The greatest aspect of this is the idea is that if someone hasn't seen the first season of Non Non Biyori, they won't be left out due to the idea of this being an alternative styled season. Though on the other hand, if you've seen the first season, you're given more time to spend with the characters, and as we visit their small village for another year's duration within a time span of 12 episodes, many more relations can be established. The layout and premise of "Repeat" seems to be more character oriented and driven, and that allows for the merry group of four to be fleshed out and come to know them as if we've spent our time along side with them creating memories. All of the four are relatable in certain aspects that probably we've all done at some point in our life: Creating games out of school supplies, playing with the fun of nature, like blowing whistles from leaves, and the want for a pet to raise.
Surprisingly enough, the anime tackles the idea of city versus country. Renge's sister Hika-nee (or Hikage) is always getting a chance to share her experiences in the big city life in Tokyo when she's back at home with the rest of the main cast, while Hotaru is constantly finding new joys about the fun one can have with nature and the embodiment of a humble life style. Both of them are enjoying themselves in a setting where they didn't really grow up in, and aren't very accustomed to, but they're basking in the full glory of what they both have to offer, and seemingly don't dread being where they are.
One thing to note is the way the characters are presented in the actual story, not just this season specifically though. Many shows today, not only anime, present their characters, whether it be one kid or a group, as child prodigies, otakus, and socially awkward people. Though, the main group are represented as just any causal children growing up in their elementary through middle school phase. No one of them is standing out from the rest by skipping grade levels or talking about subjects a child near their age wouldn't know. They hold the qualities of what makes a child, a child. It's the realism that is produced from these factors that make the anime more life-like and less one-dimensional.
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"Make sure you don't lose it. It'll be too late to regret it once you do." - Komari "Koma-chan" Koshigaya
Koma-chan, more often than not, is the running gag of being short for one's age, and at first she might be seen as just that type of character to fill in comedy, but through the development of the entire series, there's maturity and still a little bit of childish actions, regardless of her being the eldest of the main four. A running concept about her is the fact of wanting to be mature and adult-like rather than being treated like the child she usually is. It can hinder her at times, and make her act beyond what she wants to, but at certain moments she obtains her mature nature and truly takes care of her friends and gains experience to help her in life later. Her development is subtle, but certainly shows improvement in the latter half of the season when she goes through a stage of recollection. Although, what child hasn't longed for being an adult at one point of their lives? It's only natural for someone of her age to want be treated older, and it brings out for amusing situations.
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"Play while you have a chance is my motto" - Natsumi "Nattsun" Koshigaya
Nattsun is the tomboyish personality within in the main cast, and the loudest personality of them all. Nothing can overcome her mighty sense of determination, aside from school and tests. Her image at the start of the anime was more or less the typical never-ending energy type of person, but as the season went on, she shows more sides than what can be observed after only a mere few minutes. "What would she look like as a "proper" girl?" is answered, and it just isn't something that suits her outlook. At times it's obvious she can be over the top, her playful actions are what brings the meat to the meal that is the show of Non Non Biyori and it is not the same if she weren't a part of it. Although perhaps the beauty of her character is her relation to real life tendencies people make. Losing objects, impulse actions, and probably her words alone. "What the heck do those "Explain what the author was thinking here" question mean?! I'm not the author! How am I supposed to know?!" These are words and feelings are familiar to students in a multitude and ways, and personally had the same thoughts myself at one point. She's more than just the "energetic" or "reckless" personality that people may depict her as, and she certainly proved that through the course of the season.
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"Take this seriously and say "goo-goo" - Renge "Ren-chon" Miyauchi
Renge is an interesting character because she can be the perfect example of a typical child. Although she can have her moments of being greater than someone her age in some talents, her one trait sticks true to what can be said about children: Innocence is bliss. Her tendencies gear more and more towards the mindset of a child as time passes and even exemplifies what would happen near her age. Riding a bike, fooled by simple illusions, spontaneous ideas that have no reason to them, the many "wants" of a young child, such as raising a pet. At first she can seem like a bit of an awkward character that seems to be the "cute" image of the group, but she develops into a mindful friend who has unique outlook on her surroundings when things seem a little off, and quickly develops from her experiences that she gains daily with the adventures she does with her peers.
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"I'm not that grown-up. I'm just normal. I really act childish in front of my mom, especially. I wish I could be more mature, really." - Hotaru "Hotarun" Ichijou
Hotaru is the "foreigner" of the group as she moves in from the bustling city life into a quaint village that has nature as its main attractions. At the beginning of the anime she tends to be more towards the passive type of character who doesn't really "drive" the story per se, but does make it more enjoyable for the people around her. Her physique is older than she seems, which can make her uncomfortable in certain situations when she receives praise of acting older than how she usually is, but surprisingly is quite childish, and the second youngest of her group of four. She's relatively positive and rarely negative, and has hobbies of making Koma-chan dolls. Although quite a well-rounded character, her debut slowly approaches and she establishes herself as a more "active" character in pursuing the story as the season progresses.
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Even though the characters themselves are great individually, without their interaction as a group, the anime wouldn't be the same. The comedy brought on is rather light-hearted and can be childish, but relatable for anyone who experienced what they did at one point in time. It's the idea of the group setting that can push this anime to reach the fullest potential of making it exactly what it is: An anime about four girls and their adventures as friends through their nature filled village. Though what plagues many slice of life is the concept of not putting out enough content to keep the audience attracted for most of the series, and seemingly making it like the episode had nothing happening and very unproductive. Non Non Biyori has a new adventure waiting around every corner for the audience to join in on, bringing in new experiences for the characters to develop, and more chances to make connections and special moments for each one.
Although the characters themselves are one of the main focuses of the anime, since the setting is located in a little village surrounded by nature, the greenery and locations they often go to is an antidote for sore eyes. Regardless if the scene is a still frame, or a little walk through the forest, the detail in every little thing is made to be left breathless. Water dripping from a leaf giving that immersive feeling of morning dew, the river to dive into and play around, the daily walks to school. Each of those scenes are given just about as much detail as the rest to help the audience be familiar with the character's home where they grew up in. Even during season changes, the color scheme subtly adapts to fit the tone and atmosphere of the cool welcome of autumn, and the bright appearance of the new year.
The opening sequence accompanied by the song gives the feeling of a worry free journey for anyone who is a fan of the genre to experience. The march sequence can be a nice depiction of their friendship growing and changing as the seasons pass, through all the days spent in the hot summer stuck doing homework, to the snowy winter days creating igloos. The ending, and even the opening, are similar to the atmosphere they create as the openings for both seasons are performed by nano.RIPE and the ending by the main cast. The endings as a whole are created to be more relaxed and slow compared to their counterpart opening, which provide a nice closure to their long day, and a nice closure to open their eventful opening for the next encounter.
At the same time, the OST that are played in the background deserve praise for themselves alone. Although a little similar in sound, they each have their own country type of feeling to them when they're being played in each scene. It's especially special when each character has certain sound clips added to their scene, such as a recorder song when Renge has a moment, or anything that seems to be suitable to close off a long day with a relaxing tune. The wide range of instruments and sounds used never seem to make it overused, but rather casual, and a delight to hear when they make an appearance.
While the season may have wrapped up, and the legendary sword being put to an end after its reign has been established, the welcome it gave was all the more special. Our time to spend time with the cast and characters may have been short, but it truly felt like a connection was made after our year of memories made. Opening in the spring with a brand new school year, with a year to look forward to, and closing with the spring to open a new chapter in our life as we graduate and open ourselves to new experiences. I look to the future when we may meet and spend time as a group again, but for now, I'll keep the new fondly made bonds cherished and hope others will feel the same while watching this.
