Story 9/10: As mentioned, this is a story about four girls of different ages living on the countryside. It has a captivating story without even trying. Even though the girls do things they consider normal, people that don't live in the countryside will find an amusing story, and those who live in the countryside will find a charming representation of what it's like, filled with moments that makes you smile and giggle. Some may find that boring, but not me. It doesn't have one single storyline, but many small happenings in the young girls' lives, and not a single episode is the same.
Art 10/10: I am a sucker for good art. Even though the art in this anime is the typical moe artstyle, it doesn't make this anime any less good. In fact, it really fits the rest of the art and makes the characters personalities shine. And, oh the scenery! Beautiful, country scenery with the mountains, the trees and the rice fields. This anime also perfects the use of breathing pauses that lets the animation do the talking. There are several minute long scenes that can be just a character badly playing a recorder, landscape shots or waiting for a reaction, and they all work really well. It gives the viewer a chance to breathe and relax. Together it makes an absolutely gorgeous anime filled with small "wow" moments.
Sound 10/10: After this anime, I had to search for the OST online at once. This soundtrack is filled with both quick and fun music and relaxing orchestra. It has a lot of outstanding tracks and really helps make the anime shine. The OP is a song by the one and only nano.RIPE. It's catchy and likable and fits very well with the mood of the anime. The same can be said about the ED, which is sung by the four main characters voice actors.
Character 9/10: Though this anime had some anime cliches, like the tsundere loli, this anime has a very good character cast. The main cast consists of Komari, who is a tsundere and very childish, despite wanting to be adult-like, Natsumi, who is very lazy and loves pranks, Hotaru, who is responsible, but amusingly obsessed with a certain character, and Renge, an easily impressed, easily fascinated, weird and adorable kid. There's also the brother that never gets a line, the delinquent-like, but secretly kind Candy-Store and Nee-nee the lazy teacher/big sister (These are not actually their names, it's just what the kids call them). All the characters fit so well in the story and, even if some are cliches, it doesn't make the anime cliche. Each character is still very much it's own character and gives of a fun, likable and unique personality that fits the anime perfectly. They're funny, happy and sometimes amusingly over-the-top, especially Natsumi and Renge, who by the way is the cutest little thing on this planet.
Enjoyment 10/10: There's a reason this anime made it on my top five list of favorite anime. It's fun, relaxing and adorable, and it's just so darn likable. It's the perfect anime for a slice-of-life lover like myself. I found myself always looking forward to the next episode every week, even if it didn't have any long storyarcs, cliffhangers or a single storyline to follow. It is simply an enjoyable set of the everyday happenings of these four young girls.
Overall 9/10: This is one of the most likable and lovable anime out there. it's relaxing, pleasing to both the eyes and ears, and filled with a fun and exiting character cast. The only thing that I can comment on is the fact that it has a lot of anime characters cliches and moe, something that can put people off, and the story can get boring to people that are not into everyday happenings in anime, but don't be fooled! It's definitely worth the watch!
If you like action and drama-filled anime, this is not for you, but if you're a fan of slice of life and comedy and like or tolerate the moe art, this is your diamond. Even if you're an all-rounder like me, who likes most genres, you're probably gonna love this anime.
