Seishuu Handa is an up-and-coming calligrapher: young, handsome, talented, and unfortunately, a
narcissist to boot. When a veteran labels his award-winning piece as "unoriginal," Seishuu quickly
loses his cool with severe repercussions.
As punishment, and also in order to aid him in self-reflection, Seishuu's father exiles him to the
Goto Islands, far from the comfortable Tokyo lifestyle the temperamental artist is used to. Now thrown
into a rural setting, Seishuu must attempt to find new inspiration and develop his own unique art
style—that is, if boisterous children (headed by the frisky Naru Kotoishi), fujoshi middle schoolers,
and energetic old men stop barging into his house! The newest addition to the intimate and quirky Goto
community only wants to get some work done, but the islands are far from the peaceful countryside he
signed up for. Thanks to his wacky neighbors who are entirely incapable of minding their own business,
the arrogant calligrapher learns so much more than he ever hoped to.
(Source: MAL Rewrite)
~~~__Slice of Life done right__~~~ ~~~img720(https://imgur.com/9AGSn5h.png)~~~ __Intro__ Barakamon was not the series I expected it to be. The last time I saw something set in the country was in a show called Non Non Biyori, which felt really slow at times and was, in my opinion, the very definition of slice-of-life. But Barakamon, which may turn off viewers because of its slice of life label, does not disappoint, for its goofy cast and silly story make it one slice of life show worth watching. __Story__ ~~~img720(https://imgur.com/NzpWxmh.png)~~~ Seishu Handa, an aspiring calligrapher, gets a little too mad at an elderly critic of his own calligraphy and ends up punching him. As punishment, Handa leaves the city for the country until he is able to apologize to the old man. He meets Naru, a little girl who was hiding in his cupboard in his new house (for whatever reason...) and many of the other villagers who receive him well. Each episode introduces a silly event or problem that involves Handa and one or two of the villagers. Though each episode may not relate to one another, the show is able to stay refreshing and fun. __ Animation/Sound __ ~~~img720(https://i.imgur.com/VORnjiC.png)~~~ The animation is nothing special, but it definitely shines in Barakamon's silly moments, such as when Naru achieves her "manhood". The OST is very mediocre with some run of the mill background music but the OP and ED are well done and both use interesting art styles. But other than that, nothing really stands out in this department. __Characters__ ~~~img720(https://imgur.com/9gVmKrq.png)~~~ This is probably the best part about this series. Handa by himself is probably not that interesting, but his interaction with all the villagers who are quite lively is a pleasure to watch. Every character somehow has that silly side, such as Handa's mother and the village leader. Handa and Naru make an amazing duo when Naru tries to play with Handa and the addition of Naru's friends makes the core cast very entertaining. She is definitely one of my favorite characters this year because of her enthusiasm and just how lovable she was. They make every episode lively and fun and that's why this series is gold. __Enjoyment__ ~~~img720(https://imgur.com/yFKxFtY.png)~~~ ~~~img720(https://imgur.com/v7EEdCc.png)~~~ ~~~img720(https://imgur.com/eghqg7J.png)~~~ I really enjoyed this series because of all the times it made me laugh out loud. It also give you a good look into Japanese countryside culture, which is one of the reasons I enjoy Slice of Life anime. The silly characters and the setting of the Japanese country make for such a wonderful series. Barakamon is very refreshing because it's so mellow and you really don't need to think hard when watching this series. Just relax and enjoy the show. __Overall Thoughts and Conclusion __ ~~~img720(https://imgur.com/1Q8BSAN.png)~~~ Stop reading this review and start watching! Barakamon is one of my favorite series of Summer 2014 and maybe one of the best of 2014 overall. It's colorful cast and silly skits are something you won't want to miss. Its simplicity is what makes it such a good series and is one of the reasons that made me watch anime in the first place. Watch this show for some light-hearted laughs.
Slice of Life, amirite? Those shows that ya watch for the nice feels or just to have fun with. Not often something to think long and hard about. Great examples including BLEND-S, K-On!, and our subject for today, Barakamon. What makes Barakamon one of the best Slice of Life anime ever? Where does it differentiate itself, and are these differences executed well? Let's have a look. ~~~Story:~~~ Slice of Life are known to have simple enough stories that do the one job of getting everything set up for the meat of the show. Barakamon starts out with Handa Seishu getting pissy because his calligraphy piece got shit on by some boomer. After acting violently in a fit of angery release, the boomer of the Handa household sends Seishu off to some remote island to reflect on himself. There he meets local cinnamon bun Naru along with a couple other nutty individuals he is now neighbors to. And thus began Barakamon. Handa acting out in a fit of rage may seem completely okay as a tipping point, but that's if we don't consider the prequel series. Since Barakamon came first, though, that would be points off of "Handa-Kun" instead. ~~~Characters:~~~ Characters are the soul of any good Slice of Life. I learned this very well during my time in the Church of Hirasawa. Barakamon's characters are just as fan-fucking-tastic as you'd hope. Handa Seishu is that one guy that's just a little too obsessed with his work, then basically evolves into Handad as the series moves forward. That is mostly due to Naru, a munchkin girl of 6-7 years old that is about as energetic as you'd expect a 7 year old on crack to be. Others include the fucking weeb Arai, her relatively normal friend Miwa, absolute bro Hiroshi, and more kids. Lots more kids. These dinguses are fleshed out over a perfect amount of time. That one window where it feels like they could be actual people but not so much time that they start feeling forced onto the viewer. You don't need a massive amount of characters in order to have a good cast. It all relies on execution. ~~~Setting:~~~ Most Slice of Life likes to go about setting as something that doesn't have much impact after the initial set-up. Mainly just a way for the characters to be together, which is probably why there's SO MANY school Slice of Lifes. The rural setting of Barakamon, however, feels like the prospect of it, doesn't feel ignored. The peace and serenity of the locale along with its uniqueness gives Barakamon a special vibe compared to its peers. Two massive focuses of the show are community and being forced to come out of your shell, and the setting exemplifies both to a point of bliss. ~~~Key Focus:~~~ If I had to describe the one key focus of Barakamon, it would be "community". The characters all bounce off of each other in a way only possible if most of these idiots hold special bonds that have developed throughout quite a while. Handa learning to become a part of this community is a big focus of the show, and an appeal is watching the bonds grow as Handa interacts with his new neighbors. Take Persona 5, take out all that thieving crap, set it in some back ass rural area, and focus entirely on the relationships formed. That could be a generalization of Barakamon. Barakamon fits all the checkboxes of what makes a great Slice of Life so well, I think it broke one of those boxes. Well-developed characters, unique and important setting, a story that does its job well, and a key focus that settles well with viewers that can feel attachment to any sort of character. A show that can do all that and then some is something truly special. By that logic, Barakamon is truly special.
__Please note: this review uses the scoring and rating system from MAL, and was copied over from there.__ For someone like myself, who doesn't normally watch 'Slice of life' anime, this one hooked me and I'm now finding myself asking for a second season which I know is never going to come...or will it? This was something I never thought I'd come to both enjoy and love so dearly now. As the MC is a bit of an introvert, someone who'd rather spend time indoors than outside actually interacting, he goes through so much growth over the course of this 12 episode series. Seishuu ends up forming a lasting bond with a young child that spurs him to create the best calligraphy work he's ever done and in a place so out of touch with the natural society of Tokyo where he came from. __Story: 8/10___ As a 'Slice of life,' it really gave insight into the struggles of a city man being forced to move to an extremely remote island and experience many things he'd not have to deal with back home. But overall his experiences are learned ones that help him grow and become attached to people he'd never before even interact with. The way the story is interwoven with all of Seishuu's hopes and dreams, even with the actions of the character, and the dialogue, it speaks volumes even if the person watching knows nothing about the art. __Art: 8/10__ The art was very nice, a great mix of scenery with bright colors and lots of background elements at times, and other times the background was null and things in the foreground caught your attention. The use of colors was very poignant and helped to establish the mood. __Sound: 8/10__ The music was very subtle but played a great role in the story, not many scenes actually needed music or background tracks as the emotions displayed were enough to make me feel like the point was conveyed beautifully. That being said, both the OP and ED were something that I came to love and listen to over and over, more specifically the ED, as it really spoke about the relationship between Seishuu and Naru, which was a huge main focus of the show as a whole. __Characters: 9/10__ The characters were all great. All of the island residents were a sharp contrast to Seishuu's personality and tastes, helping him to grow as a person while on the island. Also, seeing a 23-year-old man who had resigned himself never to be married interact with children was priceless. My favorite character was probably the two girls, who were always messing with Seishuu, and of course Naru, whose ongoing laughter and pertinent curiosity about Seishuu never failed to make me smile. **Enjoyment: 9/10** Every episode was a breath of fresh air of a genre that I'd never really watch otherwise, except that I have a small interest in calligraphy. The humor aspects were neatly tied into the theme of calligraphy as well and always had me on my feet laughing. __Overall: 9/10__ Having heard about this show back in 2015-2016 or so, I never gave it a watch because I felt like the 'Slice of Life' Genre wasn't for me. Now that I've watched it, however, I'm banging my pots and pans for more, and currently reading the manga.
___ ~~~__Obligatory Spoiler Information__~~~ Hey there! While I'm leaving as many direct references to plot elements out of this review as possible, I do go into quite a lot of depth that may colour your experience of Barakamon if you've not watched it yet. Jump to the verdict if you're worried. ~~~__This is your only warning. Please enjoy! :)__~~~ ___ _(Disclaimer: I didn't read the source manga, so there will be no reference to how Barakamon treats its source material.)_ Barakamon is a comedic slice-of-life anime that began airing in the summer of 2014, and tackles the daily struggle of fitting in to a new community while trying to reflect on who you are at the same time. If my memory's correct, I watched at least part of this back in late 2014 when I first really got into anime. Though, my memory of finishing any show from back then is fuzzy, so I did my best to "rewatch" Barakamon with fresh eyes. ~~~img440(https://usercontent1.hubstatic.com/13719216.jpg)~~~ __Barakamon is relaxing and enjoyable; a hot bath after a long day of work.__ ___ ~~~__Plot - 9/10__~~~ __Barakamon doesn't have a deep plot, but it doesn't need to.__ Barakamon highlights mundane, everyday life, with all of the ups, downs, and turns that come with getting used to life in a new place being present. And damn, is it ever charming. We follow the daily life of a talented, yet narcissistic calligrapher, Handa Seishuu, now on his way to the Goto Islands in order to reflect on his disrepsectful actions towards a director of art exhibitions in Tokyo. Over the course of 12 episodes, we see Seishuu interact with his new neighbours and attempt to fit in on the island. Each episode focuses on one or two events in his life, including things like: - Taking the neighbourhood kids on a trip to the beach - Partaking in community events, like mochi-catching - Simply eating a meal together All of these events are paced so well. By the end of each episode, I felt I got to be a part of the day(s) that passed. I was able to relax and take in other parts of the anime, like the art, writing, and music without getting lost or bored. By the end, you can see the fruits of Seishuu's new experiences mature, and it's satisfying. Comedic elements are sprinkled liberally throughout each episode and don't weigh on the actual "plot"; rather, they contribute more to the pacing. They help to break up the mundaneity and make everyday life feel a little more exciting. __I really want to try pickled daikon because of this show...__ ___ ~~~__Writing - 9.5/10__~~~ __Holy crap, is this show ever written well.__ Dialogue feels natural, jokes land on all four legs time after time; I don't know what more I can say. I was just starstruck by how smooth the writing in Barakamon was. I was cracking up laughing, never got totally surprised by a character's sudden shift in tone (because it didn't happen), and never really knew what was gonna happen. Each of Barakamon's episodes highlight a lesson of sorts, and the seamless writing really makes these lessons stick. From this, Barakamon does a great job of showing off one of its major themes: __growth.__ Its amazing writing is also to the benefit of its characters. Let's get into that. ~~~img440(https://nefariousreviews.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/barakamon-calligraphy.jpg?w=474)~~~ __Writers: let's take Barakamon's carefree attitude as an example for how to add life to our own writing.__ ___ ~~~__Characters and Character Development - 8.5/10__~~~ You're might be wondering: __why is this an 8.5?!?!__ Only because I got a little sick of Seishuu's rival-of-sorts, Kozuke. I found him a bit annoying, even though that is part of his personality. He's definitely not a weak character, and does develop, but I just liked him less than the rest of the cast. Besides my personal feelings on Kozuke, everyone in Barakamon has depth, whether it be developed over time or it coming out in response to special circumstances. They're imperfect, lovable for their own reasons, and all grow in realistic ways. By the end, you can see how much Seishuu has changed just by comparing him in Episode 1 to himself in Episode 12. Hell, compare those two Seishuus to his parents. The characters grow up. Another theme of Barakamon that its character dynamics show off well is __learning how to co-exist.__ Barakamon loves to force characters with contrasting personality traits to interact and solve problems together. Not everyone always gets along, people have gripes with each other, and that's okay. It makes the whole cast feel human. ~~~img440(https://cdn.anisearch.com/images/anime/screen/9/9024/full/303727.jpg)~~~ __Naru and Hina are adorable.__ ___ ~~~__Presentation - 9/10__~~~ Good voice acting: check. Beautiful art: check. Solid animation: check. Okay, maybe that's too rigid of me. I'll back up a bit. Barakamon's style exemplifies __personal freedom__, another of its many themes. Little details are everywhere, and the show doesn't take itself too seriously. It's just damn pleasant to watch, and I never got tired of the voice acting, either. It's really good. This personal flair that I mention makes every situation a little bit unique, and it works flawlessly. Comedy has visual elements added to it to support the writing and acting, the pacing of certain character movements and visual effects is thought through, as well as the pace of editing; lots of things are given space to breathe. __The ending's visual style and editing is top-notch. I love it.__ ___ ~~~__Music - 9/10__~~~ The opening and the ending are bangers. Literal bangers. Their edited versions for the opening and ending are equally good. Barakamon uses music really well as a narrative device. You'll hear most of the soundtrack at least a few times over, and the same song usually accompanies scenes with a similar emotional weight or a similar theme. It really helps to lift up each scene even more, and preps you for what's about to happen without telling you outright. In general, Barakamon's OST is pleasant. A good mix of calming, energetic, intense, and emotional tracks that highlight every aspect of everyday life. It's not a masterpiece of a sountrack, but it's really good. Songs don't need to stick in your head to be effective. And hey, the ending track, _Innocence_, well, it's just cute, damnit! youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wol-XHb1VhM) __^ I can't get らしさ out of my head. ^__ ___ ~~~__Verdict__~~~ ~~~__Barakamon is a slice-of-life that anyone should watch, even if they're not into anime. It's 12 straight episodes of adventure, laughs, and the joy hidden within everyday life.__~~~ ~~~img440(https://momudorchid.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/barakamon-review-1-e1560668955761.jpg)~~~ By the end, Barakamon spoke to me in a way that I didn't expect. As a young musician and poet now in my 20s, Barakamon made me realize and face something that I was afraid of for years. ~~~__The fact that I don't need to be perfect at anything.__~~~ Barakamon's not a drama. It's not, but for me, a person who's struggled with seeing the joy in just doing the things that I love, I got a little emotional by the end. I was proud of Seishuu's growth, and noticed that there's a little bit of Handa Seishuu in me. Maybe more than I'd care to admit. A hyper-determined, but hyper-self-critical and slightly tempermental person that lost what making art really means in the pursuit of perfection. It taught me the hard lessons of __not taking yourself so damn seriously__, and __going after a passion for passion's sake.__ __Barakamon doesn't need to be a drama to pull at your heartstrings and make you feel bubbly on the inside.__ I loved every minute of it. ~~~__Bring Barakamon to a movie night, and you'll probably stay up all night binging it. Even if you're not an artist, writer, or creative-type person, it will teach you about humility, enjoying life, and treasuring the little things without needing to say it. Final score: 90/100 - Heartwarmingly amazing.__~~~ ___ Hey, thanks for sticking it through till the end! If you liked this review, give it a like, and maybe consider dropping me a follow! I'd love to see what you're watching and what anime/manga you're into! And hey, if you didn't like this review, that's okay too! :) _(I also make music, poetry, and other stuff, so maybe hit ya boi up and drop a follow on Instagram too? :P (@vladcmcreates))._ Alright, shameless plug over. Dmitri, life-long perfectionist, signing off. Have fun out there, friends. img220(https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/9/6/3/8963.jpg) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[ENG] “This is not an adult thing”, “When are you really going to mature?”, “Life is like that, you have to accept it as soon as possible”. These are common phrases that we hear when we reach adulthood, because we don't just move on from our teens, but we ended up giving up several values from when we were younger... but is this really the right decision? What does it really mean to be an “adult and mature” person? Well, let's try to analyze this topic a little more closely...Barakamon is an Anime produced in 2014 by Kinema Citrus Studios, Satsuki Yoshino's original work, and this whole theme is explored through its characters, especially with Seishuu Handa Handa is one of the most promising Calligraphers in all of Japan and, at just 23 years of age, his work has won recognition and numerous awards during his lifetime. Everything was going well, until in his most recent exhibition, he received harsh criticism from the Director of the art gallery, saying that his work was “a perfect copy without a soul and heart”, and, let's just say that Handa didn't accept it in the best way As a repercussion of his actions, his own father, Seimei Handa, who is also an extremely respected Calligrapher, ends up exiling him to the Goto Islands, a typical calm and peaceful country town, so that he could reflect on his attitudes and on his own life. Obviously, Handa doesn't agree with the idea, but since his career could be at risk, he ends up giving in to the advice and moving to this new reality You may be asking yourself: What does the story so far have to do with the topic at the beginning? But the point is that, just as we all go through difficulties at this stage of life, when we're still trying to figure out how to be adults and mature, Handa is going through the same problems, and that ends up not only hindering his life, but is reflecting on his own work He's a master in calligraphy and his technique is impeccable, except that his works don't go beyond that, they're as if a machine had made it, something perfect, but without excitement or emotion at all, and that not only reflects on the person that Handa himself became, but with most of us become when we get older, the Director himself added that: "Everyone ends up arriving at a barrier called 'Wall of Mediocrity', did you at least try to climb it?" And do you know what this ''Wall of Mediocrity'' is? It's this “adult and mature” version that apparently all of us need to be. For example: When we hear that we need to grow up and mature, why do we associate this with forgetting all the values of when we were children? Why does growing up and maturing mean giving up words as important as dreams, fun and happiness? Bakaramon explores this topic perfectly, because talks about it in a very human and real way, showing that there is no single answer to the questions raised until now: there is no single way to be an adult, and that, in order to grow and mature, we don't need to give up our values that were so important when we were children, an adult with dreams is not just any adult, but someone who is ready to climb this “Wall of Mediocrity” and live the life that he dreamed of Bellow there is a video link, entitled “Smile!”, which better analyzes the Anime and its premise as a whole, making this review even more accurate (Please turn on the English Sub for it). [PT-BR] “Isso não é coisa de adulto”, “Quando você vai amadurecer de verdade?”, “A vida é assim mesmo, você tem que aceitar ela o quanto antes”. Essas são frases comuns que ouvimos quando chegamos na vida adulta, pois além de transacionarmos da adolescência, nós acabamos abrindo mão de diversos valores de quando éramos mais jovens...mas será que essa é realmente a decisão correta? O que de fato significa ser uma pessoa “adulta e madura”? Bem, vamos tentar analisar essa questão um pouco mais de perto...Barakamon é um Anime produzido em 2014 pelos estúdios Kinema Citrus, obra original de Satsuki Yoshino, e toda essa temática é explorada através de seus personagens, em especial Seishuu Handa Handa é um dos Calígrafos mais promissores de todo o Japão e, com apenas 23 anos de idade, seu trabalho já ganhou reconhecimento e inúmeros prêmios durante a sua vida. Tudo seguia bem, até que na sua mais recente exposição, recebeu duras críticas do Diretor da galeria de artes, dizendo que seu trabalho era “uma perfeita cópia sem alma e coração”, e, digamos que Handa não aceitou isso da melhor maneira. Como repercussão de seus atos, seu próprio pai, Seimei Handa, que também é um Calígrafo extremamente respeitado, acaba o exilando para as Ilhas Goto, uma típica cidade calma e tranquila de interior, para que ele refletisse nas suas atitudes e em sua própria vida. Obviamente que Handa não concorda com essa ideia, mas visto que sua carreira poderia estar em risco, acaba cedendo ao concelho e se mudando para essa nova realidade. Você deve estar se perguntando o que a história até agora tem a ver com o tema do começo, mas a questão é que, assim como todos nós passamos por dificuldades nessa fase da vida, quando ainda tentamos descobrir como ser adultos e amadurecer, Handa está passando pelos mesmos problemas, e isso acaba não só atrapalhando sua vida, mas está refletindo em seu trabalho. Ele é um mestre na caligrafia e a sua técnica é impecável, só que suas obras não passam além disso, são como se uma máquina tivesse as feito, algo perfeito, mas sem graça ou emoção alguma, e isso reflete na pessoa que o próprio Handa se tornou, e que a maioria de nós nos tormamos quando ficamos mais velhos, o próprio Diretor complementou que: “Todos acabam chegando em uma barreira chamada ‘Parede da Mediocridade’, você pelo menos tentou escalar ela?” E sabe o que é essa tal “Parede da Mediocridade”? É essa versão “adulta e madura” que aparentemente todos nós “precisamos ser”. Por exemplo: Quando nós ouvimos que precisamos crescer e amadurecer, por que associamos isso a esquecer todos os valores de quando éramos crianças? Por que crescer e amadurecer significa abrir mão de palavras tão importantes como sonhos, diversão e felicidade? Bakaramon explora essa temática com muita perfeição, pois toca nesse tema de um jeito bem humano e real, mostrando que não existe uma única resposta para as questões levantadas até então: não há uma única maneira de ser um adulto, e que, para crescermos e amadurecermos, não precisamos abrir mão dos nossos valores tão importantes de quando éramos crianças, um adulto com sonhos não é um adulto qualquer, e sim alguém que está pronto para escalar essa “Parede da Mediocridade” e viver a vida que tanto sonhou. Segue o link do vídeo, intitulado de “Sorria!”, que analisa melhor a obra e sua premissa como um todo, tornando essa review ainda mais precisa. [Link of the Video](https://youtu.be/rGydtvAHKhQ)
_~~~After punching a famous curator in the face for criticizing his work as “textbook and lifeless,”
Handa Seishuu is sent to Gotō Island to calm his nerves and find new inspiration for his calligraphy.
Having been a lifelong city boy, though, Handa must adapt to country life while meeting an assortment
of quirky people during his tenure._~~~
__23-year-old punk:__ I will spend my time in exile being a Serious Calligrapher and practicing my art
until I am finally allowed to rejoin civilization.
__Local 7-year-old:__ _he’s shaped like a friend!_
img1000(https://gonzonyan.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/barakamon-full-1753377.jpg) Never has there been as many instances where an anime successfully showed nostalgic sentimentality with regards to making us feel homely inside. This once in a blue moon example of nostalgia shows some of the strangest goofy humor that wouldn't usually be in a show like Barakamon. Like all surprising gems, what Barakamon does is not merely retread the slice of life with a different style to make it seem different; instead, it breathes all new life with that different style and makes it its own unique identity. From the moment Barakamon starts, everything is peaceful and serene from how the setting feels intricately subtle in its atmosphere. Art plays a significant role in making this possible. There isn't any brush-stroke style artwork present in it like many shows of this nature, such as Usagi Drop, but it has its influences say, Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro. Not only do the characters and their vivid facial expressions have some impact from that, but the environments are also neatly crafted in that old-school Studio Ghibli aesthetic. img1000(https://gonzonyan.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/barakamon1c.png) Going back to what I mentioned previously, many people like to point out the various similarities between Barakamon and Usagi Drop. One main similarity is how the characters are portrayed and express emotion. You have the main male protagonist who is likable but at the same time can be a bit of a pain for people around him. Then you have the cute girl that everyone adores because of how sweet and realistic she comes across in her actions and humorous dialogue. But there is a clear distinction between both of these shows. While Usagi Drop had its comedic moments, it wasn't a full-on comedy show and was more of a slice-of-life, whereas, with Barakamon, it is the exact opposite. Not to say it is all comedy, but the majority of the time we spend with these characters involves hilarious situations involving the protagonist, Seishuu, and the main little girl, Naru. Even with what I said earlier, like in Usagi Drop, the chemistry between the two main characters is nothing short of brilliance, but on a different spectrum. Because Barakamon heavily relies on comedy, the show's lighthearted story adds a new element for us to gander upon. These two characters playoff as complete opposites, personality-wise, and throughout the narrative, they start to grow into each other own rational mindset and become friends in the process. img1000(https://gonzonyan.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/bs-v5flceaaupdw-large.jpg) Its pacing helps build up Seishuu and Naru's friendship as a slow process to garner a credible, realistic story given in context to its overall tone. With its lack of story, all it has going for is the characters' growth and how Seishuu is more accepting of the snotty kids that give him a difficult time on the island. While I feel the adult characters seem weaker in this aspect than the children, they are still more serviceable to the show than actually making an enormous impression. Nevertheless, at least all of the characters have one comedic moment that proves to be an instant joy that will make seer into your memory after watching it. Any story fulfilling a slice of life show like Barakamon can be second nature depending on the context. It does at least try to convey a narrative that involves Seishuu trying to succeed as a local calligrapher in this new local town he is in. However, it does not emphasize its great importance since it pales in comparison to comedy in terms of sheer value and consideration. What makes it less of an issue is that the humor is actually great to get through, so there is always something to look forward to amidst most of the drab story they shoehorned in. img1000(https://gonzonyan.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/bs-v5flceaaupdw.jpg) One aspect of the story that does not venture slightly off of a cliff is the cast's character development. Every character has a distinct characteristic, while may be cliched in a few areas, making them unforgettable. Their comedic interactions certainly help seal this asset, thanks to the brilliant comedic timing the writers put their effort into. Honestly, the best parts involve the children and the way the writers portray them as genuine kids and not the typical sensational ones we often see in Romantic Comedy/Ecchi animes that we're used to. Now that doesn't signify a bad thing for those particular genres, as they are unique in their own right and context, but it is a nice change of pace to see an anime trying to take it practically. Delightful and sentimental are two definitive words that can describe Barakamon. Think of it as a journey through your inner childhood and how you viewed the world as a happy place to live. As you grow older, you don't think that way anymore. This is where Barakamon hits home by setting a subtle message. When we look through Seishuu's viewpoint, we can empathize with his pain of going through rowdy kids like Naru as an annoyance at the first encounter. Then, at the same time, we spend some time on Naru's rationale and can also relate to how we've all been as little kids. It doesn't nearly take a side on how we should treat each other, but merely a general examination. img1000(https://gonzonyan.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/barakamon-01.png) For the naysayers who complain that slice-of-life in-of-itself is a boring genre where nothing happens, I can assure them that there is a lot to experience in Barakamon that can convert even the harshest critic. Not only are there things that happen, but they can be entertaining even without the context of slice-of-life in its name. While I wouldn't classify this as the best one in the genre, I still hold that with Usagi Drop, as it does have some dry plot problems, which shouldn't be a huge issue in an otherwise subtle slice-of-life show. If Naru-chan never makes you smile with sheer goofiness and hilarity, I don't know what will. Grade: A-
It can be abundantly difficult detailing just why you love a series as deeply as you do, enough to afford it the highest score possible and place it on the esteemed list of your favourites. Today, I find myself crossing that bridge with __Barakamon__: the beautifully wholesome manga illustrated by the genius Yoshino Satsuki and adapted into anime form by the immensely talented Kinema Citrus whose produced series like __Made in Abyss__, __Is the Order a Rabbit?__, and __Rising of the Shield Hero__ in their relatively young age in comparison to industry giants like Kyoto Animation and Toei Animation. They were only founded in 2008, making about them 15-years-old. The studio’s practically a baby in comparison to KyoAni’s 37 years and Toei's 75 years of existence. And yet, they basically managed to assemble the Avengers when bringing Satsuki-sensei’s __Barakamon__ to life, bringing aboard big names like Tachibana Masaki, Majiro and Kawai Kenji who’s been a part of wildly successful series like __Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist 2003/Brotherhood, Mob Psycho__ __100__ and __Sword Art Online 2__. They were giving it their all to afford __Barakamon__ the best possible chance of succeeding and I’m so happy they did. The visuals were warm, bathed in a golden sheen that felt like art directors Katou Hiroshi and Hoki Izumi were snuggly wrapping a blanket around you and pouring you a cup of hot chocolate before painting you a cosy masterpiece to get lost in. A feeling of warmth courses through every bit of art and animation, infectiously spreading through the rest of the series to create a world so pure it feels magical. The premise: A 23-year-old man-child strikes an old man harshly critiquing his calligraphy, citing it as mechanical and fixed; textbook in nature with no soul. This leads him to be banished by his father, sending him on a soul-searching journey to a countryside island inhabited by warm-hearted people. The island’s warmth is present immediately when Handa, our 23-year-old man-child banished to the island, is given a lift on a cheerful elder’s tractor, fortunately, too, considering the bus only runs once a day in the country. Upon arriving at his home, he’s greeted by the village chief who gives him a tour of his new home, which already looks like it’s been used by people playing cards. He asks if anyone’s used it and the chief can only pale as two of the three “squatters” run-off behind them, telling him, “Nope, not at all.” During the tour, he finds the last one hidden beneath the sink; a rambunctious little girl by the name of Naru. No matter how many times Handa comedically hauls Naru out and double locks his door, she always finds a way back in, in a Looney Tunes-like fashion. Handa even gave up trying to keep her out and lets her see his work. This decision ultimately ends up going against him when Naru, sincerely praising his calligraphy, says it’s just like the textbooks at school, not too dissimilar to the director’s critique. Pride wounded, he scrunches up the piece of paper and harshly dashes it at her before storming off. Handa can initially appear as a bit unlikeable, at least at first but when you put yourself in his shoes, you understand he’s just a relatably flawed character. I enjoy writing stories from time to time and if someone were to critique them harshly, I might take it the wrong way, too, even if the feedback is constructive in nature like the director’s was to Handa’s calligraphy. After parting from the cinnamon roll, Handa is given a moment of introspection and he mentally beats himself up over how he reacted to her honest words. For all Handa’s flaws, which he had a lot of them, he can at least self-reflect on what he did wrong even when his pride threatens to get in the way of that. He even feels a little guilty when Naru tracks him down to apologise. She didn’t know what she said to make him so upset but she could tell it did and for that, she was very sorry. It was a massive step toward forgiving himself and apologizing to the director for lashing at him. After all, this little 7-year-old girl could be the bigger person to smooth things over between them then surely he – as a 23-year-old – could swallow his pride and owe up to his mistake. What follows is an oddly human moment between the pair, from pulling each other into the water, to watching the sunset, culminating in the villagers all coming to Handa’s house to help him unpack and settle in a touching act of kindness. People need other people is the message I believe Satsuki-sensei wants to convey with Barakamon and through Handa, a once solitary young man, she’s most certainly accomplishing that. The characters: Seishuu Handa – A fantastically flawed character who’s a by-product of his own environment. All but sealed away from the frivolous things in life, he was never allowed to just be a normal, happy kid, spending time goofing off with friends at the arcade and enjoying an evening at a festival. His life essentially revolved around calligraphy, restricting him from truly growing up and maturing, and so, understanding this, is it really any coincidence that he wouldn’t know how to take criticism levelled at his work and would instead lash out at an unfit elder past his prime? Punching director Kanchou was an absolutely reprehensible act that can never be condoned, but I think understanding the whys and hows of Handa’s breaking point is essential to better appreciating his rehabilitation on Naru’s home island. I’m of the belief the choice to make Handa 23 and not 16 or 30 was so Satsuki-sensei could believably depict him as both the sensible adult and the childish man-child with levels of growth to undergo. It would’ve been obnoxious seeing a 30-something young man be this childish yet not really believable for a 16-year-old child to be so wise at certain points. 23 is the perfect middle ground to encapsulate the transition between childhood and adulthood. With Naru, he’s able to experience a piece of his lost childhood while still putting his foot down and being the sensible adult when she innocently puts herself in danger, and a beautifully unique friendship forms between them. The evolution of Handa's calligraphy exemplifies both his growth and his friendship with others, particularly Naru. Starting off as well polished, but dull, mechanical and fixed before becoming much more expressive the more his bonds grow. Kotoishi Naru – The precious cinnamon roll that cheerfully bulldozed into Handa’s life whom she and everyone else affectionally refer to as “sensei” due to his profession. Through Naru, Satsuki-sensei’s exquisite character writing is most present. Children in stories usually turn out to be irritating since writers often make the mistake of trying to portray them as “realistic” as possible. I’m of the opinion characters shouldn’t be realistic at all, otherwise you risk ending up with extremely unlikeable annoyances like Max/Masato, Haruno Sakura, and Hanagaki Takemichi, and the latter regularly requires an excessive amount of plot armour and convenience just to survive in his own story as a result of being a “realistic portrayal” of a loser. Instead, rather than being realistic, characters should aim to be believable. On the surface, those two terms might seem alike so here's an example of what I mean. An anthropomorphic gorilla would be “believable” in worlds like Dragonball and One Piece while an average guy like Tadano Hitohito would stick out like a sore thumb in any delinquent manga. Rather than asking yourself, “Does someone like this exist in the real world?” you should be wondering, “Is this character believable in MY world?” Characters, above all else, should either be interesting, multi-dimensional, believable and fun and with Naru, Satsuki-sensei most definitely achieves the latter two. She’s just a bundle of fun that could put a smile on your face even when you’re in the worst of moods and her chemistry and friendship with Handa make for delightful viewing. Even when Handa gifted her a simple coupon to do anything she wanted it made her year, because to her, just spending time with Handa is a win in itself. Fantastic character. The cast of side characters are also exquisitely written and added to the wholesome ambience of the show, be it Naru’s fellow cinnamon roll bestie Hina, Naru’s older friends, Yamamura Miwa and Arai Tamako who inappropriately influence her, Naru’s cheerful, good-natured grandpa, Kido Hiroshi and his father, the village chief, they’ve all been immensely likeable and just plain fun to watch. I particularly love the comedically sinister turn the music takes whenever Tamako goes into her mangaka persona, too. In conclusion: Barakamon is a wonderfully wholesome Iyashikei perfectly fit for lifting your mood. Even if you’re NOT into slice-of-life anime I still highly recommend you give Barakamon a chance. It encapsulates everything that makes Iyashikei so special, depicting a heartwarming setting that feels like it’s healing your very soul. Final score: 100/100, of course. An absolute must-watch for everyone.