Flawed delivery of classic love story
I hate to be strict with someone's labor of love--one landing on the front page, in fact--but there were a few knots in my stomach as well as my heart. While I won't go into whether or not it's a cliche, I will say that there are quirks that make this tear-jerker hard to swallow.
Graphics are Seven (review representative of series overall). Instances depicting violence could not be perfectly rendered through the classic South Park-inspired artwork. It was a simple approach, but decently made with effects to boot.
Style receives a four because the South Park style does not make a good tear-jerker plot. Since we associate the paper cut style to a topical yet juvenile cartoon show, it is hard to associate a love story through it. I remember the graphic adventure of Ray--rendered in the South Park style--and I imagined how better it could be had the author upped the presentation with a more realistic style. Same thing here... only for your sake, the series has at least one strong point: barring few instances of voice-overs (which were actually quite bland), it was silent film style... for the most part. If the South Park style could better display diverse emotion, then you could ideally ride upon this style.
Sound gets a 6 for one good reason: the choice of soundtrack. This turns out effective (two songs per film, not always by Hans Zimmer); most cases, authors flub on this decision. It might not be from the audio portal, but it works. Sound is also where I judge voice acting. Sadly, even with Rika-Chan backing you up, voice-overs sound stiff overall. You did okay trying for the harshness of the bully in Episode III, but never hush your voice regardless of your domestic setting; always throw your voice at every chance you got. I cannot vouch for the rest of it. Give better attention towards rehearsing and coaching--even a few lines, since those few lines are typically pivotal.
Violence gets a four (blood, violent acts, etc.)
Interactivity gets a 2 (play and replay).
Humor is a zero. It's not a contextually humorous tale.
Now in terms of writing...
Now, while characters evolve (his former tormentor gives him a break in the third episode), not everything is explained. A viewer barely notices what happens at the first episode that could possibly explain what happens in the fifth. Furthermore, the abrupt end through a random shooting never ceases to amaze me. The redhead appears like a Deus Ex Machina to solve his dilemma and, even then, the tale ends with an abrupt death. Did it honestly need that to happen?
...Frankly, most people will just consider that painfully bad writing.
Unless I missed something--as if the shooter was someone they knew personally who fired in jealous rage--I have got to say that random act of violence was where I vomited. I let myself go along with the dire ups and downs of a classic romance, sparse in its detail or reason, and then saw that.
Ironically, the part where I'm most critical at does not allow me to say this story is poor and undeserving of front page status. You got a six overall because your story at least sounds plausible, like even a shot in the dark at that crucial moment could happen. And you end up wondering if things could possibly be different, like if he ever did realize the redhead smiled his way too, could his rough plight across six years be averted?
Anyway, you managed to hold my attention and captivate my imagination enough to write a lengthy review (possibly one of my longest ones!). It might be hard, but it's as fair as I can muster. You demonstrate a good showing, especially since the story is still grounded, regardless of flaws. Good job... and I hope you'll do better with your next flash.