+ | N o v a s t o r m | +

Studio: J.C. Staff
OP: “Hikari no Kisetsu” by Suara
ED: “Sweet Home Song” by Yuumao
Official Site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/asatteno/

Impressions:

Not something I would’ve watched if not for recommendations from other blogs. I didn’t expect it to be much; it just looked like a slice of life story between a mother and her child, but that’s not it. The episode was actually much better than I thought, concerning both story and animation. I didn’t realise it’s being done by JC Staff until after watching it, and now I know why the quality was pretty good. I especially liked the light colours and backgrounds used, as opposed to sharp, detailed backgrounds with strong, high contrast colours. That is good but it doesn’t suit this kind of anime. The bright colouring makes it feel very much like a slice of life that’s not too dramatic or sad or anything. The character design was pretty good, and I wonder if this is what Honey and Clover looked like as I never saw it.

For the entire episode save the last few minutes, the main focus was introducing the characters and getting to know them. By this first episode it is quite clear how some of the supporting characters are (such as Tetsuya, the classmate and his mother), though the main characters’ real selves remain a mystery. Hiro seems to be the caring brother type, but he did leave his girlfriend without telling her anything. That is a bit harsh, just making off like that and never contacting her. Both Karada and Shouko’s personalities are pretty apparent, but now that they have ’swapped’, that has become a whole new story. It will be interesting to see how the two turn out after such a shocking occurrence, and everyone else’s. How will Tetsuya act, who seems to like Karada, when he sees that she has become older than him? And what will happen with Hiro? Who knows…and that’s what makes this story interesting.

At the end of the episode, Karada and Shouko swap ages. Karada becomes a woman while Shouko turns into a child. It seems that this is the result of both wishing for the same thing plus some form of added catalyst. That doesn’t matter, what does matter is what happens from now on. Honestly, I had no idea how old both Tetsuya and Karada were until it was revealed they were both in year 6. Tetsuya looks far too old to be a grade schooler and Karada looks more like a kindergartener. I guess age/maturity is a big issue in this anime. I wonder if both Karada and Shouko will retain their original mind after they change. Will Karada still have the mind of an 11 or 12 year old and vice versa with Shouko. From the looks of the preview, it seems both are going to get a major personality change. So…I guess this is my realistic anime for the season? If you count out the wish granting thing…

OP:

Screencaps:

ED:

Story:

Asatte no Houkou is about a young girl who wishes to grow up (or at least look older) and a woman who wishes to be a child again, to restart her life. And one day, their wishes are granted…(which means the two girls literally change; the young girl, Karada, becomes a woman and the woman, Shouko, becomes a child).

Plot Outline:

- Shouko Nogami arrives at her new home and sees a young girl (Karada) praying on the side of the road
- After asking the girl what she is praying for and being told it’s a secret, she decides to make a wish as well
- A appears down the road who turns out to be Karada’s older brother, Hiro
- The next day, Karada, Hiro, Shouko and two friends head to the beach for a day out
- At the end of the day, Hiro buys a pair of ribbons for Karada, but Shouko says they look childish
- At night, Hiro sends Karada home as he talks with Shouko
- It is revealed Shouko was once Hiro’s girlfriend, but he left her suddenly four years ago to look after Karada
- The two get into a fight and Shouko walks off after slapping Hiro
- Shouko sees Karada praying again and approaches her
- When the moon rises, Karada suddenly becomes grown and Shouko a child

Preview:

Popularity: 5% [?]