* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: The heavily {{Shoegazing}}- and DreamPop-focused soundtrack (a given since the music was co-composed by [[Music/CocteauTwins Robin Guthrie]]), since Araki is a huge fan of the two genres.
* CompleteMonster: [[CreepyGymCoach The coach]] is a [[BitchInSheepsClothing seeming friend]] to all children, but in reality is a despicable [[SerialRapist pedophile]] who uses his position to [[WouldHurtAChild molest boys]] in his care. The coach has subjected many boys to his depraved actions, brainwashing young Neil and forcing him to lure in other boys and engage in sexual activity with Coach. [[PosthumousCharacter Though the coach has since disappeared from the lives of the boys he abused]], his vile actions tainted and tormented them all for life.
* DiagnosedByTheAudience: Whilst some of it may be explained by his childhood experiences, Brian is notably quite awkward in a social sense and generally odd. He may have some form of autism spectrum disorder.
* NarmCharm: [[spoiler:The conversation between the leads at the end regarding the coach's sexual abuse of them recount exceptionally over the top sex acts, like him asking them to insert their arms in his rectum. That said, it does help highlight how unappealing and disgusting the whole thing was, if the fact that they were children wasn't enough.]]
* NightmareFuel: [[spoiler:The coach is made of this. Made extra scary by the fact that he never seems to be held accountable for his actions. Neil's rape at the hands of one of his clients also counts.]]
* TearJerker:
** The final scene where Neil sits on the couch with Brian sobbing hysterically on his lap. It doubles as a ''very'' bittersweet ending.
** The aftermath of Neil's bathtub attack, where he's lying outside at night. He utters the single word "mom."
* TheWoobie: Both Neil and Brian, due to [[spoiler: both of them being raped and sexually abused as children by their baseball coach.]] Neil is more of JerkassWoobie, though the Woobie part outweights the Jerkass part mostly.
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