First Impressions / OVA/Movie / Series Introduction / Tamayura

OP Sequence

OP: 「やさしさに包まれたなら」 (Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara) by 坂本真綾 (Sakamoto Maaya)
Watch the OP!: Download, Streaming ▼

「大好きがいっぱいの町、なので」 (The Town Filled With Things I Love)
There’s a saying that great things come in small packages, and Tamayura is definitely one of them. Tamyura is a simple and easy going anime, and something that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s also an original series directed by Junichi Sato and produced through ARIA, a company well known for making anime that can really capture the feel of slice of life.

Tamayura is short. When I say short, I mean short. It runs for exactly 15 minutes and 23 seconds. Throwing time management out the window, Tamayura has a full length opening and ending sequence. The opening sequence is very upbeat with an acoustic guitar strumming alongside Sakamoto Maaya’s singing while the ending on the other hand is a bit mellower, with a slower beat and not as catchy lyrics. Both songs are great in their own light, and I’m very happy that such a short OVA has such high quality music.

With the remaining 10 or so minutes, Tamayura manages to show an entire day of our main protagonist, Sawatari Fu, (Taketatsu Ayana) a timid girl entering High School in a new town she just moved into. Fu’s main goal is trying to make new friends, but she’s extremely shy and unable to talk to people naturally, so it’s a kind of awkward watching her fail to talk to others. It’s shyness to the point where she can’t even introduce herself properly to her classmates on the first day of school. Luckily, our protagonist has her childhood friend Hanawa Kaoru (Asumi Kana) to help build her confidence. Kaoru seems to be the perfect type for someone to lean on. The amount that she cares for and understands Fu is clearly visible – which includes saving her from almost falling off a bridge as she is trying to take a picture and quietly cheering Fu on as she tries to make new friends. It’s the simple joy of having a strong bond with a true friend that makes these two such great friends. She also has a scent fetish. Yes, scent fetish.

The main focus of Tamayura falls on Fu’s camera, a Rollei 35s, and the photos she takes with it. The idea that a photo is special and can create special bonds is something that is highlighted throughout the entire episode. A photo of Fu’s late father is showcased in a local photography shop, and it is this photo that allows Fu to finally make her first two friends. Instead of having Fu approaching others, her photos bring people to her. Removing some of the embarrassment of trying to start conversations with others, Fu is able to not only begin talking to others about her photos but finally is able to make new friends.

The sub-plot of the Tamayura focuses on the Tamayura itself. Literally called “Children of Light”, these mysterious orbs of light randomly appear in Fu’s photos. It isn’t clear if they only appear in Fu’s photos, but what is clear is that they sometimes appear when the subject of her photo is someone who she feels strongly for. I can’t help but think that these orbs of light appearing in her photos mean something, especially when this is labeled as a “Healing anime”. They almost look like the orbs of light that Tomoya saw in Clannad, and those orbs were able to grant the wishes of those who could see them.

With a second episode slated for the near future, I’m really excited in what awaits Fu and her new friends. There are still characters unaccounted for in the opening and ending and it’d be nice to see what goes on in the lives of all of Fu’s friends, not just Fu’s.

 

ED Sequence

ED: 「メロディ」 (Melody) by 中島愛 (Nakajima Megumi)
Watch the ED!: Download, Streaming ▼

48 Comments

  3. I saw this when Junichi’s name came up in the description. It was a nice and warm story. But like you said very short. Still you can feel his director skill and his trade mark “watch and fall asleep” style. Doubt it will surpass Aria’s story but granted will need to see more and hopefully we get longer versions in the future. The old school camera was a nice touch but the cats aren’t getting cookie points with me.

    Island Esper
    Reply

  18. Ahh, I was thinking about picking this one up when I first heard about it. Glad to see it made it onto RC. x] Sounds like something I could get into though. Yay. o: I’ll probably check it out after it finishes though, ’cause I suck with waiting. :B

    Pao
    Reply

      2. Finally watched this to see the fluffy cat (should have more of it). The start where Fu is introduced could have been Yui, the stammering Mio. Of course they are not the first archetypes of such behavior but Azunyan’s VA voicing Fu does link them together. That said, i would place this as different from K-On. The OVA seems to be trying to create a sense of peacefulness rather than comedy.

        Zaku Fan
        Reply

  28. This anime ova is just so cute and charming and adorable! I love it! I can’t wait for more of this! I want more Fuu and Maon and Momoneko-sama! Though the only thing I dislike about it is Kou’s voice (I thought he was a giiiiirl!!!). It sounds too weird, albeit brief.

    Firechick
    Reply

  29. Wow, thank you for covering this superb OVA. It was cute and ever so relaxing, we felt we were floating on a cloud…Hahaha. Quite a gem and now we can’t wait for the rest to come along. 15 minutes well spent!
    Taketatsu-san as Fu-chan is amazingly adorable. =)

    Shinjiro
    Reply

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