3. Sketchbook ~ Full Color’s ~
It wasn’t all too long ago that I was looking forward to Winter. The frosty days, the silent and snowy nights, the warm and inviting spaces… it’s a wonderful time of year. And for seven months, it damn well better be. But when the season gets off to an especially wonderful start, it doesn’t take long before you get to yearning for scorching days, hot and muggy nights, and cool and breezy spaces. Or something in between. The fact is, after a month of snow and cold, I’m sick of freezing my ass off and wish Summer would just hurry up and get here. Then, I’ll have a reason to look forward to Winter once again.
In the mean time, I’ll just put the Sketchbook ~ Full Color’s ~ OP on repeat.
Last year, this number three spot was occupied by a show not unlike Sketchbook. In fact, the two shows are practically siblings. I should just make this the honorary “iyashikei” spot in the Year in Review and be done with it. And, just as I didn’t know what to write last year when recognizing Aria, I’m also at a loss for words with regard to Sketchbook. Both shows provoke similar feelings, but those feelings truly defy description. They’re far too ephemeral. Too ambiguous. Incomprehensible.
It’s kind of annoying. After all, I want to preach the gospel of Sketchbook to every man, woman, and child willing to listen, but the truth is, I got nothing. I don’t know how to explain Sketchbook. Sure, I can write about the quirky humor, the interesting characters, and the tidy animation. And I can write about the adorable lead, the charming stories, and the polished direction. Or I can write about the talking cats. Yes, talking cats.
But, even if I wrote about all that stuff, I don’t think I’d be able to say what I really want to say. And that is, in essence, “Go watch Sketchbook, and be happy.”
Amen.
it’s definitely a little gem that is worthy to be treasured and be placed alongside Aria or even YKK. In the mean time, we can looking forward for the new season of Aria and Hidamari Sketch. Sadly, Aria is coming to a closure soon, only 2 more chapters left.
The best word I’ve been able to come up with (and I use it to describe Haibane Renmei as well) is “gentle.”
Nothing that happens is ever earth-shattering. In five minutes everything will be back to normal. I’d like to call it “mellow.” However, that word carries a lot of extra baggage from its use by potheads that I’d rather not associate with this show.
All that said, Kate is a riot. She tries so hard, but I still find myself wincing and chuckling at the same time.
I agree about Kate… she’s one of the most amusing “look at the funny foreigner!” characters I’ve seen in anime. And she’s Canadian, of all things!
So nan des ker?
Gentle is the word. Almost soporific, yet also surprisingly engaging. The perfect soothing warm-down after an evening of mecha action.
Dammit, I missed my vocation. I should be writing the sales pitch you find on the back of tea packets.
1. Kate said some things I always wanted say but wouldn’t in fear of upsetting people. Would have been great if she said something about French as well.
2. One of the few series the whole family can enjoy.
I think “watch Sketchbook, be happy” is about the size of any preaching you need do. It’s adorable and it makes you feel damned good inside.
“Watch Sketchbook and see the family resemblance to Aria” is pretty effective as a sales technique, too.
As other people have put it, Sketchbook is one of those rare shows that I can just watch, relax, and be at peace with the world, which makes it special. And it makes me want to go our exploring. :/
I really like Sketchbook. It is a sweet anime show. I like the cats because they are very funny.
^_^
\o\ Aria
/o/ Sketchbook
It’s like sea slugs and sea cucumbers, folks.
This is one show I’d say out right that some people (like Jeff) will overrate. It’s really kind of average.
Yeah, Sketchbook is totally and completely overrated. Because everyone and their companion cubes are lambasting the normalcy and slow-ass pleasantries the show tries to portray. No human in their right mind lives like that, all complacent and shit! High-school doesn’t exist. Nor do cats. And drawing is futile.
People like me should stop watching it, because even if it really is an extremely average anime, it’s somehow nostalgic even though I’m not from nor have lived in Japan.
Stuff should blow up, right? Like those goddamn exploding barrels in every freaking first-person shooter.
Yes, it’s totally overrated.
I’m being sarcastic. I like the show.
FWIW, Aria >> Sketchbook.
I agree that I’m much more in love with Aria than I ever will be with Sketchbook. If I could marry Aria and father its children, I would. But a one night stand with Aria’s little sister is fine, too. That’s what Aria gets for going out of town for a year and leaving me all alone.
That said, I hope Aria will forgive me. I’m a weak man.
/me suddenly thinks of Billy Joel’s “She’s Always A Woman”. :P
Sketchbook isn’t overrated in my heart at least (Yes ARIA is ever more wonderful~). :3
I really love Sketchbook when I’m watching it, but when an episode ends it barely leaves an impression. Okay, so I’m exagerrating a little, however, as much as I like the show (mainly the supporting characters) I don’t even think this would dent my top ten of anime this year.
I loved the character designs for this show, but found the show proper so incredibly boring. I quit after 1 ep. I guess I can only appreciate these shows if they feature middle-schoolers who are deities, or something.
Does slice-of-life very well. I think it is a touching experience, even though though the substance is a bit abstract. Love it though!
I absolutley love this show, the music, the art, the characters, everything is just perfect. Definetley one of my highlights from 2007.
well, for those who limit theirselves on anime genres, I don’t mind ^_^”
but for me, everytime I watch these episodes, It completes my day :D It almost give you a ” smile ” every episode, because you are what somehow connected/related on that scenery ^_^”
that’s why ” slice-of-life ” really do a part of anime industry :D and yet, as others say ” a little preciuous gem that you can treasure it :D ”
can’t describe exactly what I feel watching this anime * other than ARIA *
:D
~ ENJOY!