Just Because

Just Because contains episodes 1-12 of the anime directed by Atsushi Kobayashi. Relationships are living things: if they're not constantly nurtured, they can wither, die, or even worse. Haruto Soma, Mio Natsume, and Hazuki Morikawa are in their final semester at Kashiogawa High, and while there are some simmering undercurrents in how they feel about each other, the main focus in their lives is to keep studying until they get their diplomas. But into this perfectly reasonable plan falls a monkey wrench named Eita Izumi, who was their classmate and friend until his family moved away four years ago. Now Eita is suddenly back and fitting him into the current dynamic is going to be awkward. Because people and friendships can change, and when they do, there's always the chance that someone will be hurt. Not because of malice or deliberate intent, just because that's the way life can be.