My initial assessment of Kotoura-san was less than optimistic. The show's (tired) format is that of a goofy high-school drama, featuring a young girl with a special power and boy who is a total pervert (except when he's not) who likes for no immediately discernible reason, along with the typical assortment of mildly quirky supporting characters. This includes, of course, the obligatory love triangle; though in the interest of avoiding spoilers I won't say with whom.

All right, nothing special here; until you start actually watching the show, that is. Then it rapidly becomes much more interesting. The show paints a rather grim picture of life for people who are different/special/empowered, and in particular for Kotoura, who lacks any practical understanding of how her ability works, if it's normal, or how to moderate her interactions with others. I was genuinely moved by the honest and relatable portrayal of Kotoura; particularly in the emotionally charged first few episodes.

Generally speaking, the central characters start out a bit flat and round out fairly nicely over the duration of the series. The regrettable exception to this is Manabe, who isn't as fully developed as the other characters, for (what may actually be good) reasons. It's perfectly fine to have solid characters who don't need evolution; a good example would be Hajime from Gatchaman Crowds, who despite being the hero of the show, doesn't have (or need) a development arc.

Overall, the show paints characters in a relatable and empathetic fashion. Even the 'villains', if you want to call them that. I thoroughly recommend the show as being heartfelt and overall well-put together.

A hidden gem that tugs at your heartstrings from the very beginning. The story follows Haruka Kotoura, a girl with the ability to read minds, which has caused her immense pain and isolation. The series beautifully balances heart-wrenching moments with lighthearted comedy, making it a unique emotional experience. The characters are well-developed, especially Kotoura and her friends, who bring warmth and humor to the narrative. The animation is charming, and the music complements the emotional beats perfectly. Overall, "Kotoura-san" is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a blend of drama and comedy.