This is not a “review”, because that gives the impression that I know what I'm talking about. Here's my thoughts on this anime instead. I aim to avoid spoilers beyond introductions / first episodes. Let me know what you think if you watch it!

Let's go exploring!

It's easy to ignore when an anime like Ruri Rocks first appears. At first impression, Ruri Rocks seemed like just another entry into the CGDCT pantheon, of which a new show appears every season – an anime that offers comforting vibes, but not much esle.

It does offer that, and whilst you could switch your brain off when you watch and let it wash over you, you can also pay attention and go on a journey with the characters that is fully worth your time.

A Rocky Start

I almost dropped Ruri Rocks before I even started watching. Crunchyroll posted a trailer for the show on YouTube before it aired, and I immediately spotted two huge problems:

Not pictured: The steel supporting structure that this character would need to wear to prevent crippling spinal issues.

The fact that this shot is the opening to the trailer, and the obvious camera angles designed to highlight the physical features of these characters, gave me serious pause. I don't enjoy fanservice in anime generally, and shots like this would take me out of any comforting vibes that an anime like this should portray.

My fears were compounded when I saw that the studio behind Ruri Rocks also created “Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!“, an anime with a distinctly questionable exterior and plenty of sexualization. (NB. I haven't watched Onimai so I can't comment authoritatively on this)

Was Ruri Rocks destined to be a thin shell of a comfort anime over the top of a core of fanservice designed for horny teenage boys?

Mining for deeper things

Ruri Rocks focuses on the eponymous Ruri, a young girl who loves shiny things but can't afford to buy jewelry. After an off-hand comment from her mother about how her grandfather used to gather minerals in the mountains, Ruri hops on a bus and goes to see for herself. There, after walking a whole 50 metres into the mountains and preparing to give up, Ruri meets Nagi-san – a post-graduate in Mineralogy who is out on her own hunt. Out of pure greed, Ruri tags along with Nagi – but from there, the pair begin their own journey.

In the first few episodes, there are a handful more times where a shot seems too focused on boobs or butt. But these make up mere seconds of episodes, and far more time is spent on interesting explanations of geology and minerals. It feels almost like the trailer that sexualised a main character was just a ploy to lure people into a science classroom and teach them about its true passion – gemstones and minerals. As the series goes on, there are fewer and fewer gratuitous shots, and even anime tropes that would seem to beg for fanservice – a short dress-up scene, and a trip to the hot springs – are treated pretty maturely.

Just like a viewer lured into a series by a hint of fanservice, Ruri is lured into the world of Mineralogy by a love for jewels and sparkly things. Just like the viewer, over the course of the series, Ruri learns to look beneath the surface, and is taught a genuine love for the scientific method, and an understanding that the prettiest jewels are even more interesting if you learn where they came from and how they got there.

The real treasure is what you learn along the way?

A Real Gem

Ruri Rocks is an anime that balances multiple aspects: cozy adventures; character stories and growth; and a passion for science that it wants to teach you. It details all about the various gems that the characters find, their chemical makeup, and how they are formed. It's difficult to put real educational content into a show that is ultimately there for cozy entertainment, and I did find at times that it didn't go into enough detail for me to fully understand and make sense of its explanations.

But all in all, it strikes the balance really well, and no matter which of the three aspects you're more interested in, you will find yourself satisfied by it. Every episode offers something new, even if subtle, which meant I never finished an episode feeling like nothing had happened.

Given my expectations going into the show and in its earliest showings, Ruri Rocks turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Whilst its character design choices and some of its scene choices mean I wouldn't recommend it to someone as their introduction to anime, if you're a seasoned viewer there's a very enjoyable series beneath the surface.

I'll write “First Impressions” pieces when I haven't finished reading something, but I'm still excited to share it. Let me know what you think if you read it!

I'm always up for being Nerd Sniped into a new hobby. It can be quite dangerous – after I watched the whole of Haikyuu!, I attended a weekly volleyball meetup for 6 months and endured bruises, volleyballs to the face, and the shame from a complete inability to overarm serve. But I learned the basics, met people, and ultimately I had a blast. Unfortunately, the timing of the sessions wasn't ideal, and after a while, the next hobby came along. Due to a simple lack of time in the day, I stopped playing and did something else.

Anime and manga, on top of being mediums for great storytelling, excel at introducing me to new hobbies: sports, games, and skills. So now I'm learning to play Go.

I credit this discovery to this toot by @Dio9sys:

I'm currently about 30 chapters in to Hikaru No Go, and so far, I'm thoroughly enjoying where the story is taking me.

Hikaru is a middle school kid, who, upon discovering an old Go board in his grandfather's shed, becomes possessed by a spirit named Sai. Sai was the Go tutor to an emperor 1000 years prior. Wanting nothing more than to play Go again after 1000 years, Sai coerces Hikaru to a local club, and proceeds to destroy all the competition there. Hikaru, at first wanting nothing to do with Go or the spirit, eventually becomes interested in the game and, more critically, becomes determined to win on his own merit.

The set up to a team tournament! Sports shounen enjoyers may recognise these facial expressions.

Thus begins Hikaru's real journey into the world of Go. So far, Hikaru no Go has all the elements that I enjoy in a sports manga. The struggle of learning; the wild and varied teammates, rivals, and enemies; and the insurmountable-seeming opponents along the way.

Despite being an older manga, the art style is clean and easy to follow, the characters and pacing seem good too. The translations I'm reading are questionable at best, but they're fine to follow.

I'm looking forward to continuing this read – since I'm quite early into what I think will be a long journey for Hikaru and Sai! I hear there's an anime too, but this is one where I'm enjoying the manga and want to see it through.

This is not a “review”, because that gives the impression that I know what I'm talking about. Here's my thoughts on this anime instead. I aim to avoid spoilers beyond introductions / first episodes. Let me know what you think if you watch it!

I imagine a Japanese viewer of Tonari no Yokai-San will have a lot more of a confused reaction than I did when I watched it.

The series opens with Buchio, beloved elderly cat of the Ooishi family, waking up one day having become a Nekomata. Nekomata in Japanese folklore are supernatural creatures that manifest as a cat with two tails. Nekomata are known, amongst other things, to kill & eat humans; raise the dead and control them using dances; and disguise themselves as a family's dead relatives to haunt them. One might think, then, that the family will react with horror and fear.

Instead, we see the family overjoyed that their elderly cat will not only keep living, but able to talk to them, interact with them, and therefore become even more of a member of the family than before. Buchio's eyes swell with tears of gratitude, and he begins his new life.

That interaction defines the setting & characters of Tonari no Yokai-San. Over the series, we see and interact with (amongst others) Tengu (spirits of the mountains), Kappas (river-based Yokai), and Tsukumogami (tools or machines that have gained a soul). All of which are living out their own lives, facing their own struggles, none of which intend any harm on the humans who live amongst them.

I loved the main characters of Tonari no Yokai-San. The bubbly and full-of-life child Mu, gentle and sensitive Buchio, and the wise and fatherly Jiro. I found joy both from them overcoming their obstacles, but also from living their lives together in the peaceful village with its wonderful community feel. They support each other without judgement and are quick to forgive.

Some of the characters of Tonari no Yokai-San: Nekomata Buchio, Tengu Jiro and Tazenbou, drinking tea together.

Whilst the series is billed as a Slice-of-Life, the Drama aspect is much more prevalent as the series progresses. Once we have been introduced to the characters in the first couple of episodes, we see them tackle their various demons (if you will) such as estrangement from their family or the struggles of immortal beings living amongst mortal humans. It even contains some queer themes which are just there – part of a character, but not lingered on or turned into drama – which I really appreciated.

Where the series struggled for me was with pacing. The 13-episode series has a lot of stories to tell, and each are incredibly impactful for their characters. But without room to breathe, the emotional gut punches don't have the impact that they should have. When each episode has such a climax, it ends up mitigating the impact of all of them.

Buchio is a rather emotional character.

There's also a LOT of side characters, some of which don't get to have their moment in the spotlight and I wished I could have seen more of. I think the series would have benefitted from a longer run, with more of the gentle slice-of-life interludes and more depth on their side characters, which would both to bring a smile to your face between the drama and make the hard-hitting moments hit even harder.

Despite that, the series has tricks up its sleeve which kept me emotionally invested to keep coming back and to keep caring about the lives of these strange creatures as the plot bubbles along to its conclusion.

I didn't hear about this series at all when it came out; but if you enjoy character-driven dramas, I would encourage you put aside any preconceptions you may have about Yokai and come along for the ride. And if you're the type to get emotionally invested, perhaps keep some tissues nearby.