I’ve been waiting for To Your Eternity for.. well forever! It was first announced something like 3 seasons ago. But then, you know, the world kinda ended, and then I guess there were other delays. In any case, the show kept getting pushed back and pushed back. Now you would think that this would be a turnoff but I had randomly fallen in love with the title and absence was just making my heart grow fonder.
While waiting for the anime to finally come out, I ended up running out of patience and buying the first volume of the manga. It’s available in digital format on Crunchyroll but I like to have physical copies. I never bought volume two though. well not yet. But not because it wasn’t good and not because volume 2 wasn’t available. It wasn’t even because I didn’t want to spoil the anime or anything.
I didn’t buy volume 2 because I never finished volume 1. And I bought it many months ago. I never finished volume 1 because the first few chapters gutted me. No seriously. It was emotionally wrecking. I needed a break from To Your Eternity. Yet here I am, watching and reviewing the first episode as soon as I can after it airs.
And you know, I was fully aware that this was going to make me cry. It’s not like they changed up the story or anything. And I was bracing myself the whole day. I bawled my eyes out still Making some pathetic little yelping sounds as I caught my breath. The second time around wasn’t any easier. But you know, the very first episode brought me as far as I had read and I am grateful for that.
For those of you who may be scared off by my first few paragraphs, let me tell you that from what I know, the beginning is by far the saddest part. It’s uphill from here. Also, it’s a very interesting story about this lifeform that can become anything and goes out to explore the world and fight other supernatural beings. It’s a story about life. It’s importance and aimlessness and beauty. It’s joys and its pains.
Also, I have to say that so far, this is a great adaptation. Actually, I might have been a bit better off if it wasn’t. You know I get annoyed at cheap sentimentality or overblown drama that transparently manipulated the audience. This wasn’t it. It was calm and honest and absolutely devastating and, in a very sad way, it was pretty.
All I have to say is that I’m tearing up a bit again. I’ve been putting off writing the review for an hour or so to get my bearings a bit and I guess it didn’t quite do the trick. The stupid screencaps aren’t helping. I’m sorry screencaps, I don’t know what I’m saying, you’re not stupid!
This is my final word on episode 1 of To Your Eternity. It was lonely and only comforting in the coldest of sense but it was unwavering. And boy, I may not have learned your name, but I will remember you forever.
