Honey Lemon Soda: A refreshingly wholesome throwback to classic shoujo romance
Every so often, you'll come across a show that doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it embraces the charm of familiar tropes and makes them work with such sincerity that it wins you over. If you're into shoujo, you should be familiar with the following stereotypical trope. It involves a shy girl meeting the school heartthrob, followed by a blossoming connection between the two, and a character glow-up of the former.
Honey Lemon Soda follows the exact same formula in a heartwarming way. Watching this show felt like stepping back into the 2010s golden age of school romcoms involving plenty of sweetness, accompanied by endeavours of personal development and the occasional clumsiness in its production.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Mayu Murata's acclaimed Honey Lemon Soda was released in January this year as a twelve-episode adaptation by J.C.Staff. At its core, it is a story about Uka Ishimori, a sweet and angelic yet shy and socially awkward girl whose struggles with communication and self-confidence have left her isolated. Her whole world flips upside down when she encounters Kai Miura – the supposedly cool and popular romantic interest of the school who carries his own baggage.
What hooked me about Uka as the protagonist is how real her growth feels. She doesn't magically become the perfect person after one pep talk or some montage; her development takes time. She starts off painfully awkward, tripping over words and often struggling to hold conversations. Little by little, though, she grows – standing her ground, taking leadership roles, and actually speaking her mind.
Her backstory makes it all click. Anyone who's ever tried to break out of their shell will see themselves in her, making it both adorable and inspiring.
The romance between Uka and Kai is total fantasy fuel, but it's not just sugary nonsense. Kai might have the supportive prince energy, but the story doesn't reduce him to being her saviour.
Uka's friends, Ayumi and Serina, are also part of the ensemble. Even the mean bullying gyaru clique plays a role in shaping her journey. It's a refreshing reminder that growth doesn't happen in a vacuum, but requires a community to fulfill.
The series isn't without its flaws, however. Kai's interventions can sometimes feel unrealistic, with him solving problems in ways that can only be described as plot armour. These moments highlight the show's over-reliance on plot conveniences. If you come in expecting airtight writing or flawless storytelling, you may find yourself rolling your eyes. But instead of aiming for realism, Honey Lemon Soda thrives on its depiction of the messiness of emotions, offering a comforting narrative rather than a strictly logical one.
The biggest drawback, though, lies in the production. The studio drops the ball here. Sometimes the animation just looks off, feeling stiff and lacking refinement. This is contrasted with standout moments where everything looks silky smooth and gorgeous, clearly thanks to Takeshi Honda's contributions. It really makes you wonder why the entire show didn't receive the same level of polish.
On the bright side, Uka and Kai consistently look good. The voice actors also pull the most weight. They sell the drama even when the visuals are struggling to keep up.
Honey Lemon Soda bears similarity with many other shoujo anime, but it is most comparable to Kimi ni Todoke, which is inevitable and deserved. Both series explore common themes of bullying, personal growth, and the transformative power of kindness within a school romance setting. While Honey Lemon Soda is not as refined, it manages to capture the same wholesome essence. For longtime shoujo fans, it scratches an itch left behind by the conclusion of the third season of Kimi ni Todoke. For newer viewers, it offers an accessible, feel-good entry point into the genre.
Ultimately, Honey Lemon Soda is not a complex series by any stretch. It is very much a straightforward watch that embraces its clichés with open arms. If originality and narrative innovation are what you're looking for, then it's better you look elsewhere. But if you're craving a wholesome watch, I cannot recommend the show enough.
Comments