No, I’m not saying I watch anime specifically to learn how to fish.
On the surface, Houkago Teibou Nisshi, otherwise known by its absolutely bonkers localized
title: Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater - Afterschool Embankment Journal, is a simple
story about a girl who joins the fishing club and learns how to fish… and that’s what
it is under the surface too.
There’s really not any particular deep underlying meaning here… they just fish.
And yet, I can’t help but feel that this is one of my dark horses of the season.
You can scream bias all you want, and point out all the times cute girls appear on my
list.
But I really think this, kind of quaint show, really digs at the heart of exactly why I
like anime so much.
In many of the writing and literature courses I’ve taken, an emphasis is always placed
on conflict.
Compelling stories start with an inciting incident, that sparks our hero to start their
journey.
Not to say that this is always the case, nothing is *always* the case… but even in Western
works people consider heavily anime-inspired like Avatar the Last Airbender, there is always
the underlying current of struggle and urgency.
Of course, I like conflict and drama as well, but I find that like most things, there’s
more than just one way to do them.
Enter fishing girls.
Kuuki-kei is a common descriptor for anime and most would agree Houkago Teibou Nisshi
falls firmly within it.
It roughly translates as “air-type,” or “atmosphere-type,” and describes a show
that lacks any of that aforementioned conflict.
There is no driving overarching strife here, the world isn’t going to end, and lives
are not on the line.
However, I think to characterize them as lacking *all* conflict rather than just a certain
*type* of conflict to be misleading.
There may not be any world-ending plots or tense moments in Houkago Teibou Nisshi, but
there is conflict.
It’s the conflict that comes with the mundanity of the everyday.
The little problems that we encounter and overcome without a thought.
Maybe this isn’t compelling for you personally, and just puts you to sleep.
But I find these kinds of shows to be little windows into worlds I’ve never even considered.
I’ve had the same feeling every time I’ve started a new job, witnessing the behind-the-scenes
for the first time, and I feel that same awe watching fishing girls.
After all, I don’t know how you wouldn’t find Tsurugi’s journey endearing, or heroic
in its own little way.
Throughout the show we witness both the apprehension and excitement that comes with learning and
conquering a new skill.
The fear of fitting into a social group, and learning how to navigate around new friends.
Realizing the poignant nature of where our food comes from, and just what it means to
kill other living things for sustenance.
In a way the show nurtures the feeling of what it’s like to fish yourself.
Enjoying the company of friends all in support of a common goal.
Why do I watch anime?
Because it is alien to me.
It’s created by a culture radically different from my own, that places importance on different
elements that I might’ve not discovered looking purely from my own perspective.
Yes, sometimes I want that bombastic flair, or deep commentary on the human condition,
or a message that shakes me to my very core.
But y’know, sometimes I also just want to vicariously experience what catching a fish
for the first time feels like.
And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
Thanks for watching!
Just a quick video praising one of the more forgotten shows of the season.
However, it might just be forgotten because it was unfortunately delayed!
It comes back July 7th and I hope you’ll join me then.
If you liked the video please click the like button, it’s the best way to support the
channel and tells YouTube it’s worth pushing.
If you’d like to support me further, you can donate to my Patreon.
Special thanks to Banzai Taluun, Chrispy x 365, Jorge Weasley, QuakeShamer632, Ted Mosby,
Ani ni Stuck, and Rolls of Yore for their support.
And of course, if anything I said was wrong, I’m sorry.
I must’ve stuttered.