Amanchu! Advance Episode 2 Review and Rating

Digging deeper into the appeal and emotion of "Amanchu! Advance"

"Amanchu! Advance" is a TV anime series that aired in 2018, based on the manga "Amanchu!" by Kozue Amano. Set in the beautiful sea and rich nature of Izu, the series depicts the growth and friendship of the girls who belong to the diving club at Yumegaoka High School. This anime is a sequel to the first season that aired in 2016, and its appeal lies in the deeper story and character relationships.

story

Kohinata Hikaru was born and raised in the town of Izu, and Oki Futaba moved from Tokyo. The two, who enrolled in Yumegaoka High School together, have found a lot of happiness in scuba diving and the ordinary events of everyday life. Futaba used to be passive about everything, but thanks to Hikaru's bright and positive personality, she has experienced many joys in taking a step forward. Furthermore, Futaba passed her long-awaited Open Water Diver training, and next she will aim to become an Advanced Open Water Diver. The real fun of their one and only high school life is yet to come. The wonderful days will not end, as long as the two of them continue to walk together.

Commentary

A year and a half after the first season of the TV anime, which began airing in July 2016, a new "blue story" of the bond between two girls begins, watched over by the beautiful sea of ​​Izu, the rich nature, and their warm friends. The relationship between the two heroines, Kohinata Hikaru and Ooki Futaba, has grown since their first meeting in the spring, as they get to know each other day by day and make memories together, and now they are indispensable to each other. As the seasons change, new characters such as Kohinata Kodama, Hikaru's sister, Misaki Kokoro, and Kotori are added, and the feelings of Hikaru and Futaba also change little by little.

The main staff, led by Junichi Sato as general director, welcomes Seiko Sayama as director to bring in a new wind, while GONTITI continues to be in charge of music from the first season. The "Sutekingu! World" of the original comic by Kozue Amano is brought to life again as an anime. A fresh start full of the premonition of new encounters, let's start the continuation of the story.

cast

• Hikaru Kohinata/Eri Suzuki
• Futaba Oki/Ai Megumi
• Ai Ninomiya/Saori Onishi
• Makoto Ninomiya/Yuichiro Umehara
• Hitori Masato/Ito Shizuka
• Cha Advisor/Yurika Kubo
• Kohinata no (Umi Onna-ya) / Kikuko Inoue
• Kohinata Kodama/Suzaki Aya
• Kotori Misaki/Ai Kakuma
• Kokoro Misaki/Ai Yamamoto

Main Staff

• Original work: Kozue Amano (Blade Comics/Mag Garden)
• General Director: Junichi Sato
• Director: Seiko Sayama
• Screenplay: Deko Akao, Yuko Fukuda
• Character design: Yoko Ito
• Art Director: Chika Shibata (Studio Canon)
• Color design: Miyuki Ishida
• Director of photography: Hidenori Manaka, Shingo Fukuyo
• Edited by Hitomi Sudo (REAL-T)
• Music: GONTITI
• Music Production: Flying Dog
• Animation production: JCSTAFF
• Produced by Yumegaoka High School Diving Club

Main Characters

Kohinata Hikaru <br> A first-year student at Yumegaoka High School. Her hobby is scuba diving, so naturally, she joined the diving club after entering high school. She has the perfect combination of a laid-back, positive, and boundlessly cheerful personality, and she drags everyone around her to her own pace. She is very knowledgeable about the town of Izu where she was born and raised. Her dream for the future is to become a professional instructor in her hometown. Her nickname is "Pikari."

Oki Futaba <br> A first-year student at Yumegaoka High School. After graduating from junior high school, she moved from Tokyo to a town in Izu where she had no ties or ties to. She is troubled by the fact that she is held back by negative thoughts and cannot take a new step, but influenced by her new classmate Hikaru, she decides to take up scuba diving. Her hobby is taking pictures of beautiful things with her cell phone camera and saving them. Her nickname is "Teko."

Ninomiya Ai <br> A second-year student who serves as the captain of the Yumegaoka High School Diving Club. Although she has an outspoken and inflexible personality, she is also surprisingly caring and considerate. However, she is merciless towards her twin brother Makoto, whom she dislikes, and kicks him at every opportunity. She likes people who work hard at something because it gives her power.

Makoto Ninomiya <br> A second-year student at Yumegaoka High School, he is the only male member of the diving club. In contrast to his twin sister Ai, he has a laid-back and gentle personality. He is always watching over his juniors with kindness. Every day he is bossed around by his sister, who has bad habits with her feet, but rather than rebelling against her, he is brave and worries about her future. He has a hard time cleaning his room because he has a constitution that makes it difficult for him to throw things away.

Hitori Masato <br> The homeroom teacher of Hikaru and Futaba's class and the advisor of the diving club. His motto is "endless fun" and he believes that having fun in high school is also a part of studying. Although he may seem careless at first glance, he has a keen eye for his students. He also seems to be careful about the words he gives them, and after saying something good, he never forgets to say "Teacher, that was a good thing."

Cha Advisor <br> The principal's pet cat. He is often seen in the Diving Club's clubroom, and is a sort of mascot for the club. Because his ears and tail are brown, Hikaru, who likes to give nicknames, named him "Cha Advisor." He has a gentle personality and an M-type disposition, so he enjoys being teased by others.

Kohinata no (Sea Lady's House)
Mitsu's grandmother runs the beach house "Uminoniya" in Izu. The store offers diving services, and her grandson Mitsu sometimes helps out as an instructor. Her words are full of meaningful proverbs, and they have influenced not only Mitsu but also Futaba, who has just moved in. The homemade pork soup she serves after diving is delicious.

Kohinata Kodama <br> Hikari's younger sister, she used to often dive with her older sister.

Misaki Kotori <br> Kohinata Kodama's friend since middle school.

Misaki Kokoro <br> A local child who becomes acquainted with Hikari through unexpected circumstances.

subtitle

• Episode 1: A Summer Night and a Confession
• Episode 2: The middle of summer and sparkling eyes
• Episode 3: Happiness professionals and experts
• Episode 4: Autumn and the Happiness of Fluffy Things
• Episode 5: The Dark Mermaid and the 18m Solitude
• Episode 6: A Halloween Night's Dream
• Episode 7: The eternal school
• Episode 8: The fleeting thoughts that will never be heard
• Episode 9: Endless Dreams and Tears
• Episode 10: Thoughts on the Beginning
• Episode 11: Colds, Fires, and Congratulations
• Episode 12: Someday, I don't know what tomorrow will be like

Theme songs and music

OP
・Crosswalk
Lyrics: Maaya Sakamoto; Composition: Katsutoshi Kitagawa; Arrangement: Katsutoshi Kitagawa; Singer: Minori Suzuki

ED
Hello, Hello Lyrics: Maaya Sakamoto Music: Maaya Sakamoto Arrangement: Zentaro Watanabe Vocals: Maaya Sakamoto

Insert song : Tieleusha
Lyrics: Yuho Iwasato; Composition: Yoko Kanno; Arrangement: GONTITI
・Mina Kubota feat.MIYUU&MASUMI(Mistera Feo)

Evaluation and Impressions

"Amanchu! Advance" is a work that provides viewers with a comfortable sense of peace by depicting the small joys of everyday life. In particular, the growth and deepening friendship between the main characters Kohinata Hikaru and Ooki Futaba has warmed the hearts of many viewers. The story, which intertwines Hikaru's brightness and Futaba's growth, is not only soothing to watch, but also serves as an opportunity to reexamine one's own life.

Also, don't miss the beautiful visuals set against the backdrop of Izu's beautiful ocean and nature. The technical skills of JCSTAFF, the animation production company, shine through, depicting the transparency of the ocean and the exhilaration of diving in a realistic way. Furthermore, the music by GONTITI also adds to the atmosphere of the work, and is an important element in evoking the emotions of the viewer.

The appeal of the characters is also a major point. Hikaru's easy-going and positive personality inspires viewers. Meanwhile, Futaba's growth gives the viewer the courage to believe in their own potential. The relationship between Ninomiya Ai and Makoto, as well as the sibling relationship and the humorous character of Hitori Masato also add depth to the story. The newly introduced characters Kohinata Kodama, Misaki Kokoro, and Kotori also breathe new life into the story, keeping viewers from getting bored.

Recommended points

I highly recommend "Amanchu! Advance" to anyone who likes slice-of-life anime and wants a heartwarming story. It is also a work that anyone who likes diving and the sea can enjoy. It is especially perfect for those who want to feel the brilliance of youth and the beauty of friendship.

Furthermore, those who have read the original comic can enjoy the visual beauty and music that only anime can offer. Even those who haven't seen the first season can watch it with confidence, as the story is easy to follow. Please experience this wonderful world and let it soothe your heart.

Related information

Broadcast information and related products for "Amanchu! Advance" can be found on the official website and anime news sites. The original comic is also published by Mag Garden and can be purchased at bookstores and online stores. Blu-ray and DVD are also available, so you can enjoy it at your own pace.

To gain a deeper understanding of this anime, we recommend reading the original comics. By enjoying the differences between the original and the anime, you will be able to feel the charm of the work even more. In addition, fan art and fan events are also popular, and interacting with other fans on social media and community sites is also one of the fun things to do.

"Amanchu! Advance" is a wonderful work that combines a heartwarming story, beautiful images, and charming characters. Please enjoy this anime and experience the beauty of everyday happiness and friendship.