Azuki-chan Season 1: What is the appeal of this soothing anime filled with cuteness and humor?

Azukichan Season 1 - Azukichan - Reviews and Recommendations

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 4, 1995 - March 17, 1998・NHK/April 4, 1995 - March 17, 1998

■Broadcasting station

Broadcast: NHK General TV

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 39

■Original Story

・Original work: Yasushi Akimoto

■ Director

・Director: Masayuki Kojima

■ Production

Animation Production: Madhouse

■Works

© Yasushi Akimoto, Chika Kimura, Kodansha / NHK, NEP

■ Story

The main character, Noyama Azuki, is an elementary school girl. Everyone calls her "Azuki." In April of her fifth year, a boy named Ogasawara Yuunosuke transfers to her class. From the moment she meets him, Azuki's heart starts beating faster whenever she thinks about him. Could this be love?

■Explanation

In the original work, the story follows the protagonist Azusa from fifth grade to her graduation from junior high school, but in the anime version, she repeats a year in fifth grade and does not advance to the next grade. While the anime version is based on the original episodes, it also has many episodes that delve deeper into the original story and character relationships. This allows viewers to feel Azusa's growth, friendship, and the complexities of love more deeply. In addition, since it was broadcast on NHK, it was a work that the whole family could enjoy, and it was loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

■Cast

・Azuki/Yukana Nogami・Yunosuke/Kazunari Miyazaki・Kaoru/Taeko Kawada・Jidama/Rika Matsumoto・Yoko/Rei Sakuma・Ken-chan/Mitsuaki Madono・Makoto/Norio Tsukui・Daizu/Etsuko Kozakura・Azuki's mother/Yuko Minaguchi・Azuki's father/Kunihiko Yasui

■ Main staff

・Original work: Yasushi Akimoto, Chika Kimura・Director: Masayuki Kojima・Series composition, script: Shunichi Yukimuro・Character design: Yoshiaki Kawajiri・Art: Shigeyo Uehara・Sound director: Yota Tsuruoka・Music: Akira Tsuji・Animation producer: Satoshi Yoshimoto・Production supervisors: Hideo Ihara, Yasuko Uchizawa, Kiminori Sato・Producer: Eizo Kondo

■ Main Characters

・Azuki, commonly known as Azuki-chan. Born August 30th (Virgo), blood type A. The eldest daughter of the Noyama family, in the fifth grade of elementary school. Although she can be a bit clumsy, she is a very serious girl with average grades and average athletic ability. She is not good at the recorder. When she advances to the fifth grade, she falls in love at first sight with Yunosuke, who has transferred to the school.
Yunosuke is a fifth-grader at elementary school. Born on July 23rd, blood type O. He is Azusa's classmate. He transfers to Azusa's school from the private school Mincho Gakuen Elementary School when he advances to the fifth grade. His hobbies are soccer and video games. He is tall and has excellent athletic ability.
Kaoru is a fifth-grader in elementary school. Born December 29th, blood type O. She is Azusa's classmate and best friend. She is shy and doesn't show her true colors, but she has a strong core. Her mother runs a beauty salon at home, so she is very knowledgeable about fashion. She is a crybaby.
・Jidama's real name is Midori Kodama. Azusa's classmate and best friend, she is an elementary school student but acts as a guardian and older sister to Azusa and Kaoru. Born on June 6th. She is commonly known as "Jidama", which is the on-reading of the character "子" in her surname. She was raised by her grandmother in place of her busy mother. She is an abnormal grandma's boy, and openly claims to hate men. She has a good physique and is good at sports.
Yoko is a beautiful young lady who is selfish and overconfident. She was born on May 9th and is blood type AB. She has long, silky hair and is admired by many girls. She is also an attention seeker and often causes trouble in a different way to Ken and Makoto.
Ken-chan's real name is Takayanagi Ken. Azusa's classmate and childhood friend. Born on October 28th, blood type B. A shy and innocent baseball boy. His trademark is a baseball cap, which he wears even during class. He says that his dream is to become a professional baseball player, and although he is on a baseball team, he also spends his time playing games and reading manga, and has no intention of devoting himself entirely to baseball.
A classmate of Makoto and Azusa, and a friend of Ken. Born on May 5th, blood type AB. Currently, he seems to be sloppy and aimless, spending every day just playing around, but in the past he had good grades and was said to have always been at the top of running races. The reason for his change has never been revealed, but this gives the impression that he is an elusive boy whose thoughts are unclear.
Daizu Azusa's younger brother, a first-grader in elementary school. He is more open-minded and carefree than his older sister, Azusa, and has a friendly personality. He seems to like his older sister, Azusa, and often teases and jokes with her in an attempt to get her attention. He usually doesn't knock when entering Azusa's room, which gets him scolded by Azusa every time, but he doesn't mind.
Azusa's mother, who has an impressive gentle tone of voice. She is a full-time housewife. She and Azusa have a sister-like relationship, and they get along well and often share secrets. However, she is not completely independent, and she can be strict and scold Azusa when she gets too selfish.
Azuki's father Azusa's father. He is the head of the student affairs department at the university. He wears glasses and looks a little unreliable, but he also has a surprisingly stubborn side. Although he has a generally calm personality, he can also stop talking if there is something he doesn't like.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Spring is in full swing! Azuki's love is the color of cherry blossoms Episode 2: Secret! The eraser spell Episode 3: Big confession! The person I like Episode 4: Shock! A tearful sports day Episode 5: Excitement! Yunosuke is coming to my house?
・Episode 6: I'm in a hurry! The multiple-job scramble ・Episode 7: A clear May day! A two-shot in the mist?
Episode 8: Really? Our rival is Jidama!!
・Episode 9 / Wanted? The Kataomoi Tomodachi Club ・Episode 10 / Secret! Is Yunosuke a snail?
Episode 11/Heart-pounding ♥ First DateEpisode 12/Jealousy! Look Back, Yunosuke-kunEpisode 13/A Man's Secret!? Ken-chan at the Beauty SalonEpisode 14/A Request! A Wish on TanabataEpisode 15/The Beginning ♥ Love's Exchange DiaryEpisode 16/Delicious!? Shrimp Fried with Soy SauceEpisode 17/A Woman's Will!? Duel Octopus ParkEpisode 18/Summer News! A Love Letter Left UnexpectedEpisode 19/Mom's Secret! Memories of First LoveEpisode 20/Spicy! Love Delivery Tastes Like RamenEpisode 21/Prank! A Scary and Happy School TripEpisode 22/Why? A Forgotten BirthdayEpisode 23/Oh No! The Exchange Diary EndsEpisode 24/Grandpa! Believing in Yunosuke-kun・Episode 25 / Do your best! Tomo-chan's first date・Episode 26 / Looking for autumn!? Separate grape picking・Episode 27 / Oh no! I hate Yunosuke-kun・Episode 28 / Fiery rivals! Ken-chan vs. Yunosuke-kun・Episode 29 / I don't want to show you! My lazy dad・Episode 30 / Big crisis! The three best friends・Episode 31 / Tearful heroine! Who are the glass slippers?・Episode 32 / Surprise!? Who is the fake couple?・Episode 33 / First reveal ♥ Kaoru-chan's love story・Episode 34 / Surprise! The first kiss in a dream・Episode 35 / Secret! Where do babies come from?・Episode 36 / Shocking!! Jidama's love story・Episode 37 / Tears! The only present・Episode 38 / It's cold! Alone on Christmas Episode 39: Goodbye! The diary exchange between the two

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
"You're lovely."
Lyrics by Nobuhiro Aku, Composition by Takuji Miki, Arrangement by RAZZ MA TAZZ and Yu Imai, Vocals by RAZZ MA TAZZ
・ED1
"dawn"
Lyrics by Nobuhiro Aku, Composition by Takuji Miki, Arrangement by RAZZ MA TAZZ and Yu Imai, Vocals by RAZZ MA TAZZ
・ED2
"Let's walk."
Lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto Music by Ikuro Fujiwara Arrangement by Ikuro Fujiwara Vocals by Azusa Noyama and IM
"Azuki-chan!"
Lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto, Music by Kaori Nishina, Arrangement by Ikuro Fujiwara, Sung by Azusa Noyama

■Review

"Azuki-chan" is an anime series that aired on NHK from 1995 to 1998 and is based on the manga of the same name by Yasushi Akimoto. The series follows the protagonist Azuki Noyama as she repeats a year in her fifth year of elementary school, depicting her growth, friendships, and romance. While the anime version is based on the original episodes, it also has many episodes that delve deeper into the original story and relationships between characters. This allows viewers to feel the complexity of Azuki's growth, friendships, and romance on a deeper level. Also, because it was broadcast on NHK, it was a series that the whole family could enjoy, and it was loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

The charm of Azuki-chan lies above all in its characters. The main character, Azuki, is a very ordinary girl who is a bit clumsy but earnest, with average grades and average athletic ability. Her feelings of love, friendships, and relationships with her family are portrayed realistically, allowing viewers to feel her growth along with them. In addition, characters with unique personalities such as Yunosuke, Kaoru, Jidama, Yoko, Ken-chan, Makoto, and Daizu add excitement to the story. Their friendships, romance, and relationships with their families are also portrayed in depth, allowing viewers to share in their growth and worries.

The anime version has many episodes that are based on the original work, but that delve deeper into their own stories and character relationships. For example, in episode 1, "Springtime! Azuki's Love is Cherry Blossom-Colored," Azuki falls in love with Yunosuke at first sight. This scene is an important episode in the original work, but is depicted in more detail in the anime version, allowing viewers to feel Azuki's love more deeply. Also, in episode 2, "Secret! The Eraser Spell," Azuki tries to keep her feelings for Yunosuke a secret from her friends. This scene is also depicted briefly in the original work, but is depicted in more detail in the anime version, allowing viewers to feel the complexity of Azuki's friendship and love more deeply.

The anime version also features many episodes that were not depicted in the original work. For example, episode 3, "A Big Confession! The One I Like," depicts the scene where Azuki confesses her feelings to Yunosuke. This scene was not depicted in the original work, but is depicted in detail in the anime version, allowing viewers to feel Azuki's courage and love more deeply. Also, episode 4, "Shock! A Tears-Filled Sports Day," depicts the scene where Azuki loses to Yunosuke. This scene was also not depicted in the original work, but is depicted in detail in the anime version, allowing viewers to feel Azuki's frustration and growth more deeply.

Furthermore, the anime version delves deeper into the relationships between characters that are not depicted in the original work. For example, episode 5, "Heart-pounding! Will Yunosuke-kun come to my house?", depicts a scene in which Azuki invites Yunosuke to her house. This scene is not depicted in the original work, but is depicted in detail in the anime version, allowing viewers to feel a deeper sense of the relationship between Azuki and Yunosuke. Also, episode 6, "I'm in a hurry! Multiple-role scramble," depicts a scene in which Azuki goes on a date with Yunosuke. This scene is also not depicted in the original work, but is depicted in detail in the anime version, allowing viewers to feel a deeper sense of the progression of Azuki and Yunosuke's love.

The anime version is based on the original story, but there are many episodes that delve deeper into the original story and character relationships. This allows viewers to feel Azuki's growth, friendship, and the complexities of love more deeply. Also, since it is broadcast on NHK, it is a work that the whole family can enjoy, and it is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

■Recommendation

"Azuki-chan" is a work that is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults. In particular, the episodes that depict love, friendship, and family relationships leave a deep impression on viewers. Also, while the anime version is based on the original episodes, there are many episodes that delve deeper into the original story and character relationships. This allows viewers to feel Azuki's growth, friendship, and the complexities of love more deeply. Furthermore, since it is broadcast on NHK, it is a work that the whole family can enjoy, and it is a work that is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults. Please give it a watch.