Reviews

Why did I love Sakura Quest so much? For starters it’s very relatable. Being an adult that floundered through life I can relate to our heroines trying to find their place in a world that believes they should’ve already found it. Who am I & what do I want are profound questions each must ask his/her soul and this show understands that it’s okay not to have those answers. This is in stark contrast to say a shonen epic where the main character has a clearly defined goal from day one and every step on their journey is a step towards said goal. The second thing I loved is that they’re all adults. Not that I’m unable to relate to high school age characters, but rather that high schoolers are immature and make decisions based on that immaturity. But adults tend to weigh and measure potential consequences before taking “radical” action. Another great thing is the fact that Manoyama isn’t a real place, so the show isn’t a 24 episode tourism advertisement. Nor does require lessons in the history and geography of Japan to enjoy. This also meant they didn’t have to stay true to dress, decor etc. They were free to make their own world and expand and limit it as such. Another impressive aspect of this show is how the right answer, the correct path isn’t always so clear & that there will always be obstacles on the path of least resistance. It’s a beautiful slice of life show that showcases the other slices of life; rather than just ‘high school is the best days of our lives’. But showcases regret, nostalgia, exploration and the constant battle between progress and tradition. It’s funny, heartwarming but not insistent upon itself. It doesn’t beat you over the head with morality or lectures on the ideal way of life without avoiding such real and mature topics as they affect the lives of the characters. Because of that, it’s never boring. It’s more than a slice of life, it’s the whole pizza of life.