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Category:    Home > Reviews > Anime > Animation > Violence > Fantasy > Drama > Romance > Comedy > Japan > TV > Kokoro Connect: Complete Collection (TV + OVA Complete Series/2012/Sentai Blu-ray Set)

Kokoro Connect: Complete Collection (TV + OVA Complete Series/2012/Sentai Blu-ray Set)



Picture: B+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: B+



Taichi, Iori, Inaba, Yui and Yoshifumi are best friends and they are all on the Student Cultural Research Club. Suddenly one day, they begin experiencing weird phenomenons including randomly switching bodies, acting their heart's desires, and feeling each others thoughts and feelings. They learn everything is cause by supernatural being know only as 'Heartseed', what is it's purpose? Are they being tested? And what will happen to their friendship?


The entire Kokoro Connection series have been brought together in this new, complete set of the franchise, following Taichi, Iori, Inaba, Yui and Yoshifumi as ordinary high school students, until one day they discovered they switch bodies (temporary). They begin not only to see through each other's eyes, but also discovering their secrets, testing their friendship, bonds and relationships. Taichi is the main self-less hero and in general the all around good guy, but Iori and Inaba is both secretly in love with him. Iori seems energetic and easy going but she is basically living alone while, hiding she is uncomfortable with mother's various remarriages and the having a violent father.


Inaba is the most mature and logical of group and realizes the potential for psychological damage, and while she support and cares for her friends she distances herself from them, because she is the most sensitive to their feelings. Yui is a near rape survivor, she has Androphobia (fear or men) and has learned karate to defend herself. Yoshifumi is the all around playboy but he has a crush on Yui, he has the least problems among his friends and he is basically serves as Taichi's wingman.


This anime was set in high school drama, there was potential for a bit of comedy, drama and romance. It explores the what happens to a group of friends if they literally are able to walk a mile in another's shoes. It explores psychological/social questions, such as do people treat you differently if you look different one day, or do people act different if they can read your thoughts? Can you live in a world when you can't keep any secrets or private? Given current human nature and behavior, most humans would NOT tolerate people around them if they knew they could hear their thoughts or feelings.


The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image on all the episodes look really good throughout, even when we deal with separate production blocks, color and detail included. Both the Japanese & English DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Stereo presentations have Pro Logic-like surrounds, but the English disappoints and the better Japanese presentation (more detailed and accurate) still tends to miss the mark despite being the better choice. Extras include clean opening and closing animations and trailers.



Episodes are...


A Story That Had Already Begun Before Anyone Realized It - Taichi, Iori, Inaba, Yui and Yoshifumi begin experiencing (temporary) body switching.


Some Fascinating Humans - Taichi, Iori, Inaba, Yui and Yoshifumi meet the supernatural being know as 'Heartseed' who is causing them to switch bodies for his amusement.


Jabber and Low Blow - Taichi learns of Yui's androphobia and helps her overcome her fears.


Twin Feelings - Inaba confronts Taichi with the reality of their situation and the dangers that could change their personalities or hurt their friendships. Taichi believe it could also heal them, but Inaba tells him, that is his ego and he wants to play the self-less hero.


A Confession and Death... - Iori ends up in the hospital and they are tested by Heartseed, are they willing to sacrifice one of themselves to save Iori?


A Story That Continued Before Anyone Realized It - They bodies switching has stopped, but now they are facing the phenomenon where they are all acting out their deepest desires.


Falling Apart - Afraid of their own desires and what they might do, Inaba warns Taichi's desire to play the hero and help others could hurt them.


And Then There Were None - Inaba distances herself from her friends. Taichi, Yoshifumi, Yui and Iori get into a fight with each other on their school trip.


Can't Stop Can't Stop Can't Stop - Taichi tries to apologize and repair their relationships and believes that their desires can be control if they have strong will. Heartseed confronts Inaba and she must face her real feelings she has kept repressed.


Putting Into Words - Inaba confronts her feelings toward Taichi and Iori finds out Inaba has romantic feelings for Taichi and is a rival for his affections.


A Story That Began As We Realized It - The group faces a new phenomenon in which they temporary revert to children.


Into a Snowy City - Iori turns into a baby. Yui confronts her past and Yoshifumi wonders if his own feelings toward Yui are real or Yui looks like a crush he had on a different girl from his past.


As Long As the Five of Us Are Together - Iori & Yui are forced to regress to their past memories and trauma; Iori is give a chance to change her past.


Breaking Down Day By Day - Taichi and his friends experience another new phenomenon when they are able to feel each other true emotions just a Valentine's Day arrives.


See Nothing, Understand Nothing - Tired of the phenomenons Iori distances herself unsure of what she wants or feels. Inaba wants to disband the club to stop Heartseed from messing with them. Yui decides to stop relying on her friends so much.


Determination and Resolution - The club's presentation has been vandalized and confront the people responsible. Inaba gets kidnapped.


Connecting Hearts - Taichi, Yui, Yoshifumi and Iori manages to rescue Inaba and forgive each other and those who hurt them. Taichi and Inaba start dating, Iori starts over their friendship.



- Ricky Chiang


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