Slice of Life animes have been growing in popularity since the early 2000’s and are one of the most popular anime genres watched. In 2013 due to the popularity of this genre the anime Non Non Biyori, which can be purchased here, was introduced about 5 classmates and their adventures in a rural town in Japan. This anime was so well received that a second season was produced in 2015 continuing to tell the stories of this group of classmates. The first and second season of Non Non Biyori captures the daily routine of a rural Japan village and the children who live there.
The Plot:
Non Non Biyori focuses on the adventures 5 classmates have in their rural village in Japan. These classmates include the Koshigaya siblings consisting of the quiet 9th grader Suguru and the small 8th grader, Komari, the troublemaker, 7th grader Natsumi, the transfer student, Hotaru, and the curious 1st grader, Renge. These 5 classmates explore the rural life style while making everyday an adventure. Some of their adventures include becoming creative with their rulers on a rainy day or going hiking to see the fireworks for a festival. The anime depicts how no two days are the same in this rural village and everyday is a new adventure. Something is always ready to be explored in the countryside.
The review:
This anime is untraditional as season one and two take place within the same time frame as the transferred student, Hotaru has moved in to the village. Each episode stands alone and separate and has its own adventure that does not connect to the other episodes. The episodes are enjoyable and the viewer experiences what the characters do for fun in their rural village. Each episode is a new day with a relaxing and fresh start rather than a plot that builds upon the previous episode. The anime also is balanced as each character has a different personality ranging from the quiet one, the troublemaker and the curious personality. The characters not only reflect real life but also create funny situations during their interactions. This anime depicts the innocence of childhood as the classmates are enjoying and exploring rural countryside life, without a care in the world, which everybody can relate to. Non Non Biyori, season one and two, is a pleasant “slice of life” anime that exposes the viewer to the rural side of Japan in a realistic way.
You can pick up a copy of Non Non Biyori here.
