When you think of anime, what comes to mind? Humongous Mecha, Magical Girls or twenty-somethings trying to help promote a small town? Sakura Quest is an unlikely concept for an anime that nevertheless proves to be quite well-done.
The story stars Yoshino Koharu, a recent college graduate, getting a job with the Manoyama tourism board, in which she spends a year as "queen" of the town trying to help reverse the factors that have caused Manoyama to go into decline. It's not an easy task, especially since there are no obvious answers to the questions.
The cast is rather interesting, with each of the main characters having compelling motivations and going through significant Character Development over time. Virtually everyone who shows up for more than a few episodes has a surprisingly complex personality, complete with Hidden Depths.
The story is relatively down-to-earth and realistic, featuring storylines such as the protagonists trying to find a house that a movie studio can use(and burn down) in a filming, or negotiating to obtain the cooperation of local organizations. Virtually everyone has at least some valid points to make in any given discussion, and thus the vast majority of the cast is sympathetic and relatable. The overall tone of the show is appropriately serious for the most part, but still has a lot of comic relief and heartwarming moments, so it stays relatively lighthearted, all things considered.
If I had to identify a flaw with the series, it's that there are some plot threads that aren't fully expanded on, such as a photo showing a young Yoshino as Queen, thus suggesting she'd been to Manoyama as a child. That said, while the ending leaves a few things hanging, it wouldn't be realistic to resolve all of Manoyama's issues in a year. By the end of the show, the main characters have found new purpose in their lives, and the campaign to help the town has had mixed success, so anything can happen in the future.
In conclusion, Sakura Quest is an unlikely concept with a surprisingly successful execution, and I recommend it to anime fans who are looking for something different from the norm.
The most underrated anime I've seen
When you think of anime, what comes to mind? Humongous Mecha, Magical Girls or twenty-somethings trying to help promote a small town? Sakura Quest is an unlikely concept for an anime that nevertheless proves to be quite well-done.
The story stars Yoshino Koharu, a recent college graduate, getting a job with the Manoyama tourism board, in which she spends a year as "queen" of the town trying to help reverse the factors that have caused Manoyama to go into decline. It's not an easy task, especially since there are no obvious answers to the questions.
The cast is rather interesting, with each of the main characters having compelling motivations and going through significant Character Development over time. Virtually everyone who shows up for more than a few episodes has a surprisingly complex personality, complete with Hidden Depths.
The story is relatively down-to-earth and realistic, featuring storylines such as the protagonists trying to find a house that a movie studio can use(and burn down) in a filming, or negotiating to obtain the cooperation of local organizations. Virtually everyone has at least some valid points to make in any given discussion, and thus the vast majority of the cast is sympathetic and relatable. The overall tone of the show is appropriately serious for the most part, but still has a lot of comic relief and heartwarming moments, so it stays relatively lighthearted, all things considered.
If I had to identify a flaw with the series, it's that there are some plot threads that aren't fully expanded on, such as a photo showing a young Yoshino as Queen, thus suggesting she'd been to Manoyama as a child. That said, while the ending leaves a few things hanging, it wouldn't be realistic to resolve all of Manoyama's issues in a year. By the end of the show, the main characters have found new purpose in their lives, and the campaign to help the town has had mixed success, so anything can happen in the future.
In conclusion, Sakura Quest is an unlikely concept with a surprisingly successful execution, and I recommend it to anime fans who are looking for something different from the norm.