Our love has always been 10 centimeters apart.

This is the third and final story that takes place in this, universe? Unlike the previous two stories, which were both films, this is a series. It lasts six episodes in total, and revolves around a couple that was in the background throughout the previous two films. There are some really fascinating things going on in this show, however it never feels as if there was any time to let any of the ideas breath properly. Conceptually, much like the previous two films, the main theme of the series revolves around love, and the various aspects that relate to it.

Narratively, the show is both slow and rushed. There are instances where we are left to marinate in a moment and really enjoy the two leads interacting with each other. However, there are certain segments where the plot travels at lightspeed and characters do things that are diametrically opposite to what they are set up to do with the goal of creating conflict. This conflict makes the latter portion of the mid segment of the story a slog to get through. This is compounded by the fact that the two leads are separated through a majority of the time. As stated earlier, there was a good opportunity to explore some really interesting things with the narrative and the character dynamics, however the conflict escalated to the nth degree and we are left with something forced instead.

That being said, a lot of the things that the show ends up exploring once the characters are separated are interesting. Questioning identity, and self worth. It is the manner in which we get to this particular point that lacks any finesse. The method is through a twist, however the twist in itself is so obvious that by the time you are shown it, you are left wanting. Also, could we please move on from the tragic, great older brother that is dying from a nebulous disease please? It was a trope that got old ten years ago.

The finale of the show also rings quite hollow, as we are not shown much of the struggle that the characters go through by the time their narrative comes to a conclusion, we are left to assume much of what happened. This is yet another instance of where it feels as if it is taking time, and rushing at the same time. By the time the final credits of the final episode comes around, there is a distinct lack of narrative satisfaction present.

If I was to compare this show to any other, I would compare it to Bakuman. The only difference is that instead of being a voice over artist and mangaka, the leads here want to be a filmmaker and art teacher. Though, unlike in Bakuman, where we got to see the trials and obstacles that the characters go through in order to get to the ending that they earn, we are left to infer what has happened in the interim here. Then again it is the high school lives of these characters that we are focusing on so it can be excusable.

I have spent nearly the entirety of this piece speaking about how this series comes up short. That being said, I did enjoy it. When the characters are together, the chemistry between them is magnetic and I was really interested in whatever it was that they were talking about. In addition to that, the fact that the male lead of the show is an aspiring filmmaker, and more specifically, and aspiring director of films, make it very easy for me to relate to him. Seeing the various production meetings that he takes part in and the stress of making a film is really interesting to see. It really is a shame that these aspects of positive make up for a minority of the actual series.

The show is available to watch on Crunchyroll, should you choose to watch it.