Studio Bind is the Shin Godzilla of anime studios. It came from nowhere, and it did things that defy logic. For a studio with such a small body of work, their titles and art are stunning. Studio Bind amazes with everything from fast-paced (Jobless Reincarnation), to the detail-rich works (Flower and Asura). So when I heard that they were animating the rockhounding manga, Ruri Rocks, my expectations were astronomical. I love kawaii waifus, and I hoard shiny rocks like a dragon hoards gold. So if Studio Bind delivered, I was going to be a very happy weeb.
Apprently, life knew that I needed a win, so Studio Bind took one look at my expectations, struck the ojou-sama pose, and laughed. Never before had a studio so smugly exceeded my expectations. Ruri Rocks had the strongest visual premiere of any show this year. And with its dedication to rockhounding and the protection of the outdoors, it’s posed to be one of the best hobby anime we’ve seen in a long time.
A Very Short Ruri Rocks Synopsis
For Ruri Tanigawa, her zeal for rockhounding began like it does for most teenage girls—at a jewelry store. Fascinated by a crystal pendant, she runs home to pester her mom into giving her an early allowance. But her mom instead told her that her grandfather used to regularly find them, so she ran off to get her mineral fix. While her searches proved futile, her impromptu adventure introduces her to Nagi Agato, a graduate student with a penchant for geology. Together, the two begin an adventure to discover the minerals and treasures buried beneath Japan.
Why You Should Watch It
Lately, there’s been a boom of CGDCT shows that beckon you to go touch some grass. Yuru Camp, Encouragement of Climb, Slow Loop, and Asteroid in Love (insert about 5 billion other shows here) all do their best to drive you to their respective hobbies.
While shows like Laid-Back Camp and Slow Loop incorporate nature as an integral part of their cast, other series often overlook this. Studio Bind recognized this distinction and deliberately chose to focus on making nature a meaningful presence in their work. When a show’s OP has better visuals than any other show this season, you should take notice. I thought With You and the Rain was visually stunning. But the glittering brilliance of Ruri Rocks’ first episode is absolutely breathtaking. I remember the first time I saw the Milky Way in a dark sky location. That experience was so moving that remembering it brought me to tears. And when a show’s opening sequence captures that beauty, all I can do is stand up and clap.
Ruri Rock does a better job of showing its reverence for the outdoors in one episode than most shows do in a season. Rockhounding has its downsides—if not done right, it can lead to erosion and landslides. Likewise, watershed pollution is one of its most common issues. Having spent most of my adult life protecting the natural environment, I feel compelled to shower any anime that does the same with love.
Shingo Fujii’s directorial work in this show is praiseworthy. Likewise, Ruri Rocks’ VAs delivered a stellar performance in the show’s opening episode. While Asami Seto (Nagi) has a long and celebrated career, Miyari Nemoto (Ruri) only has a single lead role (Nodoka from Alice Gear Aegis Expansion). Despite that, the two work off each other flawlessly.
Ruri Rocks’ Mineral Corner (The Part Where I’ll Make You Into a Rockhounder)
Rockhounding was once the realm of amateur geologists and oddballs. Now, it’s a haven for hippies, jewelry makers, and loons who believe in crystal healing. Regardless of your motives, rockhounding is a rewarding hobby; both in terms of appreciating nature and collecting kira-kira stuff. Nagi’s speech about rocks moving in a time frame we can’t conceptualize is the greatest summation of geology I’ve ever heard. When you pick up a fossil or mineral, and you realize that you’re holding something that’s millions (possibly even billions), of years old—the way you view life changes.
Much like Ruri met Nagi, this can quickly become a social hobby. Rockhounding conventions are everywhere, and they’re filled with all the geekiness you’d expect from an anime convention. The only difference is that, instead of waifus, you get beautiful rocks. And instead of the smell of rancid weed, you’re greeted by the scents of petrichor, rust, and geosmin.
Since this is the first episode, and for brevity’s sake, I won’t pontificate about the do’s and don’ts of rockhounding. Instead, I’ll share a few pieces of advice and leave the in-depth dives for another day.
Firstly, eye protection is a must. It’s disheartening that Nagi is swinging a hammer around like her nickname is Thor, yet she fails to wear eye pro. I’ve seen people lose an eye or severely impair their vision due to flying shards. Don’t run that risk.
Secondly, avoid following Ruri’s example by exploring in casual clothes. While it might seem convenient, proper footwear is the difference between a memorable adventure and a sprained or broken ankle. Additionally, always let someone know where you’ll be, and familiarize yourself with local prospecting and collecting laws. Picking up the wrong minerals or fossils can land you in legal trouble. So be safe and go diggy hole.
Ruri Rocks Appendix
Screenshots via Crunchyroll
©Keiichiro Shibuya/KADOKAWA/”Ruri’s Jewels” Production Committee
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