First Impression: Hakumei to Mikochi

Synopsis

Set in a world where there exist beings who are no more than a few centimetres/inches high. In this story the focus goes to two young girls named Hakumei and Mikochi. This a take into their lives as they go through different daily adventures from riding bugs to having leaves for umbrellas, this a look into a new and different world through the lives of two friends.

The Good

This is a type of series that shows how simplicity can shine at its best. Being two episodes in one, there was a lot more explored than in usual anime similar to this. In terms of art and animation, there is quite a few cute and mostly new elements to enjoy in the episode. Just seeing how much thought was placed in the portrayal of how the characters live and the differences there are with their size makes for a good start on the world building of the series.

Speaking of the characters, it’s really, they who make the character work out so well. While not highly exciting for the most part, the overall dynamic between the two and the characters that they meet and befriend deserves a thumbs up at least. The way that the episode managed to pack so much in, portray the characters’ personalities and their relationship is also another plus. Tying all of these good qualities together are the ways that certain scenes shift and panel work to emphasize certain points.

The Bad

With such a simple beginning and low, there isn’t a lot o plot to be expected with the episode and because of this there is no real solid plot to be found with the episode. It can be argued that with the way that the episode was presented, that the series would take on a more slice-of-life route, but still, there could have been a little storytelling exposition on the character and the world to set a more interesting tone.

Being such a simple episode though with only burst at interest in certain points, there is only so much critique that can be dished like with any other first episode like this. If anything, the only nit-pick so far is that there could have been a more solid story framework.

Conclusion

Simple and cute is really the only way to describe the episode. While there wasn’t any solid plot, the detail into how the world works and the portrayal of characters and setting makes most of the episode work. The art and animation is not highly eye-catching but it is unique in some ways and suites the tone that the episode is trying to convey. Overall this is most likely a breather series to enjoy but still nice nonetheless.

Rating: 7/10