Shouwa Monogatari

Shouwa Monogatari and the first half of Ushiro no Shoumen Daare are both slice of life stories about the lives of a working-class family set in Tokyo in the past (UnSD takes place in the 1940s, SM is set in 1964).  

The titles make abundantly clear that both anime are set in the same time period, but while Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu spans over several decades (approx. 1940-1980) focusing primarily on the traditional art of rakugo, Shouwa Monogatari tells the story of one family during a single year (1964). Although the basic premise is different in both, each share a deep insight into the era, portraying the trials and tribulations of post-war daily life, new discoveries, the effect of changing times, and a myriad of cultural details that really bring the two stories to life. The characterisation is done well both anime, and they depict the complicated relationships between family (SM) and friends (SGRS) with much depth and realism that resonates with the historical backdrop. SGRS is perhaps more sombre while SM retains more optimism, but both are excellent historical dramas.  read more 

Same time period. While SM always includes popular music from Shouwa 39 (1964), SnA focuses on Jazz. There is some romance for the college boy and high school girl in SM but this is mostly slice of life based on the real daily experiences of a working class family in Tokyo during the year of the Olympics. SnA deals with the romantic and personal entanglements of four high school students. Both series have a nostalgic feel. 

Both works are set in the Showa period during which Japan experienced rapid modernization. Specifically, both occur around the time Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics. While the two works have different approaches to introducing viewers to the Showa period, they portray the conflicts that occurred between the traditional Japanese society and those who would learn from Western cultures. These stories show the viewers how modernization affected the middle class who live in the suburbs of Tokyo.