Anime Recommendations: Calming Shows

I hope everyone is doing well.

A little update: Starting today, I will be staying at home. The university has instructed us to stop going to our practicum sites and to do the work at home. The class will also be done remotely. This was after Justin Trudeau’s announcement, in which he recommended that everyone stay at home.

I’m not sure if I ever wrote this, but I have a number of jobs. Most of them are done from home to begin with, so I’m used to it. Still, I wonder what these next few weeks will look like… O_O

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During these uncertain moments, sometimes we just want to escape from reality for a little while and watch something to distract ourselves. I’m not in the mood to watch something twisted because it reminds me of society too much (hahaha) so these are shows that will help calm you down! In my last blog post, I wrote about songs that inspire hope during this challenging time.

Mushi-shi

Mushi-shi is perfect for when you need to unwind. It makes you feel so calm. The opening song, Shiver by Lucy Rose, is in English and it is such a beautiful song. The colours of the show are so calming to look at. Every episode is its own short story with new characters. I highly recommend this anime.

If you like Mushi-shi, you’ll also like Natsume’s Book of Friends (and vice versa).

The Case Files of Jeweler Richard

This is an anime from this season. This show is pretty interesting because you learn about different gemstones. For example, I didn’t know that there was a fascinating stone called the Cat’s Eye until I watched the show.

My Roommate is a Cat

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In this anime, Subaru Mikazuki, an introverted writer, changes in small ways. Haru is such an adorable cat. The latter half of the episodes are retold from Haru’s point of view.

I’ve reviewed this anime. You can read it here.

After the Rain

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After the Rain has so much beautiful imagery. Akira Tachibana’s eyes are drawn so beautifully and the backgrounds are so pretty. This anime is about loss, innocent love, and new beginnings.

I’ve reviewed this anime. You can read it here.

Anime Cosplays: Akira Tachibana from After the Rain & Ran from Detective Conan

Akira Tachibana from After the Rain/ Koi wa Ameagari no You ni 

Ran from Detective Conan

I hope you like my cosplays!

Review: Koi wa Ameagari no You ni (After the Rain)

After the Rain was a show I looked forward to every week when it came out.

Synopsis: Due to a foot injury, Akira Tachibana is unable to continue track at her high school. On a rainy day, Tachibana enters Garden Cafe and meets Masami Kondou, the 45 year old manager of the cafe. This story is about Tachibana’s romantic feelings towards Kondou and it explores the themes of friendships and new beginnings.

This anime is not problematic!!! While the premise may seem inappropriate because of the big age gap, Tachibana confesses her feelings early on in the show. Spoiler, but the relationship they have in the start of the series doesn’t really progress. I’m talking about the anime only. Instead, the anime shifts and explores both Tachibana’s friendship with her friend from the track team and Kondou’s friendship with his old-time friend who is a successful writer.

There’s also the theme of loss, because of Tachibana’s injury and her loss of not being able to run anymore. Running was important to her because it was a part of her identity. Kondou also experienced loss because his goal of publishing a book never became fruitful. There’s also the theme of new beginnings, which I found uplifting.

If you enjoy writing or reading novels, then this anime may especially appeal to you because there are references to Rashomon by Akira Kurosawa. I wonder if Akira Tachibana’s name was deliberately chosen because of the director and screen writer. In fact, After the Rain is one of Kurosawa’s films. It’s cool that this anime shares the same title as the 1999 film.

Imagery: The animation is gorgeous! The colours are so pretty and there are lovely shots of the rain and hydrangea flowers. Tachibana’s eyes are so beautiful to look at. The last episode amazed me with its beautiful imagery.

Music: Aimer sings the ending song! Her song, Ref:rain, is so good. There’s also a lot of calming but beautiful instrumental music.

If you decide to watch this anime, do not go in expecting Tachibana and Kondou to become a couple. Instead, enjoy the beautiful imagery, music and themes on friendships, loss and new beginnings.