Barakamon is the first full blown slice of life I watched. (I had previously seen Devil is a Part-Timer, but because of its action I don't consider it fully slice of life.)
Story (7): The story was mostly episodic, with an interesting overarching storyline. I found all of the episodes to be interesting and the overarching plot engaging.
Art (8): The art was appealing and got the job done. It didn't need to do anything all that fancy, though I found the calligraphy in the show beautiful and looked forward to every piece that was created.
Sound (8): Nothing stood out in particular, though I found that the soundtrack fit perfectly with the show and its characters.
Character (9): This is where the show shines. I found all the characters interesting and unique. Naru, in particular, was very endearing and cute.
Enjoyment (8): I definitely enjoyed this anime. Though I was a bit hesitant at first, it quickly brought me in with its heartwarming story and interesting characters. I found myself eager to watch the next episode and finished the entire 12-episode show in two days.
Overall (8): Barakamon is a very good anime. Though I'm usually an action shonen junkie, Barakamon was a great change of pace, and has opened me up to an entirely unfamiliar but exciting world of slice of life. I highly recommend this anime to everyone, especially those looking for a jumping off point for slice of life.
