Summary:Romeo no Aoi Sora (Romeo's Blue Skies) is a 1995 Nippon Animation production that was directed by Kouzou Kusuba (Alps Stories: My Annette). This 33 episode TV series is a beautiful slice of life drama that is packed with historical facts, beautiful animation, great characters and an amazing soundtrack that together makes for a beautiful production that is a delight to watch and to be a part of. A member of the World Masterpiece Theater, home to series such as Anne of Green Gables and Heidi, Girl of the Alps (both of which were directed by Isao Takahata), Romeo is one of the last in this long lineage of amazing series that dates all the way back to the 1970s, with veterans such as the masterful Takahata and Miyazaki being at the helm of a few, but even so Romeo fits in with the rest of them with ease as a remarkable animation in its own right that tackles themes often not seen in the medium with both delicacy and care. Its a show that from beginning until the end had me hooked as it pulled me deeper into its world that is brimming with life, sorrow and happiness. Friendships are forged, and friendships are interrupted by the raging seas known as life, as people both come and go, at the mercy of fate and the cruel cards that theyve been dealt, but no matter what happens, tomorrow will always be there, waiting for them to grow up and become adults and better people.
In the end, I love this series but did try to be fair, acknowledging its flaws and weak points. It is something that I will recommend to everybody, but I do fear that people may look at it and turn up their nose, feeling too big for it. Hopefully thats not the case. It has parts that could have been strengthened, but thats fine, because as a complete package from start to finish I had an amazing time with it. Its a story about being optimistic, fighting as hard as you can, for both yourself and for your friends. A story that expresses the importance of both friendship and education, and how no matter what obstacles lay in front of you, fight on, hand in hand with your friends as you pave a better future. Life will always throw you a curve, and at times you'll resent everybody around you, but you have to keep your chin up and move forward, to not let your struggles be in vain, and to most importantly never let go of your dreams. Life is cruel, but it doesn't have to be as long as you have your friends by your side.
Story: 8
Animation: 8
Sound: 9
Character: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Overall:: 9.5/10