. Overall this anime did a good job at portraying what child abuse does to people. I felt so many emotions in each episode. At the end of the day, Kotaro just wanted to feel loved and cared for and the side characters did a good job that showing him that he is needed and appreciated. The only thing that bothered me was Kotaro’s eyes, they were pretty creepy and stood out. This anime is something I will always appreciate and love because it hit home in many aspects and I could see myself in some of the characters. I do hope that there will be a second season!

This was one of my first Slice of Life anime's I have watched and it peaked my interest from the preview that Netflix shows. This was one of the most enjoyable shows I have seen. Story: 9 The story is a very heart-warming and enjoyable story with lots of loveable characters that have great storytelling behind each of them even with only 10 episodes in the season. The episodes are sort of split in two almost like two 15 minute shorts put into a 30 minute episode. The adventures and escapades of Kotaro and his neighbor Karino shows a side of society that most people forget about. The hardships kids and young teens go through when put into foster care and how they deal with not having parents. Doing things like going to school and seeing kids with parents while they themselves do not and how much a simple friend can help in that experience. Art: 8 I like the character designs of this show and each character has their own style like Karino and the grey jumpsuit and Tamaru with the leopard printed suit. The eyes of both Karino and Kotaru do not bother me that much. The art follows the shows story in a way being quaint and innocent in a way. Character: 9 Where to begin, Kotaro and Karino are by far my favorite characters of the series. The dynamic the two of them have is amazing and it really is like a father and son duo with the chemistry they have. Kotaro adds lots of comedic value with his toy sword and his desire to make himself and Karino stronger. Karino embodies the 30 year old who can't find love and lacks motivation. Tamaru is designed almost as an ex-Yakuza boss to make him look intimidating but the opposite is true as he is a very loving neighbor. Mizuki is the main female character and with Karino and Kotaro they make up almost this mom-father-son trio. The characters deal with things like abuse, work deadlines and family issues all along the way of making Kotaro feel like he has his own little family in this small apartment block somewhere in Japan. Overall: 9 I think this is a great short show that you can binge in a day. I personally at the time of this went through a break up and have been feeling lonely since I am still away at college. However, this show almost spoke to me and the way just a small 4-year-old boy deals with loneliness on his own with just the help of his neighbors. If you see it on Netflix 100% give it a shot I promise you won't regret it for one second. Not at any point in this show did I feel bored or uninterested for all 10 episodes.

This shows somehow triggers PTSD most of which never happened but yet somehow relatable. It's a story about a child filled with mental scars as if his whole existence is a scar to himself. This is my first time writing a review and am not gonna just give individual ratings on art style, animation, characters etc. But the overall rating would be undoubtedly a solid 10/10 (laugh all you want, but I'm not gonna be a cheapskate). The story that revolves around Kotarou Satou, an alone, neglected, strong willed, kind and caring child. This show reflects the dark side of family feuds, it shows just how traumatizing child abuse, negligence etc. can be . A child filled with scars of traumas living alone and yet being caring and showing empathy than most of the adults is so saddening and sometimes wholesome at the same time. Never thought that I'd get hooked up to this story. Randomly started this but man, o man, a story full of tears!!

It may look like a childish anime, but it has a very deep meaning. Through Kotaro we begin to experience all of kinds of relationships, parenting and adulthood hardships and every kind of everyday life hardships. On the other hand it might feel like we are the main character Kotaro, despite being left alone he still finds happiness in life and positivnes in things. I think thats the main message of the anime, dont let other things or people ruin your day and despite all kinds of hardships, face it. For the art it was very simple, because the emphasis was on the story. I really recommend it to anyone, who wants to watch a quite short but cute anime, which has nevertheless deep meaning.

This anime touches on heavy topics such as child neglect, abuse, and family estrangement while maintaining a veil of innocence. It gave increased purpose to the moments and scenes you would typically see in some slice of life anime. The four year old Kotaro moves in and the neighbors struggle to figure out why some kid is out here living alone without parents. As the characters grow and develop relationships with each other, we find out more about Kotaro's past, and how he draws on lessons and motivations of the past to move forward. Enjoyment: I thought it was good overall. Story: 6/10 Slice of life anime often struggle with story elements, but I thought the story was fine here. The unraveling of Kotaro's backstory as he builds relationships with other characters is engaging. Art: 5/10 This anime has the most average/neutral artstyle I've ever seen. Nothing outstanding by any means, but clearly serviceable and not distracting. Sound: 6/10 Simple and serviceable, but again, nothing that stands out. Catchy intro and ending though. Characters: 8/10 Best part of the show is watching the characters actually grow as characters and learn how to support one another. Kotaro takes company in the presence of his neighbors and they grow to care for one another and draw upon each other's strengths. This anime is absolutely character driven. Child Protective Services in this anime: 0/10

Kotarou lives alone is a show that carries itself through the characters. Almost all slice of life fall into the trap that is staying mundane. Kotarou is a fantastical child that behaves in erratic ways due to his upbringing. His interactions with the supporting cast drives the progression of the plot. He's a child that doesn't always act like a child. The reliability aspect is what keeps the show alive though. Normally, all these animes would become predictable in that Kotarou is a genius child that knows how to do everything. However, there are constant moments that keep you realizing that he really is a child at the end of the day, from his choice in TV shows, food, or hobbies. Even if you don't always watch slice of life, this show is worth looking into.

Number of Episodes: 10 (20 minutes each) Plot: A *Kotarou Satоou is a four-year-old boy who moves into an apartment complex to live alone. The story is about Kotarou and his interactions with the residents of the apartment and the other people he meets in his life. It's a show about friendship and how people working together can break societal norms to do the right thing by keeping a young boy safe as we slowly learn the circumstances as to why Kotarou lives alone. It's a beautiful and gut-wrenching story. Visuals: B *Unique character designs make Kotarou easy to fall in love with. And I appreciate that the females in the show while drawn to look attractive weren't overly sexualized even though Mizuki works at a gentleman's club. Voice Acting: B+ *Sub and dub are both really good. The main issues once come with the over-the-top anime antics of characters to spazz out over trivial matters. And there are only a few characters that are guilty of this in the show. Film Score/Soundtrack: A *A solid mix of upbeat and playful songs with a French feel to them and some gut-wrenching piano ballads. Really sets the tone of the serious and makes for a fantastic stand-alone listen. The music from the show is a real strength! Favorite Track: Main Theme 2 *I'm sure it has an official title, but this melancholic piano ballad is gorgeous! And I love how when the strings come in to play the final verse, even though it's the same chords, the song just feels more optimistic. Lovely song. Characters: A *Kotarou is adorable and is officially in #mustprotect status. That poor little boy has been through so much and the more you find out about him, the sadder you feel and the more you want to give this little feudal lord a big hug. But the most underappreciated part of the story is the development of his next door neighbor Karino Shin who starts off as an introvert that stays inside all day and doesn't live up to his whole potential but starts to open up and become a better man because he cares for Kotarou and wants to do good for him. Kotarou's positive personality helps to inspire all of the residents in Kotarou's building and seeing how the community works together to help Kotarou to grow was heartwarming. It's the type of show that reminds you about the power that strong communities can have and it is a truly beautiful story. Cringeworthy Anime Moments: The main complaints go to Tamaru, Kobayashi, and Takei who are complete spazzes. Tamaru has some redeemable moments, but the antics that these characters have in their limited free time is pretty annoying to watch. Especially Kobayashi who got drunk in front of Kotarou and took off her shirt. Too many times shows can get away with stuff like this because "it's anime" and that is a textbook example of an anime moment that had no reason to be in here. Titles: Opening: *Upbeat and fun song with a super cute synth that kicks us the song off to the happy sounding verse that explodes into a memorable chorus. The visuals are energetic and match the song's energy. Obligatory characters running forward cliche too. Closing: *A perfect way to end each episode. Haunting vocals that grow even more powerful with an explosion of instruments helping to make the emotional impact of each episode stick that much more than it already did. Each episode has its own illustrations to accompany its ending which is a nice touch. Final Verdict: 8/10 *I really hope that this gets a second season. Kotaro Lives Alone is an adorable show that won my heart before the first episode ended and became an easy binge for me. I adored the majority of the characters and became invested in this little community. Great show that has so much more potential if the story gets finished.

Kotaro Lives Alone (KLA) is an anime that alternates well between being wholesome and quirky. It has a funny and heartwarming atmosphere, which the Slice of life genre is admittedly known to have, however KLA separates itself from the rest with a distinct premise and unique way of tackling its general theme of child care and friendship. Story and Characters Kotaro Lives Alone (KLA) has a solid character driven story. The main characters of KLA are all odd balls, interesting and engaging odd balls to their credit. These are people who normally would not find themselves interacting with each other, or find themselves living in neighboring apartments too. These include a hostess, a struggling mangaka and a man who might just be a yakuza member or something. All of these characters share a common friend and neighbor, our main character, the self-sufficient four year old toddler of the year, Kotaro Sato. On first introduction Kotaro is made to be as unrealistic a four year old as possible with the way he self-sufficiently lives in an apartment by himself and has vocabulary that beats even kids twice his age, yet there is more to him that KLA fleshes out bit by bit to make him a genuine child needing care at the same time. Kotaro is an eccentric child with a bit of mystery surrounding his background, which initially is unknown. Periodically, through his adventures, bits and pieces of his past are elaborated as the show progresses, and every time you get to know him better, you get to see just how much he has gone through and how that shaped the child he is. As all children need to do, Kotaro finds himself having to grow up, albeit in what is probably one of the weirdest ways possible to do so. This is where the adult side characters come in and allow the anime to have consistently fun and wholesome episodes.. Each character purposefully plays a role in helping Kotaro to ease his loneliness and help him to learn lessons along the way. KLA is semi-episodic with segments that deal with Kotato’s adventures with alternating side characters as his guardian and friend. This formula is rarely departed from and forms the basis of the show. Each of these characters are well thought of and definitely make one care about getting to know each of them and how they fit into the anime and Kotaro’s growth . The segmented progression works to mostly good effect here, as it allows the show to have a nonchalant and comedic atmosphere and affords the anime to have transitions from segments where things get sad, before returning into the lighter tone that the show is mostly in. This makes the anime strike a good balance, though it can feel a bit disjointed sometimes, having to shift tone so quickly at times. Art and Setting KLA has a very quirky style to its character designs. Kotaro, for example, has eyes that I can only describe as snake eyes. I can only assume the intention was to show how much of a crafty kid he is, despite his age. His face also looks emotionless, again making me assume that he’s still coming to grips with learning to handle emotionality in general. He is not the only one as each main character in the anime is given a distinct look to fittingly match what you can expect out of their character. Some characters are notably made to contrast their nature, one character in particular, the supposed yakuza member I mentioned earlier, wears a fit that an fashion crazed underboss would be proud to strut around in, yet the character himself is very kind and affectionate. Outside of character designs the anime is very standard in visual quality with nice aesthetics lathered here and there, standard to the slice of life anime that’s being churned out these days. Interestingly enough, the anime was produced by Lidenfilms, the same studio that adapted Tokyo revengers, another anime with good characters and plot, but standard visuals at best merit. Sound Normally English dub makes itself intolerable because it decides to go for its own aesthetic, significantly altering quite a lot of dialogue and giving a non original attitude and nature of respective characters. It’s nice to see that both the original voices and the English dub do not vary too much from each other. Of course the argument that “The original is always best”, is not fully disproven, some dub voices, particularly that of side characters other than Kotaro, sound too disney-esque to take seriously, but the option is there and not too detrimental to enjoyment and dialogue accuracy. The original voice actors are unmatched in making each character resonate and come to life in an anime with very odd and somewhat unlikely character pairings. When it comes to the soundtrack, I would have to say that the anime just about does the bare minimum for matching the genre and themes. If there was a Slice of life 101 guide on making a soundtrack, I’d say the producers read from it and pasted it into KLA. It’s not bad, just not stunning either. Enjoyment This is a show that many can enjoy for its wholesome characters and unique premise. Slice of life anime can be formulaic at times but this anime has a good balance of being itself while using sensibilities of the genre, sensibilities such as having themes that make you resonate and laugh most of the time, with occasional tides that bring the feeling of sadness. I do not expect to normally enjoy this genre, but all in all, I find this anime quite good.

You just want to know if you should watch it? Yes. Yes. YES. Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi is one of the few Animes and Mangas, that actually were able to amaze me in so many different ways, that I actually cant believe how fast these 10 episodes flew by. It starts out as a cute slice of life anime but with a different approach to a "family oriented" category. But its quickly becomes serious in its messages about child neglection as well as what a family is suppossed to be. The characters are all charsmatic in their own way and have their unique interactions with Kotarou. However what I love about this anime is that how grounded in reality it is. Although having a 4 year old living alone in an apartment seems to be more of a setup for gags, it quickly become the focus point of the serious stuff in the anime. Its not trying to make light of the topics its trying to communicate to the viewers, it wants you to feel exactly how Kotarou feels in any given situation. It makes you sympathize with him, makes him a likeable character and pulls you into his world. The way it is structured is amazing. Nothing seems over the top but at the same time its just whacky enough to be entertaining. It hits a sweet spot that not many animes are able to hit. The Art in my opinion is quite nice. I wouldnt say its anything special, but it does its job to communicate what the characters feel, think, who they are etc. Although Kotarous eyes seem a bit weird at the beginning, it quickly becomes the most adorable feature. The other characters have their own style which fits their personalities as well as the surroundings. Its a great fit and definitely enhances the experience. The Music used is great. I had to go back and listen to some of the background music, because it did its job perfectly. It blended in really great with the given situation, that you really didnt pick the music up, yet it still enhanced the experience. The Characters are amazing. No one is perfect and this anime shows that. Everyone has their flaws and has to overcome them, and slowly seeing the people around Kotarou being postively affected by his attitude makes the changes even more satisfying. I would definitely say the Kotarou wa Hitorigurashi is a Masterpiece when it comes to sending a message to the viewer and making you feel things, you'd forgotten you can feel. I had such great experience watching it, and Im still wiping my tears as Im writing this review. If you ever in you life, felt unworthy, unlikeable, uninteresting, neglected, ignored or anything else, then you definitely should watch this anime. Its not just an anime that want to make you aware, that people like Kotarou could exist very well in our world, but it tries to help people that have felt the same way the characters feel during their down phase. It tries to tell you to step up your game and be confident in yourself. It shows that you are never alone and that there is always someone waiting for you. It shows that as long as you dont give up, chase your dream, then you will never have the feeling of sadness and loneliness ever again.

Just finished watching this anime on Netflix and I have to say it is very well done! I loved some of the characters, including the two main characters Kotaro & Karino, as well as some of the side characters like Mizuki. This anime is great because it is based off a comedy/slice of life but it throws in those unexpected deep moments that have you tearing up - I have to say this is one of my favourite animes I have watched in a while based off the character chemistry & the story alone. Story - 9 As previously stated the story is a 9 as you're taken of a journey of a 4 year old's life of independent living with many cute & funny moments as well as unexpected sad scenes, you cannot help but root for the main protagonist Kotaro as each episode you get deeper and deeper to his life and why he acts the way he does, it's like peeling an onion. Art - 7 The art style is good, definitely has a different feel to the other main stream animes, i especially like the way they have done kotaro's eyes, especially when they light up - it impacts the scene more I feel. I also like their usage of shading in certain scenes to make it more dramatic. Sound - 7 Never really know what to put for this part, all the english dub voice acting was good I also like the intro song for this anime, is not much music anywhere else in the series I don't believe. Character - 9 As I said before I loved the two main characters Kotaro & Karino, they have such a good chemistry with each other and their personalities mesh will in the story, it is almost as tho Karino acts like a big brother/dad to Kotaro and it is really heartwarming to see how their relationship grows from the start of the series to the end. The other side characters were also great I loved how they each had they own storyline, it added to the density of the anime and it was really nice. The only reason I cant give this a 10 is because I wasn't really a fan of them introducing so many supporting characters towards the end of the anime, but maybe that's to set up for season 2? Enjoyment - 10 I personally loved this short anime a lot. Was just looking through netflix while I was eating my lunch and I thought i would give this a try - not really knowing much other than looking at the trailer. I was really not expecting the anime to be as good and deep as it was, the story telling and the character plots really made this anime amazing for me. Overall - 9 Overall I gave it a 9, it was great I enjoyed it very much, after watching this anime I feel invested in these characters lives and stories which is saying a lot for a short 10 episode anime!!! I am hoping for a season 2 personally but if they don't then I would say the ending was decent.

absolutely beautiful piece of anime . recently not many good slice of life anime have come out . after binge watching this anime i felt really happy . the story throughout the anime is pretty sad but there are some really wholesome moments aswell . i recommend watching this to everyone , if you are having a bad day this will somewhat make you're day better . review starts from here . . . . . SPOILERS AHEAD . . . STORY - A four year old boy , Kotaro moves next to a struggling mangaka Karino . karino and his other nieghbors notice that kotaro lives alone so they take care of him . karino takes on himself to take care of kotaro . whether to take him to the bath house or to the school , karino always stays with him . . . . ART- in my opinion it was very refreshing to see this kind of art style . it was very simple yet it was perfect choice for this story . . . . SOUND - the voice actor of kotaro was the perfect choice for him , he always sounded respectful with a hint of sadness . the other side charachter also did a pretty good job in my opinion . . . . CHARACHTERS - of course my favourite had to be kotaro . the emotional backstory of kotaro kept me locked to the screen , the anime had the perfect pacing of revealing parts of his previous life . it was very wholesome to see karino helping out kotaro . seeing karino help out kotaro even with though his career was on line made him one of my favourite charachters . the other side charachter did'nt have alot to do with the story . . . . overall i really enjoyed watching kotaro lives alone . definitely recommend everyone to watch this . cant wait for the next season !!