Non Non Biyori (2023) - MVM Anime Review
Welcome to Sensei Sensibility! You are the hungry mind yearning to devour quality Anime - I am the (questionably) knowledgeable Sensei, more than happy to satiate your televisual appetite.
"The sky and the earth are far apart - but the people are close together."
The pace at which we now live - or perhaps "just exist" is more appropriate? - has amplified to a terrifying degree. Hustle culture is king making down-time "on-time", and everything we do is under the surreal veil of a vaguely dystopian atmosphere. If you didn't laugh - you'd cry.
The perfect (temporary) antidote to this is the quaint manga-turned-anime Non Non Biyori (Season 1) / Non Non Biyori (Season 2).
Non Non Biyori focuses on the day-to-day adventures of five young pupils at Asahigaoka Branch School. These youngsters are unique in that they are the only pupils in the entire school, such is the sheer smallness of village. Things are mildly shook up (and I use the term "shook up" very lightly!) when Tokyoite Hotaru Ichijo transfers to the school and both country bumpkins and urban dweller alike are in for a clash of cultures.
Reminiscent of Nichijou or Azumanga Daioh, each comedic episode is fairly standalone and the "plot" unfolds at a leisurely pace. From surprisingly touching tales of carefree summer days, the mild inconveniences of rural life and the trivial trials of being in elementary school, Non Non Biyori is gentle but enjoyable escapism.
The character designs are quite basic, it looks like most of the effort went into the sumptuous nature backgrounds that are gorgeous. A whimsical recorder motif plays throughout evoking nostalgic stirrings of youth gone by, plus the peaceful nature ambience is an ASMR fan's dream. Between the languid storytelling and the peaceful soundscape watching this almost a meditative experience. It does often feel akin to lying in soft grass on a summer's day lazily watching the clouds float by.
You'd think that there would be a more pronounced subtext, highlighting the growing reality in Japan of a rapidly dwindling youth population in rural areas, but that would be too heavy for a cotton-candy show like this.
From cherry blossom mochi eaten under a score of heaving cherry blossoms trees, to planting rice, sharing fresh garden produce with neighbours, and cooling watermelons grown on the schoolgrounds in a local stream - Non Non Biyori is more concerned with portraying a simpler, more wholesome way to live.
Available from MVM Films over June and July, this is the perfect little viewing retreat from a less than idyllic world.
Let's keep the nerdy chat going over on:
Comments
Post a Comment