Hidamari Sketch - Season 1

Under normal circumstances, Hidamari Sketch would be a pleasant and slightly above-average slice-of-life story about a group of girls attending an art school and living in a dormitory. The girls are likable, and the teacher is absolutely adorable, but the overall premise isn't groundbreaking. What sets Hidamari Sketch apart and makes it unforgettable is its visual execution. Hailing from the Shaft studio, a name synonymous with distinctive animation in the anime community, Hidamari Sketch embodies the essence of "shaftism." Packed with typical Shaft expressive techniques and animation style, the series boasts a truly unique and irreplaceable atmosphere, exuding a strong personality that lingers in your mind. Not everyone may appreciate it, though. The way the series plays with details, backgrounds, and colors – sometimes looking incredibly cheap and other times beautifully and elaborately done – or how the authors incorporate real objects into animated shots can leave some viewers perplexed. The unconventional editing might make people stare, or shake their heads, but the undeniable creativity and originality are hard to overlook. Moreover, many of these artistic choices make sense; as a seasoned anime viewer, I usually understand why a particular detail is there and why there is hardly any background in a specific scene. Perhaps it's because I've seen a lot of anime, including quite a bit from Shaft, so my brain is used to it, and more importantly, enjoys it. I appreciate the storytelling style as well; the episodic jumps between different school days without much continuity strike me as a great idea. In short, thanks to these aspects, what would have been a slightly above-average and likable slice-of-life transforms into something great, crazy, and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed it, recognizing that this series isn't for everyone, and I would gladly dive into the next season. 8/10. (10.01.2024)