Michiko to Hatchin

I started this series a few years ago before I had gotten into anime, as it was a recommendation from a high school friend. Set in a backdrop of a fictional South American country, the highly saturated visuals of Michiko to Hatchin were what got me hooked at first. But beyond the warm-toned tropicals, the story at heart was bleak. I definitely could not binge watch episode after episode of social dilemma and on-the-run antics. And so the series was shelved.

Fast forward a few years later, having rewatched Cowboy Bebop a few times and actually understanding what the hell a syndicate was, the show was much easier to digest. Michiko to Hatchin tells the story of two different types of women, who come to mirror each other in their unlikely teamwork. Similar to Shinichirō Watanabe's work, each episode tells its own mini story about the two protagonists, usually in a new city on their journey. I would say some of the episodes stand out more than others, and you can easily tell which had a more fleshed-out plot. However, that doesn't stop a lot of the episode antics from entertaining its audience. From hot air balloon chase scenes to hallucinogenic fever surgery, there's a wild range of situations these two end up in. And really, I think that variety and the cutthroat way it's laid out is what pushes this series forward.

The two protagonists are as different as they get, yet their struggles are understood by each other. Hatchin wants the older woman to give up the search for love, yet ends up finding a crush herself. And Michiko's denial to take responsibility for anything ends up with her making a very important decision to keep the younger girl safe. Intertwined in the mix of conflict are society's evils. There's a refusal to say the words "child abuse" or "human trafficking" but instead a grim depiction of these experiences, and it gives the show more edge than a typical convict-on-the-run plot.

Something I also found that I liked about this show was the antagonist. I would have enjoyed watching entire flashback episodes with Atsuko Jackson if granted.

Really where this show excels is in its dichotomy between young and old, love and hate, fear and passion. It's about making juvenile decisions, but being mature in all the situations that matter. It's about running away from responsibility, but growing up in that refusal. It's about the perfect reunion outfit, a trusty stead, and yelling as a love language. It's about lots and lots of tomatoes.