Hinamatsuri Anime Review

With the conclusion of the Spring anime season and the start of the Summer one, it is now time to look back on one of the truest gems of the Spring: Hinamatsuri. As someone who normally finds themselves watching intense shows such as 91 Days or off-the-wall series such as Cromartie High School, I thought at first glance Hinamatsuri would surely be unimpressive. Of course, I was proven wrong.

*Very minor spoilers ahead*

Hinamatsuri begins with up and coming Yakuza member Nitta finding Hina in the living room of his luxury apartment. In the process of trying to rid himself of the girl he discovers she posses extremely powerful telekinetic powers, which she uses to completely wreck Nitta’s apartment, destroying his fine china and furniture, much to Nitta’s distress. Using his prized possessions as collateral the lovable, but stoic, ikura-loving Hina moves herself in. Seems simple enough right? 

Yet Nitta is still a Yakuza and Hina is still a child that randomly appeared that he must care for and explain. The series doesn’t leave any plot holes to be filled and in the process of addressing serious issues, somehow manages to remain comical in the process.

(For example, the lovable but ever expressionless Hina casually strolls into a yakuza headquarters, obliterates the building, and tosses every member of the gang out the window as they all scream in a chorus of “ouchy!”)

As the series progresses Hina and Nitta find themselves surrounded by quite the cast of characters that only add to the humor. There’s Hitomi, Hina’s middle school classmate turned late night bartender; Utako, the owner of the bar that Nitta’s frequents; Anzu, a fellow telekinetic sent to destroy Hina who ends up finding family with a homeless camp, and Mao another telekinetic who pulls a castaway for 99% of the show.

From L-R, Hitomi, Anzu, Utako, Mao.

​Overall Hinamatsuri will keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end. Each major and supporting character has amazing amounts of depth that will definitely satisfy the slice of life fan while also maintaining a certain amount of action and suspense that will certainly attract those who aren’t normally fans of the genre. 

---

Pros:
-A great break from stressful plot heavy shows.
-A properly developed father-daughter relationship between Hina and Nitta that ISN’T cringey or shippy feeling.
-Wholesome with memorable characters.
-Slice a life for those that are fans of the genre and even those who aren’t.

Cons:
-Ending was very...interesting, a tad bit anticlimactic.
-May not be serious enough for some.

Overall: 5/5 Bowls of Ikura

---

~Jazzichi