May 09, 2025
idk how, but you have a way to evoke certain moods/emotions that I rarely see on this site. A lot of us write extremely matter-of-factly, but it's almost like you paint with words. Not only is the narration this way, but also the world and characters. Even during the funnier bits, there is a sense of wonder for the mundane which honestly elevates what you write beyond "just" a story. You don't rely on showy plots or overly quirky characters and, frankly, you don't need it. I liked last year's entry quite a lot, but this one truly feels like something special, though admittedly it took me a while to get "into" it, and I suspect the same goes for you.
Unfortunately, this kind of introspective, whimsical storytelling makes weebs foam from the mouth, so while it's by far my favorite entry this competition, like Kaisei's last year, I'm not sure if it'll pass the hornyfeet vibecheck... which is their loss honestly.
I'll say that this could've used a bit more tightening up, especially the first half, but I also get that it was about the journey not the destination (be definition). While what happened with Kemishi was sad and all, compared to the emotional bomb from previous chapters, it was kind of... meh? I don't feel like she was developed enough unfortunately. I got the gist of it but it felt more like reading an article somewhere than being right there if you get it. Ironically I feel like the Lennac Kemishi arc was too focused on Henox and unfocused at once because of the aforementioned first third woes.
As goes for 99% of contest entries, it's honestly nothing a good round of editing can't fix. Imo bland characters or a boring generic story are far more damning than a wonky structure product of the rudhed first drafts thede contests mystifyingly use to pitch to companies, but I digress.
I'll give you a 1* review later.
the first half is so great and this was shaping up to be my chosen one this competition, and then the second half was just... there? I don't know, I didn't laugh nearly as much, characters felt a lot blander for some reason, and things just kind of happened with no rhyme or reason. I really feel like with proper time/editing thid would've been amazing, but it is what it is. I'd 10000% be down for reading more without thid cringe contest nerfing most entries honestly 
I've felt the rush on many entries these past contests, but nothing like this one. Anime ran out of budget changed directors half the animators had a heart attack and died in ep10 omedeto
