Netflix’s Anime Masterpiece: Love Through a Prism Review

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Netflix unexpectedly released Love Through a Prism, a brand-new anime from the studio Wit. While romance stories are common around the holiday, this 20-episode anime offers a uniquely refreshing take. It’s exciting, feels genuinely real, and avoids typical, unrealistic tropes. But what really makes it special isn’t just its realism – it’s a truly exceptional anime overall.

Directed by Kazuto Nakazawa and written by Sakiho Fujii and Yoko Kamio, Love Through a Prism is a heartfelt story celebrating artists and their dedication. At its core, the film follows characters as they discover their passions and navigate the conflict between societal expectations and their own desires. It’s a journey of self-discovery and finding fulfillment through art.

Readers who enjoy romantic stories might anticipate a sweet and familiar connection between two people, but this series offers something much more—a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading, and that goes beyond just a simple love story.

Love Through a Prism is a Familiar yet Refreshing Look Into Chasing Dreams

Love Through a Prism is set in the early 1900s and follows Lili Ichijoin, a young painter who journeys to England to improve her skills. She receives a scholarship to the prestigious Saint Thomas Art Academy, where she has six months to become the top student. If she doesn’t succeed, she’ll have to return to Japan and work in her family’s kimono shop, abandoning her artistic dreams.

The series draws inspiration from stories that center on personal growth, self-discovery, and the bonds between people. In London, Lili finds a supportive community of artists, forging lasting friendships. Through these relationships, especially her complex connection with fellow painter Kit Church, she begins to see the world in a completely new way.

What I really love about Love Through a Prism is how refreshing it is! It completely avoids all those typical shojo tropes – no annoying school drama, over-the-top crying, or mean bullies trying to ruin everyone’s lives. Sure, there’s a little bit of conflict early on that sparks the main romance, but overall, the story feels really grounded and mature. The connection between Kit and Lili isn’t about competition at all; it’s about how they genuinely help each other grow, both as artists and as people. It’s just so lovely to watch!

Kit Church & Lili Ichijoin Develop a Deep Intimacy Through Art

Watching the main characters fall in love in Love Through a Prism reminded me a lot of Howl and Sophie’s story, but I felt like this one delved into the emotions and complexities a bit more thoroughly.

Lili is initially shown as a cheerful and optimistic young woman, experiencing London with wonder. While she might seem like a typical anime heroine at first, she quickly reveals herself to be strong and genuinely likeable. She perfectly embodies the spirit of a dreamer who is both adventurous and determined, successfully navigating life as a student in a new country.

Kit is an incredibly talented painter, but he dreams of a simple life without rules. He doesn’t worry much about meeting expectations or following social norms, and this freedom is actually key to his creativity and artistic innovation. As the story unfolds, we begin to understand the roots of his self-centeredness and disregard for convention through a look at his family background.

Kit and Lili often disagree, but they share a strong passion for making art. As Lili tries to figure out where Kit gets his inspiration, hoping it will help her own artistic journey, she begins to see that they think much alike despite their differences.

I noticed Lili slowly becoming a constant in Kit’s life, and it sparked something in them – a quiet longing that really grew as the story went on, especially for Kit. It was like they were becoming essential to each other without even realizing it. They really inspired each other’s creativity and self-discovery, and that connection fueled everything, bringing them closer and closer until they shared something incredibly intimate.

Romance Isn’t the Only Thing That Makes Love Through a Prism Feel Genuine & Fulfilling

Like all good love stories, the characters and their connections are the heart of this one. Love Through a Prism really shines in creating believable, complex characters and building strong relationships between them. Everything each character does is driven by honest feelings, deep love, and unwavering passion.

I’m completely captivated by this story! Lili is such a wonderful heroine – she’s not powerful because of flashy abilities, but because she’s genuinely kind, works incredibly hard, and really sees the beauty in everything and everyone around her. Then there’s Kit – everyone puts him on a pedestal for being so talented, but he’s wonderfully imperfect. Watching him grow and learn about the world – and about Lili! – is a huge part of what makes the story so special. And honestly, every single character feels important; they all have a real purpose in the story and really bring the world to life.

I’ve noticed that Lili invests the same care and attention into all her relationships, not just her romantic ones. Her closest friends have built something really special – a bond based on trust, understanding, support, and a shared love of making things. As the story unfolds and we learn more about each character, it’s clear their friendship has lasted, even though life has taken them in different directions over the years.

It’s fascinating to watch how people from all different backgrounds connect over a shared passion. Each character finds unique meaning in art, and the supporting characters aren’t just there for Kit and Lili’s story—they each play a vital role in their development, while also pursuing their own goals. This helps create a truly fulfilling ending for Love Through a Prism.

Wit Studio Depicts Lili Ichijoin’s Journey Through a Prism of Color

I was completely blown away by how Love Through a Prism really embraced the idea of art itself! Nakazawa and the team at Wit Studio clearly have such a love for masterpieces and the way things are created. They didn’t go for super-realistic backgrounds, which I really appreciated. Instead, almost every scene feels like it’s been painted – you can practically see the brushstrokes! It’s like the characters are stepping right out of a beautiful artwork, and it’s just magical.

Surprisingly, the anime’s color palette isn’t about flashy visuals. Instead, it focuses on realism, reserving bright colors for key moments. The show almost feels like it’s using real-world colors to create incredibly lifelike scenes.

I was struck by how the film captured the cool, almost bleak atmosphere of London in the 20th century through its colors. But then, scenes of Lili and her friends relaxing in a pub felt incredibly warm and inviting, bathed in this lovely orange light. It didn’t feel like I was watching them, but almost remembering a cozy moment myself.

The series Love Through a Prism intentionally uses color to deepen the viewer’s connection to the story, particularly in the final episodes. As war becomes more likely, the show shifts to gray and eventually loses color completely, visually representing Lili’s growing emotional emptiness and despair.

Love Through a Prism Embodies the Human Heart & the Creative Process

What I love most about Love Through a Prism is its thoughtful portrayal of art and the artists behind it. Although the story starts with Lili wanting to be top of her class, the anime doesn’t focus on art as a simple competition. Lili succeeds by becoming more creative, but she does so by learning to create for her own enjoyment, not just to impress others.

Lili grows as an artist by freely expressing herself with passion. For her, and many other creatives, that feeling of uninhibited creation is reward enough. Her work, Love Through a Prism, suggests that fulfilling your natural artistic drive is more important than striving for grand ambitions.

Watching this anime, I was struck by how it goes beyond just celebrating beautiful art and creative energy. It really delves into the personal battles artists face. I saw characters grappling with self-doubt, constantly comparing themselves to others who seemed more naturally gifted. Some even lost their drive to create as life’s demands pulled them in different directions. What really resonated with me was how honestly it portrayed the fact that artists are often their own harshest judges – a truth so many of us can relate to.

Love Through a Prism is a warm and encouraging anime for anyone who loves creating. It beautifully explores how art can help you discover yourself and pursue your passions, even when life is difficult. It’s a genuinely heartfelt and well-made story that reminds us how important creative expression is, even in a tough world.

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2026-02-12 01:42