The appeal and reviews of "To the North": An anime experience that follows an emotional journey

"To the North": A moving story about the youth and dreams of Hokkaido

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

game

■ Broadcast period

January 20, 2004 - April 6, 2004 TV Hokkaido January 13, 2004 - March 30, 2004 (Episodes 1-12) Every Tuesday 26:00-26:30

■Broadcasting station

TV Hokkaido, AT-X, etc.

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

Prince Hiroi

■ Director

Bob White Flag

■ Production

Animation Production: Studio Deen Production: Project DDD

■Works

©2004 HUDSON SOFT/RED/Project DDD

■ Story

The person I want to meet is surely under that sky...

The harsh cold of winter and the refreshing comfort of summer. Hokkaido, the northern land that everyone longs to visit at least once. This is a youth story that is spun while making use of the setting and worldview of the original popular game software "Kita e. ~Diamond Dust~".

*Quoted from Bandai Channel

■Explanation

A pure story unfolds, focusing on each of the six heroines who also appear in the game.

※Quoted from d Anime Store

■Cast

・Atsuko Akanegi/Eriko Ishihara/Karin Shiraishi/Yuko Takahashi/Kyoko Asahina/Mamiko Noto/Suomi Kitano/Mayu Amase/Shoko Saibaraku/Rei Takano/Akari Harada/Akino Watanabe

■ Main staff

・Original story by Hiroi Oji ・Director by Bob Shirahata ・Series composition by Yamaguchi Ryota ・Character design by NOCCHI
・Character design: Michinori Chiba ・Art directors: Toshihisa Koyama, Shin Watanabe ・Color setting: Shinji Matsumoto ・Director of photography: Shinyo Kondo ・Editor: Masahiro Matsumura ・Sound director: Katsuyoshi Kobayashi ・Music: Takehiko Gokita ・Producers: Shun Shimizu, Satoshi Fujita, Taketomo Oguri, Norimitsu Urasaki, Keiji Hamada ・Animation production: Studio Deen ・Production: Project DDD

■ Main Characters

The poster girl for the Akanegi Fresh Fish Shop in the Hakodate morning market. 20 years old. Cheerful, caring, and competitive. Although she is a reliable person, she tends to look for her father in men and has a tendency to be a bit of a daddy's girl.
Karin Shiraishi is a 15-year-old girl whose family is in Tokyo, but who is currently hospitalized in Kitami for spontaneous pneumothorax. Her older brother, who attends university, looks after her. She has a bright personality, but tends to become depressed due to her long-term treatment.
Kyoko Asahina A woman who belongs to the Cinema Research Club at a university in Sapporo. She is 21 years old. She has won many newcomer awards in film magazines. She is a tomboy with a strong sense of ability, but she actually has a sensitive side.
Kitano Suomi is a beautiful half-Japanese girl who is homestaying with her aunt in Asahikawa. She is 17 years old. Influenced by her father, she speaks fluent Japanese, but her mysterious way of speaking often confuses those around her.
A popular female DJ on Sapporo's FM radio program "Cappuccino Break." She is 28 years old. As a DJ, she values ​​the bond with her listeners, but she also feels a little bit of pressure.
A high school girl who works part-time at the Japanese sweets shop "Ryuan" in Obihiro to support her family. She is 17 years old. She works well, but her clumsiness and stage fright are her flaws. Her dream is to become a sweets shop owner.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Hakodate, Atsuko Akanegi, Part 1 Episode 2: Hakodate, Atsuko Akanegi, Part 2 Episode 3: Kitami, Karin Shiraishi, Part 1 Episode 4: Kitami, Karin Shiraishi, Part 2 Episode 5: Sapporo, Kyoko Asahina, Part 1 Episode 6: Sapporo, Kyoko Asahina, Part 2 Episode 7: Asahikawa, Suomi Kitano Episode 8: Sapporo, Rakusho Saibaraku, Part 1 Episode 9: Sapporo, Rakusho Saibaraku, Part 2 Episode 10: Obihiro, Akari Harada, Part 1 Episode 11: Obihiro, Akari Harada, Part 2 Final Episode: Diamond Dust Drops

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
Hop Step Jump Lyrics: Hiroi Oji Composition: Ike Takeshi Arrangement: Ike Takeshi Singer: Five Spirits (Ishihara Eriko, Watanabe Akino, Takahashi Yuko, Noto Mamiko, Amase Mayu)

・ED1
・I want to see you ~Love Theme from Kita e.~
Lyrics: Hiroi Oji Composition: Gokita Takehiko Arrangement: Gokita Takehiko Singer: ALLEY:A

The appeal and evaluation of "Kita e."

"Kita e" is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired in 2004, based on the popular game "Kita e ~Diamond Dust~" by Hiroi Oji. This work is a moving story that depicts the beautiful scenery of Hokkaido and the youth and dreams of the people who live there. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and evaluation of the work, as well as recommended points.

Beautiful scenery of Hokkaido

One of the biggest attractions of "Kita e" is that the story unfolds against the backdrop of Hokkaido's beautiful scenery. The harsh cold of winter and the refreshing comfort of summer are depicted, allowing viewers to enjoy the scenery of Hokkaido throughout the four seasons. Each episode depicts the scenery of a different region, such as Hakodate's morning market, Sapporo's cityscape, Kitami's snowy landscape, Asahikawa's nature, and Obihiro's rural landscape, and the visual beauty enhances the story.

Heroines with unique personalities

In this work, six unique heroines weave their own stories. Each of the six, Atsuko Akanegi, Karin Shiraishi, Kyoko Asahina, Suomi Kitano, Shoko Saibara, and Akari Harada, has a different background and dream, and by following their lives, viewers can experience a wide range of emotions. Their growth, conflicts, and progress toward their dreams will inspire and move many viewers.

An inspiring story

The story of "To the North" is a moving one that depicts the brilliance and sadness of youth. Each episode depicts important moments in the heroines' lives, allowing the audience to share their joys and sorrows. In particular, the final episode, "Diamond Dust Drops," brings the stories of the six heroines to an emotional climax. This episode is sure to leave a deep impression on viewers.

The appeal of music

The music in this work is also one of its great attractions. The opening theme, "Hop Step Jump," is a bright and cheerful song by Five Spirits that lifts the hearts of viewers. The ending theme, "Aitai ~Love Theme from Kita e~," is a moving song with the beautiful voice of ALLEY:A and composition by Takehiko Gokita, which serves to further deepen the emotion of the story. Takehiko Gokita's music is also used effectively throughout the play, bringing out the emotions of the viewer.

Staff and cast reviews

The production staff of "Kita e" succeeded in developing an original story while faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work. The skills and passion of each staff member, such as director Bob Shirahata, series composer Yamaguchi Ryota, and character designer Chiba Michinori, are reflected in the work. The cast also firmly portrayed the personalities of each heroine, leaving a deep impression on viewers. In particular, the performances of the voice actors, such as Ishihara Eriko as Akanegi Atsuko, Takahashi Yuko as Shiraishi Karin, and Noto Mamiko as Asahina Kyoko, were highly praised.

Viewer reactions and ratings

"To the North" was well received by many viewers when it was first broadcast. In particular, the beautiful scenery of Hokkaido and the moving storyline were highly praised, and many fans were born. The stories and music of each heroine, as well as the moving climax of the final episode, were particularly popular among viewers. Fans of the original game also seemed satisfied with the new interpretation and development of the anime version.

Recommended points

"To the North" is a recommended work for the following reasons:

• Hokkaido's beautiful scenery : Enjoy the scenery of Hokkaido in every season.
• Heroines with unique personalities : You can empathize with the personalities and growth of the six heroines.
• A moving story : Enjoy a moving story that depicts the brilliance and sadness of youth.
• The appeal of music : The music in the opening, ending and throughout the film enhances the emotions of the viewer.
• Evaluation of the staff and cast : The staff have faithfully recreated the worldview of the original while developing an original story, and the cast's skill and passion can be felt in their portrayal of the individual characters of each heroine.

Related works and recommendations

For viewers who enjoyed "North," we also recommend the following related works:

• "ef - a tale of memories." : A moving story about youth and love, with beautiful visuals and music.
• "CLANNAD" : A touching story about family, friendship, and romance that has been popular with many viewers.
• "AIR" : A work that features beautiful scenery and a moving story that will touch the hearts of viewers.

"To the North" is a moving story that depicts the beautiful scenery of Hokkaido and the youth and dreams of its unique heroines. Viewers will empathize with and be moved by the growth and struggles of these women, as well as their progress toward their dreams. The music, staff, and cast's skill and passion also add to the appeal of the work. Please do experience this moving story for yourself.