Heavily strum an important chord in my heart. I 100% appreciate the existence of this anime. It is truly a blessing to have seen such a nuanced take on depression/suicide. At first I thought this would be an anime that goes oh he made close and good friends, he's no longer depressed and wants to live every day, oh the power of friendship, the end. But Orange also depicts how his grief seeps into his friendships and daily life. How it affects interpersonal dynamics and amplifies the stressors in his life that aren't all that stressful in other people's lives.

One thing I appreciate is that Orange didnt end with him just making friends and being happy, but it ended with him attempting, and deciding against. Even though he has fun with his friends, cares for them and his grandmother, he still took that step onto the road in that moment of overwhelm. This depiction is super realistic, and makes me greater appreciate the author's understansing of those battling depression/suicide ideation. For many people irl, the thought of their friends and family may not come quick enough to their mind, even though they know full well of their friends, but they are absorbed in the moment and still step on the road and cannot take that step back. It pains me to imagine the number of people who have taken their lives even while knowing they are fully loved.

Let us all be kind to one another so that the step onto the road won't even be a thought for those who are hurting.