Ranked #1180

Iblard Jikan

If anime was ever introduced into an arts class this would be the best anime to show to the students! This is actually the best way to descibe this anime.
The anime is divided into different acts, accompanied by a music piece selected to set the mood of each act. While you are exploring the world of Iblard Jikan strange things might happen. Big floating rocks might hover above you or flowers spring into bloom in front of you. The feeling is like you are inside this gigantic painting that comes to life.
This is not an anime for the action lovers. In this world everything has its own time, its own rules. Watch this anime in the evening after taking a shower, with a cup of tea and with the biggest ever screen size and the best ever sound setup and you are in for a totally visual experience beyond thoughts! One of Studio Ghilibi most ambitious, and perhaps too ambitious projects to take on, but wow they do it so good! read more

Have you ever been struck by a painting so vividly that for a minute, you wished you lived inside one?

Welcome to the world of Iblard.

This anime doesn't really have a set storyline or a plot. It's all about this utopia of a world called Iblard, and it's about its story. Most of the anime is spent "visiting" places in Iblard: the countryside, the village, the railways, the lakes, beaches, the city and other spots. It depends heavily on the visual aspect of it to tell the story. You might be tempted to say that it doesn't have a story at all--it does. It's Iblard's story.

Ah, now the best part of this anime: the art. The style evokes most notably the work of Monet, with subtler influences of Pissarro and Cassatt. It all looks like a magnificent oil painting that is truly alive. Impressionism may not be the preferred art style for some people, but for those who love vibrant colour and beautiful images, then you will certainly love the style. However, if you're looking for a grittier sort of look, then you won't find it here. The animation was also very good for an anime that had scenes that were mostly still paintings. The animators paid attention to such details as the wind rippling through the grass, the gentle flow of water on a calm river, the slow evanescence of smoke from a chimney. There were two different styles used for Iblard Jikan. One was painting-like and used for the backgrounds, and the other was the modern anime style used for the characters, who were superimposed over the backgrounds. It works well, and gives you the feel of these people living inside a painting.

The sound was also excellent. I couldn't think of a better score to set this anime to. It starts with music that was of quiet discovery as you pan through the gorgeous landscapes. It is light, it is lovely. It eventually ranges, and becomes heavier, more powerful, but it doesn't bring any sort of dismal mood and invokes the feeling behind grand exploration. The music ranges from classical to contemporary, and it complements the visuals perfectly.

However, the one true downside to this was the characters. Dialogue was sparse if there was any, and so were characters for the most part. A few people appeared here and there, said a few lines, sometimes they say nothing at all. But it all depends on one's perspective. Who is the main character in this anime? The inhabitants of the towns and villages, those people who live in houses? Or is the protagonist Iblard itself, which gets more attention paid to it, which acts as a living, breathing thing? Based on that, I would be inclined to give the character rating a much higher score, but for most people, characters are people, and the people of this anime aren't exactly developed or complex--they are simple, quiet people who just live their lives in their stunning utopia.

This anime is absolutely beautiful. For that alone, I would recommend it. With stunning visuals, and great sound, the technical aspect alone makes Iblard Jikan worth the watch.

If you would ever like to disappear for a bit into wonderful world, then pay a visit to Iblard. read more