I'm gonna let you in on a secret.
I'm gonna let you in on a secret.

*GASP*
*GASP*

Cute girls doing cute things is one of the most diverse,
Cute girls doing cute things is one of the most diverse,

relatable and even progressive genres of anime given the right hands.
relatable and even progressive genres of anime given the right hands.

That take hot enough for you?
That take hot enough for you?

In truth, it shouldn't come as a surprise for me.
In truth, it shouldn't come as a surprise for me.

I've been described as a moe apologist.
I've been described as a moe apologist.

If you've watched my other videos before, I'm sure you've already heard me proselytized about the magic of the mundane.
If you've watched my other videos before, I'm sure you've already heard me proselytized about the magic of the mundane.

No need to repeat myself here.
No need to repeat myself here.

Few genres, as much as you can call it that, polarize people like cute girls doing cute things.
Few genres, as much as you can call it that, polarize people like cute girls doing cute things.

It's not just you love it or you hate it,
It's not just you love it or you hate it,

there's a vocal group of fans across the spectrum who decry its existence as cancerous to the medium itself.
there's a vocal group of fans across the spectrum who decry its existence as cancerous to the medium itself.

With people dismissing it wholesale, often times on flimsy pretenses,
With people dismissing it wholesale, often times on flimsy pretenses,

I find it important to highlight what makes cute girls anime
I find it important to highlight what makes cute girls anime

so appealing to so many, and little exemplifies that better than Hidamari Sketch.
so appealing to so many, and little exemplifies that better than Hidamari Sketch.

It's cute..
It's cute..

It's wide..
It's wide..

It's..
It's..

It's...
It's...

Hidamari Sketch is both the quintessential Shaft and cute girls show.
Hidamari Sketch is both the quintessential Shaft and cute girls show.

The hallmarks forming the studio's unique identity are all here from the deformed expressions to the inventive way it uses space.
The hallmarks forming the studio's unique identity are all here from the deformed expressions to the inventive way it uses space.

SPACE
SPACE

Several of these techniques we've come to recognize as pure Shaft. Double is valuable time savers to meet their demanding schedule.
Several of these techniques we've come to recognize as pure Shaft. Double is valuable time savers to meet their demanding schedule.

It inserts real-life objects in place of animated ones. The backgrounds lack almost any detail.
It inserts real-life objects in place of animated ones. The backgrounds lack almost any detail.

We see no other characters besides the ones we care about. It uses abstract elements to represent physical movement.
We see no other characters besides the ones we care about. It uses abstract elements to represent physical movement.

Add it all up and this may not look like your typical cute girls anime. In addition to helping the production staff
Add it all up and this may not look like your typical cute girls anime. In addition to helping the production staff

you know, scrape by, the style goes a long way towards keeping the series visually engaging.
you know, scrape by, the style goes a long way towards keeping the series visually engaging.

Important given Hida Sketch is as mundane as it gets. On their face, the events of any given episode are remarkably ordinary.
Important given Hida Sketch is as mundane as it gets. On their face, the events of any given episode are remarkably ordinary.

"Exactly. That's the problem." I hear you say, but before you file this one away as uninterested dear viewer.
"Exactly. That's the problem." I hear you say, but before you file this one away as uninterested dear viewer.

Ordinary does not mean boring
Ordinary does not mean boring

Truth be told, the voice acting alone should take care of that
Truth be told, the voice acting alone should take care of that

as is the norm with Shaft works, the VA talent on display here is incredible,
as is the norm with Shaft works, the VA talent on display here is incredible,

especially cowardy Kaori Mizuhashi as Miyako and Miyu Matsuki as Yoshinoya-sensei,
especially cowardy Kaori Mizuhashi as Miyako and Miyu Matsuki as Yoshinoya-sensei,

who tragically passed away in 2015, the eccentric teacher, one of her best roles.
who tragically passed away in 2015, the eccentric teacher, one of her best roles.

There's a fine line between cute girls anime that works and those that don't,
There's a fine line between cute girls anime that works and those that don't,

which may be hard to pick up on just by looking at them.
which may be hard to pick up on just by looking at them.

Yes, they're all extremely Fuwa Fuwa, perhaps overbearingly so to many of you
Yes, they're all extremely Fuwa Fuwa, perhaps overbearingly so to many of you

But the great ones are not just cute girls being dumb.
But the great ones are not just cute girls being dumb.

They have a sense of place,
They have a sense of place,

be it the interactions between them, their experience with their world,
be it the interactions between them, their experience with their world,

or a bond that gradually fills in overtime.
or a bond that gradually fills in overtime.

This combination of reflection, atmosphere and belonging makes it special.
This combination of reflection, atmosphere and belonging makes it special.

Like a lot of slice-of-life, these works are about the journey over the destination.
Like a lot of slice-of-life, these works are about the journey over the destination.

It's not exactly headed anywhere,
It's not exactly headed anywhere,

rather the focus is on soaking in the time spent together, with these characters, with this world.
rather the focus is on soaking in the time spent together, with these characters, with this world.

These stories aren't exhilarating or otherworldly, they're human because that's what our lives are more often about.
These stories aren't exhilarating or otherworldly, they're human because that's what our lives are more often about.

Friendships that just sort of happen. Conversations that appear out of nowhere.
Friendships that just sort of happen. Conversations that appear out of nowhere.

Part of what makes K-On's graduation arc
Part of what makes K-On's graduation arc

so emotionally resonant is because you've spent all that time becoming a part of this group.
so emotionally resonant is because you've spent all that time becoming a part of this group.

Just as the girls time with each other is at its end, so too is yours with them.
Just as the girls time with each other is at its end, so too is yours with them.

In Hidamari Sketch, each episode is one day of one year in the lives of its central quartet.
In Hidamari Sketch, each episode is one day of one year in the lives of its central quartet.

Beginning with Yuno's alarm clock and ending with her nightly routine.
Beginning with Yuno's alarm clock and ending with her nightly routine.

On top of that, the episodes are completely out of order chronologically,
On top of that, the episodes are completely out of order chronologically,

jumping back and forth across this calendar year like Haruhi goes through arcs.
jumping back and forth across this calendar year like Haruhi goes through arcs.

Rather than devolve into an incoherent mess though,
Rather than devolve into an incoherent mess though,

it emphasizes that the moment-to-moment change these girls go through is minimal.
it emphasizes that the moment-to-moment change these girls go through is minimal.

Much like you or me, they're not so different in October as February.
Much like you or me, they're not so different in October as February.

However, when it's all over and you take these moments as one,
However, when it's all over and you take these moments as one,

you see the arc, the journey they've gone through together
you see the arc, the journey they've gone through together

and even though they're still in the same apartment, surrounded by the same people, looking back on it
and even though they're still in the same apartment, surrounded by the same people, looking back on it

it feels like they've come a long way after all.
it feels like they've come a long way after all.

Cute girls anime doesn't get enough credit for its versatility,
Cute girls anime doesn't get enough credit for its versatility,

particularly among its detractors.
particularly among its detractors.

The same style that offers atmospheric works like Aria also has pure comedies in Lucky Star, more philosophical stuff like Girls Last Tour,
The same style that offers atmospheric works like Aria also has pure comedies in Lucky Star, more philosophical stuff like Girls Last Tour,

workplace slice-of-life like New Game and all sorts of stories and backdrops.
workplace slice-of-life like New Game and all sorts of stories and backdrops.

Most blur the lines between them like Sound of the Sky or Non Non Biyori.
Most blur the lines between them like Sound of the Sky or Non Non Biyori.

Hidamari Sketch also feels like an amalgam of these varieties.
Hidamari Sketch also feels like an amalgam of these varieties.

While the strength of the show lies in its character interactions, it definitely has that iyashikei healing element.
While the strength of the show lies in its character interactions, it definitely has that iyashikei healing element.

At the same, time the series has a clear nichijou-kei or everyday emphasis.
At the same, time the series has a clear nichijou-kei or everyday emphasis.

It savors in their small joys together, their worries and fears, their individuality.
It savors in their small joys together, their worries and fears, their individuality.

It doesn't use its relatability as a crutch, a shortcut to making the characters seem fully realized without actually doing so.
It doesn't use its relatability as a crutch, a shortcut to making the characters seem fully realized without actually doing so.

No, while they have their tropes, you have a strong sense for who they are as people, how that informs their dynamic with one another.
No, while they have their tropes, you have a strong sense for who they are as people, how that informs their dynamic with one another.

That is what separates the good from the bad here.
That is what separates the good from the bad here.

All that being said, with maybe the exception of ecchi and fanservice shows, few genres receive the same blowback as cute girls doing cute things.
All that being said, with maybe the exception of ecchi and fanservice shows, few genres receive the same blowback as cute girls doing cute things.

These shows are always subject to the ire of the same war mongering meatheads
These shows are always subject to the ire of the same war mongering meatheads

who whine every season about the hordes of moe blobs come to pillage their crops.
who whine every season about the hordes of moe blobs come to pillage their crops.

Forehead veins bulging at the mere sight of this cute girl holding her photorealistic cabbage.
Forehead veins bulging at the mere sight of this cute girl holding her photorealistic cabbage.

By all means it's fine if you don't like cute girls anime.
By all means it's fine if you don't like cute girls anime.

That's not an uncommon opinion to have, but if your first reaction at the thought of something you dislike
That's not an uncommon opinion to have, but if your first reaction at the thought of something you dislike

existing is to bitch and moan online, maybe you should check yourself.
existing is to bitch and moan online, maybe you should check yourself.

I, for example, could say the latest edgefest you fawn over is just as vapid and off-putting as the last.
I, for example, could say the latest edgefest you fawn over is just as vapid and off-putting as the last.

Of course, I'm not going to say that but I could.
Of course, I'm not going to say that but I could.

So if you're someone who just can't jive with the happy fun times of Hidamari Sketch,
So if you're someone who just can't jive with the happy fun times of Hidamari Sketch,

here is JackUTS's is 3 step guide to navigating a world where girls are cute in anime:
here is JackUTS's is 3 step guide to navigating a world where girls are cute in anime:

1. Calm the fuck down
1. Calm the fuck down

2. Watch something else
2. Watch something else

3. Refer to step 1
3. Refer to step 1

Yes, cute girls anime occasionally suffers from a heavy male gaze.
Yes, cute girls anime occasionally suffers from a heavy male gaze.

You remember that fine line I mentioned earlier?
You remember that fine line I mentioned earlier?

You'll find nothing of the sort here. Hida Sketch does not turn its characters into objects of sexual desire.
You'll find nothing of the sort here. Hida Sketch does not turn its characters into objects of sexual desire.

Hell, it spends half an episode in a bathhouse with its characters straight-up naked,
Hell, it spends half an episode in a bathhouse with its characters straight-up naked,

but it doesn't once feel erotic or sexualized in any way.
but it doesn't once feel erotic or sexualized in any way.

In general, cute girls anime has a reputation as lolicon bait,
In general, cute girls anime has a reputation as lolicon bait,

and while you certainly can find plenty of that,
and while you certainly can find plenty of that,

the style I'm talking about is more often some of the most progressive anime out there.
the style I'm talking about is more often some of the most progressive anime out there.

Look no further than kids shows like PriPara or Precure.
Look no further than kids shows like PriPara or Precure.

Recent anime like Yuru Camp and even A Place Further than the Universe,
Recent anime like Yuru Camp and even A Place Further than the Universe,

though I wouldn't classify it in its genre.
though I wouldn't classify it in its genre.

Or take K-On, an unmistakably feminist work.
Or take K-On, an unmistakably feminist work.

I don't just say that because it stars a group of female characters.
I don't just say that because it stars a group of female characters.

The show details the meaningful relationships between them,
The show details the meaningful relationships between them,

how they empower one another and celebrates their femininity.
how they empower one another and celebrates their femininity.

On top of that, it's female voice is clear. A majority of the production staff were women.
On top of that, it's female voice is clear. A majority of the production staff were women.

Most notably Naoko Yamada the director, Yukiko Horiguchi the character designer, and Reiko Yoshida on series composition,
Most notably Naoko Yamada the director, Yukiko Horiguchi the character designer, and Reiko Yoshida on series composition,

all of which makes these alt-right loons with MAGA hat K-On avi's on Twitter incredibly ironic.
all of which makes these alt-right loons with MAGA hat K-On avi's on Twitter incredibly ironic.

If that's not enough, the same team also made Tamako Market, but this isn't a KyoAni video.
If that's not enough, the same team also made Tamako Market, but this isn't a KyoAni video.

We're here for Hidamari Sketch, another woman made property, an original mangaka, Ume Aoki.
We're here for Hidamari Sketch, another woman made property, an original mangaka, Ume Aoki.

It encompasses exactly what makes this genre so warm and endearing to me.
It encompasses exactly what makes this genre so warm and endearing to me.

It's genuinely therapeutic, the perfect dose of happy when real life bullshit weighs me down.
It's genuinely therapeutic, the perfect dose of happy when real life bullshit weighs me down.

Nothing lifts me back up like an episode of Hidamari Sketch.
Nothing lifts me back up like an episode of Hidamari Sketch.

I'm sure my perspective here will be met with backlash from multiple sides.
I'm sure my perspective here will be met with backlash from multiple sides.

Cute girls anime can be a real flashpoint for people, but Hida Sketch illuminates what I come to the genre for.
Cute girls anime can be a real flashpoint for people, but Hida Sketch illuminates what I come to the genre for.

Ultimately, it's not the universally, fetishy, anti-women schlock I've seen fellow progressives label it as,
Ultimately, it's not the universally, fetishy, anti-women schlock I've seen fellow progressives label it as,

nor the death-knell to manime prophesized by the toxic masculinity brigade.
nor the death-knell to manime prophesized by the toxic masculinity brigade.

You just have to know where to look.
You just have to know where to look.

When handled properly,
When handled properly,

it's cute, not objectifying,
it's cute, not objectifying,

mundane, not boring,
mundane, not boring,

and pathetic not alien.
and pathetic not alien.

It's..
It's..

It's...
It's...