Always been a fan of Kozue Amano’s stellar manga “Aria” and its anime adaptations, hence rejoiced when she began a new slice-of-life series with “あまんちゅ!” after the story in “Aria” finished. Was thrilled when it received its own anime adaptation nearly two years ago, “Amanchu!” proved to be an enchanting slice-of-life tale like “Aria”, “Tamayura” or “Sketchbook ~full color’S~ ”.
Have been looking forward to this second season so was keen on watching the first episode of “Amanchu! Advance” which was just as expected, with its soothing atmosphere, joyful vibe thanks to endearing characters, excellent soundtrack all with the beautiful backgrounds of a mesmerising Japanese coastal area.
Whereas in “Aria” the main characters had a common goal that the story crept towards all while showing us other heartwarming tales and the girls’ simple but fulfilling daily lives, “Amanchu!” takes a somewhat different approach by focusing even more on its characters, their interaction and development as they go through high school.
Although the characters do set goals involving their activities in the diving club, more so than in “Aria” everything seems to revolve around daily lives, their outings, small life events without there seeming to be a specific destination for their journey. The central pillar of the show really is the interaction, relationship between the characters as they do the simplest things together, with most focus on Futaba and Hikari’s bond.
Granted, this which is something viewers may not appreciate about “Amanchu!”, especially those who prefer overarching plot lines or stories that move towards a specific goal. “Amanchu!” instead delivers an enchanting story about high school girls who befriend each other and grow as they go about their daily lives together, which is exactly why I adore this show.
Was pleasantly surprised by the opening sequence of “Amanchu! Advance” which featured stunning visuals that perfectly illustrate what this series is all about, accompanied by a terrific song that really brings you back to the enchanting openings of “Aria”.
Do like how this second season immediately spent time to illustrate how Hikari too deals with uncertainties and relies on her close friend Futaba, not just vice-versa which makes her character more complex than the happy-go-luck bundle of energy she usually is portrayed as. Whereas Futaba’s character and personal growth might look like it is the main focus, she and Hikari have a true partnership where each person contributes to the dynamic of the friendship.
If you’re looking for a superb slice-of-life series to watch, then definitely watch “Amanchu! Advance” on Crunchyroll.