Taichi as the main guy grew on me more than I expected. At first I thought he was just your standard nice-guy protagonist, but the way he handled the emotional chaos and tried to keep everyone together made me respect him. Iori, in particular, is amazing. Watching her slowly drop her cheerful mask and confront her insecurities really hit me. It made me pause and think about how easy it is to hide behind a front in real life. Inaba was a whole different vibe. She is bold and blunt, which can be frustrating sometimes, but it also adds a lot of tension and depth. There were moments I wanted to shake her and tell her to chill, but I also appreciated her growth by the end.
The Michi Random OVAs added a whole new layer to the story. The random emotional outburst phenomenon felt like a natural continuation of Heartseed’s games, but it also dug deeper into Iori’s insecurities. Seeing her struggle, and Taichi trying to support her without overstepping, was honestly very touching. There were some awkward, almost hilarious moments too, like when everyone unintentionally blurts out their deepest thoughts. It made me laugh but also feel the weight of how hard it can be to really open up. By the final OVA, seeing the group come together and accept each other fully was really satisfying.
The pacing is a little uneven at times. Some episodes, especially in the OVAs, felt repetitive, and a few of the secondary characters did not get much attention. I would have loved a bit more depth there. Still, the emotional beats mostly landed. There were moments that literally made my chest tighten, where you could feel the vulnerability, the awkwardness, and the struggle of trying to be honest with yourself and others.
Visually it is solid, not flashy but clean and expressive enough to convey the emotions. The soundtrack is quietly excellent, perfect for both tense moments and lighter, fun scenes.
Overall I would give the entire Kokoro Connect experience including Michi Random a 7 out of 10. It is not perfect, but it is thoughtful and emotionally engaging. It made me laugh, made me cringe, and made me reflect on friendships and honesty in my own life. The story may focus on high school students, but the themes of vulnerability, trust, and growth feel universal. I enjoyed the journey more than I expected and I think it is one of those series that sticks with you quietly after you finish it.
