Those of us watching are currently wrapped up in this absolute gemstone of an anime in a season where it is so easy to be covered up. I am here to unravel this wonderful anime about cute girls scooting.
Before we get into the categories, let me address my first thoughts that made me wary. With all I'm about to say, you may ask "well, who is this being done by?" Well well well, funny you should ask. It's none other than.... *checks notes* Studio Kai? Who? Oh, the one's who made such legendary classics such as... uhh... Okay. So the best thing they got going for them before this anime is Uma Musume S2. This may be a big throw-off for people, but I can assure you that their work on S2 made incredible gains after S1. I was blown away. I genuinely enjoyed Uma Musume S2, but this isn't about that. This is a relatively new studio that is really starting to push out some great works. This is not the time to be sleeping on them. Keep your eye out. Alright, now on to the categories...
Alright, let's start off with the story. Wow. Like... WOW!!! Without getting into too much detail about our characters (you will have to wait a minute for that), this story is currently handing pacing at a great level. It brings us interesting characters that have much to either learn or share that balances out very well for the first 4 episodes of an anime. It doesn't feel rushed, but it doesn't feel dragged for said processes along the way. There is absolutely no need to feel rushed about this anime despite what it may seem at first glance. We are along for a great story at whatever pace the directors feel and it feels great to enjoy that gentle breeze of SoL.
Let's talk about that art. It's calm, cool, and collected. There's not incredibly much going on here with the art, but that's what makes this art pop. When I think of your typical CGDCT anime, I think bright and cheery with popping colors and illustrations. You will not find too much of that here. And you know what? That's alright! It doesn't need bright and flashy characters, scenery, and pops that cover up for what the anime has to offer, instead it is raw dogging the watcher for pure anime-watching experience. We see simple, yet effective, art. It really makes it worth it when they add just a bit of color at just the right moments to bring this anime around to looking as it should through the lens of both a watcher and a character. Wonderful.
Man, where do I get started on sound. How about the fantastic OST? If you are a connoisseur of piano music like I am, you are going to appreciate the literature provided in this show. There are a couple classics and some that have an appeal on their own to really add to the show. I don't think it will ever match the repertoire we see in Nodame Cantabile or Piano no Mori, but that's to be expected. What's important is how I am reminded of those shows yet keeping the atmosphere created by said music true to what the show is trying to convey. I can't wait to hear more.
Our characters. What we have gotten so far is fantastic. Our MC for various reasons has found no major enjoyments in life. Going through the motions at the pace set by the rest of the world. She doesn't seem to mind as there's nothing to really make her question it. Going the same route to school everyday, having the same lunch, going home club. Rinse, repeat, victory. Victory until our heroine finally decides to break her normally emotionless state and, get this, decides riding up hills is too much of a chore. I'm thinking "man, now that's some relatable content". She stops by a shop and long story short, gets a cub to make that one part of her life no longer an inconvenience. This will bring out many people around her that she had no idea were there that will change her outlook on life. We have now I guess I would say 3 set-in-stone characters and maybe a couple others that I hope get some more time that have been introduced at a nice and steady pace,The dynamics felt between these characters who never seem to meet is strong and they are all connected by our MC and how she develops through her journey of getting a cub. I want to say more and have left out some really good details so I really encourage you to get on this.
Enjoyment. I don't need to say much here. I am literally containing my excitement for this show and oh-so desperately wanting everyone to watch this. I want to talk about this anime with people and there just aren't that many people out there. I come rushing home to this anime every week now because I know I am genuinely in for a great show. I don't have many words for this, but I am almost certainly considering this in my top 3 anime of the season at this point.
