Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary was my most anticipated anime this season, which says a lot considering the sequel to Oshi no Ko is also airing—a series that I absolutely love. And the premiere didn’t disappoint, it was a truly cinematic experience. What initially drew me to Shoshimin was not just the involvement of my favorite seiyuu voicing the main character, Osanai, but also the fact it is a new story from the creator of Hyouka.
The combination of a school slice-of-life setting with the intriguing mystery elements that Hyouka delivered was comfortably engaging to me. This is why I was eagerly hoping that Shoshimin would hit the same level that Hyouka gave me. To my surprise, it surpassed my expectations.
Shoshimin’s first episode truly captured the essence of a school life mystery, setting up a wonderfully immersive atmosphere. There were plentiful wide shots that provided a deep dive into the lives of the characters with each shot conveying a sense of realism. What’s even more impressive is that the real-life locations in Gifu, which serve as the series’ setting, were adapted beautifully. It added a tranquil charm to the anime and the ending song sequence elevated my appreciation for the prefecture. For sure it’s already added to my anime pilgrimage itinerary.
The music was seamlessly integrated with the beautiful animation improving the immersive experience even further. As the episode reached its climactic scene, the music evoked a feeling of a sense of wonder which fits what the narrative was trying to portray. On top of that, the soothing voices of the main characters’ voice actors made the entire episode an ethereal experience.
All in all, the animation and sound design of the series are masterful displays of creativity. And to put the cherry on top, the cinematic aspect ratio gives it the feel of a well-produced film rather than a weekly episodic series. While the design elements are undoubtedly top-tier, does the story rise to meet these high standards?
Story-wise, Shoshimin doesn’t back down either. While its premise may seem simple—an extraordinary pair of high school students striving to blend in as ordinary—the narrative promises much more beneath the surface. In the first episode, their extraordinary abilities shine as they solve the case of the stolen bag using their keen deductive skills. The way they utilized each other’s positioning and analyzed every unusual detail to solve the mystery effortlessly was impressive.
What also sets this series apart is its grounded approach; there are no power fantasies, magical abilities, or supernatural elements that influence their extraordinariness. They are just simply better but they also have their lapses at times. However, that makes me appreciate both of them even more because, at the end of the day, they are still just high school students.
If I had any issues with the first episode, it would be the ending—who would dare ruin a limited-edition strawberry tart? I felt Osanai’s reactions after what happened at the end which is funny since it was the same feeling I had when the episode concluded.
Shoshimin episode 1 is streaming on Ani-One.
©Honobu Yonezawa/Tokyo Sogensha/Shoshimin Series Production Committee
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