Tamako Market

[Ryllharu]

Tamako Market

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3452/129348.jpg

Description: Tamako is a high-school freshman whose family runs a mochi (rice cake) shop in a certain town's shopping district. While shopping, she meets a bird in a flower shop that speaks Japanese. The bird becomes attached to her as she continues about her daily life, working at the mochi shop and spending time with her friends in the baton twirling club.

AniDB (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=9525) || ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=14908) || MyAnimeList (http://myanimelist.net/anime/16417/Tamako_Market)

Mazui -01 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=391313)


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The plot premise doesn't really grab me, the character designs are remixes of KyoAni's other school series, stylistically identical to K-ON unfortunately, rather than Hyouka or Chuunibyou and the characters themselves aren't really that interesting.

That said, I'll give credit where it is due. Tamako Market has some very fluid animation. It stands out right away. If the characters are moving (at least in a non-comedical way) it is almost uncannily fluid. This is like just one step below rotoscoping, the stuff usually seen in sequences of anime movies (pop idol dance sequences or sword fights the most often). It is impressive to say the least. It's not uncanny valley territory either, it comes off as perfectly natural movements.

I can't say I'll be following this series (unless I'm really bored on Wednesdays...which is likely since all the shows I want to watch are on the weekends), but I was suitably impressed with the quality of the animation itself, while being underwhelmed by basically everything else.

[Kraco]

I could repeat your words. When the talking bird appeared, I was ready to drop the show immediately, but then the neighbour dude was introduced soon after, making me think maybe this isn't an all-girls show and I kept watching. In retrospect I can't help but feel the dude was added there for the sole purpose of keeping somebody like me watching (I assume there are watchers like that in Japan as well, not only waifu-otaku). All in all this felt pretty empty compared to the recent KyoAni shows. I can't even imagine how they can make a whole show about mochi, but I guess KyoAni could pull it off.

I'll still watch the second ep and then decide whether to try to struggle this through just because it's KyoAni or give up.

[animus]

I'll still watch for another 1 or 2 episodes. To say the least, the first episode kept me entertained.

[Buffalobiian]

I'm rather disappointed about this. Given the premise, I thought it would be some interesting slice-of-life, but it's pretty flat right now.

The bird pisses me off, but then there really isn't much left if you take him out. The cuteness and animation keeps the show up eye-candy-wise, but if the next couple of episodes are just as boring it's dropped.

This was one of the few shows I thought I would like too.

[shinta|hikari]

I like the bird.

I hate the bird.

I like the bird.

I hate the bird.

Oh, there's Anko.

[Buffalobiian]

Mazui - Episode 02 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=393718)

[Kraco]

I like the bird.

I hate the bird.

I like the bird.

I hate the bird.

Yeah, during the second ep I found I didn't mind the bird so much anymore. I suppose even objectively speaking it wasn't so annoying anymore in this episode, so maybe that's it. The bird is also the only thing that looks like a greater plot in this moeblob show. I doubt romance wise anything is going to happen, despite the initial settings.

I'll keep watching for now.

[Ryllharu]

Surprise yuri tendencies! I was mildly impressed that they used that card so early.

I must admit I was quite entertained by the district business meeting concerning the improvement of their "brand." It reminded me pleasantly of Ikoku Meiro no Croisee.

Also the fact that the two children of the rival mochi makers routinely communicate by string and cup.

[Buffalobiian]

I must admit I was quite entertained by the district business meeting concerning the improvement of their "brand." It reminded me pleasantly of Ikoku Meiro no Croisee.

To me, that more directly reminded me of Tari Tari. I don't remember any actual meetings amongst keepers in Ikoku Meiro, but there were definitely multiple ones in Tari Tari.

[Ryllharu]

[Mazui] Tamako Market - 03 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=396388)


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Bleh. I'm so tired of the "So ultra-shy they seem rude" character type. It's one of the most dull character archetypes out there. Even the "Ultra shy semi-stalker who is actually pretty" variant is better than Shiori's type.

Less of this new girl, and more of the closeted lesbian and autistic handyman friends from now on please. At least they're interesting.

[Kraco]

Yeah, I can't say this episode would have been too thrilling. But then again, isn't this exactly the kind of character development that KyoAni likes in their moeblob series? I'm not really expecting Asagiri to play an overly large role after this episode, though, because in the end there seemed to be little to her character aside from pathological shyness.

[Buffalobiian]

That episode had to be my favourite thus far, contrary to the above comments, largely because Dera was entertainingly falling for a girl instead of telling people not to fall for him.

[Buffalobiian]

Mazui - Episode 04 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=398828)

Tamako Market OP Single - Dramatic Market Ride (FLAC) [Suzaki Aya].zip (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=397161)
[Shin-S] Tamako Market ED Single - Neguse (FLAC) [Suzaki Aya].zip (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=397160)

[Shin-S] Tamako Market OP Single - Dramatic Market Ride [Suzaki Aya].zip (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=397146)
[Shin-S] Tamako Market ED Single - Neguse [Suzaki Aya].zip (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=397145)




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I like the bird.

[s]I hate the bird.

Oh, there's Anko.

^ This.

The OP animation is cutesy to the point where I find it .. revolting(?) (no idea how to describe my reaction to it), but for that very reason I still try to watch it to see if there's anything left in there after desensitising myself to cheezy-overload.

Perhaps it's not too different to how Dera feels after having loads of sweets crammed down his throat.

[Kraco]

Tamako is pretty dense when even her elementary school little sister understands much more about romance than she does. But then again, looking at their dad and granddad, it's easy to see where that density rivalling tungsten is coming from. Maybe their mother's side is better and Anko was luckier.

[Ryllharu]

The OP animation is cutesy to the point where I find it .. revolting(?) (no idea how to describe my reaction to it), but for that very reason I still try to watch it to see if there's anything left in there after desensitising myself to cheezy-overload.
It's like a scene out of an old Hollywood or Broadway musical. I think it is quite clever and they pulled off the effect very well.

[Buffalobiian]

Mazui - Episode 05 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=401318)

[Shin-S] Tamako Market OP Single - Dramatic Market Ride (FLAC) [Suzaki Aya].zip (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=397161)
[Shin-S] Tamako Market ED Single - Neguse (FLAC) [Suzaki Aya].zip (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=397160)

[Shin-S] Tamako Market OP Single - Dramatic Market Ride [Suzaki Aya].zip (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=397146)
[Shin-S] Tamako Market ED Single - Neguse [Suzaki Aya].zip (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=397145)

[shinta|hikari]

I bet you waited until the 5th episode was out before posting those music links in the same post.

[Buffalobiian]

I bet you waited until the 5th episode was out before posting those music links in the same post.

And I just realised I already did that in Episode 04 :S

Anyway.. Anko.

[Kraco]

You know a guy is at his wits' end when he turns to a bird for advice.

[Buffalobiian]

You know a guy is at his wits' end when he turns to a bird for advice.

Mochizou's case pissed me off because the other girl was getting in the way (and he relented more or less). Had the girl been crazy over him and acted out of jealousy, I wouldn't have minded. "Protecting" Tamako though... come on.

If we're not going to get anything with the older sister, then get us back go An and the glasses kid.

[Kraco]

Mochizou's case pissed me off because the other girl was getting in the way (and he relented more or less). Had the girl been crazy over him and acted out of jealousy, I wouldn't have minded. "Protecting" Tamako though... come on.

Midori's a lesbian in love with Tamako. However, so far Tamako has shown few signs of being a lesbian herself, so Midori is trying to keep her out of hetero relationships until she can (or so she dreams) turn Tamako into a homosexual. From that point of view I reckon her behavior did make perfect sense. What I was thinking during the ep was how funny it was, after a fashion, that Mochizou ended up hanging out with Midori a whole lot during this school trip, instead of the girl he really wanted to be with. And the exact same of course goes for Midori. Naturally it is a mystery how he's so weak about it at this point. You'd think he would be able to, at the very least, be in the company of his childhood friend, even if he's too shy to confess.

[Ryllharu]

Don't forget that Midori already confessed to Tamako, who characteristically misunderstood and replied that she loved her too...and all her other friends. Like Kraco said, she's defending her turf, not blocking him just because she's that kind of bitchy friend.

[Buffalobiian]

Mazui - Episode 05 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=403773)

[Uchiha Barles]

Is this show good/enjoyable? There's ongoing discussion on it here so I'm curious.

[shinta|hikari]

It's mostly fluffy slice of life.

[Kraco]

Those older folks need to get their heads checked. It's disgraceful to be so afraid of ghosts at their age. Judging by this they must be checking the underside of their beds for trolls every evening.

[Buffalobiian]

Mazui - Episode 07 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=406073)

[Kraco]

Dera should have just told Choi the Kitashirakawas are fattening him up to serve as the Labor Thanksgiving Day feast main dish, if it was all the same to him to frame and accuse people who went so out of their way to accommodate him for free. What an ingrate.

[David75]

Cosy show of the season.
Nothing too flashy, nothing to criticize, just watch and have a peaceful time.
Dera-chan clearly is the little ingredient pushing that show just above average.

[Kraco]

Dera-chan clearly is the little ingredient pushing that show just above average.

No. No, nothing is pushing this show above average. If you are looking at individual aspects, then the animation quality might be above average, because KyoAni has the dough to burn, but that's it. But as a show this surely isn't.

[shinta|hikari]

I don't even see this as average, but then I realized average in anime means just a bit worse than generic and lackluster.

[Buffalobiian]

I feel about the same as David. It's light and fluffy. Each episode truly is just "Another happy day at Tamako Market".

I enjoy your "average" anime, so I can't argue against your points directly.

[Buffalobiian]

Mazui - Episode 08 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=408391)

[Ryllharu]

Tamako Market - 09 [Mazui] (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=410764)


So Tamako has her father's hair color, her mother's eyes, and her mother's birthmark/mole. Anko has her mother's hair and her father's eyes. All along, the song Tamako remembers her mother humming all the time was an original love song written by her father.

How cute. Big impression on everyone involved I suppose.

It's also kind of funny that Anko, despite being much younger, is much more feminine and modest, while Tamako is a totally oblivious airhead who just does whatever strikes her at the moment. She might be an idiot, but she pays just enough attention to the people she cares about to make sure they're happy.

[Buffalobiian]

I'd say Anko's modesty (if any) is just limited to the mannerism and politeness you normally project to people you know less well. She strikes me as the type who doesn't mind lashing out at those she's more comfortable around (Mochizou, family members, Dera).

It ties in with how she's more situationally aware than Tamako, a point I agree with.

Mazui - Episode 10 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=413042)

Mazui - Episode 11 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=415201)

[Buffalobiian]

Mazui - Episode 12 (http://www.nyaa.eu/?page=download&tid=417397)


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I'm not sure if I want to archive this show or not. It's got zero re-watch value - and I can't find a reason to recommend this to anyone either. The target audience is clearly the regular anime-mass who would watch something animated every week. Once you've satisfied that reason to watch, then it's a nice 12 weeks, but otherwise it's a pretty weak reason to be backlog material.

That said, I'll miss Dera's fabulous roundness for a week or two.

[Ryllharu]

I enjoyed the series, but it mostly served as something to watch on Wednesday before the Thurs-Fri rush of anime series this season, where all the good series are all released within 12 hours of each other.

But there is something a bit misleading about the series. It is titled Tamako Market, but she's really not even the main character. Tamako is far more like the lead in Bartender (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=animeatt&aid=4681). She has no real character development, doesn't change in any way, and really is just a guide. Tamako going out is by and large exactly the same character she was going in.

Tamako's sister changes, her closeted-lesbian friend changes, her neighbor develops a backbone, her father changes, but Tamako is constant. She loves the market, she's always loved the market, and the market is her home that she has no intention of ever leaving.

If anything, the real main character of the story arc is Choi. Choi becomes a better person, a little more worldly, and while she's not more tolerant of Dera's bullshit, she learns that she doesn't always have to be a servant to her prince, she can entertain her own wants and desires a little. I also liked that last touch right toward the end with Choi. She fingers the metal band around her neck in the truck, in a particular spot, a clear hint that Choi bears an identical birthmark to Tamako (and Tamako's mother). She's just hiding it under the jewelry. Choi is quite obviously the Prince's bride, but she certainly can't tell her own fortune.

[shinta|hikari]

Best character in the show? Prince. He is cool and cute, kyaaaa~!!

I liked this because of Choi and Shiori.