Diamond Daydreams

STORY Diamond Dust, when the moisture in the air freezes in the cold mornings, it sparkles like diamonds. The legend of Diamond Dust says that if you're lucky enough to see it with the one you love, you'll be happy together, or you can wish upon it and find happiness. This is the central theme to the stories of love, friendship, and self-discovery about six girls in Hokkaido of northern Japan. Each has two episodes dedicated to them (except for Suomi). Episode 1 & 2 focus on Atsuko Akanegi, a 20-year-old girl who runs a fish-market with her mother that her late father left. They don't have alot of money, and Atsuko has to work while her friends go out to have fun. There is a guy who wants to marry her, and he would help with her finances, but Atsuko has a crush on a jazz musician, who tells her the story of Diamond Dust. She doesn't want to marry for money, and wishes her mother would see that. But she doesn't realise that her mother understands her feelings more than she knows. Her story is about mother-daughter relationships, as well as searching for your happiness: what makes us happy? Money? Love? Episode 3 & 4 are about Karin Shiraishi, a 15-year-old girl who is hospitalized with a serious illness, but refuses to go through with surgery because she is scared. This story is about self-discovery, and being able to find the courage within you to go forward. I like this story the most, because I'm able to connect with it and relate to it the most, because sometimes I think I really am spoiled, and I don't even realise it. And we all have moments when we're scared and find it hard to discover the couragous side of ourselves. Karin is a pretty human character, because she is selfish and spoiled, but also kind and wants to get better even though she's scared. Episode 5 & 6 are about Kyouko Asahina, who is rather uptight and bossy. She's just too driven on her own goals to see what everyone else must be feeling. A talented film-maker, she wants to create the perfect film to win the festival, but is frustrated that nobody can understand the pressure she's going through, not even her boyfriend. In the process, she forgot why she started filming in the first place, and how fun filming was. It takes some trials for her to finally realise what it is that she wants to create. Her story is about learning to appreciate something while you have it, because sometimes, you don't realise how much it means to you until it's gone. I didn't like Kyouko's character too much at first, because a lot of times she really is unreasonable and selfish. But she's also very passionate about what she loves to do, and that passion blinds her judgement sometimes. Really, Kyouko is a very human character, representing the selfishness and passion in all of us. Episode 7 is about Suomi Kitano, a figure skater who had an accident and stopped competing because of it. The accident involves her best friend and skating rival, whom she wished back then on the Diamond Dust to share the gold medal with. Then she meets Haruto, a skater who fought with his friend because of skating, and he asks her to skate with him. Going onto the ice, Suomi remembers how fun skating was, and how it shouldn't come between friends. Her story is about friendship and loving what you do. Even though her friend was skating rival, neither of them let that come between their friendship. Her story is the only one with one episode, and I wished it would be longer. Suomi is a bit strange, but she is cheerful and gives good advice. Episode 8 & 9 involves a radio-broadcaster named Shouko Saibara, who is having an affair with a married man, but he doesn't answer her and doesn't see her much. It got to a point where she wonders if she's always talking to an answering machine, just like how she's only talking to a microphone at work. Her show involves people sending in stories and questions about romance, and she gives them advice. But one day, she wonders if she should really be giving other people advice on love when she can't even take care of herself. Then she starts to wonder if she can be heard at all, or is she merely talking to the microphone. This story is about knowing that you are heard, and that you are important to someone, even though you may not realise it. Shouko is also very human, in that she has doubts about herself, like we all do sometimes. Episode 10 & 11 focus on Akari Harada, whose father drinks a lot, and goes to find gold dust instead of working. He is the one who tells Akari about the Diamond Dust, and how he went to see it with her mother. At first I thought her father was horrible, but later on, I realised that her father is just a man who wants to chase his dreams and live the way he would be happiest. He passes this message on to Kurokawa, a friend of Akari's at work, who gave up making sweets because he didn't think he was good enough. This story is about chasing your dreams and not giving up. This one is perhaps the saddest out of the six. The last episode ties up everything, and brings everyone together, and answers some of those questions left in the previous episodes. The stories themselves are really touching and sweet, despite their rather ordinary settings and plots. And this is what makes this series special: the ability to move the audience. ART The style of the characters is not all that special or different. But perhaps that is meant to be, because the girls are meant to represent typical girls. However, the backgrounds are very beautiful. Many of the settings are based on real places in Hokkaido. The night city in episodes 1 and 2, and the sunset scene in episodes 5 and 6 are especially memorable. Also, I love how they represented the beauty of the Diamond Dust itself. VOICES The voices are mostly well-done, suiting the characters. I did find that Atsuko's voice is a bit too high-pitched for someone her age. But otherwise, the girls are well-portrayed, even though nothing really stands out all that much. MUSIC Music is one of the strength of this series. The background music is rather unique. It sounds like a mixture of Chinese bamboo flute and Erhu (Chinese 2-stringed fiddle), and it's quite soothing to listen to, and a bit sad. It helps bring out the emotions of those important moments. However, the same (or similar) song is played throughout the series, and I wish that there were a bit more variation, or a theme song of some sort for each girl. The most memorable is the ending theme "Aitai ~Love Theme from Kita e.~" by ALLEY:A. It's beautiful and moving, and very suitable for the series. I'm not too fond of the opening theme "Hop Step Jump" by Five Spirits. It's a high-energy and happy song, which, while energizes the audience, doesn't quite fit with the theme of the stories. PRESENTATION I think this is the greatest strength of the series. I love how it's set up like a series of short stories, connected with a common theme, and tied up at the end. It is ordinary at first glance in terms of plot and characters, but I found it special because of the emotional impact it has, and how I am able to relate to the stories (yes I cried a lot, get some tissues ready). It's not for those who like action/adventure or fast-paced stories, but if you're into drama and slice-of-life romance, and want something sweet and touching, then I definately recommend it.

Story: This story is done in a non-typical fashion. This is a story about six different women who are dealing with situations that are not outside the realm of occurrences that could happen to anyone. This anime takes each woman, except one, and dedicates two episodes to their brief daily story. Each story starts by showing that woman within her everyday life, and by the end of the first episode, shows one major conflict in their life. The second episode picks up where the previous left off and continues to show what each woman finds as a solution to their conflict, tying up each storynicely. The only exception is the woman in episode seven, which is done all in just that single episode. While each of these stories seems to have nothing in common, the final episode actually ties them together really well. It takes these individual characters who have never met, all from different parts of Japan, and brings them together with one thing in common, diamond dust, which is said to bring couples eternal happiness if seen together. I gave the story a nine due in large part to episode seven. While the rest of the women were dedicated two episodes, this woman only got one. Her story was done decently, but it either could have been removed or expanded to one more episode. It felt a little like laziness at that point. Besides that, the rest of the story was done well, for what was trying to be accomplished at the end. Animation: The animation used was well done. Bright colors were used as much as the more neutral colors and were placed in good spots. The usage of colors throughout these episodes really helped evoke the appropriate emotions during specific times. The night view of the city in episode one, the sunset used in episode five, and the diamond dust shown in episode eleven are just a few examples of the beautiful animations used. The characters were drawn decent, though a touch bland, but not enough to detract from the enjoyment of the animation this series brings. Sound: The sounds used were excellent! The opening and ending songs were brilliant and fit the series well. The music was an incredible source for bringing out each emotion as it fit each situation. Each song was well placed and fit the mood perfectly. The sounds used for the everyday events were done just as well as the rest. Characters: Though the worst rated section of this review, the characters were actually really well done. The characters had interesting stories, but were not done unrealistically. Each woman's story was something that has most likely happened in one form or another to someone in real life. There is not much known about each character outside the events within the episodes, but for this type of anime, it is not needed. The stories each character goes through is just enough to see what a part of their life is like, which is exactly how the viewer is supposed to see it. Never to get the whole story, but glimpse just a small part of everyday life. The characters were given an eight because of a few minor problems. The girl from episode seven could have used a little more back-story, as previously stated, so another episode should have been given to her or just had her taken out. Some of the other characters acted in ways that people of their disposition would not act. For example, in episode nine, the main character, who is a radio talk show hostess, goes through a rough spot in her life and she accidently broadcasts it over the radio. One of her biggest fans breaks into the radio station to help her out of her depression and she lets him get arrested, even though he is portrayed as saving her career. For the little time each character is given, they progress from one point to another in their lives very well. Overall: Minus a few small problems with some of the characters and a little part of the story, this anime was very well done. For those who enjoy a slice-of-life anime, this is one of the better series out there. For those who do not enjoy much romance or slice-of-life, the music, animation, and the way the story is told make it worth the watch. This anime presents a perfect balance of comedy, everyday life, romance, and basic human conflicts. Even with the few problems, this anime definitely warrants a nine.

This review contains no spoliers. Kita e.: Diamond Dust Drops is broken up into various 2-3 episode vignettes that follow various female characters and their lives in Hokkaido. They all center around romance. First things first, because this anime is broken up into these vignettes it is EXTREMELY hit or miss. At times I wanted to give certain story arcs an 8/10 overall but others a 3/10. The setting of the show is probably the best part. Not enough anime are set in winter/Hokkaido. To be honest, I would skip the story arcs that you don't enjoy and watch the ones you care aboutas a mini-series. Ultimately, I'd recommend it as a light, romance show with great art and music. It's mediocre at best as a whole but some story Arcs (Akari, Suomi and Shoko) are worth it.

Diamond DustDaydreams is a very average and run and uninteresting anime through and though. The story is just okay while some stories are definitely better than others and most of the girls are very average and bland while others do shine through a bit with their carefree or bossy attitude. The series is broken up into 6 different stories each girl has two episodes to show her story before it moves on. Let's go over each story. The first one is a 20 year old girl named Atsuko who helps her mother run a fishery after her father passed away leaving some debt behind as well. The girlis headstrong and wanting more out if life than marriage especially at her age, which is why she keeps pushing her fiancee away. It seems it was an arranged marriage that both of the mothers worked out to ensure the children would marry people that they approved of. Atsuko's mother wanted her to live a easier life than her and to not worry about the debt. Atsuko, however, is in love with a musician who is in his forties. I won't spoil what happened after that. Atsuko is okay and could be a likeable girl, but as with most of the girls, she hardly gets screen time enough to become likable. I still liked her over other girls however but didn't care for her story. The second story is about a young girl in the hospital who dreams of a prince charming. This girl is Karin who has been in a hospital for 2 years and refuses the surgery that may help her. Her only solace is her web blog where she writes about a Wonderland of sorts, a land where she is a princess. I actually can't tell you anything about this one because it bored me so much that I skipped it and Karin just want interesting to me at all. I also had just gotten done watching Angel Beats which did the hospitalized young girl story much better than this. So I will leave it at that. The third story is one that I do like quite a bit. It is about an amateur director named Kyoko who won a prize for her movie some time ago and wants to win again. Her boyfriend, also into film, supports her with his love and affection and wants her to be happy. Kyoko is at odds with him most of the story and with the club that she helped start and fund. She is irritated at the club for not taking things seriously since she badly wants, and feels, she needs to win another award. While the club wishes she would calm down and forgive the rudeness of one of the actresses. Things tend to not go her way and she loses something very dear to her due to her obsession with winning. She is one of the girls I like a lot more even though much of her screentime is getting mad at people. She had a goal and she had character even if it was bitchy. I quite liked her story and the ending of it. The fourth story is my favorite however, as it follows a girl named Suomi, who is the best character in this show. She is nice, joyful, quirky, loveable, and really fun. The episode starts with her witnessing two young boys in an argument that ends their relationship. She ends up spending the day with one if the boys and tells him about a fight she had with her friend that made her give up something that she loved. Her story is simply the best because it doesn't center on a romance or on a crush and has the best characters out of the series. She is simply amazing and I loved every part of her story and didn't skip through any of it. The fifth story is about a woman named Shoko who is a radio talk host and can be heard in some of the other episodes. She is in love with a man who is not only married but has a child as well. Meanwhile, she gives advice to young people about romance and other such topics. She's also being stalked by one of her fans. Her story is very much a soap opera with what happens but it gets wrapped up in two episodes quickly and it has a sweet ending. Shoko is the oldest woman here and is definitely the most mature. She's pretty great but has nothing on Suomi. The final story is about a girl named Akari who works part time at a bakery while her father tries to find gold. He is a drunk and had to be forced to go to his job most of the time but loves his daughter very much. Akari's mother died some years back so they only have each other to rely on. Her dad is a very sweet man when it comes to his daughter and loves her more than anything in the world. This story has a romance in it that actually blossoms a lot in thanks to Akari's father. Akari is pretty alright and I liked her story okay. The last episode is the best one as it brings back all the girls in a perfect way and has them meeting each other. It also shows where each of the girls are and gives them a happy ending. It's a really good last episode and is the reason I gave the series an extra star bringing it up to 5 stars. That's just how good the last episode was. Not to mention the Suomi parts were perfect. All in all, a good series for those who like light and fluffy shows with a bit of drama and heartbeat and a touch of romance sprinkled in. If you liked things like Rumbling Hearts, Magical Stage Fancy Lala, or Piano, then you may just like this. And if you've never heard of those series, then you may want to stay away from this one.