"Tamayura" Review: A story of everyday beauty and healing

Tamayura - Tamayura -'s appeal and reviews

"Tamayuura" is an anime released as an OVA in 2010, and is an original story by director Junichi Sato. Although it is a short episode of 2 episodes, each 30 minutes long, it is known as a work that deeply moves and heals. In this article, we will introduce in detail the appeal and evaluation of "Tamayuura", as well as related works and recommended points.

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

November 26, 2010

■Release and sales

Shochiku

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 2

■Original Story

Junichi Sato

■ Director

Junichi Sato

■ Production

Produced by Hal Film Makers, Tamayura Production Committee

■Works

©Junichi Sato, TYA/Tamayura Production Committee

■ Story

"Tamayura" is a story about Kaede Sawatari, a first-year high school student who loves photography, and the everyday life and modest dreams of the people around her. Kaede, nicknamed "Potte," moved to Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, a peaceful town on the Seto Inland Sea surrounded by sea and mountains this spring. It is the town where her late father lived as a child, and Kaede has grown to love the town, surrounded by the old streets, beautiful sea and islands, warm people, and new wonderful friends. Sometimes, mayura appears in the photos Kaede takes in this town. Tamayura is a cute light that appears when Kaede's heart is floating and she is feeling happy, and it is something mysterious that makes happiness take shape. The photos make everyone feel a little happier.

■Cast

・Kaede Sawatari/Ayana Taketatsu・Kaoru Hanawa/Kana Asumi・Norie Okazaki/Yuka Iguchi・Asane Sakurada/Yuko Gibu・Riho Shihomi/Erino Hazuki・Sayomi Hanawa/Sayaka Ohara・Kaori Sawatari/Kanako Miyamoto・Momoneko/Yukari Fukui・Kaede's mother/Megumi Ogata・Kaede's grandmother/Yoshiko Matsuo・Owner of "Hoboro"/Miyu Matsuki・Owner of photo studio/Jouji Nakata

■ Main staff

・Original story, director, and series composition: Junichi Sato ・Screenplay: Reiko Yoshida ・Character design: Haruko Iizuka ・Chief animation director: Masayuki Otochi ・Art: Kenichi Tajiri ・Color design: Yoshimi Kawakami ・Music production: Flying Dog ・Music: Nobuyuki Nakajima

■ Main Characters

・Sawatari Kaede: A first-year high school student who moved to Takehara City, a town on the Seto Inland Sea, when she became a high school student. She is 145cm tall and microscopic. She has a habit of walking in a way that makes a "botte botte" sound, and sometimes she trips over due to not paying enough attention to danger. That's why she has been nicknamed "Botte." By taking photos, she wants to give shape to "happiness" and connect the hearts of the people around her. She uses a Rollei 35S, a keepsake from her father.
・Kaoru Hanawa: Kaede's childhood friend, she is always worried about Kaede and watches over her when she is in danger, but sometimes she also develops a mischievous side. Her hobby is making potpourri, and she likes to try making potpourri with unusual scents. When she goes out to a special place, she makes a new potpourri before going out. Because, just as the scent of summer lets you know that summer is coming, the scent of summer also attaches to memories.
・Okazaki Norie: A high-spirited girl. She has a big crush on Kaede's younger brother, Kaoru. She becomes friends with Kaede through Kaoru. She wants to be a pastry chef, and gives her sweets original names based on her image of him. Most of her sweets are delicious, but many of them are surprisingly high in calories. She is thin and does not gain weight no matter how much she eats.
・Sakurada Asano: She became friends with Kaede after liking her photo at the Hinomaru Photo Studio. Her family runs an inn on Osaki Shimojima Island, and she lives almost alone in an apartment in Takehara. Even after returning to her family home, she is not very friendly with the customers. She is not good at talking, so she tries to express her feelings by whistling. She sometimes whistles impromptu to match her current delicate feelings and the scenery.
・Riho Shihomi / A photographer that Kaede admires, she currently continues to take photos with the theme of "sky". When Kaede sent her a photo, she gave her a light blue ticket with no destination written on it. She occasionally holds solo exhibitions in the Seto Inland Sea, and cares about Kaede.
・Hanawa Sayomi: Kaoru's older sister and a current female college student. She likes photography, but has many other hobbies as well. She is currently into "mini-explorations of hidden places" and is exploring islands in the Seto Inland Sea. She is very caring towards her juniors, people around her, and acquaintances. She is sensitive to the feelings of people who are worried or depressed, and is the type of person who can gently brighten their mood.
・Sawatari Kaori: A very cute boy who looks just like a girl. He is treated like a girl by those around him, so his mannerisms are somewhat girlish. He is very attached to his older sister Kaede, and when they go out together he tries to go with her and clings to her.

■Subtitle

・First one: A town full of things I love, so ・Second one: A small light blue ticket, so ・Third one: We're happy when we walk together, so ・Fourth one: It was that day, so

■ Related works

・[Tamayura Blu-ray & DVD Volume 1]
Release date: Friday, November 26, 2010 Blu-ray: 6,615 yen (tax included) / 6,300 yen (tax excluded), DVD: 6,090 yen (tax included) / 5,800 yen (tax excluded)
·specification
Both items come with two discs: the main disc and a radio CD disc (special Tamayura Radio recording version).
- Main disc contents - Main story: Episodes 1 and 2 - Bonus video: "Pre-screening - Welcome,
"Towards a Gentle Time" event video - Audio bonus: Character commentary by Sawatari Fuu (CV: Taketatsu Ayana), Hanawa Kaoru (CV: Asumi Kana), Okazaki Norie (CV: Iguchi Yuka), Sakurada Asanon (CV: Gibu Yuko)
・Radio CD disc contents - Tamayura Radio special recording version (Taketatsu Ayana, Asumi Kana, Iguchi Yuka, and others)
・Enclosed bonus: Light blue ticket ・Comes with a storage box for all two volumes illustrated by character designer Haruko Iizuka ・Super jewel case design ・[Tamayura Blu-ray & DVD Volume 2]
(First production limited edition)
Release date: Thursday, December 23, 2010 (National Holiday) Blu-ray: 6,615 yen (tax included) / 6,300 yen (tax excluded)
DVD: 6,090 yen (tax included) / 5,800 yen (tax excluded)
·specification
Both items come with two discs: the main disc and a radio CD disc (special Tamayura Radio recording version).
・Main disc contents - Main story (Episodes 3 and 4 included)
-Video Bonus 1: Tamayura Special Interview (Club AT-X Special Edition)
-Video extra 2: Photo commentary "Takeharans" in "Tamayura no Hi ~Welcome to the Warm Town~"
-Video extras 3: Non-credited OP & ED, Tamayura PV, Tamayura TV commercial
- Audio bonus: Character commentary by Kaede Sawatari (CV: Ayana Taketatsu), Kaoru Hanawa (CV: Kana Asumi), Norie Okazaki (CV: Yuka Iguchi), and Asanon Sakurada (CV: Yuko Gibu)
・Radio CD disc contents - Tamayura Radio special recording version (Taketatsu Ayana, Asumi Kana, Iguchi Yuka, and others)
・Enclosed bonus: photo set *After the first limited edition is sold out, it will be the regular version without the photo set.

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・If I'm Wrapped in Kindness・Lyrics by Yumi Arai・Composition by Yumi Arai・Arrangement by DEPAPEPE
・Song: Maaya Sakamoto・Ending theme
・Melody and lyrics by Kitagawa Shori ・Composition by Kitagawa Shori ・Arrangement by Kitagawa Shori ・Strings arrangement by Hase Yasuhiro ・Vocals by Nakajima Megumi

The appeal of "Tamayura"

"Tamayura" is a work that depicts the small happiness of everyday life, and its gentle atmosphere and beautiful visuals have captivated many viewers. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal of the work.

1. Beautiful visuals

The setting of "Tamayura" is Takehara City on the Seto Inland Sea, a place characterized by its beautiful sea, islands, and old townscape. In the anime, this scenery is depicted with great care, and its visual beauty stands out. In particular, in the scene where Kaede takes photos, the expression of color and light is exquisite, and just looking at it is soothing to the soul. The character designs were also done by Haruko Iizuka, and the cute yet unique characters are charming.

2. A heartwarming story

The story of "Tamayura" depicts the daily lives of Kaede, who finds happiness through photography, and the people around her. The photos Kaede takes with her father's keepsake camera capture the light of happiness known as Tamayura, and the people who see them gradually become happier. This story gives viewers a sense of happiness as well. It also depicts Kaede's interactions with her friends and her bond with her family, and is full of heartwarming episodes.

3. Great music

The music of "Tamayura" is also one of its great attractions. The opening theme, "Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara," is a cover of Arai Yumi's famous song by Sakamoto Maaya, and its gentle melody and singing voice further enhance the atmosphere of the work. The ending theme, "Melody," was written and composed by Kitagawa Katsutoshi, and Nakajima Megumi's singing voice resonates in the heart. The background music was also composed by Nakajima Nobuyuki, and features a gentle melody that perfectly matches the worldview of the work.

Evaluation of "Tamayura"

"Tamayura" was released as an OVA, but it received very high praise and is loved by many fans. Below, we will explain the evaluation of the work in detail.

1. Viewer ratings

"Tamayura" has been highly praised by viewers. In particular, the beautiful visuals and heartwarming storyline have been highly praised, with many viewers commenting that it "heals the soul" and "makes you feel happy." The charm of the characters and the music have also been highly praised, making it an overall satisfying work.

2. Expert evaluation

It has also been highly praised by experts, with director Junichi Sato's careful direction, Haruko Iizuka's character design, and Nobuyuki Nakajima's music all highly praised. In addition, the story's kindness and its portrayal of the small joys of everyday life have also been highly praised, and "Tamayura" has been recommended by many experts.

Related works and recommended points

After being released as an OVA, "Tamayura" was also made into a TV series and a movie. Below, we will explain in detail about related works and recommended points.

1. Tamayura Blu-ray & DVD Volume 1

Tamayura Blu-ray & DVD Vol. 1 was released on November 26, 2010. The Blu-ray version is priced at 6,615 yen (tax included) and the DVD version is priced at 6,090 yen (tax included). Both discs are a two-disc set consisting of the main disc and a radio CD disc. The main disc contains episodes 1 and 2, and as bonus footage it includes the "Advance Screening - Welcome to a Gentle Time" event footage and character commentary. The radio CD disc also contains the "Tamayura Radio Special Edition," featuring voice actors such as Taketatsu Ayana, Asumi Kana, and Iguchi Yuka. A light blue ticket is included as an extra bonus, and you can enjoy an original illustration by character designer Iizuka Haruko. It comes with a storage box for all two volumes, and is housed in a super jewel case.

2. Tamayura Blu-ray & DVD Volume 2

Tamayura Blu-ray & DVD Volume 2 was released on December 23, 2010. The Blu-ray version is priced at 6,615 yen (tax included) and the DVD version is priced at 6,090 yen (tax included), and the first limited edition includes a photo set. The main disc contains episodes 3 and 4, and video bonus features include a Tamayura special interview, a photo commentary of "Takeharans" in "Tamayura no Hi ~ Welcome to a Warm Town ~", a creditless opening and ending, Tamayura promotional video, and a Tamayura TV commercial. Additionally, audio bonus features include character commentary, and the radio CD disc includes a "Tamayura Radio Special Edition". After the first limited edition is sold out, a regular version without the photo set will be released.

3. Recommendation points

"Tamayura" is a work that depicts the small joys of everyday life, and is a work that brings healing and happiness to viewers. In particular, the beautiful visuals, heartwarming story, and excellent music have made it appealing, and it has been highly praised by many viewers. In addition to OVAs, TV series and movies have also been produced, so you can enjoy the entire series. In addition, the Blu-ray and DVD come with a wealth of extras, making it a must-see for fans. Be sure to watch "Tamayura" and experience the joys of everyday life.