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Hidamari Sketch is a simple slice of life anime circling around the highschool lives of Yamabuki Arts High School freshmen, Yuno and Miyako. As they adjust to the new life as living independently in the Hidamari Apartment, they are guided by their 2 seniors Hiro and Sae which also living in the Hidamari Apartment and attends the same school.
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Taking back to its root origin of the Cute Girls Doing Cute Girls Subgenre
From the get got Hidamari Sketch story at its core is “Cute Girls Doing Cute Things” set in high school type of narrative which is now becoming a typical staple nowadays. But Hidamari Sketch was very unique and innovative for the time it was released in 2007. Back then the number of anime about "Cute Girls Doing Cute Things” is very limited. Most of the time the story follows the same pattern as
Azumanga Daioh formula its predecessor in the anime medium.
What is unique about Hidamari is the way it executes its themes and concept. It created an identity for itself, more specifically on the visual art direction. The Art style visuals are a combination of cute hand-drawn animation with a mix of real-world photos of objects. Its seems kind of weird there is two contrasting art style but it doesn’t feel out sync with the 2D visuals. On the contrary, the two styles blend well with each other. It looks natural in the sense.
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A Visual Montage of Handrawn Animation and Surreal Photographic ObjectsIt also has a very inventive way of illustrating certain scenarios that work with the show's overall artistic theme. It uses colors and symbolism to demonstrate that a person is deeply sick but on small occasions, it also features also dementia-like visuals.
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Sometimes I forget I am actually watching a slice of life comedy and not a queer psychological anime.Hidamari Sketch uses warm and calming colors heavily on its visual design. This range to pink, blue, orange, grey, green, yellow for a comforting and cozy atmosphere. And with a combination of white and light color for a sense of purity, cleanliness, and peacefulness. It uses these color combinations to express the show's good nature of being laid back and easy going.
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Nice Set of Color Palletes
As for character dynamics, Himdari Sketch has a lovable set of main characters. Their interactions and everyday conversation are quite entertaining to watch while side characters have compelling supporting character's roles. The short second gags are very funny on many occasions. You will also learn some Japanese culture along the way because some gag is based around it and might be harder to comprehend. Miyako is my favorite girl in the series for being energetic, outgoing, playful and purely care about her friends though she is a bit clumsy at times. Nonetheless a good comedy anime for its genre.
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Comedy Gold Artistic Presentation
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Final Thoughts
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Hidamari Sketch lacks a linear plot on its episodes and some might find it boring. The show is pretty episodic in a format where its first episode starts in January last days then skip to August then revert back in June in the same year. You can actually watch in any order you want except for Ep 1 and Ep 12 which the intro and the finale of the first season. But even it lacks and plot or direction it manages to deliver its message around. Hidamari Sketch is primarily an anime you watch to sit down and relax on a hard day of work. The characters did well in reminding the audience about simple but good things in life.
Hidamari Sketch reminds me of "Azumanga Daioh" highschool comedy while at the same time the relaxing slice of life aspect makes of Aria the Animation Series.
If you are feeling like a "Yawning Metapod" and just want to watch plain and simple. I highly recommend Hidamari Sketch's warm and comforting aesthetic display and elegant audio tone.
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Chill Out and Relax, We All Need to Relax from Time to Time
