Ep 1. A Story That Had Already Begun Before Anyone Realized It

Kokoro Connect is a Japanese anime television series that follows the story of five students who are brought together by fate. The first episode of season 1 entitled "A Story That Had Already Begun Before Anyone Realized It" is a glimpse into the mysterious events that befall the group of students.

The story begins in a school environment where everyone is going about their daily routines. The students are introduced one by one, each with their individual quirks and personalities. There is Taichi, an athletic and responsible student who is always willing to lend a helping hand. In contrast, there is Iori, a cheerful and outgoing girl who tends to hide her true feelings. Yui is a strong-willed girl who is a martial arts expert, while Aoki is the class clown with a keen sense of humor. Lastly, there is Inaba, the mature and rational one who is always thinking ahead.

Out of nowhere, the mysterious voice of a creature named Heartseed infiltrates their thoughts, announcing that he has chosen them to participate in a mysterious experiment. To keep it short, Heartseed can switch the bodies of the five main characters with each other. The experiment will allow Heartseed to observe how the students react to the situation and learn more about human behavior.

At first, the group doesn't believe this is really happening and thinks it's just some kind of prank. However, after a few minutes, they begin to experience the experiment's bizarre effects. For example, Taichi suddenly finds himself in the body of Yui and vice versa, while Aoki is now in Inaba's body. They are confused but try to remain calm, hoping that the situation will eventually resolve itself.

As they unknowingly switch bodies and cause chaos in their everyday lives, the group is forced to confront some of their deepest feelings and secrets they had kept hidden. When they return to their own bodies, they feel like they know each other better than they thought they did.

Despite the initial uncertainty, the experiment ends up serving as a catalyst for the students to open up to each other and learn about different perspectives and lifestyles. They start to understand the struggles of their peers and recognize that they were not the only ones experiencing life's difficulties. The first episode of Kokoro Connect Season 1 is a heartwarming introduction to the show's premise, where five teenagers grow closer through the inexplicable events that they must face together.

In summary, this episode of Kokoro Connect introduces us to a fascinating concept of body swapping and how it changes the characters' lives fundamentally. Watching the students navigate their way through the experiment and learn more about themselves and each other is a captivating experience that promises a unique and heartfelt journey through the rest of the series.