Barakamon - Your Feel-good Aots
Not sure how many people have gotten around to seeing this yet, but it's a damn shame there's so little discussion of it on here. Barakamon occupies the same space in my heart with series like Gin no Saji, Yotsubato, and Chihayafuru. It takes an unconventional (and ancient) subject, calligraphy, and chooses to explore that through characters in a laid-back atmosphere filled equally with humor and heartwarming.
Having heard good things and skimming some pages of the manga, I couldn't have known just how great the first episode would turn out to be. The same atmosphere as GnS, with a struggling and emotionally/artistically stunted MC changing himself by changing his surroundings. His idea of stewing in seclusion is broken early on by probably the cutest and funniest kid character since Yotsuba, Naru. As he spends the day with her, the tone varied wildly from situational and slapstick humor to deep character moments about Handa's insecurities and artistic growth (or lack thereof). I talk way too much about crying to these types of shows, but I always seemed to be holding some back, whether from laughing so hard or being so taken by the interactions of Naru and Handa. The episode capped off with some other brief and humorous introductions, and I'm excited to see some specific manga parts animated, as well as Handa's interactions with other villagers and how they'll change him.
As if things weren't good enough already, the OP and ED both fit the tone to a T and are beautiful to boot. So discuss if you've seen it, watch it if you haven't!
23 Comments • Newest first
i am beyond happy to see one of my favorite manga as an anime now every chapter is just so heartwarming and funny, i hope they do the same for the show
the animation was better than i expected! the way they animated naru was really charming and full of character, i want to go and rewatch it already
and man the little ending scene just made my day...
this animes been out for a couple days now, dont know how u guys r saying it just aired?
barakamon sounds similar to an ugly mk character o3o
I am not really one for slice of lifes, i generally find myself avoiding them, but for some strange reason when i read the synopsis of Barakamon i thought that i should give it a shot. I really enjoyed the first episode and am anticipating more, and depending on how the remaining first episodes i have left on my list it may very well have the best first episode of the season.
I knew I would love this series, when I saw naru. This just became one of my favs of the season.
knew some fanboy would make a thread on this sooner or later
This really reminded me of Usagi Drop. Which is definitely a good thing. Very deep and intelligent first episode. High hopes for this one.
[quote=Plenair]>Gin no Saji, Yotsubato, and Chihayafuru.
I've yet to pick up Gin no Saji even though I should. Adored reading Tosubato, and what was Chiahyafuru again?
I'll edit this post once I watch the anime. It is on my to watch list, but I feel like watching it with a meal.[/quote]
gin no saji was excellent and you should watch it when you get the time.
also, barakamon looks great so far.
Huh
I've never heard of this series before (aka never stumbled upon the manga... I don't keep up with anime)
@Hatchet: Aldnoah and Rail Wars had threads by the time we were watching them in weebroom. Locodol isn't thread-worthy (I've seen it), and I can only assume ppl aren't interested in talking abt how SMC started the same as every other form of Sailor Moon.
Generally I prefer anime-related talk to nitpicking, even if my hyperbolizing came off as an invitation.
OT: Wow, [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN9uQYwDFYM]OP[/url] and [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09CLgLylM3Y]ED[/url]. Also two of my fav manga pages [url=http://i.imgur.com/4lcleLY.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://i.imgur.com/ICh5L5c.jpg]2[/url]
e: A picture of [url=http://i.imgur.com/rVPUO7m.jpg]Naru's VA[/url] as well! I love that they got an actual kid to do it.
good anime, i think naru will be my favorite female character of this year maybe more than a year o3o
[quote=Hatchet]Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I haven't seen a sailor moon, locodol, aldonoha zero or rail wars thread[/quote]
There is actually an Aldnoah.Zero thread.
[quote=Deciduous]@Hatchet: Yet every other conceivable show has had threads and discussion pop up here right after air.
This show is great and I was def surprised that nobody else felt the same to immediately make a thread.[/quote]
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I haven't seen a sailor moon, locodol, aldonoha zero or rail wars thread
Even though I haven't watched any of the animes you listed above, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment when watching Barakamon. The part where all the residents gathered was very heartwarming and joyful. Oh, and the ending at the last second. Scary...
I don't have much to say, except that I will be looking forward for the next episode. ^_^
@Hellksing: I never want to adjust my expectations.
Gin no Saji only ever got like one thread and it was just me, Yumtoast, and the OP in it.
@Amuro: Yesss <3 I'm so glad I didn't shoot your expectations in the foot w/ my comparisons.
Had really high expectations since GnS and Chihayafuru were mentioned, and it actually exceeded them. I don't even know where to begin, so here are some incoherent thoughts: love the warm and fuzzy atmosphere. The exchange between Handa and the guy who gave him a ride at the beginning was great. Really love characters like Handa, who reminds me of Chiaki from Nodame Cantabile (the facial expressions, developing talent, passion, being bad-mouthed by an older figure with an interest in the same subject, blonde male friend, etc.). Naru's adorable. Naru's friend is hilarious. The smoking guy near the end (a teacher, iirc - bad short term memory) seems really cool too. And just when I thought the goodness was over... the ending sequence. Loved it. Loved the song too. The bit near the end was hilarious too. I don't know the types of humour, but whatever it is, it's perfect. I'd be surprised if this ended up not being my AOTS.
[quote=Deciduous]@Hatchet: Yet every other conceivable show has had threads and discussion pop up here right after air.
This show is great and I was def surprised that nobody else felt the same to immediately make a thread.[/quote]
I didn't bother making a thread because basil is all over SAO2 and Akame Ga Kill and in the Summer 2014 lists threads only 4 people, including me, planned to watch it.
@Hatchet: Yet every other conceivable show has had threads and discussion pop up here right after air.
This show is great and I was def surprised that nobody else felt the same to immediately make a thread.
[quote=Deciduous] but it's a damn shame there's so little discussion of it on here. [/quote]
Girl please, it literally aired today and good subs came out like 2 hours ago. Give it some time
[quote=LazyLazyLazy]it says it was just added 23 hours ago where i stream o3o[/quote]
Apparently my mistake was expecting Funimation (who announced ownership of US streaming rights) to have it, y'know, when it airs. So I had to go elsewhere, it was just really baffling to check over the past two days and not see it.
@Plenair: Chihayafuru is the "sports" anime about Karuta, the game that is based on memorizing ancient poems. Somebody reads off the first verse and the players (1v1) rush to choose the matching second verse. So despite being something soooo old, it relies on focus/attentiveness, memory, and reflex to choose the right card at the earliest possible moment AND get to it first.
it says it was just added 23 hours ago where i stream o3o
Since I saw the pv some time ago I knew it was going to be good. And I was right.
I only just heard about Barakamon this morning while reading Enzo's blog, and I had already decided on following it (because his taste in anime is unusually similar to mine, right down to adoring RuroKen and Baby Steps). Since I'm free this evening, I may as well get it now.