If you'd ask me on how anime adaptations from games have fared for the last few years or so, I will tell you pretty much that's it's better to play the original games that inspired making anime out of it, because the adaptations were more or less hits and misses so much that there's no incentive to ever want to experience the games for themselves. Like the masses, I have quite the history when it comes to watching anime adaptations that never lived up the hype of the games themselves, but the fair few that did were CyGames's offerings of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, and especially Princess Connect! Re:Dive of which its initial Spring 2020 season (that was right around the COVID-19 pandemic) impressed me so much to experience the mobage, I'm glad I eventually did after that...before Crunchyroll would shut down the service in April 2023 (for the global market), which I'm still salty at.
But not to worry, because this Summer 2024 season has brought us yet another joy of an unexpected adaptation: Tensui no Sakuna-hime a.k.a Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, developed by Edelweiss and published by Marvelous (XSeed Games in North America) in November 2020, got its anime produced by P.A. Works, that's directed by Masayuki Yoshihara, the director for the Uchouten Kazoku a.k.a The Eccentric Family series, and written by the maestro that is series composer Jukki Hanada (which you ARE guaranteed to get a quality anime with his name attached) that any anime he does, is an instant watch.
Adapted from the game of the same name, Tensui no Sakuna-hime is a 2.5D side-scrolling, hack-and-slash farming simulator that's all about the rice-harvesting, supported by a cast that is as unique as they come, and scenarios that reflect the many elements that culminate in what is a very faithful adaptation towards the game itself. The plot about the spoiled brat that is Princess Sakuna being served her due when a group of humans tried to infiltrate their way into the Lofty Realm where the gods reside, only for the harvest goddess to stumble her way to keep the humans off-limits from a sacred place to invoke chaos around its passageway, leading to the head goddess of Lady Kamuhitsuki thereby banishing her alongside her dragon familiar Tama and the same group of humans to an island that's filled with demons as a temporary substitute to call home, until arrangements are made to be able to send them back to their world.
For starters, the anime adaptation is such a feels trip of a ride, adapting the same tranquil and cozy atmospheric vibe of the game, from its initial worries of Sakuna and the band of humans that she's in charge of and taking care of them despite her hard-headedness, to the rice-farming segment that just exudes all the joy and warm-hearted feelings, that you can't help but be transported into its world that's so inviting and experiencing the vibes of such a simple, but hearty plot/story to go by. Those who've already played the game know these feelings all too well, but it's the anime-onlies (like me) getting introduced into Sakuna's world that naturally sucks you in hard, and it's even damn near impossible to get out of. It's definitely a guilt-trip, especially if you're the emotionally deep-end kind of person like I am.
The colourful cast of characters in the game are many, but the main theme is centred around the series' titular MC herself. As I've already mentioned, Princess Sakuna herself is a lazy couch potato who just wants the others (like her fellow friend and Princess Kokorowa) to treat her as such, but it's really through VA Naomi Oozora that the true extent of her character is revealed to be like so, and the same VA that voices Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! a.k.a Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!'s main central female MC of Hana Uzaki, is, dare I say, a perfect fit for Sakuna's character who likes the extravagant and doesn't like to deal with the hard work, and she'll make you pay for it with her insisting annoyance. With the anime being a character-driven story at the same time, there may be no one leader in the band of humans, but Tauemon, Myrthe, Kinta, Yui and Kaimaru, accompanied by the island's only protector of otter Ashigumo and the enemy of their band that is Ishimaru, every character gets their moment to shine through the open-endedness of the medium, which is one of the strongest suits of the show that is paid very close attention to fleshing out the anime side of the game as much as possible. This is especially the case for Sakuna, who experiences character growth, turning from a selfish to a selfless and sacrificial person, seeing everyone as valuable people that she spent the fair amount of time getting by, growing rice and singing the game's iconic Rice Planting song, as well as eliminating demons of nuisance alongside Ashigumo, who investigates the Isle of Demons that's connected to his tribe. Massive props for keeping the game-to-anime experience as authentic as possible.
Of the 3 P.A. Works shows in this Summer season, I've got to hand it over to this show for being the bright and gorgeous, almost pleasant feeling that perfectly captures the vibe of the game translated over to the anime, though Mayonaka Punch is equally just as good, if not on a different roster being of the dark and gritty vibe. Regardless, this is a valiant effort from a studio that has consistently wowed the audience with quality...if you forget the nonsense that was Na Nare Hana Nare a.k.a Narenare: Cheer for You!.
The music is even better and matches the game's vibe with its melancholic take despite its action fantasy. It's no surprise given the experience of yet another veteran working for the show: music composer Yoshiaki Fujisawa, and like Jukki Hanada, is the face of reassured quality to match. I may not have heard much of Ikimonogakari (barring that Yozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen a.k.a Mission: Yozakura Family's 1st Cour OP is the most recent song), but what I can tell you, is that "Hare!" is definitely the pop rock duo's best song to date, and a song that, more than it being my favourite OP of the season (in a season of disappointing OPs), it fits perfectly into the show's rhythm naturally. It's the same story with Little Glee Monster's ED with the calm and traditional feels, and I couldn't be happier for this.
All in all, Tensui no Sakuna-hime a.k.a Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is more than just a commercial success of a game; its anime adaptation is even more underrated, replicating the subtle gentleness of a world so busy with things happening left and right, that its simple and cozy moments are the definition of a slow-paced, but heartwarming show that'll hit you in the feels indefinitely for a faithful adaptation. It's IMO the best of the 3 P.A. Works shows for the Summer 2024 season, and you opt NOT to miss this one, now that the time's right to binge and (possibly) experience the gane for yourself when all is said and done.
