Tamako Market

OVERPOWERED99

img(https://orig00.deviantart.net/07d6/f/2018/286/7/c/tamako_market_score_banner_by_overpowered99-dcpdfd4.png) You know how when you see cute things, you wanna squeeze and cuddle and protect them? Well you see, this overloading of positive emotions in the brain is apparently called 'cute aggression' and yeah, Tamako Market definitely knows what it's all about. Comparing this show to a mochi is honestly not too far off. It's sweet, it's soft, and the lack of what one would call a story means Tamako Market is more like a simple slice-of-life to indulge in when you want to relax. Just like mochi! It's basically an adorable escape to a joyful shopping district where the story, characters, and bubbly atmosphere take place in. Mochi comparison aside, however, there's one main drawback when it comes to being too simple, and it's called blandness. Certain parts throughout the show, such as the dialogues and comedy, come off quite weakly. Like a very trivial trivia. The characters also didn't change much in terms of development but for this one, I didn't think it was a bad thing at all. In fact, I felt it emphasizes this show's collective fun and lightheartedness! Which pleasantly speaking, is something I greatly adored.

img(https://i.imgur.com/TULrrC8.png) Look here. We have a pretty big cast of characters with each of them having their own jolly personality. There's even a talking bird who looks very much like a mochi with an attitude. Funnily enough, despite all the wisdoms he loves saying out of his beak, he always gets the shorter end of the stick, befitting himself as the main source of comedy gold. Other than that, the rest of the characters are pretty much sweethearts. They energize the atmosphere up like a festival, creating a dynamic with plenty of family and community in it. It adds more substance into a story that would've been too bland without them. And with the small romantic subplot adding one last touch on sweetness and innocence, the cuteness is definitely strong with this one. Truly the most adorable. Now I want to present to you Kyoto Animation, the moe-nized version. Because without their artistic love, Tamako Market wouldn't have become the cute and lighthearted show I enjoyed watching. The bright use of colors here sets up a cheerful tone that wonderfully fits the characters. It's a mood lavished by qualities tinged with a family aura. This show also has an animation that is full of youthful energy, giving everyone, even the adults, their own adorable sides. Ok, maybe everyone except for the bird, but he certainly knows how to pose. I can give him merits for being a pretty good entertainer, especially for an avian. Got a comedian voice too. img(https://i.imgur.com/Z1kIlZW.png) Speaking of voice, the overall voice acting complements the characters in a way that is both fun and friendly. When they well up with positivity, it's infectious. I could easily absorb all the emotions in the air. The soundtracks in particular are very playful and sweet-sounding. They blend nicely with each scene and there are even times when you can feel some profoundness, making certain moments more special in a hearty way. One last pleasant thing from this show is the playful opening and warm ending. Both are tuned with a catchiness that really fits what this show is all about. So, in the end, Tamako Market didn't hold back in attacking me with a lot of cuteness. While the simplicity does get bland at times, it's still a show that knows how to please, like a welcoming community. And it has mochi too! Maybe it'll make you want to eat one after every episode. img480(https://i.imgur.com/1URum9a.gif)

Random17

Tamako Market is the most perfect slice of life anime I’ve ever watched and I am bewildered to why it’s not a highly acclaimed classic in the genre. It not only has most of the aspects that make this genre good, but equally as important is that it lacks the characteristics that are not supposed to define this kind of show but nevertheless plague too many of them. There are three parts that I want to highlight about this show: the animation, the characters, and the storyline. Tamako Market has really good animation. It’s not stunning action or beautiful scenery, I’m talking about the animation of the characters just going around their daily lives. I’ve always noted that KyoAni character animation is significantly better than the vast majority of the competition, so saying that this is typical KyoAni quality is the highest praise. You can tell the difference in quality and liveliness just by witnessing the characters casually strolling around. The style is strikingly similar to K-On, but there is a larger variance of character designs. I especially loved how expressive and cute all the characters were, whether they were sad or anxious or excited or anywhere in between. The characters were all delightful in Tamako Market. All the side characters had their own personality but the development and characterization is definitely focused on the small group of main characters, as some of the side characters were unique but rather one-dimensional. Tamako, the main character, is cheerful but also dynamic. Dera, the talking bird, is haughty but also lovable, a careful balance that injects the show with both foolishness and warmth. In addition, Tamako's shy and compassionate little sister Anko, her childhood friend and neighbor Mochizo, her tsundere father Mamedai, and the fortune teller Choi all have their moments to shine in the show. img(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VJONPKrVGQ/XS6OVnQOPJI/AAAAAAAAEs8/QIW_jAqoGNYX3D7iaee-jMCO3cqObZJiACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Tamako%2BMarket%2B05%2BWe%2BSpent%2Bthe%2BNight%2BTogether%2B%2528BD1080p%2BAC3%2B10bit%2529-0015.png) The final piece of the puzzle is the story. Tamako Market is not an awesome, inspiring journey, but it doesn’t have to be. In my opinion, the plot was enough to have substance while also being laid-back as expected of a slice of life show. If K-On is on one end of the spectrum where the story matters very little and there is minimal development, and Your Lie in April on the other end, where the story is the driving force of the whole show, then Tamako Market would be in the middle. The plot is important and occasionally emotional, but it’s also mostly a show about cute girls doing cute things. I will point out that the part about finding the prince’s bride felt like just a way to introduce some of the characters, rather than an actual plot point. These three aspects put together, the animation, the characters, and the storyline, blend together to create this delightful and captivating masterpiece. There are numerous scenes that are so sweet that my mouth was compelled to display a huge grin, and they were always due to a culmination of those three components, and would not have been possible without all three. Tamako Market also notably lacks some things. First, it doesn't have lewd fan service. It does have things that I would consider "fan service" in that they're included merely to satisfy the audience, things like baton twirling routines, trying on different clothes at a clothing shop, and closeups on cute character faces. img(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivXboERZ6Fg/XS6JPQkWrGI/AAAAAAAAEsw/yU6_R_4bvm096kGKyuR17KmSkSaWHpH_wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Tamako%2BMarket%2B08%2BDon%2527t%2BCall%2BMe%2BA%2BChicken%2B%2528BD1080p%2BAC3%2B10bit%2529-0001.png) Tamako Market also doesn't have any scenes that make me cringe; I attribute this to the fact that none of the characters are comically socially inept or stupid as is common in anime, and the fact that romance is not a focus for this show, eliminating opportunities for ridiculous and awkward scenes. It also doesn't have any overused cliches, the only thing that really fits into a cliche is the father who can be characterized as tsundere, but he is so much more than a tsundere, and really puts other so-called "tsundere" characters to shame with his vibrant characterization. If you're a fan of KyoAni's works or if you want a great conventional slice of life anime, and you're okay with not having much in terms of fan service or romance (at least until you get to the movie), I highly recommend Tamako Market.

Protogeist

Sometimes you just want to watch something pointless you know. As the world seems to grow more twisted, or the drawn curtains exposing just how little the people in power know what they are doing, what else are we to do than watch another mediocre anime. Maybe not to escape the world, but to just pass the time when you could be thinking about how fucked we are. Nevertheless, **'Tamako Market'** is not that. As much as I know the studio 'Kyoto Animations' are capable of creating art that I am compelled by, the dramatic and real 'A Silent Voice' being the stand-out example alongside a reluctant 'Hyuka', they seem to be directed at a different niche which is probably a good business choice. They have garnered an intense amount of support over the years as they’ve arguably grown more mature in their content, going from high school girls discussing which way to eat a chocolate cornet, to psychological trauma and suicide, both crafts I can appreciate, the former, maybe just from a distance. **'Tamako Market'**, from the director and writer of the mentioned 'A Silent Voice' and 'K-ON!', Naoko Yamada and Reiko Yoshida respectively, follows Tamako Kitashirakawa, the daughter of a ‘mochi’ baker and salesman who together with their family, run a shop in a shopping district that the series directs the spotlight at, the other shop-owners in the area being very prevalent as a supporting cast, along with Tamako’s friends from high school. As she walks home from school one day she finds a completely articulate exotic bird who the family keeps as one of their own, although maybe not through some of their own volition. Similar to many other slice-of-life series, this premise is not much more than a base for the series, being much more dependent on the interactions and chemistry of its lead characters. Although this is an element that 'Kyoto' is often praised for, I think this was one of my earlier issues with the series. Not unlike much of the work that is made in the anime industry and is often perpetuated by 'Kyoto' themselves, the lead characters are painfully stale. Tamako and her classmates look, sound, and act more like pre-schoolers than young adults. While there are moments where the animation team adds some sense of comradery between the friend group, there is not an especially fun chemistry between them, as they mostly just act nicely towards each other. This sort of relationship may be charming to some, I don’t see much behind it other than the screenwriter themself. And while the greater focus on its supporting cast relieves some of this aridity, especially since it is a much better example of character chemistry, case in point being Mamedai and Gohei having a very fun rivalry that isn’t too overdone, I do not think it is enough for me to overlook how boring I find most scenes because of the leads. And while the Slice-of-Life genre isn’t especially fitting for grande developments, I feel this could’ve helped improve my lacking enjoyment of the series. It certainly had a lot of opportunities to do so. But while the series has moments that get comparably personal and narratively driven, they are often not given enough time to really affect the series’ course, going back to the status quo right after most episodes. And I think this is what really represents why I find the series so fruitless and forgettable in the end. It ultimately seems confused as to what it wants to be. There is a general theme of adolescence in the series, but many of the parts that make it up seem unfinished and therefore barely making an impression on you. The series might have some interesting ideas here and there, in fact I know it has, yet it can’t tell me why I should care for them. **Strong 4/10**

AlexiSan2003

INTRODUÇÃO Tamako Market pode ser resumidamente um simples slice of life, que esbanja fofura e a leveza das coisa que são especiais para gente que vem da nossa casa a família e amigos. Cada pedaço delicado dessa História é uma confortante andamento e crescimento de uma pessoa que se conecta com a vida como ela deve ser cheia de surpresas, piadas e a leveza da conexão e o prezar da vida. ~~~img220(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ad/25/88/ad2588ba0483645a4b72d494f2d3c294.gif)~~~ HISTÒRIA E PENSAMENTOS Acompanhar Tamako me fez pensar que devemos se importar ainda mais com nosso lugar de origem e com as pessoas que são especiais para nós, a cada mochi adicionado na nossa vida ela floresce e encontramos ainda mais do que queremos e como devemos segui-la. Todos os personagens msm com seus papéis superficiais conseguem criar laços com a própria Tamako e sua vivência no dia a dia, a cada frase filosófica ou um pensamento sobre a vida que faz nós refletimos e ter uma imersão adorável que esses estilo de animes conseguem fazer. Ficam melhor ainda nas mãos da nossa querida KyotoAnimation que nunca decepciona na sua produção e histórias que parecem bobas mais acrescenta muito com sua delicadeza de ser únicas e valorosas. CONSTRUÇÃO/PERSONAGENS Um ritmo bem gradativo, com situações corriqueiras que nossa Tamako e seus amigos enfrentam para mostrar seus sentimentos de forma mais clara, msm que as palavras não as alcançam em várias vezes dessa história ela vai dando seus passos aos poucos, Principalmente no laço que eles criam e na vivência no mercado que torna mais intimo seu e dos personagens. ~~~ img220(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/3d/b8/013db8c52e51b5149093a4f5f3bf7b36.gif)~~~ PRODUÇÃO Um ponto bem estável e bem agradável que tem mantém preso a cada passo e a leveza das falas dos personagens, uma ótima direção que mostra maleabilidade para destacar os sentimentos calorosos na sua tela, bem que pareça simples funciona estonteantemente bem, músicas desde da abertura para mostrar o tom e a fineza do anime através dos sentimentos de carinho e a comoção dos personagens ao lembrar de um ente querido ou de alguém especial um excelente e simples trabalho de se conectar com a histórias com a música e os personagens. ~~~img220(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bd/32/7f/bd327f5d008d2bef6d0ef906d193cc0c.gif)~~~ CONCLUSÃO Simples, fofo e que vc guardará no seu coração pela leveza e conforto que dá pelas risadas e pelos sentimentos bons que esse anime e esse gênero dão com tanta visibilidade e ensinamentos você certamente irá lembrar com total percepção de gentileza e agradecimento. ~~~img220(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3c/7b/2c/3c7b2cd397ccb0196a351771c4e8ab23.gif)~~~ Venha toma um mochi mochi bem quentinho!

IndigoDrift666

Maybe I shouldn't expect too much from a slice of life anime, but here's the thing. I find a fair amount of them really entertaining. In fact, two of those anime are from the same studio that created this. But there was something about Tamako Market that didn't really click with me, and I'm going to explain it all here. First, I'll get the positive aspects of the show out of the way, because I won't say that I didn't enjoy watching this to some extent. The laidback and comfy vibes that made some of KyoAni's other works so appealing are here and accounted for, and it has a fair amount of likeable characters to go with it. Tamako herself is an absolute joy to watch. Her kind hearted demeanor combined with her somewhat naive nature makes her one of the cutest and most lovable anime girls I've ever seen. And there are little details about her design that show a few imperfections complimenting her cuteness. from the strands popping out of her to the mole on her neck. They're nice little details that give a bit of depth to the anime. Speaking of, the animation here is great all around. The backgrounds are lively and colourful and the artstyle is akin to K-On, which results to a lot of appealing designs. And for my final point, the last 3 episodes are an incredible showcase of what I was looking for with this show; a sweet and wholesome anime with great focus on the characters and their relationships. The very last one may have relied too much on reiterating certain plot points, but I didn't really mind. Sadly, I can't say this for the rest of the anime, which feels so lackluster, underdeveloped and sometimes irritating in comparison. The humour isn't really that funny for the most part. I got a few chuckles out of it, but overall, it fell really flat. But this is a fairly minor complaint compared to the other issues I have with it. Such as how some plot points go absolutely nowhere with minimal payoff. An example is in episode 5, where Dera confronts Mochizou about how he feels about Tamako, and when a friend of hers named Midori finds out, she gets super defensive as she starts calling Mochizou a stalker with next to no proof, leading to an argument about who knows Tamako better. And does this go anywhere or get proper closure? Nope. It's like that shit never even happened. Another example is in episode 8. Throughout the series, a bird named Dera gets fatter as he allows Tamako to feed him lots of mochi, and the 8th episode is dedicated to him going on a diet so he can fit in a birdhouse. He does eventually lose a lot of weight by the end of the episode, but then he reverts back to being fat in the very next episode with no transitions or further establishment. I didn't expect any major character growth, but if they can't even carry minor changes over to the ongoing episodes, why should I care about what even happens? Another reason why I find it hard to care about what happens is that the anime does a poor job on focusing on characters who need it the most in some episodes. Despite being called Tamako Market, Tamako is only the main focus of 2 episodes, with both being the very final ones. While she does appear in every episode and take up a majority of the screentime, the anime is more interested in giving most of the spotlight to Dera, an incredibly irritating and sometimes creepy bird that isn't funny in any way whatsoever, and the fact that he gets the focus in episodes that cleanly lean towards giving another character the spotlight, it heavily hurts the stories of said episodes and gives little room for character establishment, meaning that we get to learn next to nothing about characters like Anko and Kanna, who deserved way more than they got in terms of screentime and establishment. With how much stuff is left underdeveloped, the same applies to a few of the relationships between characters. For example, we're somehow supposed to feel something in episode 9 when it's revealed that Anko's crush, Yuzuki, is transferring to another school, which causes her to act cold and distant towards, when literally the only interaction that the two had was when Yuzuki brought Anko a museum souvenir when she missed out on the occasion. That tells me next to nothing about their relationship, and considering we know little about either of them as characters too, how am I supposed to believe that Anko would act this way over something like this, or that Yuzuki means that much to her? This isn't the only time, either. Because later on in the series, a character named Choi appears, and after hearing what Dera said about how he became fat, she acts suspicious of Tamako throughout the entirety of episode 7. And while she does warm up to Tamako after she took care of her during her fever, it feels like their friendship takes a backseat until episode 10 where Choi convinces herself that Tamako would be the perfect bride for the prince of her tropical home named Mecha. In the end, almost all of these issues I have come down to the fact that it feels like tons of potential character and story establishment was shoved into 12 episodes, which left so many things unanswered in favour of the unfunny bird, and any major character moments feeling forced. I wouldn't really say that these characters suffered too much from the little establishment many of them had. Except for Mamedai, Tamako's father. From what I can gather, he's meant to be a somewhat strict father with a soft spot, but considering that the anime did nothing with it other than a last minute showcase of his backstory in episode 9, all we see of him is a total jackass who scolds Tamako for incredibly stupid things, such as her ideas for new mochi recipes, giving him affection and singing the song that he wrote for Hinako, Tamako's dead mother. It just made him a really irritating character throughout and I never saw any signs of his soft spot for his daughters outside of that one moment where he asked Tamako to take care of Choi when she came down with a fever. I may be looking too deep into this (and if I am, please tell me so I can correct this review in the future) and my expectations for this type of genre were probsbly set too high by the likes if K-On and Dragon Maid, but overall, I can't help but feel really disappointed with Tamako Market. I won't act like I didn't laugh at points, I won't act like I didn't enjoy myself, I won't act like that I didn't appreciate the laid back vibe and I definitely won't act like I didn't absolutely adore some of these characters, but a good chunk of the series has consisted of underdeveloped plot points and character relationships, focusing more on characters who are incredibly irritating or unfunny more than ones who are actually interesting, and a lot of things that go next to nowhere. I can see how it can appeal to someone who just wants a chill anime, but for me, it's too flawed for me to fully appreciate.

GreenRevue

_Tamako Market_ is a bundle of optimism, community spirit and joy at every turn, filled with plenty of cute and fun characters, and a stunning visual presentation and care for its setting. I struggled not to get caught up in it all, especially considering current times and certain events. It is an incredibly welcoming and colourful show, in art direction and colour design, but also writing and setting. The warm and colourful Usagiyama Shopping District from the show is pictured below: img220(https://cdn.likeafishinwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/20130119-tamakomarket02-09.jpg) A focus more on a lovely sense of community rather than individual characters doesn't stop this from being incredibly observed at every step and filled with a fun cast. It deals with universal human feelings around love and unrequited love, communication, community, change and so forth with a smile on its face the entire time. It may lack many stakes or escalations into huge emotions, but it thrives off wholesomeness and cuteness while having genuinely strong and relatable characterisation when it wants to. Such as its delves into unrequited love in several episodes, difficulties communicating such as in episode 3 and the frustrations of not being able to achieve what you want to in episode 10. _Tamako Market_ feels a lot like _My Neighbour Totoro_ in that regard. It's more than content to be pure wholesomeness and carry you along for the magical ride, but at times it also has strong characterisation and tangible emotions beneath the surface. I think this deserves more respect. _Tamako Market_ is a true comfort show, not just because of the optimistic sense of community, visual vibrancy, detailed setting and unrelenting cuteness and wholesomeness, but because there is often a genuine understanding of people and fundamental emotions underneath it all. The OP is a musical and visual bundle of joy like nothing else, and the ED is a visual splendour filled with melancholy in both those visuals and its music (It's a little 90ish second pocket of Yamada's style. It's got intimate body language and leg shots subtly portraying emotions, great use of light and a metaphorical camera and lenses, metaphorical imagery, especially with her flower and butterfly imagery, framing characters really well and interestingly to use the space greatly, they are not always centred and often off to the side or placed with the screen split into thirds etc, and also a tangible and rhythmic editing and music video style). It's possibly my favourite anime ED in terms of visuals. Some shots from the ED are linked below. Storyboards and Direction by Yamada herself. Please do watch the ED in full though, to get a full appreciation for the rhythm and direction of the whole thing (and maybe watch the whole show why you're at it!) img220(https://blog.sakugabooru.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/yamada1.jpg) img220(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FEnyu-tVEAQjb30?format=jpg&name=large) img220(https://blog.sakugabooru.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/tamakoflower.jpg) img220(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/52/59/83/525983460467ccc4da62cf5cd07251d4.jpg) _Tamako Market_ tells you to appreciate those around you and look for your community. Life is a mix of wanting change but not wanting change, as the show itself says. Now to quote a translation of part of the ending song (hopefully its accurate, translations seem to vary, but this is an official one from my Blu-ray), which I feel represents a big part of the heart of the series, especially with the meaning of the record within the context of the show, and with the ED being sung by Tamako herself (well her Seiyuu). >It's just for a moment But I'm going to confirm where I belong I wonder if someday you'll go from me What you're looking for is always hidden close by Though you know the meaning of groping for something Ah the record turns and turns It swells and bursts open But you know, it's a mysterious melody You surely won't forget it What is Yamada's weakest work for me so far is still far from weak, and so sweet and yet genuine in that sweetness that its throughly impossible for me to resist its charm. Arguably too optimistic for its own good, but it feels like it means it. Characters sometimes struggle but the community pulls them through. The struggles aren't trivialised either, they feel real and are told with care. It is honest in its hope. ~!Stuff like Tamako's mother may feel unexplored to many, but that feels like the point, it occasionally pops up and hurts, but there are always people there to love and hug her when it does.!~ As Tamako herself said >~!I was never lonely!~ Lets hope we can all find our community one day. Maybe it's hidden right next to us?

AnimeDweeb

~~~ [ img100%(https://i.imgur.com/Pd2hIQx.png) ](https://anilist.co/activity/210905962) ~~~ ***

Within Japan, the [*K-On*](https://anilist.co/review/19172) phenomenon of the 2010's cannot be overstated. Believe me, [I've tried to do just that](https://anilist.co/review/19238). It was a sensation sweeping the nation, and its cessation after Season 2 still bewilders some HTT fans till this day. "Why not keep a good thing going?" Kyoto Animation confronted that very question, as they opened the door to a possible Season 3, and the bucket-loads of cash that were sure to follow.

Naoko Yamada saw things differently, perhaps she always did. ~~~ webm(https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/f552942d65069eb92abc464ff6c6ffa8.mp4) ~~~

Fun things were fun while they lasted, but *K-On* marked the end of an era for KyoAni. Gone were the days of hunting down the next up-and-coming IP to emulate the success of works like [*CLANNAD*](https://anilist.co/anime/2167/CLANNAD/) or [*Haruhi*](https://anilist.co/anime/849/Suzumiya-Haruhi-no-Yuuutsu/) . Moving forward, the studio would look inward for ways to leave their mark on the Japanese animation industry. Years after *K-On* S2 saw the release of [*Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai*](https://anilist.co/anime/14741/Chuunibyou-demo-Koi-ga-Shitai/) and [*Kyoukai no Kanata*](https://anilist.co/anime/18153/Kyoukai-no-Kanata/) — series that would mark the studio's shift towards adapting works either submitted in their annual awards programme or published under the KyoAni light novel label. This approach opened the door to original works as well, of which Yamada & [Yoshida](https://anilist.co/staff/97076/Reiko-Yoshida) were happy to deliver. KyoAni now aimed to be more than a studio, but an animation *style* . They emphasized developing and retaining in-house talent, whilst richly imbuing their niche subject matter with regional culture, in order to [curate a feel that is distinctly](https://likeafishinwater.com/2014/11/27/animation-urbanism-and-tamako-market-a-discussion-with-moriwaki-kiyotaka/) "[Kyoto](https://likeafishinwater.com/2014/11/27/animation-urbanism-and-tamako-market-a-discussion-with-moriwaki-kiyotaka/)." And the figurehead of this movement would be none other than the studio's starlet director, who was given the green light to rework her early plans for *K-On* S3 and some of the studio's rough story outlines into an entirely new project of her own. This was effectively *carte blanche* — total creative freedom, a privilege often kept from even the best and brightest artists. Young Yamada's meteoric rise to success was no fluke; the Impossible Moe was no accident. Now that Yamada was given a whole sandbox to play around with, there was the feeling that audiences would surely repay that faith upon seeing the final product.

Eh, *Tamako Market* was kinda mid. ~~~ [ img100%(https://preview.redd.it/2s7mw5ewym961.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=ff8c2af2162d6ae3583cacbc7d6085b852c1cbca) ](https://anilist.co/activity/158148306) ~~~

The numbers don't lie; there was no market for *Market* . Based on the little sales data I could gather, *Market* 's Blu-Ray sales in Japan likely [failed to crack more than 3,000 copies a week](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-21/japan-animation-blu-ray-disc-ranking-may-13-19) — a big loss by the small studio's standards. For comparison, *K-On* 's first Blu-ray volume [sold ten times that figure in its debut week](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-04/1st-k-on-volume-is-now-no.2-blu-ray-in-japan-so-far). But hey, hindsight is twenty-twenty, and now that we're *in* the 2020s, perhaps audiences just missed out on a show that is easier to love now than it was over a decade ago? Personally, I think *Market* 's mixed reception has always made sense. Predictable plotlines, a somewhat disappointing ensemble cast, corny gag humor, and that damned bird — I get it. But I didn't really **get** *Market* in its entirety, at least not when I first watched it.

When first envisioning what this ongoing commentary series on Yamada's works would look like, I didn't start with either *K-On* or [*Liz*](https://anilist.co/review/10909) . The first drafts that came to my mind for this project were iterations of the paragraphs you've just read here. For the longest time, *Market* has stood out to me as the one blemish on Yamada's track record, which is why I was most excited about the prospect of revisiting and reevaluating this show. I've now been able to reconcile my past criticisms with newfound insight and appreciation for Yamada's follow-up to *K-On* : a quirky, saccharine experiment that fruitfully expands on the director's approach to storytelling through playful ambition. I know I haven't really given the series the credit it deserves just yet, but we'll definitely get to that. [*Oide*](https://youtu.be/LV4R2AUZbek?t=52) ! [*Sā, min'na*](https://youtu.be/LV4R2AUZbek?t=52) ! Welcome to the sandbox, it's time to dig up this uncut gem and have plenty of **spoiler-free** fun along the way.

~~~ img75%(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/09/b1/41/09b141285d35f1c00e8fbcdd34776a4d.gif) ~~~ *** ~~~ youtube(www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6uL5fwshQc&t=31s) ~~~ *"いらっしゃいませ! Welcome to the Market. How may I help you?"*

It's only right we begin talking about *Market* by first talking about, well, The Market. Kyoto's [Demachi Masugata Shōtengai](https://rb.gy/7cqnh8) is a sheltered arcade established in the '70s. Decades later, the site was chosen to be the chief inspiration for *Market* 's Usagiyama Shopping District. Newfound fans in the KyoAni ranks were struck by the warm vibe of the *shōtengai* , which they sought to capture within its fictitious counterpart. With help from The Museum of Kyoto, Usagiyama was designed from [the POV of these KyoAni animators](https://likeafishinwater.com/2014/11/27/animation-urbanism-and-tamako-market-a-discussion-with-moriwaki-kiyotaka/) , inviting splashes of bright colors and [*moe*](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Moe) . Following in the footsteps of [London backdrops in the *K-On Movie*](https://youtu.be/B4mE6e2CUOU?t=180) , the spirit of Demachi lives on through the inspired ideas retained in its animated interpolation. To get a sense of what I mean, look no further than *Market* 's manic obsession with *mochi* , the Japanese chewy rice cakes often enjoyed as candy. With roots dating back to the turn of the 20th Century, [Demachi Futaba](https://sharing-kyoto.com/shop_Demachi_Futaba) has brought traditional confectionery and smiles to sweet-toothed patrons everywhere, just as Tamako does behind the counter of Tama-ya, the storefront of her family business. Homage and fun go hand-in-hand, as *Market* appropriates real-life tradition and stages a goofy rivalry between the mochi-making fathers of Tamako and Mochizou, *à la* [the Montagues and Capulets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet). Setting informs the show in other unexpected ways too; after learning about how [Demachi 's "Hana no Harukaze" florist shop receives their refrigerated stock of flowers](https://likeafishinwater.com/2014/11/27/animation-urbanism-and-tamako-market-a-discussion-with-moriwaki-kiyotaka/), series composer Reiko Yoshida supposedly took this inspiration to pen *Market* 's inciting incident, which saw Dela being accidentally shipped in a package delivered to Usagiyama's "Florist Princess."

~~~ img100%(https://i.imgur.com/pewbgP1.png) ~~~

The real-life parallels continue, alongside loving anime additions that broaden the street's appeal to modern audiences. While it unfortunately appears to have closed its doors IRL, the "Hananami" café finds its lease of life in the show as "Hoshi to Piero", with the former having once served as a popular meeting spot for both locals and fans of *Tamako* [pilgrimages](https://mipon.org/what-is-anime-pilgrimage-and-anime-tourism/) due to its quirky aesthetic and cozy view above the *shōtengai* . Also finding their well-placed recreations in the show are neighborhood school, fish sellers, tofu shop and bath house; the latter of which is [repurposed into a cramped meeting hall for endearing evening town meetings](https://likeafishinwater.com/2014/11/27/animation-urbanism-and-tamako-market-a-discussion-with-moriwaki-kiyotaka/) that (quite literally) showcases how tight-knit this Usagiyama community is. *Market* 's setting may be fictional, yet every part of this backdrop feels as real as the street that inspired it. That's not to say that *Market* is shooting for strict realism, but rather that the show deeply reveres the culture of Demachi, and intends on sharing that same love to audiences, with purposeful personal touches left along the way. In this regard, the bright vibes of Usagiyama make for a vibrant victory — the warm environment of *Tamako Market* is its most refined aspect. And yes, I unfortunately mean that both as a compliment and a complaint.

~~~ img49%(https://i.imgur.com/FO6sQH0.png) img49%(https://i.imgur.com/VZYnFpm.png) img49%(https://i.imgur.com/610Z2N7.png) img49%(https://i.imgur.com/uotPRZy.png) ~~~

*Market* is a slice-of-life (SoL) that quite literally follows a "Flavor of the Month" series structure. Episodes are spaced roughly a month apart and take place across a full year in Usagiyama after a strange encounter with a talking bird and one special girl. Tamako Kitashirakawa is the eldest daughter of a mochi-making widower and has spent all her days growing up in the shopping district. Her innocent days of being the beating heart of her cheery community gets turned upside-down with the arrival of a feathery whirlwind! Usagiyama's newest patron is Dera, a pompous plump pheasant that can talk… and talks too much, really. Dera claims to be a royal bird on a mission for the prince of a far-off land, but finds himself stranded in Tamako's small world. Until he can make his way back to the prince again, Dera decides to reside with Tamako's family and observe the fascinating daily lives of the mochi girl and the other curious individuals that make Usagiyama come alive. *Market* is structured as a largely-episodic, almost-anthological series, featuring sitcom plotlines across a handful of key characters as they face what it's like growing up, having childhood crushes, or simply getting through each day with a bright smile on their face. Most importantly, *Market* attempts to capture community spirit through anime. This mission statement of *Market* is exemplified by its joyful OP: a musical number and parade led by Tamako as she brings the street together in whimsical song and dance. We've already seen how well *Market* fleshes out its world with an abundance of detail and homage, but how does it fare with the characters that call Usagiyama "home?"

~~~ webm(https://i.imgur.com/ykmVtJB.mp4) ~~~

Readers of my [*K-On* reviews](https://anilist.co/review/19238) would have been briefly introduced to the idea of "atmosphere," a recurring area which Yamada & Yoshida have focused on in their past collaborations. On that note, I'd like to elaborate more on how this concept gradually evolves from *K-On* to *Market* . Although what I'm about to talk about might be partly conjecture, I think this reveals plenty of insight into what *Market* aspired to achieve, as well as Yamada's storytelling as a whole. Atmosphere in *K-On* S1 was largely dictated by the bubbly personalities of the Houkago Tea Time (HTT) quintet. More than mere Cute-Girls-Doing-Cute-Things (CGDCT), *K-On* used the daily experiences of the club members to showcase both their growth as individuals and their blossoming bonds as friends. The intimate group dynamic of the friends was the all-important atmosphere around which the entire series was built. However, laying out the groundwork for *K-On* came at a cost. S1 was largely limited to activities within the Light Music Club, such as band meetings or live performances. Yamada & Yoshida admit and regret that [the team were largely unable to construct the show's atmosphere outside of the clubroom](https://ultimatemegax.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/k-on-s2-staff-interviews-pt-1-director-naoko-yamada-series-composer-reiko-yoshida-dialogue/). Enter S2: an expansive sequel that fleshed out the school and larger world surrounding HTT. Through a two-cour follow-up, *K-On* S2 matches its larger scale with greater depth; this season never strayed from the core focus of the girls, contextualizing their friendship in everyday life experiences beyond the club setting.

~~~ webm(https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/08c2d6ea2d4ed49470cc7826e29059eb.mp4) ~~~

With all this in mind, we can chart out a neat progression of Yamada & Yoshida's ideals. First came the clubroom of *K-On* S1, and the larger world of the HTT followed soon after in S2. Where can we go from here? [In interviews](https://ultimatemegax.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/welcome-to-tamako-market-naoko-yamada-x-reiko-yoshida-conversation/#more-2895), Yamada states that during *Market* 's pre-production, she developed a deep connection to the common, everyday environment of Demachi's working-class shopping district. At the same time, she also stressed the importance of human relationships, and sought to create a comfortable, easy-going show that showed "[the importance of Japanese people to be friendly inside… [by] depicting people's hearts](https://ultimatemegax.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/welcome-to-tamako-market-naoko-yamada-x-reiko-yoshida-conversation/#more-2895)." All these clues correlate with *Market* 's love of community spirit, and can help us better understand this ambitious follow-up to Yamada's work: "What if the intimate atmosphere of *K-On* could be re-created on the scale of an entire community?" What if viewers could be as immersed and invested in the charming life experiences of neighbors as they were in the everyday hijinks of 5 high-school girls? In theory, all the pieces were there: Tamako's no-nonsense and insecure *imouto* Anko, the headstrong girlboss Midori, the lovesick loser Mochizou, the soft-spoken and socially-anxious Shiori, the young-at-heart grandfather Nobuhiko, the easily-flustered tofu-seller Tomio, the dainty florist Kaoru, the prim and proper island girl Choi, the grumpy and old-school Mr. Kitashirakawa, the modernist mochi-man Gohei, the kind croquette tenant Fumiko, and Kanna, carpenting aficionado and comedy incarnate — just to name a few. However, there's one key difference separating the two series' respective approaches to crafting atmosphere. In *K-On* , characterization came first, but in *Market* , the priorities are flipped more often than not. Where *K-On* 's intimate atmosphere was an organic consequence borne from the detailed characterization of each of its lead girls, it is *Market* 's desired atmosphere that predominantly influences how the characters behave and interact. The staff behind *Market* intended to create a model community of friendly folks, and so this design mandate took utmost precedence over in-depth characterization. In the theme park (in no way related to [*Amagi*](https://anilist.co/anime/20602/Amagi-Brilliant-Park/) ) of *Tamako Market* , the setting of Usagiyama is the main attraction, populated by animatronics straight out of [Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Nights_at_Freddy%27s). As much as I'd like to avoid more cynical interpretations of stories, here I just can't shake the sense that a majority of these characters share the same monotonous hivemind of good vibes, while occasionally losing their individuality in the process. I love the *Keionbu* members in tandem, as a fictional clique so fleshed out that it effectively invited me in with open arms. Despite the welcoming vibes of the Usagiyama community, I cannot connect with *Market* to the same extent.

~~~ webm(https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/3d49ee1d6fee660a2868a889253558da.mp4) ~~~

Now, at the risk of overly repeating due praise later on in this review, I'll definitely acknowledge that some of the core cast characters are fleshed-out individuals with their own distinct plotlines and complete character arcs. Even certain side characters in the shopping district receive brief, yet effective moments to break away from their one-note characterization and showcase their individuality. But with so many people to account for and distinguish from one another, *Market* inevitably stretches itself thin. Kunio the café owner is an [Elder Scrolls NPC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyQn2ic2Wzw) whose main purpose in the show is to serve filtered espressos and speak exclusively in cryptic, poetic one-liners that are tangentially related to the weekly theme of each episode. He's a cool inclusion, and I certainly don't hate having that dude around. But there's just so many other people in the show just like him: likable, yet one-dimensional figures that can only contribute to the aesthetics and appearance of community, without actually immersing you in the well-characterized webs of intimate interpersonal ties that Yamada & Yoshida may have envisioned for the series. In this regard, *Market* aimed to accomplish much, but achieved quite a lot less. And this trend of going all-in on ambitious ideas persists in other areas of the show as well…

~~~ webm(https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/f9b349e2e48583e470fd60660a213762.mp4) ~~~

Ah, Mochidis Gusting. We have much to discuss. Inseparable from the version of *Market* that we have today is its birdbrained mascot, whose most notable accomplishments in the show are binge-eating himself into obesity and showering Shiori with L rizz. Before I ruffle any more feathers, I need to stress that I don't really have major issues with Dera as a character. While his rapid-fire comedic interjections are hit-or-miss, Dera's presence on our TV screens seems more polished and less obnoxious than, say, that of [another fowl anime companion](https://anilist.co/character/137810/Matsuemon-Tennouji) (both of whom happen to share the [same voice actor](https://anilist.co/staff/95346/Takumi-Yamazaki), perhaps he's being typecast.) Plus, his smooth ruminating narrations complement the show pretty well, as does his unexpected-yet-timely advice towards other characters in need. The reason why I'm picking on this bird is because Dera happens to represent a massive problem with *Market* . Reading old interviews, I was baffled to learn that *Market* , an otherwise cozy SoL, had initially been conceived with a lot more [fantasy elements in mind](https://ultimatemegax.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/welcome-to-tamako-market-naoko-yamada-x-reiko-yoshida-conversation/#more-2895), to the point where Tamako would wield supernatural powers! Before the franchise could go full [*mahou shoujo*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_girl) , Yoshida eventually swooped in to streamline the show with grounded themes that play to Yamada's strengths. But to the show's detriment, underdeveloped remnants of these earlier drafts still found their way into the final cut of *Market* . One such example of this is none other than Dera. If I had to guess, the bird survived the cutting room floor because he made for a really fun mascot in the show's marketing. Where the bird's redundancy appears is in his role in the show's writing. It's quite clear that Dera was designed to be an alien outsider who observes the culture and spirit of the Usagiyama community… only to become quickly overshadowed by the introduction of Choi, Usagiyama's other notable guest who shares the same island home as Dera. *Market* still trudges forward with attempts at pushing both characters into the spotlight. But given Yamada's specialization in portraying grounded female perspectives — a talent that greatly enhanced Choi's arc and would only be extended to male figures later in her career — the braggadocious bird had little chance of being much more than comic relief. The only other significant way that fantasy comes into play happens in one of *Market* 's major storylines. I won't spoil details about the arc here, but it essentially boils down to a "Chosen One" narrative involving Tamako coming to terms with a prophecy outlining her destiny and calling in life. Again, this is an idea more adequate on-paper than in practice. On both of my *Market* binges, this plotline came across as undercooked, due to its predictable conclusion and a central conflict that always felt like it was resolved way before it ever got off the ground. Both of these fantasy tangents feeling so out-of-place make me question why *Market* didn't just harness its best traits by staying in its SoL lane. It's all just *too much* at times, and at the crux of *Market* 's ambition is none other than Tamako Kitashirakawa. Yet again taking the road less traveled, Yamada & Yoshida aimed to have the titular main character *not* be a character, at least in a traditional sense. Interviews highlight how [Tamako was written as a symbol of the values promoted in the show](https://ultimatemegax.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/welcome-to-tamako-market-naoko-yamada-x-reiko-yoshida-conversation/#more-2895), [and how she was meant to be understood through the relationships she shares with the rest of her district](https://ultimatemegax.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/welcome-to-tamako-market-naoko-yamada-x-reiko-yoshida-conversation/#more-2895). Personally I'd call this experiment a success, albeit only a partial one that is only fully realized very late into the series (i.e., the LAST episode). Nuggets of backstory and implications sprinkled throughout heartfelt interactions with the ensemble go a long way to helping the audience learn a little more about Tamako by the time *Market* wraps up. However, this "drip-feeding" approach to writing comes at the expense of seeing Tamako fully coming into her own. She's an ideal figure who neither learns a lot nor changes all that much after the span of this one year. She was written as a symbol, and the result is that she doesn't end up being that great of a character, and comes short on opportunities to resonate with audiences on a more intimate level. To make matters more dire, watching a show named "Tamako Market" only to discover that the titular character is absent for a sizable chunk of the series just sounds like a misleading decision — one that could possibly have played a part in putting audiences off from finishing the show after early episodes that felt quite directionless in the absence of a designated main character they could empathize with. Meanwhile, being a viewer who sat through this rough start, I can't bring myself to say that *Market* ever really finds its footing for long within its 12 episodes, due to all the missteps we've been talking about.

~~~ webm(https://i.imgur.com/A0LTwCf.mp4) ~~~

Early-on in this review, I likened *Market* to a sandbox, and now's the time to elaborate on that, in light of all the show's shortcomings. No, this show isn't a figurative desert, barren or bereft of creative ideas. If anything, this single-cour SoL is bursting at the seams with ideas and intent. *Market* isn't mediocre in the same way that your bog-standard seasonal *isekai* is. Rather, it's more like the kind of mess that arises whenever a show winds up all over the place in a playful manner, and I'd take inventive imperfections over blandness any day. That "sandbox play" approach is a big part of why I fully empathize with and respect what the show was going for. I just can't recall ever having an outright bad time with *Market*. Everyone involved succeeded in making *Market* a [comfortable, pleasant show](https://ultimatemegax.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/welcome-to-tamako-market-naoko-yamada-x-reiko-yoshida-conversation/#more-2895), and then some. This vibrant, warm canvas of Usagiyama is a joy to look at, and the show's visuals rarely show its double-digit age. The Yamada-directed series premiere is an unfairly well-shot episode of SoL television, showcasing effortless evolution of Yamada's visual storytelling since her work on the K-On Movie. Her use of realistic camera techniques feels more seamless and fitting than it's ever been in her career. While the busy Chief Director only had time to helm the first episode, she's still an integral influence over how well the rest of the season looks. My favorite aspect of *Market* 's visuals is its excellent storyboarding and shot composition. Scenes go hand-in-hand with the tongue-in-cheek tone of the script, and also uses foreground & background effectively in order to visually communicate different things at once. Most importantly, *Market* 's use of blocking informs us about the characters under the spotlight, and draws your eyes to the ideal subjects whenever the large ensemble takes up the screen. *Market* 's shots look both intentional and familiar, demonstrating an expert understanding of its cast and the places they call home. Further adding to the inviting aesthetics of this community district is the lively [OST](https://youtu.be/xWT8RC4aClE?si=r50hJgvw-h_mM2k-&t=95). It's a pleasant tracklist chock full of happy vibes, along with a handful of somber tracks that really creep up on you. *Tamako Market* 's soundtrack is composed by one [Tomoko Kataoka](https://anilist.co/staff/115619/Tomoko-Kataoka), and it's a shame her tiny trail on the internet kinda goes cold after her work on this franchise. So, a quick shoutout to her, hopefully she's been well. Finally, there's just a whole bunch of inconsequential little details in this show that I can't for the life of me critique — I simply enjoy that they're *there* . I've grown a soft spot for all the mochi name puns, the impractical foam cup telephones Mochizou uses to talk to Tamako from across their shophouses, Naoko Yamada predicting the [Blue Lobster jumpscare](https://i.imgur.com/bY8pdZg.mp4), how almost every episode plays a different vinyl record as a chill insert song, the goofy spooky entirety of the Halloween-themed Episode 6, the Sisyphean tragedy of a tone-deaf Tamako trying to discover a song her mother likes by humming the wrong tune, the way that Midori Tokiwa keeps dropping hints that go over Tamako's head, that one section in the track ["放課後" (After School)](https://youtu.be/n8T0jo4qDug?si=oYCXbeNc4b_VIKkb&t=75) that pulls my heart in 5 different directions every time I hear it… Okay, I think I'm getting rather carried away 😅 *Market* provides fun creativity to make up for its sometimes distracting lack of consistency. But for all of *Market* 's hairbrained ingenuity, it's Yamada's bread-and-butter that makes this series worth watching.

~~~ img100%(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/41/b0/8a/41b08ae2ff79f267a30a57a4784fb897.gif) ~~~

In setting out to promote the importance of community spirit, *Market* 's meager 12 episodes have a hard time mapping out complex character ties and interpersonal conflict. But I believe that Yamada and Yoshida still achieve the next best thing: proving to audiences that life can be more fulfilling by having people in it. *Market* 's unassuming array of fluffy "Flavors of the Month" can be thematically linked to the unpredictable ups-and-downs of daily life. After all, life is like an assorted box of mochi (Tamako should pay me royalties for that slogan.) The catalysts for these life changes come from other people, and *damn* , I'll be the first to admit that shit makes my heart race. *Market* 's best moments by far come from capturing that rush — the intimate experiences of its characters, as they respond to the presence of others in their lives. In shifting its emphasis away from the broadly happy aesthetics of Usagiyama, Yamada's otherwise competent and entertaining direction becomes essential, by accentuating our characters' emotions in key moments of their growth.

~~~ webm(https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/5b3c7b4523b25a20cb5a979e9c8a0bb2.mp4) ~~~

There's two halves to how *Market* thematically outlines the importance of having others around you. The first step is in showcasing the sweet joys of living with other people. Naturally, *Market* already achieves this end through its pleasant community aesthetics, but there's more to it than that. In the heartwarming Episode 3, we see Usagiyama through the eyes of Shiori. She struggles with expressing herself to those around her, but feels compelled to do just that after hanging out with Tamako and her family. A simple script in theory may betray just how triumphant this episode feels in execution, as Yamada painstakingly depicts Shiori confronting her social anxiety and being rewarded with newfound friendships. Another outsider exposed to the kindness of the community is Choi, the island girl. The longtime royal servant herself becomes a recipient of service offered freely by friendly folks and the peculiar mochi household. Choi has to gradually learn how to accept her own God-given right to experience happiness. As someone who habitually denies herself of personal needs and desires, Choi is shown to be navigating complex emotional terrain, such as her initial aversion to kindness and homesickness in a foreign city. Looking inwards, *Market* fans find further evidence of this joy in the life of its titular mochi merchant. Tamako radiates love and happiness throughout Usagiyama only because of all the support that she herself received from Usagiyama during a crucial period in her past. We come to learn what this homely market district means to this girl: home, family and joy; the three things Tamako seeks to preserve and showcase to newcomers through the street, be it through youthful themed celebrations in Usagiyama or her daily interactions. While I admittedly didn't relate to this lead character all that much, the same can't be said of the younger Kitashirakawa sibling, who's arguably Tamako's polar opposite. Anko is the young princess and uncut gem of Usagiyama that the community loves all the same, even if Anko doesn't necessarily share similar feelings. Episode 4 is her time to shine, and I thoroughly enjoyed this "rebellious" brat effectively calling her jovial-yet-silly neighbors out on their BS. Her relatable character arc is all about embracing *cringe* stemming from both her history as well as her goofy ahh loved ones. Anko learns to accept the past experiences that have defined her, so that she can better the lives of others. Self-actualization and acceptance also allows her to seize opportunities to express herself freely to people close to her — a far more fulfilling outcome than one of regret and loathing.

~~~ webm(https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/fbd05bdb9dff1ffa669cc1d6fcee86a9.mp4) ~~~

Life is made sweeter and richer by sharing this crazy existence with those we love. But just as one cannot value sweetness without also experiencing some bitterness along the way, *Market* takes special care to portray how its characters both **live with** and **live for** others. These are tender detours from the status quo that ground our characters in an emphatic way, thereby creating (much-needed) opportunities for characterization and fleshing out the series' overall thematics. Some standout scenes in *Market* are tucked away as the [B-Plot](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TwoLinesNoWaiting) of Episode 7. Sayuri Yumoto announces the bombshell of wedding bells, leaving her father and a secret admirer to deal with the fallout. It's humanizing to see Chouji Yumoto, the cheery bathhouse cashier, aptly drop his smile as he reels in the shock of letting his daughter leave home. While we're at it, let's also stop by Kaoru's shop in order to give Tomio Shimizu his flowers. His one-note characterization as an adorably-flustered tofu seller persists right up till the moment where he confronts his unrequited feelings for Sayuri. In this episode, his brief scene of closure is an atypically nuanced medley of emotions and the single most "gigachad" moment in the entire series, as he cheers on Sayuri from the stands despite not playing a bigger role in her story. *Market* 's characters certainly have range and depth beyond their regularly happy demeanors, and well-executed trademark Yamada™ showcases like these leave me craving for more. Moving on, we have Mamedai Kitashirakawa, the gruff single dad who is dedicated to upholding the tradition of mochi-making in Tama-ya. Like a sweet-filled ball of [*mame daifuku*](https://japalist.com/must-visit-shops-03/) , his stern exterior occasionally gives way to the rich love he has for his two daughters, as well as the mother who left them behind. Bro is as strict as they come, but healthy portions of Irish coffee and/or embarrassing flashbacks would reveal just how deeply this father figure cares for the women in his life. On the note of characters who like women a lot, shoutout to Dela! Despite the bird slander earlier in this review, I definitely appreciate how he grows to care and look out for folks in the street. While he's not exactly the greatest source of advice or solace, it's safe to say his heart is in the right place. Last but not least, we need to discuss a piece of anime royalty. For a show dealing with faraway fantasy princes, there's only one Queen that matters (Fun fact: she has an actual [shrine dedicated to her greatness](https://anilist.co/activity/138015271) here on AniList.) Midori Tokiwa is the popular girl in school and the shoo-in for Captain at the Baton Club in which Tamako and Kanna spend their after-class afternoons. Admired by many yet envious of few, Midori is a humble pal who looks out for the needs of her close friends whilst striving for excellence. She seems super selfless and put-together… except when she doesn't. In a heartwarming story about the importance of seeking help from others, Episode 10 brings Midori's people-pleasing tendencies into full view, in a standout showcase of characterization. You come for Midori's competent façade, and you stay to see said façade come undone. I relate to Midori the most out of *Market* 's ensemble. Her characterization, unlike others in the series, feels consistently emblematic of the life experiences *Market* sets out to explore: happy vibes and the uncertain tensions of being a teen, with just a tinge of melancholy. After all, you can't have ups without some downs along the way. Life, and by extension *Market* , needs some bitterness to make its sweetness that much sweeter.

~~~ webm(https://i.imgur.com/Ed9pAef.mp4) ~~~

In closing, I think we can all agree that there's a *lot* of soul poured into *Market* , even if it's rough around the edges at times. Yamada's sandbox was not always excellent, but it certainly delivered on fun. *Market* is arguably Yamada and Yoshida at their most creative, with the pair seizing the opportunity to sample all sorts of stylistic choices in the name of crafting a warm, cozy explosion of *moe* . I get the sense that Yamada let her hair down in emulating her personal influences, whilst refining her [Yamada-isms](https://ultimatemegax.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/k-on-s2-staff-interviews-pt-1-director-naoko-yamada-series-composer-reiko-yoshida-dialogue/) in a detailed world beyond the walls of [Sakuragaoka High](https://k-on.fandom.com/wiki/Sakuragaoka_High_School). Ambition did sometimes get the better of her, and arguably continues to do so till this day; Yamada's intimate approach to [method direction](https://imgur.com/EVojHeb) isn't as adept at dealing with **breadth** as it is **depth** , and a trend of struggles with large, broad ensemble casts can be seen beyond *Market* in later works like [*Koe no Katachi*](https://anilist.co/anime/20954/Koe-no-Katachi/) and [*Heike Monogatari*](https://anilist.co/review/14405) . Furthermore, the *Tamako* franchise didn't exactly get off to the greatest of starts, with questionable creative choices making *Market* more difficult to appreciate. But when things do click — believe me, they *click* — *Market* emerges as a rare showcase of optimistic creativity and heartfelt storytelling potential. In an effort to portray the hearts of many people at once, Yamada discovers that her most effective moments stem from the detailed perspective of the individual. Evidently, Yamada demonstrates what she's learned by getting another shot at her *Tamako* IP: a sequel that finally allows its titular protagonist to grow from symbol to character, in a tale where both Tamako and Yamada come into their own in an experimental journey of self-discovery- But that's a story for another time, a *love story* , if you will.

~~~ webm(https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/d7667f7d87bc0bc069398c86a5f8d415.mp4) ~~~

When reflecting on what *Market* means as its own standalone piece of art, I realize that the series is about the things that change, of which there are plenty. Some things last shorter than others. *Market* is a year-long snapshot of transience amidst mundanity — fleeting, important moments for our growing teens as they navigate school and the comforts of a familiar street. People come, people go. In *Market* , the young main cast are riding the exciting highs of adolescence, while the older folks of Usagiyama cheer them on indefinitely, having too seen those same highs in their past lives, and knowing that these kids might eventually leave the old-timey street for new horizons. Seasons pass from one to the next, and aspects of ourselves morph in time, as do feelings — what we feel towards any number of things can change over time; heck, my feelings for *Market* weren't exactly this positive when I first watched it way back when.

>"ああ、まわる、まわる、レコード ふくれてはじけるの でもね不思議なメロディー"
"Ah, turning, turning record. It swells and pops open. Oh, but it’s such a strange melody."
[ねぐせ — Neguse — Tamako Market ED](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBw4YqgorLs&ab_channel=ItsumoVideoTakaku)
[Source](https://bambooxzx.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/tamako-market-neguse/) for translation

Age and experience does a number on us, for better and for worse. I'm just now discovering just how quickly memories as early as 10 years ago can warp with time. Round and round the record spins, and its fading grooves might change me for good. But as Dela once says in the show: "The years pass by, but there are some things that never change. They're invisible to the naked eye, but visible to the mind's eye." Some feelings are stronger than others, and act as the fuel to keep key memories alive. Mamedai might be a grumpy ol' mochi maker, but he's also a kid that wrote a love song to his future wife. That love sticks around, and may be what we need to cling to amidst the changes of our mundane days here. Maybe we can all end up like Tamako, after receiving love from those that matter. People go, but people come, and maybe the love we received when we were younger might be worth sharing wherever we go. **7/10**~

*"じゃあね! Thanks for stopping by the Market. Take care of yourselves, come back any time!"* ~~~ webm(https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/72864bdd3f095bb2a141fdc533dc100b.webm) ~~~ *** ~~~ #You've just read Part 4 of **Understanding Yamada**. img100%(https://i.imgur.com/Pd2hIQx.png) ##**U.Y.** is an ongoing series of reviews, dedicated to exploring the evolution of one of the most prominent directors in anime today. img47%(https://i.imgur.com/QPjlMaF.gif) img47%(https://i.imgur.com/P95WxPX.gif) img44%(https://i.imgur.com/jNK6z5d.gif) img49%(https://66.media.tumblr.com/970f6cf332cddd5a2423f57aaed9776b/tumblr_pnycj9MzB31qkz08qo1_540.gif) *** ##Click below to view the series so far! [ img15%(https://i.imgur.com/GUxr4DK.png) ](https://anilist.co/review/10909) [ img15%(https://i.imgur.com/5mABX8x.png) ](https://anilist.co/review/19172) [ img15%(https://i.imgur.com/YO0KCI5.png) ](https://anilist.co/review/19238) [ img15%(https://i.imgur.com/LFGXqPb.png) ](https://anilist.co/review/23528) img15%(https://i.imgur.com/IHX7D4V.png) img15%(https://i.imgur.com/IHX7D4V.png) ~~~ ***

Oh, and if you happen to like my verbose rants, feel free to check out my other [reviews](https://anilist.co/user/An1meDweeb/reviews) for seasons past and present. I also frequently post writeups under my list updates, so definitely take a peek if you'd like to see me mald over anime as they hit the airwaves. Peace~