The Aharen anime has what I consider a fairly rare mix of features for a slice of life. Iyashikei or wholesome anime isn't the rarest genre but it's fairly uncommon and it's mixed with a kind of... weird dry humor style. Speaking of weird, usually when you think of weird characters in anime they're usually from bombastic, over the top comedy anime. In Aharen though? Most of the main characters are certainly quirky, a few characters even comment so but since it's still a relatively down to earth slice of life it feels like they got as quirky as 'normal' school kids could be.

And you know what? That's what made it great. Raidou and Aharen, the two main characters, are certainly a quirky duo. Raidou is a nice guy but also has quite the imagination and can be a bit dense. Reina Aharen has 0 sense of distance, and could easily be mistaken as bein on the spectrum. But she's also a good nice quiet person, and is doing in what her eyes is a way of being useful and making friends.

Most of the anime revolves around the two of them and their quirky interactions. There does tend to be a kinda expected conversation flow between them. Either Aharen gets too close and Raidou comments on it. Aharen is doing something, Raidou is imagining her doing something super crazy, but it turns out Aharen is just doing normal things. The humor style around that CAN be a bit predictable but it can be pretty funny. Thankfully there is a decent handful of side characters as well, who provide their own comedy when needed to break up the flow.

As mentioned in the first paragraph, this is still a iyashikei or wholesome slice of life anime. This aspect of the anime, in my opinion, is easily the best parts, and what make the show for me. Since Aharen is a relatively quiet and kinda strange person, she doesn't exactly have a lot of friends. Thankfully Raidou is not only nice to her but partakes in actively hangs out with her. Any moment where the two do something nice for each other, or Aharen makes a comment or face showing how much Raidou means to her are easily my favorite moments in the whole show. This show is worth watching for these alone, though the comedy is still decent otherwise.

This anime SHOULD be a much watch for wholesome slice of life fans. Sadly based on in its MAL average score I've determined many people consider this "mid" and therefore have bad taste, considering other slice of life shows that are either higher rated, more highly watched, or both.

Unfortunately, due to this relatively lack of popularity, it doesn't seem like we are going to get past a season 1. Thankfully if you liked the series and want more, the original manga is finished and has a full fan translation. I recommend it as the story and characters continue to get better.