If you're looking for a more-than-slightly biased and emotionally-driven review written by an artist, you have come to the right place!
My rating for Yakumo was based upon two things: personal relatability, as well as dedication to detail (in the art of ceramics, of course). As long as you aren't going into this one expecting too much, I believe that most people will be able to say they enjoyed it in the end. It is an easy watch that will hopefully inspire and encourage you, and I think that's honestly the point.
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> (Please note that I consider this review to be spoiler-free, as it does not contain specific information pertaining to the main storyline! Some may consider the following to be light spoilers, however. Please proceed, keeping this in mind.)
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Yakumo follows protagonist Himeno Toyokawa's journey to create ceramic pieces she and her loved ones can enjoy. At the end of the day, we find pride in the things we make, and we are uplifted by the joy and inspiration it brings to others. We might even find some self-fulfilling aspects to the work we do, which is always an added bonus! Throughout the episodes, we see our protagonist traverse the ups and downs of being a young artist. This anime does not shy away from the darker moments in an artist's journey, either.
We see our protagonist fail a few times and hit some rough spots, in which she has to find ways to overcome and/or bounce back. Hime-chan's ability to see possibility and promise was something that got me through many weeks of deadlines. I found her mindset endlessly inspiring, and it reminded me of myself when I was younger and first beginning to kindle my interest in the arts.Yakumo made me think extensively about what my own values as an artist were at a time where I was asked over and over again to bleed for institutions in order to be recognized and appreciated. In Yakumo, having fun is always at the dead center, and I saw my own shortcomings through the lens of this anime. Making art is supposed to bring out the best in humanity. After all, the human ability to create something is incredibly beautiful and should be met with celebration! And that is exactly what Yakumo conveys to its viewers.
When I say that the whole team behind Yakumo was dedicated, I say it with my chest. This anime had the voice actors immersing themselves in the world of ceramics between episodes, for crying out loud. Love for the art of ceramics was fully put on display throughout all 12 episodes, and it reminded me of why I chose to pursue art as a degree and life path. I also may have completely lost my shit when I saw the above-pictured wall of test tiles. If you've ever been in a ceramics building, you have likely seen one of those babies, and they are glorious!!
There were a number of scenes that resonated with me. For instance, when the members of the ceramics club pulled their pieces out of the kiln after the glaze firing, I felt their levels of excitement and anticipation with my whole soul. It reminded me of the first time I raku fired a piece and laid eyes on the final product of my efforts. I was reminded of all of the simple moments of happiness that come along with being an artist and make this profession worthwhile. Watching the characters go through similar moments was like pulling a warm piece out of the kiln after the bisque firing. Cozy and comforting as hell.
While this anime is not exactly a tutorial for aspiring ceramicists, it does accurately capture the emotions artists feel while moving along in their process, as well as provide some basic insight for techniques and terminology. The environments are incredibly detailed, showing a dedication for understanding the tools and materials ceramicists use while in their studios. Though, I do wish to know how they managed to keep their studio floors and surfaces so clean and dust-free.
This anime hits home for me, as I hope it does for other artisans out there. Who knows, maybe a few of you decide to take up ceramics because of this anime.
cuz what the hell,
let's make a mug, too!