Citrus Anime Review
The official website for the anime adaptation of Citrus shared the series’ first promo and staff credits.
Citrus: Best Yuri Anime?
Citrus is a yuri manga created by Saburouta, and it’s been serialized in Comic Yuri Hime since November 2012. The series follows Yuzu Aihara. She is a girl who loves to have fun, shop, and is preoccupied with boys. However, Yuzu has trouble fitting in at a conservative girls’ school that she transferred to, and frequently clashes with student council president Mei Aihara. It turns out that Mei is Yuzu’s step-sister – and their hatred starts to turn into attraction.
The anime’s voice cast includes:
- Ayana Taketatsu (Leafa in Sword Art Online) as Yuzuko Aihara.
- Minami Tsuda (Yui Funami in YuruYuri) as Mei Aihara.
- Yukiyo Fujii (Patema in Patema Inverted) as Harumi Taniguchi.
- Yurika Kubo (Loki in Danmachi) as Himeko Momokino.
- Shiori Izawa (Noriko Kamomebata in Scum’s Wish) as Matsuri Mizusawa.
- Ikumi Hayama (Tsubaki Ando in Shirobako) as Kayo Maruta.
The anime’s main staff includes:
- Director: Takeo Takahashi (Spice & Wolf).
- Series Composition: Naoki Hayashi (Flip Flappers scripts for episodes 8 -13).
- Chief Animation Director / Character Designs: Izuro Ijuuin (Long Riders! bike animation director).
- Animation Studio: Passione (Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers).
Citrus is this season’s yuri romance! It focuses a tumultuous relationship between Yuzu and her step-sister Mei, both of whom have never met until their first day at school.
This series may not convert new fans or satisfy people looking for a respectable depiction of a same-sex relationship, but it can be fun if you are looking for some smut that evolves into something bigger.
Is Citrus Anime Good?
Here are five reasons why you should watch CItrus.
1. Yuzu Aihara is Lovable.
Yuzu has an infectiously sunny personality, which clashes with the conservative rules of her new school. She’s hip, confident, and comes off as a person you’d like to hang out with.
2. Mei Aihara is a Conflicted Soul.
Mei, on the other hand, is the opposite. She’s incredibly strict (but respected), which is a cover to hide her emotions.
You can’t really talk about Mei’s actions without getting into spoilers, but she’s incredibly cold for a reason. She doesn’t know how to properly express love, which causes her to show her passion in ways that aren’t healthy.
3. You’re Supposed to Be Uncomfortable.
In fact, you’re supposed to feel uncomfortable during the anime’s opening arc. While the overall series isn’t the perfect representation of same-sex relationships, you’re supposed to empathize with Yuzu feeling violated and the emotional trauma Mei experiences as their relationship begins to form.
4. It Knows Its Audience
It’s no secret that lots of yuri fans are heterosexual guys (although everyone can appreciate cute women) so there is plenty of fanservice while embracing the lesbian experience. That doesn’t mean Citrus is bad at all, just don’t go into expecting a nuanced representation of lesbian relationships like Aoi Hana.
5. Citrus Can Keep it Light
Citrus goes into dark territory; emotional trauma, sexual assault, family ties, and societal expectations are touched on (though not fully explored). That said, Citrus knows when to inject humor, largely thanks to Yuzu’s personality.
