Forum - View topic
(The) Ramparts of Ice (TV).


Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next

Anime News Network Forum Index -> General -> Series Discussion
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Posts: 3510
PostPosted: Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:08 am Reply with quote


(The) Ramparts of Ice (TV)

Source: Manga (completed @ 14 volumes by Kōcha Agasawa)

Demographic:

Animation Studio: Studio Kai

Genres: comedy, romance

Themes: coming-of-age, love polygon, school, self-discovery, social anxiety

Plot Summary: Pushed down by memories she can’t shake, high schooler Koyuki Hikawa keeps everyone at arm's length. Until three schoolmates draw her out of her shell.

Air Date & Platform:
April 02, 2026 (Thursday)
Available on: Netflix

Episode Count / Runtime: Pending

Trailer

[EDIT: Fancy opener stuff edited. -TK]


Last edited by Edjwald on Fri Mar 27, 2026 3:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Posts: 3510
PostPosted: Thu Mar 26, 2026 4:20 am Reply with quote
Just found out that this anime is authored by the same person who created You and I Are Polar Opposites. Doesn't exactly have a comedy vibe, but count me in.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Blood-
Bargain Hunter



Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 25599
PostPosted: Thu Mar 26, 2026 8:17 am Reply with quote
Big time! Even if it doesn't have the same light-hearted tone as Polar, that show's fresh characterization and resolute avoidance of events unfolding in a tropey way gives me a ton of hope for this one.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Eilavel



Joined: 16 Apr 2024
Posts: 477
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 1:40 pm Reply with quote
Yeah, this was good. Not on polar opposite levels, but its got stuff to say but still has natural-feeling dialogue and interactions, and everyone seems to have distinct and real personalities.

When I watch a high-school romcom and wish the side characters with actual personality were the leads? This feels like they just did that. I'll be in for the season.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
smurky turkey



Joined: 30 Jan 2022
Posts: 4997
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 3:01 pm Reply with quote
1:

Yeah, the vibes are quite different compared to You and I Are Polar Opposites. No overly goofy/happy characters or a cheerful class that makes you unable to stop smiling. That is not to say Ramparts is dark but the mc is dealing with some stuff and from the looks of things she is not the only one. The opening seems cheerful though so I assume that at some point friendships are formed. Should be fun to see how that goes.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Posts: 3510
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 4:00 pm Reply with quote
This was the fifth Spring anime that I've watched this new season (Agents of the Seasons1, The Strongest Job2, Food Diary of Miss Maid3, Always a Catch4) and I haven't actively disliked any of the anime or crossed them off my watchlist yet, but this was the first one where I really feel confident that I'll be looking forward to seeing it every week for the next 3 months.

Mostly for the reasons already mentioned - a kind of brand loyalty to the author and characters who feel natural in a way that a lot of anime tropes with legs do not. I never felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen next.

I like the bestie who's at the other end of the social extreme from the narrator.

Giraffe boy isn't unlikable and seems a little goofy.

Blonde guy has hints of an edge behind that mischievous exterior, but that's kind of interesting.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Blood-
Bargain Hunter



Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 25599
PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 7:54 pm Reply with quote
Yes, very different vibe from Polar Opposites. This is very slice of life-y. And much like the first episode of Teenage New Game, the protagonist seems well on her way to a healthy school existence. Again, I assume she's going to hit some snags, but she's already got the formation of a pretty solid group of friends around her.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
DuskyPredator



Joined: 10 Mar 2009
Posts: 15852
Location: Brisbane, Australia
PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 3:44 am Reply with quote
I know the vibe is different, but I didn't know about the connection to Polar Opposites but still thought there was a similarity. The girl going into the chibi mode when thinking about things is a lot like that show.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
smurky turkey



Joined: 30 Jan 2022
Posts: 4997
PostPosted: Thu Apr 09, 2026 2:21 pm Reply with quote
2:

The episode surprised me in that the 4 friend group from the opening has already been formed. Well, kind of. Koyuki and Youta quickly became friends and the latter seems like a chill guy to be around (kudos to him actually being tall compared to the others). Miki and Youta already being friends makes things even easier. The only problem is Minato. It is hard to get a read on him but he seems very logical and might view people as puzzles to solve. Minato forcing himself into the study group at the end was rather awkward.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Eilavel



Joined: 16 Apr 2024
Posts: 477
PostPosted: Thu Apr 09, 2026 2:55 pm Reply with quote
Minato seems like a manipulator who does things for his own amusement but with the reasoning it's for others benefit. Clearly didn't care about the girl he was dating. Presumably his arc is the group's sincerity teaching him to be less of a phony. Well, could be wrong of course.

Either way, I look forward to his arc because right now he's not likeable! Like the show though, no polar opposites but a solid drama
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Animegomaniac



Joined: 16 Feb 2012
Posts: 4286
PostPosted: Thu Apr 09, 2026 6:59 pm Reply with quote
That's interesting as from what I see Minato is the genuine one and Miki is the phony.

I don't see Minato as the manipulator type but as the fixer type... his problem would seem to once he helps someone, he loses interest. Is it healthy? It has to be healthier than two people bonding over a mutual friend forcing themselves to be something they're not.

Miki returning to the friend they miss in the presence of Minato explains why the opening is such a mess. I have no idea what this show is aiming to do and there is nothing more refreshing than that.

It's not even hinting that Koyuki should change, only that she could.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gina Szanboti



Joined: 03 Aug 2008
Posts: 12729
PostPosted: Thu Apr 09, 2026 10:10 pm Reply with quote
DuskyPredator wrote:
I didn't know about the connection to Polar Opposites but still thought there was a similarity.

The zoom in to Tsubasa looking back over his shoulder mid-OP is basically Tani sans glasses. Smile And Minato is Taira with fewer self-esteem issues and less cynicism. Not only do they look like brothers, compare Minato's reaction to Koyuki/Yuta with Taira's upon learning about Miyu/Tani. I don't see him as manipulative but rather as a somewhat detached observer, trying to puzzle himself out based on what he sees others doing.

Koyuki just needs to learn that it's ok to contain multitudes. Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Eilavel



Joined: 16 Apr 2024
Posts: 477
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2026 3:51 am Reply with quote
Animegomaniac wrote:
That's interesting as from what I see Minato is the genuine one and Miki is the phony.

I don't see Minato as the manipulator type but as the fixer type... his problem would seem to once he helps someone, he loses interest.


Miki is more directly a phony, no doubt.

But was Minatos relationship with that girl sincere? Did she want to be "fixed" in that way? I think we basically have the same read, I just think his "fixing" is insincere/phony/unpleasant; he thinks of himself as helping but ultimately its about self-satisfaction.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Posts: 3510
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2026 4:26 am Reply with quote
The thing that struck me about Minato's break up was that he didn't rush to express his true feelings while the girl was basically saying he didn't have any real deep feelings about her - which suggests that he's either holding something back at a critical moment, or he's expressing his true lack of feelings. The girl who was doing the dumping was crying, but he looked like a robot and seemed pretty nonchalant when he told his mom everything was fine later.

I don't think he's bad, I just think he's detached. And that's only a problem because he doesn't seem to like the results.

I don't dislike Miki. I don't think she's being manipulative, I think she's being that brand of weak that comes from being too nice.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Posts: 3510
PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 2026 6:27 pm Reply with quote
I haven't really warmed up to Minato - he seems kind of stalkery with the best intentions.

I'm not enjoying watching Miki setting herself up for drama although that is the genre here, not comedy. Let's see if they talk things out in a mature and honest fashion the way they would on You and I Are Polar Opposites.

I am interested to see what happens when Minato sees Igarashi around Koyuki, which seems destined to happen. Minato's perceptive enough that he ought to be able to pick up on their dynamic.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Anime News Network Forum Index -> General -> Series Discussion All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Page 1 of 5

 


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group