Barakamon

Hey there, everyone!!

This is technically my first reviw. And, I chose the anime that I have watched too many times in the past year. And, no matter how many times I watch it, it never fails to give a warm, fuzzy feeling like cuddling into a warm blanket on cold winter nights.

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It is what one might call a perfect anime. Bringing forth tears of laughter or emotion, it portrays the beautiful charm of the countryside in such a calm and peacefilled manner.

!! SPOILERS INCLUDED !!

• Story

An impulsive calligrapher with a short fuse ends up punching an old veteran because he couldn't withstand the criticisms that got laid on top of his award winning work. Having to face the consequences, he gets exiled off to a remote island to learn about life lessons and also to come to terms with the crticisms because of which he punched the old man.

The series sets off with such a premise in its first episode and we get to watch this impulsive calligrapher's interactions with the people of the island during his everyday life through the progression of the series as he tries to accept the various hardships life throws at him with a level headed mindset.

• Characters

• Handa, Sei

"Simplicity is the easiest path to true beauty."

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Our impulsive and clumsy calligrapher who got exiled off to the island. Due to a conservative type of upbringing where he was made to focus solely on calligraphy, he didn't get to enjoy or face the various joys and obstacles of a normal life. Because of this many of his encounters on the island are his first-time encounters making him display a child-like excitement for most things. As the series progresses we get to watch him slowly mature. This is shown so damn beautifully that one'll fall in love with his character development.  

• Kotoishi, Naru

"You ain’t gonna know unless you climb up yourself. Ain’t no way to look if you don’t try."

The bundle of explosive energy and joy who interacts the most with "Sensei" which is what she and most people of the village call the calligrapher as. She teaches a lot of beautiful views to him that can only be comprehended from a child's perspective. From overcoming the hesitation to apologise to triumphing over the fear of failure. She, throughout the series, aids our "Sensei" a lot to help him overcome his various obstacles.

• Art & Music

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The art style and music of the series is just perfect for the story and the cast of the characters. The beauty of the dying sun, the glimmer hope from the starlit sky, the beauty of  expressive calligraphy and so much more when paired with synonymous background scores make the story all the more compelling to watch and enjoy.

• Overall

By the end of the series, our clumsy and impulsive calligrapher forms bonds with so many people that wraps up the entire series with an wholesome ending. 

This series makes for one awesome experience that you'll want to revisit again and again if you like the slice of life genre. There were so many moments in this series when I got goosebumps and teary eyes. It made me feel so calm and satisfied that I ended up rewatching this series so many times. Give this one a go and you'll most definitely not regret it.