Anime Review: Hidamari Sketch series

Are you the Lucky Star fan? Never really bothered to feel like watching hardcore anime and just felt like watching anything that would give you a little "lulz?" Like art? Or perhaps...Shaft anime? Then Hidamari Sketch would probably be the kinda of anime you'd want to watch.

For an anime to be somewhat like a "Lucky Star Replacement," Hidamari Sketch is probably the one that would the best choice to watch. The series has gone on for three seasons already, each including with their own OVAs, and some specials. Shaft's animation artwork also really brings the anime alive as well for a "real-life" anime. So it doesn't seems as boring as some anime of that similar genre.

In the first anime, Hidamari Sketch, the main story is about a girl named Yuno, who just moved and arrived at Hidamari Apartments to attend her new high school, Yamabuki Arts High School. It was her dream to attend there and the people she meets in Hidamari Apartments become her new friends, Miyako, Sae, and Hiro. You could probably say that they eventually become like sisters more than close neighbors once they all get along. You'll notice very quickly that there's a very nice, but very eccentric teacher in the school named Yoshinoya, who is also almost always scolded by the high school principal by her behaviors and her cosplays. You'll also learn about Sae's past friend, Natsume, and Sae's little sister by time.

In the second anime, Hidamari Sketch x365, the story continues from last season, where Yuno's dream was to attend Yamabuki Arts High School. Now this is her life during her school year. No new people debut in this season. This is just a continuation of the first season.

In the next season, Hidamart Sketch xHoshimitsu (or x Three Stars,) the story changes where a year has passed already and the group has moved up a year in high school. There are also new characters in the apartment, Nazuna and Nori. The veteran group welcomes them with open arms and they eventually all become best friends like before.

One thing good about the Hidamari Sketch series is that even if you take a long break from watching it, you can still watch the next episode much later and still not feel lost. That's how a "real-life" genre should be like. There's no rumor yet whether or not that this anime is officially over, so there's a tiny chance for a 4th season. I think it's a good real-life anime to watch. I give Hidamari Sketch a 4.7 out of 5, Hidamari Sketch x365 a 4.8 out of 5, and Hidamari Sketch xHoshimitsu and 4.8 out of 5.

- Nathan Maruyama