I watched Amanchu (both seasons and the OVA). Here are my thoughts:
For those unaware, this anime's source manga has the same mangaka as the more well-known Aria series.
The anime is (superficially) focused on diving but I feel that the activity is just a suitable allegory for the true character-driven story. Superficially it's a SoL show, but it is steeped heavily in romance. I was not expecting yuri romance going into this but I welcome it with open arms.
Romantic. So romantic. The two main characters have great chemistry. Romance is probably the strongest aspect of this anime. There are so many elegantly crafted romantic scenes.
Very nice character designs, especially the faces. I like the school outfits - they're unique (although apparently an homage to Aria?). Actually all of the outfits in the series are really cute.
Good character animation sometimes. Not consistent but it is good when it counts like during close-up scenes. Some episodes are more sloppy than others in this regard. The cinematography during some scenes can be quite nice.
Nice setting. Nice atmosphere. Very relaxing. Soft and sweet. I can practically smell the salty ocean air as I watch this anime. Setting and atmosphere are definitely strong aspects of this show. Very immersive. The setting is the classic coastal Japan that you've probably seen before, but nevertheless it is executed very well.
The OST is decent, depending on your tastes. It mainly consists of acoustic string instruments. It fits the setting well. All the OP and ED songs are good too. Generally speaking, I liked the voice acting of the two main characters, although sometimes Hikari has some mildly annoying quirks. The script can be surprisingly thoughtful sometimes, particularly during more-emotional scenes.
The two redhead sibling characters are kind of weak and drag down a lot of scenes they're in. They are somewhat unlikable and often used for unfunny humour. I found myself dreading their appearance on screen. These two characters are probably the most significant flaw of the anime. That said, they don't really soak up that much screentime, so this is a fairly minor criticism. Generally speaking, Amanchu is at its best when it is focused exclusively on the two main characters.
Overall the romantic aspects of the anime are terrific but strictly as a SoL it is comparatively weaker (although still good in this respect too). The diving scenes are pretty nice, as are the various activities around town, but many scenes are steeped in some kind of underlying character-related drama, so it often doesn't really function as a typical comfy SoL. This is more than fine with me and I really enjoyed the anime, but it's important for the viewer to set their expectations accordingly.
One 'complaint' I have about the anime is that it introduced a few new characters during the latter half of season 2. These characters seemed really promising to me and it was somewhat disappointing that there wasn't enough time to give them more attention. This is a perennial issue with manga adaptations though. Things are rarely tied up neatly - Amanchu is no exception to this. The introduction of these promising new characters late in season 2 impeded the feeling of finality I might have felt at the end of the anime. On the other hand, this has also amplified my desire to read the manga. This kind of thing comes with the manga-adaptation territory. It would be more of an issue for an anime that is more plot-heavy than Amanchu. It's also worth noting that the ending of season 1 was handled really well and left me feeling very satisfied.
Adrian Brown
My overall rating: 8/10 Some of the best girl-girl romance I've seen in a while, and it's wrapped up in a nice soft and relaxing atmosphere. Very pleasant.
This show seems to be underappreciated/underviewed by fans of shoujo ai. If you like yuri romance then I strongly recommend watching this. On the other hand, someone who doesn't enjoy yuri romance would probably find this anime slightly boring, which might explain the show's lukewarm reception.
I should mention that, at the time of writing this, I have not yet seen or read Aria. I expect that I'd enjoy it though.
I haven't been able to find the specials for this anywhere so unfortunately I have not seen them yet.
ADDENDUM: I was not aware of the yuri/hetero controversy when I wrote this. I have since been informed. Doesn't change my opinion of the anime though.
the yuribait shit was pushed really hard in the anime for some reason which is odd considering the mangaka isn't that fond of yuri. heard the /u/ group stopped scanlating it because it went into /ss/ territory.
Sebastian Fisher
You can't even utter the word Amanchu on /u/ without people losing their minds
I really want to like Amanchu, but it keeps gradually getting worse with each episode onward. The first season is fine on its own, with the first 4 episodes being really damn good, but season 2 was just not what I signed up for.
Asher Sullivan
Didn't watch past season 1. OVA was better than most of the first season. Line art was done very well (one of the earlier 1080p native shows) and the character designs were distinctive. Character chemistry was alright I guess. Didn't care that the activity was a gimmick for the SoL (which wasn't well done). One of Sato's few stinkers. Didn't help that there was some pretty massive expectations for both the director and the mangaka going on.
Ryan Bennett
I think there was a broad trend of the show not providing what people expected in many ways
Further straying away from the scuba diving, as well as excessive new cast members.
Parker Brooks
As you probably read, I had similar feelings about all the new characters in season 2.
Christian Morris
The problem is, probably, similar for all people who hated S2, but I had to check whether there were any diving scenes in S2, and sure, first few episodes had it, but as I remembered it, there were none, with such a big emphasis on school festival with its stupid dream and whatever the other city festival was. I want girls doing stuff in wetsuits, not drama with loli/shota misunderstandings.
I generally liked Amanchu. Wasn't as good as Aria, but that's a high bar to clear.
Amanchu isn't a sports show, and it's not like Aria focused much on the act of gondola rowing either. I can understand maybe being a bit disappointed that there wasn't more diving, but S2 just seems to get a pretty vitriolic level of hate that isn't justified.
Ditto with the dream arc, that's par for the course for Amano.
Asher Allen
Little faggot kid ruined it
Samuel Foster
Stop fucking posting your reviews on Zig Forums, mate.
Luis Diaz
Your tears are delicious even 2-3 years later.
Angel Martinez
First, I always wanted to read it when I saw it in the bookshops but in the end I never did, and when thzy released the anime I was hyped like crazy because I would have finally meet this story. I really liked the first season but sadly the second one not really. The yuri was way too present and that annoyed me a lot plus the story wasn't really moving forward, in the end in 12 episodes of the second season we barely seen nothing. But the first season was a typical SoL, with everything I like in it except the yuri. It wasn't really showing this side and that's why I liked it. First season: 8/10 Second season: 4/10
Brayden Anderson
Don't be rude to yurisisters.
Adrian Lewis
>Hurr durr you no like anime so that means you cry.
fuck off, faggot.
Sebastian Flores
>ablobloblo but my purest form of love You're just hysterical at this point
yuri was a major aspect of the anime's appeal, for me.
Nathaniel Rodriguez
>yuri Imagine being this brainwashed.
Nicholas Davis
the anime was objectively gay as hell. even people who don't like yuri agree.
Oliver White
I don't like /u/fags, but this is basically the epitome of "rent free". They are friends. Girls can be good friend with girls. Boys can be good friends with boys. Stop making everything sexual in your dumbass head.
