Hi, it's Akko: A thorough review of the fascinating characters and the depth of the story

"Hi, I'm Akko": A heartwarming anime about family ties and everyday joys

■Overview of the work

Hi, I'm Akko is a television anime series based on the family manga of the same name by Mitsuhashi Chikako. It aired on ABC and TV Asahi from October 12, 1988 to March 26, 1992. It was a long-running series with 163 episodes, including seven one-hour special episodes. The broadcast time was originally every Wednesday from 18:50 to 19:20, but changed to every Thursday from 19:00 to 19:30 on April 6, 1989.

■ Story

The main character, Akko, marries Junichi, a handsome classmate she fell in love with at first sight in high school, and is blessed with two children, a son, Taro, and a daughter, Hanako. This is the story of Akko's family, who enjoy their daily lives while living with her mother-in-law, Setsuko. Although Setsuko is a bit of a nagging mother-in-law, she is a kind mother-in-law who helps with raising the children. There are fights and troubles within the family, but the story depicts the family overcoming these and growing together.

■Explanation

"Hi, I'm Akko" is based on a family manga that was serialized in the Sunday edition of the Asahi Shimbun for over 20 years. The animated version depicts the daily life of the main character, Akko, from her perspective as a "housewife," and portrays the joys and suffering of family relationships and child-rearing in a realistic yet cheerful manner. The show also attempted viewer participation by soliciting stories from viewers about their experiences, which was well received by many viewers.

■Cast

• Akko: Kazue Komiya
• Setsuko: Reiko Seno
• Junichi: Kanehito Shiozawa
• Taro: Chinatsu Sakamoto
• Hanako: Satomi Koorogi
• Yukie: Tomoe Seiko
• Taichi: Koichi Kitamura

■ Main staff

• Original author: Mitsuhashi Chikako
• Director: Toshitaka Tsunoda
• Series Composition: Yu Yamamoto
• Character design: Yuko Nagahama
• Chief animation director: Kobayashi Katsutoshi
• Art director: Moritoshi Endo, Katsuyoshi Kanemura
• Music: Akiko Kosaka

■ Main Characters

• Akko: The main character of this work, whose real name is Atsuko. She is cheerful and lively, but also has a clumsy side.
• Junichi: Akko's husband. He has a gentle personality and is handsome, so he is popular with the ladies.
• Setsuko: Akko's stepmother and Junichi's mother. She has a homely and refined personality.
• Taro: Akko's first child and eldest son. After having a younger sister, he grows up to be more like an older brother.
• Hanako: Akko's second child and eldest daughter. She has a mischievous personality and is nicknamed Ha-chan.
• Yukie: Ako's mother. She's a big-hearted woman who doesn't worry about small things.
• Taichi: Ako's father. He doesn't say much but he dotes on his grandchild and loves bonsai.

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1, ED2, 4 "Sunny Then Sunny"
  • Lyricist: Akiko Kosaka
  • Composer: Akiko Kosaka
  • Arrangement: Tadashige Matsui
  • Vocals: Akiko Kosaka
• OP2 "With love from the kitchen"
  • Lyricist: Yukinojo Mori
  • Composer: Akiko Kosaka
  • Arrangement: Kazuya Matsushita
  • Vocals: Akiko Kosaka
• ED1 "Welcome Home"
  • Lyricist: Akira Ito
  • Composer: Akiko Kosaka
  • Arrangement: Tadashige Matsui
  • Vocals: Akiko Kosaka, Ushio Hashimoto
• ED3 "A quick kiss"
  • Lyricist: Akira Ito
  • Composer: Yasuo Kosugi
  • Arrangement: Saburo Makino
  • Sung by: Makiko Torikai, SHINE'S

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Hi, It's Akko" depicts the daily life of a family, but the realistic portrayal of human relationships and child-rearing in the show has resonated with viewers. In particular, the humorous and warm portrayal of the family's ties and growth as seen from the protagonist Akko's point of view has been praised. Another big attraction was the viewer participation initiative, which allowed viewers to feel like they were part of the show.

■ Background and influences

This work was created based on the original manga by Mitsuhashi Chikako. The warmth and humor of the original work was faithfully reproduced in the anime, and it gained many fans by being broadcast for a long period of time. In addition, the attempt at viewer participation influenced later anime works, and it became the trigger for a trend that emphasizes communication with the viewer.

■ Recommendation points

"Hi, I'm Akko" is a heartwarming story that depicts family ties and the joys of everyday life. There are many relatable episodes, especially for those struggling with child-rearing and family relationships, and it will provide healing and encouragement. Another appealing point is that the audience participation allows viewers to project their own experiences onto the show. It's a perfect show to watch with the whole family, and you'll enjoy episodes filled with laughs and tears.

Related information

The original manga for "Hi, I'm Akko" was serialized in the Sunday edition of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, and many books have been published. The anime has also been released on DVD and Blu-ray, making it a must-have item for fans. In addition, many related goods and character songs have been released, allowing you to enjoy the world of the work even more deeply.

■ Summary

"Hi, It's Akko" is a heartwarming anime that depicts the daily life of a family. From the perspective of the main character Akko, the family ties and growth are depicted with humor and realism, which has resonated with many viewers. The viewer participation element is also a big attraction, making it a perfect work to watch with the whole family. Please enjoy this heartwarming story.