I've just recently started doing reviews on Youtube, and thought I might as well share them over here. They were written for video-form though, so either read it or give it a watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX84r7k6vNM
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Tsuritama is a 12-episode show full of quirky fun and sympathetic characters. It was produced by Studio A1-Pictures and aired during 2012's spring season.
While directed by Nakamura Kenji and written by Oono Toshiya, it is most likely best recognized for its character designer, Uki Atsuya.
In this kinda SoF, kinda sports and kinda sci-fi anime, the headline is “You can't catch fish if you don't go fishing, and you can't make friends if you don't at least try.”
The story follows Sanada Yuki, who just had to move to the island of Enoshima with his grandmother. His problem is, he's really bad at talking with strangers, can't handle pressure and therefore has problems making friends.
Then there's Haru, who just out of nowhere declares four things:
1. He's an alien.
2. He's now Yuki's friend.
3. He's now living with Yuki. and
4. He wants to learn fishing with Yuki.
“Why fishing?”, you may ask. Well, there seems to be one of Haru's kin living in the sea around the island and threatening all of humanity, and he chose Yuki to help catch him.
The dynamic between those two boys make out a great chunk of the show, as Haru really easily befriends just about anyone with his open and funny nature, and Yuki as the contrast, an introvert who usually prefers not to talk. Due to Haru having no clue of common sense from Yuki's perspective, they often clash with each other, but through that, Yuki can grow and become a better person making some friends on the way.
One of these friends is Natsuki, an experienced fisher in their age, called the “prince of fishing”, who's constantly in argument with his father after his mother died, but cares deeply about his little sister. And believe me, he and his problems get their time to shine.
Then there's Akira, an indian agent for a secret organization called “DUCK” with the mission to find, observe and capture aliens. He's also a big fan of fishing and therefore combines his hobby with Haru's observation. He also has a duck called Tapioca.
In the supporting cast, every character has their clear role and fulfills that without problems, Keito, the aforementioned grandmother, for example, who acts as a mentor for Haru or Koko, Haru's sister who doubts Yuki's ability to catch fish and puts even more pressure on him. And Tapioca is there as well. Just saying.
All the characters, be it main cast or a supporting role, are extremely fun to watch and likeable.
Like many other shows from A1-Pictures, Tsuritama's visuals seem gorgeous at first, especially in this case, as the unique artstyle full of blue and many light colors, really supports both the quirkyness and lightheartedness of the show. The animation though has some drops in the later parts from its usually pretty good standarts, but in this case, they aren't so major they'd interrupt your enjoyment of the show.
Tsuritamas soundtrack by a band called "Kuricorder Quartet" simply fits the show perfectly.
And while that may seem totally random, some parts reminded me of the music for the “lost woods” in “ocarina of time” and “kirby air ride”s OST, two of my all-time favorite videogames, so that is cool.
Most of the sound is really soothing and calm or supports the shows quirky atmosphere, but even when for example Natsuki's story arc reaches its dramatic climax, the OST can adapt to that. That said though, there aren't really that many pieces I'd listen to outside of the series, and in these more dramatic parts, the opening and ending can really easily feel out of place if you marathon the show.
My personal favorite tracks would be #1 – “Tsuritama March” and #19 - “Hajimete Tsuru”.
I can't really say anything about the japanese dub though, as I have no complaints whatsoever, but also can't crown one of the voice actors for doing a job out of the ordinarily good you find in any well made show.
As for the english dub, well, it's passable. If you don't tend to like dubs, this won't convince you otherwise, but if you don't feel like reading subtitles, you might as well consider it as long as you're not too picky.
Now, the only question left: Is Tsuritama worth the watch?
Yes, definetly, go for it. I wouldn't define it as a must-watch, but if you have the opportunity to see it, you'll most likely not be disappointed, as I think just about everyone can get something out of the show.
