The Ramparts of Ice is frustrating to me
Hello, so I just binged The Ramparts of Ice (only the anime) and first of all let me be clear: It is not ragebait (or pure hate for the sake of hating) that I am going to tell you. It really is my opinion and critic on the anime (I can’t talk for the manga).
First I would like to say that I really like the vibe, I like it when there is drama in my romance anime as it gives spice to it. However, I think that the drama could be depicted in some better ways because I think that the anime is constantly edging us: when there are flashbacks in the beginning about Koyun’s past, they only give us bits of it and it is confusing to the spectators (us), also when I got see her flashbacks in the latter parts of The Ramparts of Ice, I found her story quite underwhelming and I believe that the anime did a bad job depicting her past.
Then, there is Minato, he is someone I hated in the beginning (sorry I know a lot of people love him), and as I saw people saying that he was the GOAT and all, I actually forced myself to dislike him less (it was hard for me, I am not going to lie). I am going to explain myself, but first let me tell you that when I am watching or reading someone’s work, I am really immersed in it and I take the MC’s side (I don’t mean that I condone everything he does but I take the MC’s position and tell myself what I would do considering his/her past and situation). Anyway, here when I was watching the anime, I felt like Minato was a voyeur invading my personal space (more like Koyun’s space), I know some people have been saying that a lot but that’s also my interpretation of it + the fact that he is introduced as someone who likes to open people’s hearts when they are alone, which I honnestly find a bit creepy (but again that’s my opinion) and the fact that he was going out with girls he didn’t like and was playing with them is disgusting (although he doesn’t seem to realise it and nobody seems to question it…). That’s also why I was almost tearing up when I saw that Koyun was developing feelings for Minato, and that’s why I do not support this ship although I’ve got no say in it…
Also, I like some of the characters but my issue is that they changed too “easily” from the beginning, for example Minato was depicted as a locksmith who was unlocking people’s hearts, but later on he stays with the group (which honestly I understand because he loves Koyun, but the change seemed too abrupt maybe?). Same with Koyun, I am struggling to see the ramparts sometimes, it seemed so easy in the anime how she became friend with Yota and Tsukiko when she has been alone for two whole terms, it’s almost like the studio forgot that she had ramparts at times (although I concede that she was still rather timid). I seem to have an issue with Minato (which again is personal so I understand why people likes him), I also don’t particularly dislike Momoka, I even put her over Minato… even though she isn’t really kind, maybe that’s because I am not particularly attached to the KoyunxMinato ship.
Finally, I have an issue with the characters. There are too few characters or they are not developed well enough, that’s one of the reasons I think I am putting You and I are polar opposites above (even though I am more interested in the side couples in this one #TairAzuma). Same thing here with The Ramparts of Ice as I am more interested in the MikixYota ship (even after watching the last episode of s1).
Maybe that’s an issue only present in the anime, but apart from the four main characters, the others rarely appear (Yuki, Akine or the others who seem of less importance). Also I am aware that there are going to be backstories for Minato and Momoka, that’s why I am expecting season 2.
Sorry for my english, it is not my first language and I struggled for an hour to convey my opinion here. I am also going to add that I loved the anime and if someone is doubting whether they should watch it or not, I would advise them to go for it! So the reason I find The Ramparts of Ice frustrating is because I love it but it feels like there is a lot of potential wasted here with everything I said.
This is only my opinion, and I would like to hear yours on it!