No-Rin: A thorough review of the harmony of agriculture and youth, a hilarious and moving story about an agricultural school

"Nourin": The appeal of this high-energy school love comedy set in an agricultural school

1. Overview of the Work

"Nourin" is a TV anime series based on the GA Bunko light novel by Shiratori Shirou. A total of 12 episodes were broadcast from January 11 to March 29, 2014. Animation was handled by SILVER LINK. and the director was Onuma Shin. The story is set at Tamo Agricultural and Forestry High School, a high school where students learn agriculture, and tells the story of youth and love that unfolds around the protagonist Hata Kosaku and his friends.

2. Story

The setting of "Nourin" is the prefectural Tamo Agricultural and Forestry High School, commonly known as "Nourin." The main character, Hata Kosaku, is a second-year student at the school and a bit of an idol otaku. One day, the super popular idol Kusakabe Yukatan transfers to Kosaku's school. However, she has retired from her idol activities and has become an expressionless, sharp-tongued character.

Around Kousaku, there are a variety of unique characters, including his childhood friend Nori Nakazawa, the beautiful glasses-wearing boy Kashima Toritsugu, the busty tsundere Kochou Yoshida, and the delusional female teacher Becky. Various episodes unfold as Kousaku enjoys his youth at the agricultural school.

3. Characters

Field cultivation

Voice actor: Shintaro Asanuma

A second-year high school student studying production science, she has been involved in agriculture since she was a child. She excels in practical skills and is a devoted fan of the idol Yuka Kusakabe. Her fandom crosses the line and often puts those around her off.

Kinoshita Ringo

Voice actor: Yukari Tamura

She was active as an idol under the name Kusakabe Yuka, but suddenly retired and transferred to Tamo Agricultural and Forestry High School. She has lost the shining smile she had as an idol, and has taken on an expressionless, sharp-tongued character.

Nakazawa Agriculture

Voice actor: Kana Hanazawa

A childhood friend of Kousaku from the same village, she is a caring girl who is good at cooking. She has been with Kousaku since they were little and knows him better than anyone else. She has a strong Mino dialect accent.

Yoshida Kocho

Voice actor: Marina Inoue

She attends the same Production Science Department as Kousaku and the others, but is majoring in livestock. She is the daughter of a wealthy landowner and has top grades at school. She has large breasts and is a severe tsundere.

Overcoming

Voice actor: Wataru Hatano

He is a friend of Kosaku and the ace of the Department of Production Science and Cultivation. He is intelligent and has a wealth of knowledge about agriculture. In most situations, he is sensible and a good understanding friend of Kosaku, but sometimes he goes off the rails at the most critical moments.

Becky

Voice actor: Chiwa Saito

Her real name is Natsumi Totsugi, and she is the teacher for Kousaku and his classmates. She is the most troubled child in the school when it comes to dirty jokes, and has a delusional wall that always makes the students cringe.

4. Staff

Original work: Shirou Shiratori (GA Bunko, published by Softbank Creative)

Character design: Kippu

Director: Shin Onuma

Series Composition: Michiko Yokote

Character design: Masato Onoda

Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka

Animation production: SILVER LINK.

5. Subtitle

• 1st period: A love story between a young man and a young woman
• 2nd Period: King of Farmers
• Third Period: Super Mother-in-Law Wars: Training Edition
• 4th Period: The Smile You Showed
• 5th Period: Five Four Heavenly Farmers
• 6th Period: Megumi's Alchemist
• 7th period: Crying salad
• 8th Period: Cooking Baba
• 9th period: School swim trunks
• 10th period: The ultimate vs. supreme vegetable showdown!
• 11th period: A bright lie
• 12th Period: Minna no Nourin

6. Theme songs and music

Opening Theme

OP1: Cordless☆Eye☆PHONE

Lyricist: Aiko Nakano

Composer: Shota Tani

Arrangement: Tomoki Kikutani

Sung by: Yuka Kusakabe (CV: Yukari Tamura)

OP2: Come and see me through the secret door

Sung by: Yukari Tamura

Ending Theme

ED1: Mo-Gi-Ta-Te♥Fruit Girls

Lyricist: Aiko Nakano

Composer: Akihiko Yamaguchi

Arrangement: Akihiko Yamaguchi

Sung by: Ringo Kinoshita & Nori Nakazawa (voiced by Yukari Tamura and Kana Hanazawa)

ED2: Minori's Enthralled Future Forecast?

Sung by: Minoru Nakazawa (CV: Kana Hanazawa)

ED3: Ponytail no Yoju

Sung by: Becky (voiced by: Chiwa Saito)

ED4: Kimi to *Nyu*DAY♡

Singer: Kocho Yoshida (CV: Marina Inoue)

ED5: Cordless☆Embarrassed☆PHONE

Lyricist: Aiko Nakano

Composer: Shota Tani

Arrangement: Tomoki Kikutani

Sung by: Yuka Kusakabe (CV: Yukari Tamura)

Insert song

IN1: Cordless☆Eye☆PHONE

Lyricist: Aiko Nakano

Composer: Shota Tani

Arrangement: Tomoki Kikutani

Sung by: Yuka Kusakabe (CV: Yukari Tamura)

7. Broadcast information

"Nourin" was broadcast on the following stations:

• TOKYO MX: Friday, January 10, 2014 25:00
• TV Aichi: Saturday, January 11, 2014 26:20
• Sun TV: Sunday, January 12, 2014 25:00
• Gifu Broadcasting: Sunday, January 12, 2014 26:20
• BS11: Monday, January 13, 2014, 24:30
• Animax: Friday, January 17, 2014, 10:00 PM

It was also available to watch on the following online streaming services:

• Bandai Channel: Updated on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 12:00
• d Anime Store: Updated on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 12:00
• Niconico Channel: Updated on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.
• Niconico Live Broadcast: Sunday, January 12, 2014, 23:00 - 23:30

8. Evaluation and Impressions

"Nourin" was well-received by many viewers as a school love comedy with an agriculture theme. In particular, the setting that the main character, Hata Kosaku, is an idol otaku, gave viewers a fresh surprise. Another part of the appeal is the comedic elements woven by the unique characters.

The anime was produced by SILVER LINK. and, under the direction of director Shin Onuma, succeeded in bringing out the best in the original work. The character design and artwork were also highly praised, with Yuka Kusakabe's character design, coupled with Yukari Tamura's voice acting, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

The theme songs and insert songs are also important elements in creating the atmosphere of the work, and the opening song "Cordless☆Embarrassed☆PHONE" in particular gained popularity as a song that reflected the feelings of the idol otaku Kosaku. The ending song "Mo-Gi-Tate♥Fruit Girls" is a duet by Kinoshita Ringo and Nakazawa Minori, and has become a song that soothes the hearts of viewers.

9. Recommended points

"Nourin" is a school love comedy with an agricultural theme and can be recommended for the following reasons:

• Characters with a wide variety of personalities: Starting with the main character, Kosaku Hata, there are many other characters with a wide variety of personalities, including Yuka Kusakabe, Nori Nakazawa, Kocho Yoshida, Tsuyoshi Kashima, and Becky. Their interactions and episodes are sure to entertain viewers.
• Idol otaku setting: The setting that the main character, Hata Kosaku, is an idol otaku gives viewers a fresh surprise. Also, the depiction of his actions and feelings as a fan allows viewers to empathize and laugh.
• Agricultural stories: Agricultural stories offer viewers a new perspective. The characters learning agricultural knowledge and skills while enjoying their youth are inspiring to viewers.
• High-tension comedy: The comedic elements woven by the unique characters are sure to make viewers laugh. In particular, Becky's dirty jokes and delusional scenes will make viewers cringe, but also make them laugh.
• Attractive theme songs and insert songs: The theme songs and insert songs are also important elements in livening up the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the opening song "Cordless ☆ Tere ☆ PHONE" and the ending song "Mo-Gi-Tate ♥ Fruit Girls" are songs that soothe the hearts of viewers.

10. Summary

"Nourin" was well-received by many viewers as a school love comedy with an agriculture theme. The comedic elements woven by the unique characters and the fact that the main character, Hata Kosaku, is an idol otaku gave viewers a fresh surprise. The agriculture-themed story also offered viewers a new perspective, and the characters enjoying their youth moved them. The theme song and insert songs were also important elements in livening up the atmosphere of the work, and the opening song "Cordless☆Hade☆PHONE" and the ending song "Mo-Gi-Tate♥Fruit Girls" in particular were songs that soothed the hearts of viewers. "Nourin" is a school love comedy with an agriculture theme and offers viewers a lot of appeal.