TheRockzSG

Slow Loop at the surface looks like a typical moe SoL anime where the only selling point is the character is cute. A carbon-copy moe SoL anime where the only difference is the character design and the activity they focus on. However, I was proven otherwise after the first few episodes. Slow Loop did not attempt to copy from moe anime but instead created its own identity. If I want to summarize the whole anime, I will say that it takes the good part of Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp) and Dairy of Our Days at the Breakwater (Houkago Teibou Nisshi) and combine it into thismasterpiece. ======SPOILER AHEAD====== The anime starts when Hiyori and Koharu become a step-sister after their parents re-married. The sister learned that they have a common hobby in fishing. After every episode, you can see the subtle character development of Hiyori and Koharu. Hiyori is an introvert, who hates social interaction. To the point where she intentionally makes her unsociable. While Koharu is an extrovert who can make friends with ease. I was expecting a clash between personalities where Hiyori rejects Koharu or goes tsundere. However, instead of that, Hiyori embraces Koharu to the best of her ability. You can see the character development after a few episodes. Hiyori is more open to conversation and takes the role of a mentor for Koharu and Aiko. Meanwhile, Koharu becomes more reserved while slowly becoming better with fishing. Thru fishing, Hiyori and Koharu slowly become closer and closer to each other. To the point where they are inseparable and behave like sisters than strangers. Supporting characters like Koi and Aiko have some character development as well. Koi at the start hates fishing due to her dad's obsession with fishing, but progressively warms up to the idea of fishing. For Aiko, she was unsure about fishing because she felt it is a hobby for boys and girls should not participate in that. To now she openly embrace fishing and even introduced fishing to her friend. These character developments are slow, organic, and natural. Which makes Slow Loop stands out from other moe SoL. ======SPOILER ENDS====== Slow Loop has a relaxing and comfy atmosphere. Similar to what we experienced in Laid-Back Camp. There is some conflict and drama. However, those conflicts are minor and insignificant and they do not affect the atmosphere that the show wants to create. While you are relaxing, the anime slowly spoon-feeds you the fishing technics and tips. Sometimes, the show will switch to Koharu's Cooking Time where it teaches you how to process the fish and make them into a delicious meal. Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater did have similar segments but Slow Loop executes the concept better. I enjoyed Slow Loop from start to finish. So I will be giving it a 9. This is one of the better CGDCT anime I have watched. A must-watch if you love SoL anime or something to relax with. TLDR: Slow Loop is a mix of Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp) and Dairy of Our Days at the Breakwater (Houkago Teibou Nisshi). It has the relaxing and comfy atmosphere like Laid-Back Camp. While teaching the viewers the fishing technics like Dairy of Our Days at the Breakwater. I enjoy this anime from start to finish and it deserves a very strong 9. Story: 8/10 Art: 9/10 Sound: 9/10 Character: 9/10 Enjoyment: 10/10 Overall: 45/50 (9.0)

ACasualViewer

As a fisher who still occasionally fishes and given that some of my fondest memories growing up were fishing trips with my family and friends, I had surprisingly high expectations for what initially appeared as a generic CGDCT and SOL anime. Slow Loop managed to not only match my expectations but genuinely surpass them in terms of how well researched the series is and how effectively they covered the hobby. This review will provide a quick summary on why I enjoyed Slow Loop and what aspects were covered well. In terms of story, Slow Loop is fairly basic, similar to most CGDCT anime, 2 girls, hadsingle parents that got remarried together, which turned them into sisters. It turns out one of the girls enjoys fishing and the other girl gets into it through her. Functionally this is the story, there are some other aspects but most of it falls under characterization that is developed during fishing trips and general bonding through living together. As long as the characters mesh well, then the story is typically good enough for this type of series. Still since I do try to be objective in reviews, the most this story can get is a 6/10 since its very bare bones and even the execution feels rather basic and overly simplified half the time. In terms of art, the character designs really remind me of Is the Order a Rabbit? Everyone, including the adults, look a bit underdeveloped and flat, but this low detail art suits a SOL series fairly well. Overall, the girls do have a nice cutesy look, although the animation and background art leaves a lot to be desired. I do enjoy how the fish are handled and how preparing fish kept all the blood and made it the process look more realistic with the organs and such, definitely some plus points for accuracy. What really appeals about this anime is the accuracy in terms of fishing as a hobby, the show properly explains fly fishing including the various styles and techniques, this was all researched very well. The segments where Hiyori explains to Koharu how certain techniques are exercised are very good, the instruction quality is the same as you would receive in real life and the beginner mistakes are conveyed accurately. In addition, the cooking segments were nice as well, from preparing the fish after catching to properly cleaning them out and seasoning them, Slow Loop actually goes into detail on this topic beyond a superficial lens like many other hobbyist anime do. Overall, I would give Slow Loop a 7 out of 10, its story is a bit weak and art style a bit basic, frankly the audio isn’t even worth discussing, however the characters mesh well and the actual hobby they focus on is very well researched and explained in an interesting and effective manner. This anime is definitely one that is unlikely to be worth watching outside of the season it aired in, unless you really like fishing, but it’s not bad to watch on a weekly basis.