Note: This review will cover the entire Tamayura series which includes this OVA the sequels Hitotose and More Aggressive and the four movies which conclude the series. This review was written two years ago and has been edited to bring it up to current standards. Tamayurahttps://anilist.co/anime/9055 is an uplifting and healing experience that will show you the unseen beauty of life through the eyes of an ordinary lens. Written by Junichi Satohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JunichiSato the director of similar anime ARIAhttps://anilist.co/anime/477/AriatheAnimation/ and Amanchuhttps://anilist.co/anime/21406 it is a comingofage slice of life and is an excellent illustration of the phrase less is more. 375https://static.zerochan.net/Tamayura.full.923949.jpg From the outside Tamayura looks like it doesnt have much to offer. There are many fancier funnier and familiar slice of life anime out there. So why should one consider watching something that looks so normal? For that very same reason. Tamayura tells a simple story that takes place in a regular town populated by ordinary characters. It teaches us that life is what you make of it. It reminds us that pain no matter how heavy is only temporary. It shows us that life is forever moving and that if we want to grow we too must keep moving. It pulls at our heartstrings enveloping us with strong and genuine emotions. Truth be told theres nothing really special about the story. These themes have been said and done many times before it. But that is where the animes strength lies. Tamayura is able to get its message across because it is so downtoearth. It focuses on the mundane and ordinary aspects of life giving us something to easily relate to. Despite its slow pacing the show never gets stale. Theres meaning behind the story its not just here to entertain us. Its complete wellrounded and rewarding. A great enough sorrow can stop time but someday time will start moving again. No matter how many years may pass. Fu Sawataris Grandmother The characters are simply wonderful. Being able to watch them grow as they go through the same motions as us the same challenges and struggles make them feel more like your close friend rather than characters you see on a screen. There is a good amount of character development and the show portrays it in a very realistic manner which further strengthens that familiar connection thats established by the show. The soundtrack is unfortunately a bit forgettable. The openings and endings are really good but the rest of the soundtrack is nothing to write home about. The artwork is calm and clean. It does a good job of bringing you into the world and reflects the shows feel. Needless to say it does improve as the series goes by especially for the four short movies but overall its not incredible by any means. Even though we werent able to meet him directly Dads heart was definitely captured in that photo. Fu Sawatari Tamayura Episode 4 Tamayura is an extraordinary slice of life that offers more than what it appears to. Its gentle pacing coupled with a heartfelt story and delightful cast put it above most other shows of similar nature. But it lacks the colors the flashiness the wow factor that attracts and captures viewers. Its simple thats all there is to it but simple doesnt necessarily mean its bland or boring. This anime is certainly not for everyone. If you are looking for a relaxing and peaceful experience this might just be for you. Just like the story portrays through even the dirtiest and oldest of lenses you can still see the beauty in everything around you. Its simply a matter of changing your perspective.