Ranked #2872

Binbou Shimai Monogatari

===Animation===
Toei did a pretty good job with the animation for this series. It isn't anything amazing, but it does have it's own beauty. Character designs are very nice and rather consistent, with some chibi scenes thrown in. Running scenes are done quite well too. The backgrounds are quite simple, but nicely drawn with pastel which adds a special "touch" to this series.

===Sound===
Sound was one of the stronger points of this series. A nice OP and ED, with quite catchy melodies. In addition, very nice background music was used. I cannot comment too much on how well seiyuu-s did they job, but I think that it was good.

===Story===
The storyline is pretty simple. Two sisters living alone in an old apartment, with their mother dead and a father that just disappeared from everyone's sight. There is no core plot, it's done in an episodic way which I think is a bit of a pity since it could have focused more on something specific. However the main theme was the relationship between all the characters. It could have used more episodes to develop the story a bit more, since we aren't given too much information on all the other characters. Myself I didn't like the occasional cheesy scenes. Not sure why, but I just didn't find them to fit well into the overall image of the series. Some light comedy was thrown in here and there just to relieve the usual drama tension. You might also want to have a tissue ready when watching this. The last episode in particular is a bit touching.

===Characters===
Since this series is only ten episodes long, there isn't much time to develop any other characters except for the two sisters. You could also say that Asu, the younger sister, can be classified as a "moe" character. She is cute (you can't deny it), full stop. Overall there isn't a big number of characters. You have the two sisters, the apartment owner, the two rich sisters and the Yamada sister's two neighbours which in overall makes seven characters. Some of them appear just once or twice through the series, but some are brought into the plot more often, but their are mainly used just to fuel the sister's story. However each of the characters are likeable, since they are all different in their own way.

===Enjoyment===
I enjoyed watching this. It's nice to watch sometimes a series that doesn't revolve around a core plot, but wanders carelessly. It's easy to enjoy watching this, because you don't have to strain your brain to start thinking over some really difficult issues that were brought up. The last episode was in my opinion the best, since it did get a bit touching and that's what I really like. However I can't see myself watching this again, maybe only the last episode. read more

::QUICK REVIEW::
Story: 5 (Problem--> sad drama--> happy outcome, repeat)
Art: 8 (very clear, colorful and beautiful)
Sound: 6 (light hearted sound effects and music)
Character: 9 (Only 2 characters but you feel for them deeply)
Enjoyment: 2 (one tragic story after another hurts my soul)
Overall: 30/50 = 6.0 (I've cried too many times to admit)


::FULL REVIEW::
Theres a lot of things you can make fun of for being poor. And like in real life, it makes me feel bad watching what is essentially a situational drama about two sisters who are poor with a dead mom and a deadbeat dad. It's such a tragic type of drama some people can't be bothered with. Because the girls always have an optimistic view about everything and any poor problem that they face ends up somewhat comical at the end. Of course with being poor theres drama, but for some reason the drama is kind of comical in a pitiful sort of way. Don't get me wrong I can actually relate to some of the situations they face. But it doesn't help that during the 'commercial breaks' they show ways on how to save money. I didnt know i can make a 2nd sandwich out of bread crumbs. Also, at the end of every episode, ends the same... it all manages to work out somehow.

As for the animation quality, you would think this would have a 'poor' quality. But actually its really above average. Static characters are drawn all the way with color. The binbou sisters are so gaddamn cute it'll make anyone sad with wonder on how such a tragic problem ever fell on such cute girls. But they do many impressive tricks throughout the shows like rotating camera angles, sweeping camera angles, etc. The art really does enhance the drama of the show and emphasize how poor these girls are.

The music are all covered with typical light piano + string quartets running most of the emotional pull and the do it very well. Everything else sound wise is there nothing is done wrong. Even the voice actors impressed me.

Whenever Asu opens her mouth you just cant help but push your cheeks together and go "OMG HOW CUTE!" They do a real good job on the chemistry between the sisters. You almost feel as if you're right there struggling with them.

But then again, this show is dealing with some hardcore serious issues. Like paying the rent, working two jobs to survive, how to ration water, how do you go to the hospital with no money, how do you eat with no money, how do you deal with a dead mother, the list can go on forever. If they wanted to they could make this into a 50 episode series. I don't mind being depressed watching anime because of some turn of events, but when the whole show is just one giant depression after another it wears on you. Its a good anime if you enjoy train wreck stories. Unfortunately this isn't the train wrecks I enjoy watching. read more