Winter 2010 First Impressions – Hidamari Sketch X ***

Time to get started with the new season! I’m sorry for being a bit late but I spent most of last week snowboarding up in Lapland and had little chance to get online. Anyway, I decided to start it off the shallow end with the third season of Hidamari Sketch. Oh, but before I start let me assure you that I am in no way affiliated with the bunch behind The ‘Otaku’ Elimination Game. Just making sure people don’t ask stupid questions because I’m in their site banner. Now on to the subject at hand. Hold on to your nutbladders, gentlemen.

HNNNNNGG-

I am going to be rather brief with Hidamari X*** as it doesn’t seem to be breaking the tried and true mold in most areas. It’s the same old Hidamari we all love or hate, animated in the good old SHAFT style. It’s a slice of life show about female art students living in the same apartment and doing all kinds of banal things. Most people out there already know whether they like it or hate it so there’s little reason in arguing whether one should watch X*** or not. I liked the previous two seasons and I have bought the manga volumes that have been published in English so far – thus I am watching X***. If you thought the first season was shit and never bothered with the second, then forget about this one.

Fresh meat for the grinder.

There is one thing about X*** that I noticed as an improvement to the formula though. Looks like the starving Korean animators over at SHAFT have been given an extra bowl of rice, because X*** seems to have a lot more animation that the previous seasons. I suppose it’s great that the show looks less like a PowerPoint presentation now. Worry not though, the SHAFT-ish still frames and repeating animation clips are still there. The show also introduces two new girls into the mix, Nori and Nazuna.

This sorta reminds me of my Swedish exams back in high school.

Hidamari Sketch X*** is a show you probably already know whether you like it or not. I like it, so I’m going to watch it. If you don’t know Hidamari, go look up the first season and check it out – not many other shows out there can match its relaxing atmosphere.