KANLen09

Darn you Corona, for robbing this show of the views and the potential to be great, because this is truly underviewed and underrated, and before I start this review proper, I honestly plead anyone who likes the usual CGDCT gimmick, but wants something different out of it, this show will do wonders. Don't think, just watch! And without further ado, Doga Kobo is back at the CGDCT formula once again homies! It's gonna be a lil' different from what we've come to expect of the sub-genre, and this show here proves more often than not that it can do the Slice-of-Life genre justice while being confinedto the typical school-ish comedy that is affluent with most CGDCT series we've seen all too much and known all too well. Houkago Teibou Nisshi, or Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater, re-accounts the life of Hina Tsurugi, in an easy predictability of families moving into new cities for the main character to try something new (that's way too overused as a trope), but is essential for getting things off to a good start to the real-life seaside town of mangaka Yasuyaki Kosaka's birthplace and story setting in Ashikita, Kumamoto in Southern Kyushu (which is honestly quite cool to hear this). Despite being a mainly art-and-crafts person, the enthusiastic gasp of someone plainly fishing catches her eye, but given her fear of sea creatures, Hina is one scaredy girl, but with some coercing from a childhood friend, she is inducted into the Breakwater Club and from there on, begins her learning journey of plain ol' fishing. In any given CGDCT series full of moe, the characters are what will make or break their source material as a whole (I'm looking at you, Koisuru Asteroid), and thankfully this series is one of the better ones with a catch and a hook to name to. Each of the 4 girls are a delight to watch, and along with the usual newbie Seiyuus that are attached to their name, they did a remarkable job as well. And need I say that this show is also infotainment fun as well to add onto the list? Presenting to you the members of the Breakwater Club: - Newbie 1st Year Hinata "Hina" Tsurugi, her fear of sea creatures is warranted, but with some help she is able to imitate and copy the behaviours of other members and learn a mouthful. But of course, what is fishing without some genuine experience, and at some time she has to learn it by herself in order to match up with the others and fish gallantly. - Natsume's nearly-forgotten childhood friend Natsumi Hodaka (also another 1st Year), and as much as she loves to roam around Hina, her prowess and passion for fishing is of the usual "growing up from young" aesthetic. A very lively middle school girl with a ponytail, if I may add. - 2nd Year Makoto Ohno, particularly serving as the Breakwater Club's Albert Einstein figure (with the glasses). Ask her anything about fishing, and she is not hesitant to rain down the massive information that doesn't break her warm-hearted sweat. And always donning a lifejacket, there's a good reason for this, and that's in case she drowns in deep waters, because she is a non-swimmer. And fishers will know that swimming is a requisite to fishing, so that's at least a good safeguard just in case bad things happen. - 3rd year and president of the Breakwater Club, Yuuki Kuroiwa. The older girl who coerces Hina to join the club out of her fear of sea creatures, and acting like an old man for most of the time. Her role (like any other president would) is to act like a proper safe-distancing ambassador from the club advisor and the club's activities, in this case an easily drunk club advisor-cum-school nurse Sayaka Kotani from hemorrhaging the club's pickings of caught sea creatures. Talk about munching on hard work that others got, but entirely at no cost a.k.a FOC. Stand-out personality traits have always been a staple of CGDCT shows, and this show takes it seriously but gives it a fun spin, to which I wholeheartedly accept with arms open wide. It's a nice touch IMHO. What is more impressive of this show is the inspiration from the production team over at Doga Kobo. If you know anything about "the man, the myth, the moe legend" director Masahiko Oota, he has done many of Doga Kobo shows that are of the better side of the spectrum (Gabriel DropOut, Himouto! Umaru-chan, Wataten! to name a few). Newbie director Takaharu Ookuma has worked hand-in-hand with Oota for many years as his disciple, and this is his first breakout show, which I have to say that this is discipleship well done that made me love and appreciate this show even more. Am definitely gonna look out for more shows under this disciple's belt in the right direction. Doga Kobo's simplistic but vibrant art style and animation has never once ceased to amaze me, even more so for this show to emit an almost Iyashikei-ish feeling of relaxation, and that's already quite brilliant on its own. The same can be said for the OST, to which the OP & ED set are some of the best Seiyuu-driven songs that I've heard in quite some time (and listening on repeat, because it's just so good). And as always, the young and upcoming newbie Seiyuus taking up main roles are a good indication of their start-up careers as potential VAs for the upcoming future. Fishing shows are quite uncommon, and yet even more in the anime medium. I'd give a double thumbs up for newbie mangaka Yasuyaki Kosaka on trying something similar, yet unconventional. I'm a sucker for CGDCT shows that are done right and can make me feel like I'm on a voyage of some kind (a.k.a Yuru Camp), so this comes off as highly recommended, without a hitch. It's full-on relaxation and simultaneously a pilgrimage that is not forced on you, and it's some good knowledge as well if you wanna try fishing. Maybe when the COVID crisis is over, then we can visit the mangaka's birthplace in Ashikita, Kumamoto to do some relaxed fishing? I really hope I get the chance to do so and thank Kosaka-sensei for creating this wonderful manga that's a ton of fun to experience, you won't get this experience anywhere else than here.

sushiisawesome

Houkago Teibou Nisshi/ Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater is a show that'd alienate most people due to its premise, but beneath that lies a wholesome and comforting show about discovering fishing as a passion and a journey in discovering and absorbing oneself in such a passion. Fishing is used as a vehicle to explore what it means to be passionate among the entire cast, with presentation being more subtle. Unfortunately, this means the show's appeal as well as its misfortune of airing during COVID-19 - being particularly hit hard and being pushed an entire season down the line - actively hurt the series.Don't let this fool you, as there's quite a bit to appreciate here, and especially if you have a background with fishing. Much of the series' appeal comes from how well researched the fishing is - bait, common fishing tactics, adjusting said tactics for different species of fish and there's even an episode where the entire cast go and get fishing equipment depending on their builds - another episode has an extended segment where all of them have to learn how to swim in case an emergency happens. It's this attention to basic details that makes this series so refreshing to watch, with even something as subtle as how fish behave around different kinds of lure or even just not touching certain fish - in this show's case, a stonefish - with your bare hands (which sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many even experienced fishermen make such a basic mistake). This also extends to how to dissect fish safely The series follows a semi-episodic structure involving the four main leads going out and fishing, with enough variety in what they're trying to fish to keep the show's content interesting - there's even an episode where characters don't fish up fish at all, which was refreshing. Character progression is linked mainly to the main characters' abilities to fish, with Hina in particular as the show's central character being at the focus of this; introduced as a wide-eyed, extremely naive teenage girl who can't tell left from right with what she wants to do in school (let alone in fishing) she grows from a rather empty high schooler craving a passion in her life to a genuinely passionate fisherman, who actively seeks out fishing. This is shown through various scenes - ranging from her actively researching about fish she wants to catch, looking up techniques and ever so slowly overcoming her squeamishness as the series goes on. For all intents and purposes, the narrative is centered around Hina and her growing passion for fishing, subtly showing her changing demeanor as the series goes on. The other characters and their love for fishing is all explored as the series goes on, and their dynamics; this ranges from Makoto mentioning fishing as an outlet for her otherwise withdrawn personality - which contrasts greatly with her inability to swim and Natsumi's interactions and recurring friendship with Hina, acting as a catalyst for Hina's increased interest in fishing as well as various interactions when not fishing (ranging from sewing to studying) that help establish their relationship with each other (which is also handled very naturally, like two old friends actually would interact with each other). Last but not least, there's Yuuki, the introverted and hands off leader of the group whose apparent apathy is a mask to conceal her genuine love for fishing, acting as the rational head of the group and guiding them while handling her job as student council president. While these are basic character traits, it's the chemistry between the group that made them so endearing. However, a noteworthy flaw can be argued to be the comedy - certain gags considering how several characters straight up look well underage appear inappropriate, and these jokes are concentrated early into the show, potentially making it difficult for some viewers to continue watching. Much of the humor I did enjoy though, with a particular mention being a fishing session that involved interacting with a very curious heron, the entire cast wandering around in the mud to look for clams with hilarity ensuing and interactions with Sayaka, the club advisor. Much praise can be given to Doga Koba for the work they've done on the show's production values, with consistently look great - the backgrounds are absolutely beautiful, with hand-drawn illustrations being backed up by light but fitting use of CGI that enhance the relaxed and comforting appeal of the series. No particular bit of animation lacked fluidity as far as I can recall, with movement being smooth and easy to look at - a particular note is that all of the various creatures caught by the cast are hand-drawn with no cut corners in animating movements for the fishes themselves, which in the hands of a lesser studio could've easily been done completely in cheap CG. Water looks easy on the eyes, and the soundtrack and sound design never feels off or out of place, fitting the overall tone of the series. Of particular mention are the songs for the OP and ED, which are fairly catchy. In conclusion, Houkago Teibou Nisshi is a show that appears to have gone under the radar - partially due to COVID-19 but also due to some gags in the first few episodes that may have scared some viewers off. This masks an otherwise excellent series, and I do recommend it highly, especially to those that enjoy stories about the joy of discovering a new passion or about fishing. Thank you for reading.