Convenience Store Boy Friends: The Complete Series

Four young high school students run into each other regularly at a local convenience store. Two are boys: jokey but sincere Towa, and quiet and thoughtful Haruki. Two are girls: studious, serious, academic Mami, and kind and outgoing Miharu. Towa and Mami appear to get along like oil and water, with his brashness and her brainy reserve both informed by their family lives, but of course they are attracted to one another and with coaching (especially for Towa) they learn to enjoy each other’s company. Haruki and Miharu seem better suited but take an entire year to finally admit their feelings. Unfortunately, until a telegraphed hospital twist at the end, watching this anime—which takes place over the course of a single year—feels very slow-going, and too much repetitive animation is spent in having characters (who can be otherwise charming) simply running from place to place. Presenting all 12 episodes from 2017 in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, rated TV-14, this high school romance series scores some points for realistically depicting friendship, but considerable flaws make it an optional purchase. (L. Martincik)