So, I got a bit [frustrated, annoyed, bored, uncertain] about the current prompts. A lot of them are the same, and I felt like I was just going to be picking the same five shows for each answer. As such, I’m going to be branching out a little bit, and looking to the prompts as an inspiration or starting point rather than a hard-and-fast challenge.

Hope you’ll forgive me.

Best Animation

Tsurune

This is recent anime produced by KyoAni, which I don’t see talked about very much. It’s a shame, because it’s a pretty good series with some interesting elements. And, honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful non-film anime I’ve seen. Definitely the prettiest sports anime, that’s for sure.

Many people find this series boring (because, apparently, archery is boring?), and I would argue it’s serene. It’s a quiet, albeit dramatic series. It’s a whisper, a held breath. That’s not everyone’s cup of tea. If you want high-action, slapstick humor with a Rocky anthem playing in the background, this probably isn’t for you. However, if you can appreciate its slowness, if you are in the mood of something akin to an autumn Sunday morning (complete with light rain drizzling down windows and a cozy sweater), this just might be your ticket.

As I was saying before, the show is gorgeous. The foreshortening: incredible. The camera angles and panning: swoon-inducing. The fluidity: I’m drooling.

I think these gifs speak what my words fail to adequately express. I don’t often talk about animation and its importance in anime. It’s not even a part of my review criteria. However, when we watch something like this, we’re reminded that anime isn’t merely media for consumption; it’s an art. One that, when done with enough time, energy, finesse (and ultimately budget), can leave us breathless.

Hope you enjoyed this one! The review will come sometime soon (hopefully?)

Watch on, Annieme-niac!

Annie