*Note: This review will cover the entire Tamayura series which includes; this OVA, the sequels, Hitotose and More Aggressive, and the four movies which conclude the series.
This review was written two years ago and has been edited to bring it up to current standards.
From the outside, Tamayura looks like it doesn't have much to offer. There are many fancier, funnier, and familiar slice of life anime out there.
So why should one consider watching something that looks so, normal?
For that very same reason.
Tamayura tells a simple story that takes place in a regular town populated by ordinary characters. It teaches us that life is what you make of it. It reminds us that pain, no matter how heavy, is only temporary. It shows us that life is forever moving, and that if we want to grow, we too must keep moving. It pulls at our heartstrings, enveloping us with strong and genuine emotions.
Truth be told, there's nothing really special about the story. These themes have been said and done many times before it. But that is where the anime's strength lies.
Tamayura is able to get its message across because it is so down-to-earth. It focuses on the mundane and ordinary aspects of life, giving us something to easily relate to. Despite its slow pacing, the show never gets stale. There's meaning behind the story, it's not just here to entertain us. It's complete, well-rounded and rewarding.
"A great enough sorrow can stop time, but someday, time will start moving again. No matter how many years may pass." – Fu Sawatari's Grandmother
The characters are simply wonderful. Being able to watch them grow as they go through the same motions as us, the same challenges and struggles, make them feel more like your close friend rather than characters you see on a screen. There is a good amount of character development and the show portrays it in a very realistic manner which further strengthens that familiar connection that's established by the show.
The soundtrack is, unfortunately, a bit forgettable. The openings and endings are really good but the rest of the soundtrack is nothing to write home about.
The artwork is calm and clean. It does a good job of bringing you into the world and reflects the show's feel. Needless to say, it does improve as the series goes by, especially for the four short movies, but overall, it's not incredible by any means.
"Even though we weren't able to meet him directly, Dad's heart was definitely captured in that photo." – Fu Sawatari, Tamayura Episode 4
Tamayura is an extraordinary slice of life that offers more than what it appears to. Its gentle pacing coupled with a heartfelt story and delightful cast put it above most other shows of similar nature. But it lacks the colors, the flashiness, the wow factor that attracts and captures viewers. It's simple, that's all there is to it, but simple doesn't necessarily mean it's bland or boring. This anime is certainly not for everyone. If you are looking for a relaxing and peaceful experience, this might just be for you. Just like the story portrays, through even the dirtiest and oldest of lenses, you can still see the beauty in everything around you. It's simply a matter of changing your perspective.
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