 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
For a first episode, this was a really enjoyable watch. With clean animation, the slow but steady pacing of the story, and the variety of unique characters, could make this a definite watch for this season. Although this series is based on a 4koma manga, the way it flows doesn’t make it seem that way. With that slice of life element, it definitely feels like something similar to ARIA, but focused on drawing rather than being an undine.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Impressions
At first I thought this would be something along the lines of Hidamari Sketch, but in fact, I think it’s better. Hidamari Sketch has that quirkiness about it that at times, even felt like an acid trip, where as Sketch Book is much more simpler. In this episode we follow Kajiwara Sora, who I assume is the main girl, and her quest to draw a cat’s paw. But throughout the episode, we get to see a part of her daily life at school and how well established her friendship is with Natsumi and Hazuki, but as well as the other characters of the series and their interests in drawing.
With the same staff as ARIA working on Sketch Book, I can see this being one of the favourite shows of this season. Even though it’s too early to say how well Sketch Book will go, but with the impressions I get from just the first episode, it’s looking good. More so that if the quality of the show continues like this, can you imagine when ARIA The Origination comes out? Also I thought the Aria-shachou reference was pretty amusing.
The music I find very befitting of the series and matches well with the slow pace fo the story. No OP sequence in the first episode, but they did play the OP theme - “Kaze Sagashi” by Kiyoura Natsumi. If Hal Film Maker is gonna go ARIA style, they might no have a OP theme and just play the OP as the show continues normally. The ED by Makino Yui I’m liking very much. Her songs always seem to bring about a feeling of togetherness of friends and is very fitting of the ED sequence.
A definite watch for me this season, but I’ll see if I want to blog this or not as I already have Da Capo II for Tuesdays.
Ending Sequence:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
ED: “Sketchbook wo Motta Mama” by Makino Yui
Preview:
 |
 |
 |
This looks really good–I just hope it gets more love from fansubbers than Hidamari Sketch did.
Mmhhh looks interresting indeed. Moreover, there are Yui Makino, Ami Koshimizu and Yukari Tamura, so I must watch this show!
Didn’t notice it before, so thanks ^^
Replies to ancient posts FTW!
I have to say I’m really glad I wound up at your blog when I was searching for Animania photos, because otherwise I never would have noticed this show. I’m 9 episodes in (with the 10th scheduled to acquire tonight) and I’m loving everything about it - the music (got full length versions of OP and ED, both as good as the TV length if not better), the animation, the slow-paced plot, and the characters. I’m a fan of the cats (especially Haa-chan), and I like Kate for everything except her voice (”Ah, sou nan des kar?” Do we Westerners really sound like that to the Japanese?)
Will definitely keep up with this one for as long as they’re subbing it (and SpoonSubs has promised to, even if it takes them a while)!