Report Hahi-Refrain's Profile

Thank you for accidentally stumbling upon this page. I'm a relatively seasoned otaku who had his humble origins in action shonen zealotry but has since gravitated more towards Slice of Life and Slice of Life-adjacent anime in recent years. Of particular resonance with me are anime/manga dealing with themes of family, youthful innocence, and general doki-doki-inducing cuteness that serves as a catharsis from the harshness of everyday life. Not to wax too philosophical about moe girl anime where the highest stakes are having the strawberry on top of your shortcake stolen by your supposed friend (Why the unbridled cruelty, Mugi?), but the serenity of media like Aria, Yotsuba, Clannad, or Barakamon help me to maintain a romantic outlook in a world that would much prefer to have such sentiment squelched. Hence, the Akari Mizunashi avatar as she is essentially a living embodiment of this innermost yearning of mine, exemplifying virtually everything that I could admire in a person from her earnest desire for serving others, her love of people, her humility, and her delightful femininity. She's just so wonderful.

My obvious bias to Iyashikei aside, I'm nevertheless capable of thoroughly appreciating this anime medium in a whole host of different iterations from the most eventful Mecha to the most humble CGDCT, and virtually anything and everything in between. Indeed, the only forms of anime that I will dismiss out of hand are those intended for nothing more than satiating rather shallow appetites for seeing gore and sex for gore and sex's sake. Violence and sexuality can be appropriately utilized in a piece of media because I wouldn't be naïve enough to suggest that these things aren't part of the human condition, but I'm of the school of thought that such things should be constructive and meaningful to the narrative. Label me a prude if you must, but I'm simply incapable of seeing any artistic merit in Ecchi, especially for the way that it partially infects otherwise decent shows that would be objectively superior without its presence.

Now, my methodology for rating:
I like to balance my enjoyment with what I see as the objective quality of the work. The aforementioned bias for the wholesome and my general social conservatism are obvious variables but I like to consider the auditory and visual aspects as well. Little things of mine are that I have more than a passing fondness for as follows:

•The often dunked-on large KEY eyes that you see in visual novels like Air, Kanon, or Clannad. Can't explain it beyond it just being very nostalgic and adorable to me.
•Skinship. Wholesome forms of affection like hand-holding, hugging, affectionate words, and cuddling. IE Yui Hirsawa's routine embracing of Azu-nyan in K-on is an idyllic example.
•An anime/manga meticulously modeling the setting after real locations that you can visit. IE Makoto Shinkai's jaw-dropping faithfulness to Toyko in Your Name.
•Positive representation of children and/or the elderly IE Yotsuba&!, Barakamon, and Yokohoma Kidanshi Kikou. Additional brownie points if they occupy a central theme.
•Orchestral OSTs with sweeping and grandiose melodies. IE any of Joe Hisashi's work in Studio Ghibli films.
•Goofy slapstick because I have the humor of a 12-year-old boy. IE The entirely undeserved but hilarious misfortune of Chiyo-chan in Azumanga Daioh.

Miscellaneous notes:
-Some of the characters that I have listed as my favorite are moreso characters who I think are the most underrated relative to the amount of people fav'd them. I could list Edward Elric or Lelouch as favorites, but everybody already knows that they're awesome.
-I limit one favorite character per series.
-I like to send friend requests to strangers that I've seen good takes from.