Welcome to this week’s review of notable instances of transit, place and culture as rendered in anime currently broadcast in Japan and simulcast internationally via the web. For a detailed outline of the approach, please refer to the explanation in the inaugural issue. Links to streaming sources are included when available, though not all may have current episode available at the time this column is published.
Haruchika – Haruta & Chika
( ハルチカ 〜ハルタとチカは青春する〜 Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru)
Watch: Funimation • Hulu • Daisuki
Episode 8
Hanamaki Station (花巻駅) on the Tōhoku Main Line (東北本線) in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture
Shin-Hanamaki Station (新花巻駅) in Hanamaki
Tohoku Shinkansen (東北新幹線) Yamabiko (やまびこ) service, using the E2 Series Shinkansen (新幹線E2系電車)
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū
(昭和元禄落語心中)
Watch: Crunchyroll
Episode 8
Kyoto
Asakusa (浅草), Taitō Ward, Tokyo
Streetcar crossing the Sumida River via Azuma Bridge (吾妻橋)
Erased
(僕だけがいない街 Boku Dake ga Inai Machi)
Watch: Crunchyroll • Funimation • Hulu • Daisuki
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@paffue made a pilgrimage (post 1, post 2) to Tomakomai, Hokkaidō Prefecture for Episode 1 through Episode 7.
Episode 8
Students walk to school on the morning commute.
Hakodate night view from the Mount Hakodate (函館山) observatory, one of the Three Major Night Views of Japan (日本三大夜景)
Myriad Colors Phantom World
(無彩限のファントム・ワールド Musaigen no Fantomu Wārudo)
Watch: Crunchyroll
Episode 8
Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑) in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture
Girls Beyond the Wasteland
(少女たちは荒野を目指す Shōjotachi wa Kōya wo Mezasu)
Watch: Hulu
Episode 8
Hirakata Bay (平潟湾) in Kanazawa-Hakkei, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Dagashi Kashi
(だがしかし)
Watch: Funimation • Hulu
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@qqbb5at9k made a pilgrimage to Takeoka, Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture for Episode 1 through Episode 4.
@fureshima made a pilgrimage to Takeoka for Episode 1 through Episode 3.
Episode 7
Summer festival
Prince of Stride: Alternative
(プリンス・オブ・ストライド オルタナティブ Purinsu Obu Sutoraido Orutanatibu)
Watch: Funimation • Hulu • Daisuki
Episode 8
Public bus
Sapporo Dome (札幌ドーム)
Durarara!! X2 Ketsu
(デュラララ!!×2 結 Durarara!!x2 Ketsu)
Watch: Crunchyroll • Hulu • Daisuki
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@tianlangxing made a pilgrimage to Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Episode 32 (Ketsu 8).
Episode 8
Ikebukuro (池袋), Toshima Ward, Tokyo Metropolis
Active Raid
(アクティヴレイド 機動強襲室第八係 Akutive Reido Kidō Kyōshūshitsu Dai-Hakkei)
Watch: Crunchroll
Episode 8
Chūō Line (Rapid) (中央線快速)
Shibuya (渋谷) scramble crossing
Tokyo Tower (東京タワー), my hunch is viewed from Shibakōen, a popular restaurant and bar district adjacent to the park of the same name
Special Items
@keihi49 made a pilgrimage to Machida, Tokyo Metropolis and Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture for Gekijō-ban Date A Live: Mayuri Judgement.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Onjuku and Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture for Hello!! Kin’iro Mosaic.
@cairn_07 made a pilgrimage to Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture for Yahari Ore no Seishun Rabu Kome wa Machigatteiru.
@touyoko_inn made a pilgrimage to Kumano and Kiinagashima, Kumano Prefecture for Nagi no Asukara.
2 comments
Linda says:
Mar 2, 2016
I tried to watch the rakugo show because I am a sucker for the Showa nostalgia, but I couldn’t sit through it. Thank you for continuing to watch anime so I don’t have to.
Michael says:
Mar 2, 2016
I find Kiku grating, which is probably how he was written to be, but it does pick up a bit after a few episodes.