English Dub Review: The Ramparts of Ice “Lines and Walls”

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Overview (Spoilers Below):

After her classmates run off in fear, Koyuki makes faces in a mirror to figure out why everyone finds her scary.  Suddenly, a boy sneaks up behind her.

Our Take:

A recent anime series produced by Studio Kai has already been concluded, and now I have another from that same studio to explore.  I’m not sure whether to call it a coincidence, but regarding my experience with Sentenced to Be a Hero, I guess I should be grateful to be seeing more of the studio’s presentation this year.  While this one’s not as action-packed as Sentenced to Be a Hero, The Ramparts of Ice does evoke a similar style from that anime to highlight a rom-com that’s icy enough to make one come out of their shell.  In this case, the first episode introduces Koyuki Hikawa as an introvert who keeps her distance from others, mainly because others feel uncomfortable with her stern expression.

But it turns out that there’s a reason behind her “creepy” expression, as her classmates constantly picked on her during her middle school days.  As a result, she ends up keeping her distance from everyone, who’s dubbing her the “Ice Queen” due to her ice-cold expression.  There’s no doubt that the season will include some romantic comedy elements, particularly in the first encounter between Koyuki and Minato. However, at its core, *The Ramparts of Ice* seems to focus on the themes of bullying and its impact on mental health. Due to constant harassment, even outside of school, Koyuki has become introverted, struggling to remember some of her classmates and to communicate effectively. Nevertheless, it’s possible that Minato could help her overcome these challenges.

“Lines and Walls” may appear to have been following the basic steps of a traditional rom-com anime.  However, its themes and relatable protagonist suggest it could be another enjoyable addition to the genre.  Regarding the animation from Studio Kai, it’s not as innovative as the presentation in Sentenced to Be a Hero, but for an anime like this, it’s decent for the show’s charming chibi animations and metaphoric reflections of an introvert’s mindset.  If the later episodes improve upon what worked in this episode, this could wind up being another rom-com that’ll melt anyone’s icy heart, including mine. 

About Marcus Gibson

I'm a recent writer for BubbleBlabber who has an extraordinary passion for films and television, especially from the animation genre. I also spent plenty of hours playing video games, most notably from the Kingdom Hearts franchise. My goal is to provide the most friendly and entertaining reviews on the planet. Whenever something might be good or not, I always remain optimistic and curious about a specific concept from a film or television show.