This anime totally underrated gems. it is different that usual setting. no high school girls, no fantasy, no romance etc all is focused on adult main character in realistic life. Actually just rewatched it again after 4 years and overall from production quality to storyline all still hold up well even up against latest anime. I'll try to elaborate without too much spoilers.
This anime bring few of notable parallel theme that contrast each other, being playout through whole season where it touch stuff that people could related to our real adult life. whats great more is both side of contrast is not wrong.:
1. Abnormal vs
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Normal - the main character Koharu Yoshino and other related character didnt want live her life as 'normal' as other people, meanwhile through the story, there are peoples who not bother to be abnormal, and prefer to be normal who enjoy being as one. both side not wrong. there also self acceptance for example is character like Ririko who is totally different than others. she always wondering if it okay if she is a weird. but everyone need just to be themself. these unique character is not something wrong to behave at.
2. Outsider vs Local - outsider, who unknown to local tradition and way to do things, can see things and doing things differently vs local who some of it reject different way or cant see other path. for example the main character is outsider, who can do stuff only outsider can and see. to revitalize the town, they need both local and outsider way of doing things. local also has their way which is outsiders cant do. both side are needed each other for example Shiori who do what her can as local while Koharu and Sanae doing things that they can as outsider.
3. City vs Rural - this is one of main element being played for whole season. Mayonama, a rural area is pale in comparison to city of hope like Tokyo where lot of chances waiting. The main character Koharu also from countryside who also move to Tokyo due to this reason. Other character like Erika also want to go out meanwhile there is others like Shiori or Maki's brother Kosuke who prefer stay in the area while his sister Maki and Sanae run from city into countryside for various reason. the parallel situation tell of how both side each has their own pro and cons.
4. Change vs Stagnate - this is relate to point 2. as countryside full of elder people, where lack of booming bussiness, some people prefer change. even the presiden Ushimatsu also used to longed for change. but there is people who prefer things stay as they are. the folks who already like what they currently have and didnt bother to change. Preserving both side is important as part of the main character challenge.
then later there is stronger theme that gonna play role in changing Mayonama atmosphere and lot of character's development
1. Flow of time - even how much they prefer to stay like how they currently are, they cant change flow of time. trend changing, some change inevitable. some choose to adapt but some choose to let things happens. both not wrong as both prefer the way it end up. the town of Mayonama for example has less of people shopping around due to big convinience store, lack of younger people attraction, lot of young people migrate to city didnt take over their family bussiness etc. some youngster return home and open shop. some elder however prefer let things as there are, even they end up closed. some even pass away. they rather enjoy life moderately everyday.
2. Must able to accept change - this is the core message being send for whole storyline. it related to the town folklore about an outsider dragon girl who been chased out by local. however the true story is the local actually welcoming the outsider and want to share her wisdom. the villagers dancing to welcome here but the dragon mistaken for them to get angry and she later die alone retreated in cave. this is message been told. the Mayonama town must accept outsider. originally it part of their culture. Ririko's grandmother for example didnt like outsider. some of villagers against changing. but the tales told that their ancestor didnt hesitate to learn from outsider and change themself, adapt throught the time. these been told until the final episode where Ririko sing the missing song of the folklore.
all these element could relate strongly with audience age 20s or even 30s.
whats great more, not just major plot, but side plot and lot of side character has 'closure' to their role. even if just a side character. each of them has their own character development outside of main characters which is something rare. Sandal-san for example finally find his root. Kumano and Sayuri finally dating. Amamiya, finally has his redemption. Ushimatsu finally drive out tv host who played them before. The town policeman finally found love. Doku, Ushimatsu and Chitose finally fullfill their promise after 50 years. its like everyone is changing. the town overall is changing
overall story is fun, soothing and warm anime. the ending is one of anime that i could feel empty after watch. whats more, not merely end of the story but also signify the end of main character journey in the place which is already become her second home. audience also get attached to the place. the final where she left the place from train station is one of best ending that left lot of feeling for audience.
all plot, character development stuff, whats important is ability to connect with audience which is this anime nailed it with characters, plot, humor and location.
overall it has lot of deep meaning included in the story and overall audience definitely can see the love and passionate the animation staff put here. "Working series" is specialty of P.A Works and here they show their expertise while always showcase beautiful art and music alongside interesting character and plot.
totally underrated anime, story must not necessary explosive, or strong in emotion but sometimes relaxing, moderate element like this als could hit hard. definitely one of best P.A Works masterpiece.
Apr 19, 2021
Sakura Quest
(Anime)
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This anime totally underrated gems. it is different that usual setting. no high school girls, no fantasy, no romance etc all is focused on adult main character in realistic life. Actually just rewatched it again after 4 years and overall from production quality to storyline all still hold up well even up against latest anime. I'll try to elaborate without too much spoilers.
This anime bring few of notable parallel theme that contrast each other, being playout through whole season where it touch stuff that people could related to our real adult life. whats great more is both side of contrast is not wrong.: 1. Abnormal vs ... Jan 31, 2021
Munou na Nana
(Anime)
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seriously, before watch i just expect decent, or atmost good anime
but this one definitely a gem, one of the best one i watch it is refreshing that this time around, villain is main character. what great is the counterpart play of the protagonist and the antagonist who both clever, crafting and unravelling each other plan. not to mention the protagonist is the villain while the antagonist is the good guy. it is refreshing that this time, watcher a rooting for the main bad guy instead. not many done this feat. kudos to the author,writer, director etc. scene by scene, the plot is crafted nicely for each murder ... Jan 28, 2021
Kamisama ni Natta Hi
(Anime)
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based on review score here, usually i would conclude that generally 7 rating is good anime to watch, 8 is very good and 9-10 is well, otherworld. 6 is passable, 5 below is terrible.
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if this is a drinkable water, easier to say not just bland, tastless, flavourless too
cant bear to watch even few minute of first episode. each scene, each situation is bland awfull. the problem is they screw up the earlier episodes especially first and two. it important as it will serve as prologue, introduce character, the worldbuilding and lore and yet the anime did NOTHING of those. just suddenly throw a dire situation and expect audience to immediately invest just like that. meanwhile they throw quick flashback amidst the situation, expect audience to get the gist while there no proper introduction toward characters and the world.like why ... May 26, 2020
Hello World
(Anime)
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this movie supposed to be amazing...supposed to..but this is example of where it had interesting, amazing premises but failed at execution...this movie should be mindblowing...but it failed to do so..bland generic mc, and heroine...the tone also kind of bland? there no sense of urgency when it needed..it feel flat all the time...*spoiler alert* what baffles me when the hero get to know the fact of his world not real he had no reaction..like "ok" same goes for the heroine..she just witness logic defied scene for first time infront of his eye like nothing happened..no emotion or even shocked..suddenly she into the flow of situation as
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