CITY

Now I haven't read or watched Nichijou (yet), but CITY has, without a doubt, gotten my hopes up for the series. The way Arawi seamlessly writes amusing characters, from the shameless, athletic Nagumo, to the happy, carefree Wako Izumi, you are drawn into an enigmatic world, to the CITY. Residents of the tight-knit community come together in unexpected ways, from the famous friends to the rich representatives, the CITY is full of quirky characters that bring the plot to life.

Seemingly uneventful, the story that is told from various perspectives interconnects the residents into one, big picture, a picture that is so enthralling that you just can't help but come to love these positive, dimwitted characters. There is something wholesome about the way Arawi presents the story, healing even, as you are introduced to the citizens one by one, until by the end you know everyone from trusty Tsurubishi to enthusiastic Ecchan.

CITY has excellent world building as it slowly but surely introduces you to more characters, gives you a taste of CITY life for the everyday residents and brings you to the realisation that there isn't anything Ryouta Adatara cannot do.

Niikura's complex relationship with Nagumo, routing back to their high school days, reflects the nature of CITY, as it is a work that, on the surface, seems straightforward and rather basic, but once you venture deeper in you come to uncover that each and every relationship has its own backstory, its own twists and turns that show real attention to detail by the author.

It is refreshing to bear witness to the riveting ups and downs of Kamaboko Oni's career as a mangaka. Will he continue writing or will he finally put down the pen? Only time will tell...

Then there is the terriffic Tekaridake troupe led by Nobuteru Tekaridake, an animal enthusiast who leads his own band of misfits. The diversity of his troupe reflects the wider cast, as there are the young, the old, and those inbetween, all intermingling with one another in seemingly perfect harmony (at least until Granny tries to stage a revolution).

CITY doesn't dive into any deep, philosophical topics, but it doesn't need to. It serves its purpose as a slapstick comedy. There's the fantastic facial expressions, the quests for money (cough Nagumo), the unexpected friendships, the hearty goodbyes and the dawn of new adventures, as life goes on for the residents of the CITY.