Yuzuki-san Chi no Yonkyoudai.

Family.
Whether you like your family or not, we all know that family has impacted our lives in some way or another, both positive and negative. However unlike friends whom you can just stop talking to or a special other whom you can just break up, family is permanent. Whether you like it or not.
And whether you like your family or not, sometimes you unexpectedly lose your family. Whether you like it or not, of course. Life is a huge bitch, the people dearest to you could be gone in an instant. This brings us to the (un)usual story of four brothers living together- confronted with ... the fact that both their parents are dead. We are then introduced to the wonderful and authentic world of The Yuzuki Family and its Four Sons.

At first, reading the synopsis, you just can't find any interest in it. Four brothers living together and navigating their life. Every slice-of-life ever, right? Well if you were looking for me to say that there's more happening beyond what the synopsis implies, then you'll be disappointed. Pack up if you were expecting some sort of plot twist or romantic tension. There's nothing more than four brothers and their friends navigating through life. Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not.

Simple stories are often criticized for being basic and unoriginal, but it depends on execution. Not every anime needs an Assassination Classroom level of a complicated story. What makes Yuzuki so special though? In my view, not only is the execution of the story flawless, but it has so many layers of humanity and complexity to the simple story. Each sentence a character speaks can tell you something new about them, and while these characters start as tropes, we see their motivations and flaws as PEOPLE, which is what I truly love about this series. The characters are as human as you can get. For example, the girls aren't acting all cutesy and act how a middle schooler would act, while keeping their character fun, engaging, and well-written.

Each character has layers and layers of struggles. Let's dig deep into some of the characters.
The eldest, Hayato, is a young adult who has a job of teaching. He may act like an old man sometimes but he's still a young person. However, due to the burden of taking care of his brothers, he has to step down from enjoying the prime of his life to focus on them, and this brings consequences too. In one of the early episodes, we see his old classmates lose interest in him for having to take care of his brothers. We can often see that Hayato is tired, mostly due to stress and working, but he still comes home with a smile. I like how overprotective he is, and it's nice to see his brothers acknowledge it since Hayato's overprotectiveness is the main cause of one of the later story arcs involving Gakuto.
Hayato isn't perfect and he knows it. He often makes assumptions too quickly and is overthinking every little detail. He is a perfect father figure and I admire him so much for stepping up for his brothers while sacrificing his youth.
Mikoto is another amazing character. At first glance, he seems to be the generic “ikemen” being super popular in school and not seeming to struggle much. However, we can truly see how many struggles and worries he has later on while not changing my perspective of his character. Mikoto got jealous of how much attention Minato got from their mother, and Minato used to annoy Mikoto a lot. Once, Mikoto got so angry at him that they started getting into a huge fight. This is a defining moment in their relationship and shows how Mikoto LOOKS perfect, but he has a lot of hidden jealousy. Another time where this comes to show is when Minato dotes on Gakuto. Mikoto shows jealousy and attempts to make Minato spend more time with him instead. However, Mikoto developing a brother complex is hilarious and adorable and isn’t depicted weirdly. Mikoto brings the comedic energy a lot and is genuinely hilarious. Mikoto also is very kind and a great liar, and it’s sweet to see how he always helps out his brother.
Minato is the best protagonist the series could offer. He is outgoing and friendly but he has many, many flaws. He is super loud and annoying and he doesn’t know when to stop, both good and bad. He’s determined to never quit, but sometimes when someone wants to be left alone he keeps on persisting, making matters worse. And it’s amazing because this is 100% something that can happen in real life. Minato also never considers other people’s feelings much, he acts on his feelings. This can be a bad choice sometimes, especially in a later arc where he should’ve come clean or just stayed out of it. It’s also really cute when he acts all tough but is weak. The sick Hayato episode was super touching because we could see Minato’s growth as a person. Overall, Minato is a super complex but fun character. He is what gives the show energy. Without Minato, it would be super boring, whether you like him or not.
Gakuto is my favourite out of all of them. He’s just a small kid with a large capacity for knowledge and curiosity. Gakuto is emotionally intelligent and can read the room even though he’s what, 5? However, Gakuto has struggled with himself, wanting to be older so that he can be more useful around the house. His older 3 brothers are always doing all the tasks and Gakuto is too small and weak, so he feels guilty for not being able to help out. This is admirable of him, honestly, I want to hug him! Gakuto’s emotional intelligence could sometimes cause problems, though. He had to drag in 6 people (3 unintentionally) because he didn’t want to worry Hayato and wanted him to keep working so he didn’t need to take time off. This is super sweet of Gakuto and I love him for it, I’m not sure what the best move was, but I feel like Gakuto’s method wasn’t the best way of going about it. He also had to unfortunately stop Waka’s mother from going (though that was Waka’s own decision). The contrast between Gakuto wanting to grow up vs. Hayato wanting to be younger was nice.
I honestly just really love Gakuto. All his lines are adorable and hilarious with how much wiser he is than Minato. Gakuto sort of reminds me of Uncle Iroh with how wise he is.

Uta is less important to the story but is a great addition nonetheless as Minato’s best friend. I like how Uta isn’t the stereotypical “childhood friend” and is tomboyish, outgoing, and lacks manners. Also, I ADORE the dynamic between Uta and Minato. They act like REAL FRIENDS. In all those childhood friend anime you see childhood friends acting all awkward or forced but Uta and Minato genuinely have a bond, and shared interests, and you can tell they are close. The arc where Uta first met Minato was amazing, especially the divorce part. It shows how emotional the show can get but at the same time highlights Uta’s flaw of making assumptions but not confronting them directly. The Uta’s lover arc was also amazing and put them into an awkward position and you could see Minato reconsidering what their friendship means.
Waka isn’t as deep but they’re a total sweetheart and a cutie! Saki and the grandpa are both kind people and they added a lot of great moments, especially the grandpa buying the DVDs to connect with the kids. Saki sacrificing her vacation to help Hayato was also very touching.
Mikoto’s friend didn’t really add much but he was funny and he provided one of the best cliffhangers of the show in the lover episode.

Is that all the characters? How many is that, 9 characters? That’s not many but they managed to center the show around these 9 characters and made it beautifully. Each character was memorable and likeable while being well-written and serving a purpose.

Now, let’s talk about the episodes themselves. The first 4 episodes were just introductions to our characters. The first episode is mostly centred around Minato but also introduces us to the family and neighbourhood. The second shows Mikoto and his bond with Minato. The third and fourth are for Gakuto and Hayato, respectively. All of these episodes are perfect and show the struggles between them. The episodic structure of these episodes was perfect to introduce the lovely characters. After that the show starts going more into arcs, starting with Uta’s lover + bond with Minato, and then we get Gakuto’s visitation. The Uta episodes were amazing and beautiful. The entirety of the lover’s arc I was on the edge of my seat and had an emotional climax. Uta meeting Minato was probably the single best episode of the series. The fight scene was genuinely amazing but heartbreaking and Minato’s declaration had me in tears. The themes of divorce and affairs were a nice touch too, and we also had some development for Saki. The Gakuto arc was also amazing seeing how he got so many people involved just because he didn’t want to worry Hayato. This was a great development arc for many of the characters and we even got some nice development for Minato wondering what was the right thing to do. I’m still salty that Saki got the bad ending, though.
The last 3 episodes are a little more episodic but they tie up loose ends and provide some backstory like with Mikoto’s brother complex. The Sick Hayato episode was great because it made the characters who relied on Hayato so much have to live independently and they recognize how much they appreciate him. The brothers being scared of losing Hayato was heartbreaking.

There’s just so much I want to talk about this masterpiece, but I’ll try my best to wrap it up by covering these next parts.

The art style seems basic but it’s fine because the animation was amazing, they made use of the animation genre with a bunch of effects to show how the characters are feeling and great sound effects making me feel like a roller coaster. There are a lot of meme potentials too. The fight scene in episode 7 went viral for a bit for the amazing animation and it was so impressive for a slice-of-life. There weren’t any animation flaws and you could see how the characters are feeling through just an expression, which I like.
The sound is AMAZING. The opening and ending I’m obsessed with, especially the opening which makes me cry tears of nostalgia. Flumpool is one of my favourite artists and this is one of my favourite songs of his since Kakushigoto’s opening. I don’t usually notice background music, but the music here really stood out to me, especially the emotional moments that helped me cry. The sound design was amazing, not much to talk about but was flawless. I especially loved the earrape effects when Mikoto got mad in episode 2.
The entertainment value is super high, I watched this weekly and caught up while with other shows I’m at least a week behind. This is not some boring slice-of-life anime, so don’t judge quickly!

The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons is an adventure. Every single week after each episode I feel like I went on a whole journey. Not many other anime had this sort of impact on me. The Yuzuki Family anime was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I will never regret watching this. It has so many deep themes like divorce, affairs, abandonment, aging, jealousy, attention, social pressures, and so much more. If you liked Skip to Loafer or those Disney Channel sitcoms back then, this is similar to those!
Seeing the brothers navigate through their struggles and family was so much more rewarding than I expected. I wasn’t even interested in this show, I was expecting something boring, but this was something truly special. The Yuzuki’s felt like my family. I smiled with them, I cried with them, I laughed with them. So, thank you, Yuzuki family.

Overall, just WATCH IT! You won’t feel an ounce of regret. I mean it this time. I haven’t felt so much burning passion or love for an anime for a long time, and it’s because of a simple story about a family. I hope you guys found this as remarkable as I did with this unusual family. But what even counts as a family, right? It’s not something as simple as a mom, dad, and child. Family is a bond between people who feel at home with each other, and this story managed to nail it on the head.

No matter where you go, how far you run astray, or how many new people you meet, you will come back to your family.

-Baby Penewine

I wish this anime got more attention. So far there hasn’t been an episode where I wasn’t left it tears. It’s such a sweet, wholesome anime.

The first four episodes have focused on each brother and the struggles they have within themselves and their brothers since their parents passed away. It’s emotional to see the perspective of each brother who vary in age. You see the struggle of the older brother and the challenges he faces raising his 3 younger brothers on a teacher’s salary. Two brothers who aren’t twins but the same age and the rivalry and the feeling of not being as good ... as the other, and then the youngest brother who’s much wiser than his age, but feeling isolated because he’s the youngest and wants to contribute to helping his brothers.

They all have their internal and external battles, but the love between all 4 still remains as unconditional love and truly want happiness for their brothers.

I love each character individually. They’re all adorable and much different than one another personality wise and partially due to the age gaps.

I highly recommend this anime if you want something lighthearted. It’s definitely a feel good anime even though I’ve cried every episode due to how sweet they have been. It’s super cute and I can’t say enough good things about it thus far. Each episode has been a delight.


Edit after finale: This is the definition of feel good slice of life! What a wonderful story about 4 brothers taking care of each other. Definitely recommend to those looking for something heartwarming and entertaining. The show lived up to what I thought it would be. Lots of laughs and tears. Very sweet.

The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons - I wish this show got more attention, being lost in the sea of many high-profile shows in this hyped season.

From Frieren to Apothecary Diaries, and stinkers like KamiErabi to Ojou no Banken-kun, a.k.a A Girl & Her Guard Dog, Fall 2023 has been one of, if not the most exciting bunch of seasonal anime this year yet. And yet, there are shows that just do not get any recognition whatsoever from being lost or casually ignored. Such is the case with female mangaka Shizuki Fujisawa and her work here, Yuzuki-san Chi no Yonkyoudai. a.k.a The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons, ... which, despite being targeted for the Shoujo demographic (as much of her small manga works also do, with 2014's Hatsu*Haru being her most recognized work), can also appeal to anyone.

The simple, slice-of-life story about the family members of the Yuzuki family: the oldest of Hayato, the same-aged twins of Mikoto and Minato (though the former case first), and the youngest of Gakuto — these 4 brothers have been holding the Yuzuki family together since the passing of their parents. Hayato, resuming the role of parental figure, works as a school teacher as the only breadwinner of the family, while his younger siblings all attend school like most students do. Opposite them are their kind neighbours of the Kirishima family: grandfather Kojiro, mother Saki (who works as a policewoman), and their children, Uta and Waka, who are the same age as Minato and Gakuto, respectively.

In essence, this is as family friendly as a show can get: the slow drivels of daily life driving the Yuzuki brothers, sharing both the good and bad moments in life, and communing together like friendly neighbours who watch over each other's kin. It's the simple moments that showcase each and every one of their personalities, as do their love for one another as siblings and surviving through the usual family struggles, that make it as akin to real life as it can get.

Honzuki no Gekokujou a.k.a Ascendance of a Bookworm's director Mitsuru Hongo certainly knew his assignment on this rather simple show, and all it takes is just a simple hand of adapting the manga (though it can feel slow because every manga chapter's length is equivalent to one episode of the anime), and the work is done fairly well, alongside studio Shuka's small comeback from its 3-year hiatus producing Hosekisho Richard-shi no Nazo Kantei a.k.a The Case Files of Jeweller Richard's anime, back in Winter 2020. The music fits the mood and sounds good, from Flumpool's OP to Aoi Kubo's ED.

All in all, this show may look simple on the outside, but trust me, it's a lot more wholehearted, and that'll make you warmhearted on the inside. An easy recommendation for slice-of-life fans, for a feel-good, lighthearted anime.

‘Yuzuki-San Chi No Yon Kyoudai’ is the easiest anime recommendation this season in my opinion. Not many shows tend to tell us what this anime does . Four brothers facing the aftermaths of their parents’ death and adjusting to the new roles they have to take – surely is not a common scenario in animes. It is just surprising to see how realistic the characters and the situations are in this anime. A great example of slice of life done right way.

As I said before, nothing flashy going on here . Yet it manages to make us connect to the characters and the the ... changes they have to go through due to the tragic death of their parents. I liked how two elder brothers were able to make themselves more reliable for the sake of their brothers. Hayato and Mikoto are somewhat similar in this manner . Minato is also a character that people can relate to. That childish and cheerful behavior makes him look like a spoiled brat but in a family of four siblings everybody will not be the same.And Gakuto is just a cute kid as well the unluckiest one among four siblings as he was barely able to get his father's and mother's warmth.So far, the side characters didn’t appear that much. But they are also well written have their own part to play. (I checked the manga). Overall the story is truly heartwarming and it manages portray all the interactions between the brothers of a family nicely while keeping them as realistic as they can be.


The animation is okay for it’s genre. Voice acting is also good as there is little to complain about Japanese VAs. And I liked the opening song and its visuals as well.

Slice of life is probably the most underrated genre due to the fact that majority of the audience prefer fast paced action focused animes over slice of life shows which are quite slow paced in general. So this is one of those animes which will probably get that 'Underrated' or maybe 'Hidden Gem' tag later on. . As this season (Fall 2023) is not really packed with a lot of slice of life animes. So it is obvious to recommend ‘Yuzuki san-chi no yonkyoudai’ to anyone who is searching for a good, unique slice of life show to watch.

This anime is really perfect for those who, for all intents and purposes, enjoy family-friendly, carefree, cute, and everyday life themes in a subtle way. With its heartwarming portrayal of relatable characters and their sort of daily adventures, it encapsulates the essence of a kind of older anime, harkening back to a nostalgic era in the world of animation. Despite having a really low rating among some viewers, I firmly believe it deserves a fairly higher accolade for its exceptional storytelling, endearing character development, and strikingly beautiful animation style that effortlessly captures the subtle nuances of everyday life.

I don't think that the story is that ... unique, but the way they have presented it is perfect, as is the anime art. I am waiting for every Thursday (or Friday if the translation is late) to watch the new episode. I hope it is not a one-season anime.

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ This anime is not yours if you expect a superpower or action anime.

Yuzuki-San is one of the most heartwarming shows you’ll see this year and I’m so glad I picked it up. A thoroughly enjoyable and sweet ride throughout.

I was really on the fence about watching this show because of my seasonal load and I’m glad I ended up picking it up. It’s rare that we get a single man raising siblings in anime. We often see single moms trying to make ends meet. But the fellas tend to get left out. The show following Hayato and his little brothers on their day to day lives in the wake of their parents tragically passing away was such ... a cool experience. I’m a sucker for close knit family dynamics, brothers stepping up and acting as father figures to their siblings, etc, so this show was perfect for me. There’s an amazing combination of emotional and uplifting moments in this one.

As you’d expect from a show about 4 brothers, the best part for me was their relationship. All 4 of the brothers have unique personalities and get episodes dedicated to them and their personal struggles. Usually involving them not wanting to inconvenience their hardworking older brother who works to provide for the family. The 3 younger brothers are the best possible little brothers you could ask for. I genuinely couldn’t get enough of how considerate they were and would go to such great lengths to help lessen the burden on the oldest brother. As someone who lived with my brother for a while as a teenager when my mom was going through cancer treatment, I really empathised a lot with the cast. The author did an amazing job of making them all feel real.

If it weren’t already clear, this is a very slow burn character driven story about a family just trying to stay together in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. There’s no crazy sophisticated plot, but there doesn’t need to be. These are some of the most relaxing episodes you’ll ever see in the medium. Yes, there’s some emotional moments that I’ll admit got me on the verge of tears on more than a few occasions, but that’s what you’d expect from a group of young people who lost both their parents. Just like in real life, that grief comes and goes in waves. Some days are better than others, and it definitely comes through in a very natural manner in this one.

I think the production quality is very underrated on this series too. The studio did Durarara and 91 days, but man I didn’t expect them to snap like this on this show. There’s a lot of really unique compositions in the show that blend real world scenes with the animated ones and it heightens emotional moments. The uta and minato racing scene in particular is legitimately some of the best animation you’ll see this year.

This is a must watch show for any slice of life fan. I’ve never seen a show nail the male family dynamic this well before. Losing your parents and having to raise your siblings at such a young age is a Herculean task and I have nothing but respect for Hayato for taking it on.

Yuzuki San gets 9 out of 10.

We're always getting slice-of-life anime with classmates, and there are also plenty of office/workplace slice-of-life. Now we're getting one with a family of four siblings!

To focus more on the relationships among the siblings, the parents, naturally, are killed off. But the oldest is a full adult with a stable job. From there we have a set of Irish twins in junior high, which presents some interesting dilemmas since they're also in the same grade. Then to round things up there's an insightful kindergartener.

I think this is a balanced main cast that shows interesting sibling dynamics. Because of the age gap, Hayato is more of a ... father figure than a sibling. And because of their specific age gap, Mikoto and Minato have a really interesting relationship. They're young enough that 11 months result in different stages of development, and it's cool seeing how that affects their interactions as siblings and schoolmates in the same grade. Meanwhile Gaku is the Wise Young One, making his comments and observations funnier.

Honestly, at first I wasn't sure if I'd watch past the first or second episode. Not because it's a bad anime, but I was already getting my fill of slice-of-life with the office version of Cool Doji Danshi (My New Boss is Goofy). Also, this season is pretty stacked, so I wasn't sure I'd even "just watch it cuz it's airing." What sold it for me was Mikoto's struggle. Since Minato is less than a year younger than him, Mikoto always grew up as an older sibling. His mom never really acknowledged him as a child himself; he was always "the big brother." But where their parents fail to treat him as an actual kid and not just Minato's big brother, Hayato provides unconditional love and support—father figure in the making lol. Seeing the real dynamic between the brothers drew me in.

I recommend this anime if you're looking for a wholesome show about a dysfunctional but loving family in a normal modern setting. ^^

Yuzuki-san Chi no Yonkyoudai is yet again another of the few pure slice of life anime airing this fall, and it's more fun to watch than I first expected.

The plot, like with most slice of life shows, isn't anything too special. The four brothers of the Yuzuki family live together and bond after the death of their parents. Hayato, the oldest and one that does most of the chores. Mikito, the second oldest who is more mature and has a slight brother-complex for Minato, the third oldest, who's clumsy and energetic, and finally Gakuto, the youngest who's still in grade school, and is more mature ... then Minato despite being half his age. With the neighbors across the street also being good friends with the boys. That's basically the plot, and it shows the relationships between the brothers and their friends pretty well. It just makes you feel nice and cozy and prepares you for watching Jujutsu Kaisen that also airs on Thursdays.

If you're a slice of life enjoyer, I think you'll definitely enjoy Yuzuki-san Chi no Yonkyoudai.

This show is the embodiment of "so sweet it gave me diabetes". The brothers (oldest to youngest) are: Hayato, Mikoto, Minato, and of course Gakuto. Hayato is the one who takes care of the three other brothers. Holding down a full time job along with taking care of three children by yourself in your 20s is crazy and takes some serious willpower that I don't have. Mikoto is the more mature one who doesn't talk too much. I honestly didn't know what to make of him at first, but further in it felt like I got to know his character better. Minato is the one ... constantly bouncing off the walls, but he's also pretty tolerable. Lots of the time I don't like the overly energetic characters like him, but you could also tell he cared a lot for others, even if he got a bit obnoxious. Now, the objectively best character: Gakuto. Gakuto is smart, compassionate, and very adorable. The lil dude is wise beyond his years, and honestly taught me some important life lessons throughout the season. The brothers along with a few other characters such as Mr. Kojiro (this guy was a real homie) made the show feel so sweet. It's a nice little slice of life about overcoming the difficulties of everyday life by learning to rely on and get help from the people around you. It's a nice break from reality, and I wish it got some more attention because I need a season two of this thing. Overall, 10/10 for me. I can understand why it might not be everyone's favorite because some people consider this kind of show "boring", but for what it is it was amazing.

Highly Recommended!

Yuzuki Family's Four Sons is what we call a Feel good story. Though it starts with the tragic death of the parents. The anime does maintain a good balance of The Four Sons doing their best to support one another and lead good happy lives while also showing the heavier side of things that come with losing their parents.

The anime also uses many of the Anime gags we are used to like *cough* Mikoto's Bro-Con side *cough* is a fun normal way that isn't too daunting on casual anime viewers or even those who don't usually watch anime.
This anime has an amazing cast ... of MCs along with great supporting cast (their neighbours). Everyone is memorable and likeable. we get to look through their eyes (all 4 of the boys and their neightbours) and truly get them.

Every episode is a delight to watch and experience without feeling bored. We learn something new about our boys in each episode that will make us cry and smile with them.

I would recommend this story to anyone and I mean anyone. Another amazing anime added to my Masterpiece list.

Title: "The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons: A Heartwarming Journey into Sibling Bonds"

"The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons" is a delightful and heartwarming show that captivates its audience with a simple yet charming portrayal of familial relationships. The series, while lacking in extravagant situations, compensates with the genuine and endearing connections among the four brothers.

At the heart of the show is the big caring brother, a character who takes on the responsibility of cooking and looking after the entire family. His nurturing and protective nature not only adds depth to the storyline but also serves as the glue that binds the Yuzuki family together. Viewers will find ... themselves drawn to his selfless acts of care and love, making him a central figure that embodies the essence of familial bonds.

The youngest brother, surprisingly mature and wise beyond his years, adds a unique dynamic to the family dynamic. His precocious nature and ability to bring a sense of wisdom to the table create moments of both humor and heart. It's a refreshing take on the youngest sibling trope, breaking away from conventional stereotypes.

The middle brothers, portrayed as nothing short of cuteness overload, contribute to the series' overall appeal. Their innocence and playfulness inject light-hearted moments into the narrative, balancing the more serious tones and emphasizing the joy that comes from shared experiences.

What sets "The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons" apart is its well-written story that transcends the need for grandiose scenarios. The series beautifully explores the meaning of family and the strength that comes from having a strong connection with one's siblings. It emphasizes the significance of shared moments, highlighting that it's the small, everyday interactions that truly define a family.

The show's pacing is well-executed, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish. Each episode unfolds like a chapter in a heartwarming family novel, leaving viewers with a warm and fuzzy feeling long after the credits roll. The creators have successfully crafted a narrative that resonates with audiences, reminding them of the joy and fulfillment that comes from being part of a close-knit family.

In conclusion, "The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons" is a gem in the realm of family-oriented shows. Its simplicity, combined with genuine portrayals of sibling relationships, makes it a must-watch for those seeking a heartwarming and uplifting experience. Whether you're in the mood for laughter, tears, or a combination of both, this series offers a wholesome journey into the beauty of family bonds.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's not easy to balance tones of an SoL with four boys living together in the same house getting up to all kinds of shenanigans with the emotional weight of their lost parents, but the show manages it pretty well all things considered. It might get just a little too light-hearted at times, but when it downshifts, you're going to feel the water works coming on. The neighbors as well were a good complement to everything happening on screen, with, in particular, Uta rising to the top.

Everyone gets at least some moments to shine, so none of the characters feel ... tacked on, even if some end up outshining the others. In particular, we spent a lot of time on Minako and Mikoto, who both get very well fleshed out, though I wish we'd gotten to more insight into Hayato, the boy who spent the most time with his parents and feels the greatest weight of expectation. It also could have filled us in more on the parents, who have personalities, but lack any real character depth due to a lack of screen presence.

I think this series is at its absolute best when its showcasing what it can do with animation, whether that's transitioning to a much more clearly drawn style with exaggerated motions or literally having our characters running through real streets in a scene that had me laughing. I wish we could have gotten more of these inventive scenes, but the ones that were in here popped all the more as a result.

I can see some room for improvement, but most of that could be solved with a S2 that, unfortunately, it's unlikely to get. Still, this was a lovely experience.

The Yuzuki Family's 4 Sons is kinda like facing heavy rain and then being rewarded by the beautiful rainbow. It's perfect for cleansing one's heart; offering slice-of-life, family stories that truly nails siblings dynamic. The story is great at balancing the pure heartedness, while taking on many raw emotions.

The Characters (8.5/10)
The 4 siblings loss their parents a while ago and they each felt the weight of responsibilities in their own way. The eldest brother became the de facto parental figure, taking on both the role of the mom and the dad of his 3 younger siblings. The second eldest son became the big brother ... despite being less than a year older than his favorite brother. The third son is basically the middle child, trying to prove his worth within his family. He is spunky, but always out of care. I love the way he tries to protect his little brother's youthful desire. The little brother (who is an absolute marshmallow), not wanting to become a burden, acts like the old wise man of the family. The relationship between each brothers is so well define and distinct. Their daily dynamics felt so natural without shoving cuteness/failed humor/sappiness down your throat. There are also neighbors and friends who are earnestly supports them. I'm really glad the show didn't forced weird quirks on to the characters, but still make all of them charming.

The Writing (8.5/10)
While it might look like a story with just cute antics, but there is so much nuance in their familial bond that feels both loving yet complicated. Sometimes children stories are disregarded as simple, but this show really remind us how big things can feel when we were young. The conflict are always truly to life and "specific" to each character's position. Whether it's being the eldest brother who see his youth slipped away or feeling like your best friend has been taken away when they got in a relationship. There are many scenes you can feel their conflict so intensely, like a child/teen would. I laugh, I smile, I cry (quite often), but none of it felt force. The show allows you to see things from each character's POV and sink into their feelings.

Animation & VA (8/10)
I really, really dig the look of this show. It's eye pleasing in a way that feels simple and cosy. However, what's outstanding was how it portrayed the character's internal thoughts with different art style. From hand drawn crayons to real life montages, this small slice-of-life anime might just have some of the best directing for emotional scenes. There's even a brawl scene that feels more raw than a Shounen. The animation is filled with so much love and expression it put you in to the state-of-mind. The voices really helped defined each character unique personalities, sometime just hearing their voice make you giggle with the situation.

Overall (8.5/10)
I really think "The Yuzuki Family's 4 Sons" is the best of its kind. It might be look like another simple childcare stories, but the emotions hits much deeper. Kind of like Inside Out. If you have a sibling(s), you will really relate to this anime. It would also be a good show for parents to watch with their kids. As for me, I just watch it for the heart warming stories that moved me. Please give this beautiful little story a chance and you will find something out of it.

Yuzuki-san Chi no Yonkyoudai felt like a bandage for my soul wounds. It was like a warm tea in a cold and rainy evening. And I loved this show with my whole existence.

Starting off from characters: yes, they all feel kind of flat and don't break the traits they were given from the very beginning. But they don't need to. These brothers and their ginger friends don't have to feel like humans, or to be extraordinary to love them. They surely are too kind and understanding to be real. Yet at the same time they show jealousy, envy, fear, trauma, sadness, fomo, and other rather ... humane feelings.

Plot is pretty simple. We hear different day-to-day stories of brothers about growing up, caring for other people, spreading the wings, troubles with becoming an adult and of course dealing with death. I am afraid of death and I kind of feel it crawling down my spine. Therefore, you can understand the anxiety I live in for a long time. Even so I enjoyed this anime. I, maybe, felt understood and hugged.

Animation is beautiful. Truly beautiful. Not only in colours and gorgeous characters art, but also in different forms the studio used to deliver complexity of different emotions.

Summing up, I do I DO recommend this show to everyone who seeks an enjoyable, kind and warm-hearted watch. Hug your inner child!

This is one gem of a slice-of-life family anime. It focuses on the daily lives and interpersonal relations of 23 years old Hayato, 12 years old Mikoto and Minato, and six years old Gakuto Yuzuki who had lost their parents two years ago.
Now, the show has very good writing. The stories are clear to understand and follow. The characters are very easy to differentiate from one other, the side characters are very appropriately placed. The four boys are their own people but also form a coherent family structure and that is hard to arrange. Gakuto is an amazing character, and, the others are very ... well portrayed as well. The narrative does not make one cringe with either clichés or disbelief, and creates very relatable family relationships on screen. It was the best family anime I have seen since the incredibly superlative Gakuen Babysitters.
The animation is good enough - nothing too complicated but nothing half-baked either. The anime has a very nice opening theme, a nice enough closing theme, and music in the episodes do not make you fall in love with it and yet it doesn't disturb you either. However, it is the stories, the warmth and solidarity of family members (and, of neighbours) that holds this anime together.
I can strongly recommend the Yuzuki-san Chi no Yonkyoudai to anyone who has a heart :).

The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons proved to be a surprisingly engaging watch.

The first episode is kind of deceiving as it follows a somewhat cliché 'feel-good slice of life' formula, but the later episodes get very creative and downright experimental at times (i.e. episode 2 and episode 6).
The main characters work really well with the rest of the ensemble. The show takes a lot of popular tropes synonymous with the genre and spins them in a way that is original.
One thing that stood out to me was the friendship between Minato, the second youngest brother, and his best friend Uta. It's so rare to see a ... male-female friendship in anime that's just, well, a friendship. No romantic tension! their genuine, platonic bond and character growth was a breath of fresh air.

However, the show does have its flaws. The limited animation budget is evident, resulting in frequent use of still shots, it feels more like a slideshow at times. Additionally, some people might find the exposition dumps and monologues unengaging, although personally, it didn't affect my enjoyment of the show.

Overall, The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons skillfully utilizes the conventions of its genre to deliver an entertaining and refreshing watch.

I'll make this too short and very sweet just like this show.
I was hesitant to watch this show as I personally am not a huge fan of family slice of life's especially revolving around siblings. I myself am an only child and the concept of anything brotherly or sisterly is a mystery to me and thus I find I cant connect with the characters as one usually would in a slice of life or to 'see themselves'. So when this show stumbled upon me I instantly fell in love with the art and animation though didn't have high hopes for actually liking the show as ... I believed it only revolved a family of orphaned boys making it through life's struggles as siblings. However this show managed to make even my lonely only child self feel that sibling connection and the warmth they had through their interactions.
My belief was correct that the shows premise is revolved around this family of four boys who had lost both parents at the same time tragically but it also shows many other aspects that aren't just sad depressing themes about their deaths. This show presented us with the points of view of every brother and their struggles to be there for their other siblings to make everyone's lives easier and happy. It gave us a glimpse at neighbors coming together, an older sibling feeling more like a mom then what every other 23/24 year old feels like, a first grader wanting to grow up so he can help his older brothers be less stressed. There's moments in this show that had me crying with them and others where I laughed along at their funny pranks on one another but most of all I connected in so many different ways with each ones unique stories. Though I have never felt the struggle of a sibling going to the same school as me, or being put in charge of watching annoying younger siblings I still enjoyed every moment I got to see this adorable family connect and grow. The story is great in making you feel this way and though it has some slow parts it overall left me happy that I spent my time giving it a try instead of feeling disappointed or dropping it.
Overall I gave the show a 7, premiering in a season plagued by so many big names it cant even compete against them like frieren, apothecary diaries or undead unluck but this show is so different from them. Its animation is one of the best I've seen in this season (personal taste), the story was slow yet perfect for a slice of life and the characters were great to connect with. Though it was swept away in the shadows of the major shows this season I promise its worth a try. This is the type of show you'll never recommend to anyone yet you will look back fondly on in a year or two. It is simply a good show, nothing more nothing less.

The anime was great. It was really clever too. Like how it changed to live action footage and that was cleverly done. I applaud that. It was also funny, and had some amazing drama in it. I just loved this anime. It was adorable too, but mostly funny. The creators must have had fun creating this anime. It seemed like it anyway, and I like that.

The story was great. It was dramatic from a few points, but it got its humour back in the end.

The art and animation was good. I just liked how they were able to incorporate the live action footage and ... turn it to either funny, or sad tones throughout the anime. It was in two episodes from what I can remember.

The characters were great! I wanted the anime to never stop!

Soundtrack was good too.

I highly recommend this anime!

This is by far the easiest story to follow this season! And the easiest recommendation to give to anyone!

Its simple and heart warming to see the story of the four sons of the Yuzuki family and their daily lives. Each episode focuses on different aspects of the lives of the family, showcasing their early days to the present. I especially enjoy how the author portrays the uniqueness of each characters and how they became who they are, establishing the slice of life aspect of the genre.

This anime is truly underrated this season and I hope it reaches a wider audience.

This is the best wholesome anime of the season. While emitting its wholesome energy; this anime from time to time displays the complex relationships between brothers and the people around them. This by far is the anime delves deep into the importance of familial relationships and is something that can be related to anyone who has brothers whether little or big. The story between characters all add to the characters depth and define who they are. You greatly connect with the characters as most of the stories can be very relatable. The brilliant animation that is then done captures the moment between characters and greatly ... emphasizes it making the moment of realization between characters even more beautiful. Overall I must say I enjoyed this anime and the few lessons it taught as I myself is a big brother. Its great to watch these kind of anime and just relish in the characters.
8/10