When I first started watching an anime about a depressed artist who is constantly pestered by children as he tries to work, I admit I was skeptical. Normally I don't really care for slice of life type anime, and I find the portrayal of children in anime often distasteful.
This anime is different. While it is not the best anime I've ever seen, it is very high on my list simply for its profundity and dedication to realism. In every scene, this anime intentionally draws realistic characters in believable situations and weaves their escapades into a thought-provoking consideration about what we value and why. I appreciated the cultural notes as well; this anime is not westernized and viewers gain a lot of cultural richness. This anime feels like a place I could step into and find my purpose in life. I would watch again, and might force friends to watch if they had nothing better to do.