Who isn’t familiar with the good old anime beach episodes, which have almost become a kind of tradition? Indeed, these episodes have become almost an unwritten law – whether in a negative or positive sense, and many fans look forward to them and cherish them. And as one might expect, most examples do not stand out for their masterful plot or other cinematic highlights. So the question arises, are they inevitably meaningless fillers, or can one enjoy such content without necessarily being a fan service enthusiast? Let’s dive into the highlights of summer feelings that might just brighten this summer of 2023 for you.
Classroom Of The Elite – Season 1 Episode 7
The premise of the Classroom Of The Elite episode “Nothing Is as Dangerous as an Ignorant Friend; A Wise Enemy is to be Preferred” revolves around the students of the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School going on a summer vacation to a tropical island. The students are tasked with surviving on the island for a week as part of a special test designed to teach them the value of independence and cooperation. In the beach episode, a significant portion is dedicated to typical beach activities, with scenes of the students playing on the beach, swimming, and having fun. This includes lighter moments with character interactions and fan service, common elements of anime beach episodes.
However, as with the rest of the series, the episode isn’t just about fun and relaxation. It uses the beach setting as a backdrop to delve deeper into the characters and their dynamics. The students, while enjoying the beach, also have to plan their survival for a week with limited resources. The episode further showcases the strategic and manipulative skills of the protagonist, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. It becomes clear that behind the scenes, he’s helping his class strategize and win tasks without them realizing it, furthering the intrigue around his character. There’s a pivotal turn in the beach episode when the students realize that their provisions have been stolen, which creates tension and conflict among the class, marking a shift in the atmosphere from relaxed to stressed and anxious.
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions – Season 1 Episode 6
The narrative context of each episode of the Love, Chunibyou & Other Delusions rom-com revolves around a summer trip that the main characters undertake to a beach house owned by one of their peers, Makoto Isshiki. However, what sets this episode apart is the dual purpose of the trip: alongside the recreational activities, the two protagonists, Yuta Togashi and Rikka Takanashi, are also gearing up for their impending exams.
The creators successfully capture the essence of a quintessential beach episode by portraying typical beach antics, such as swimming and playing in the sand. The episode teems with light-hearted scenes that leverage the scenic beach setting to infuse an air of relaxation and fun into the narrative. It also incorporates elements of fan service, following the convention of many anime beach episodes, further adding to the lively atmosphere. However, the beach episode in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions delves beyond the surface-level amusement. Amid the frolic and mirth, the episode offers meaningful character interaction and relationship development. The tranquil beach setting allows Yuta and Rikka to bond further, offering deeper insights into their dynamic relationship. The viewers are privy to more of Rikka’s chunibyo antics, which not only serve as comic relief, but also contribute to the richness of her character. Moreover, the episode expertly intertwines the plot’s progression with the beach activities. The protagonists’ commitment to studying for their exams amidst the distractions of the beach reinforces their diligence and determination. Consequently, the narrative maintains its momentum, ensuring that the episode is not merely a diversion from the main plot line, but an integral part of it.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya – Season 1 Episode 6
In The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, the beach episode is part of a two-part story arc called “Remote Island Syndrome.” The arc isn’t a typical beach episode that’s filled with fun, relaxation, and fan service. Instead, it’s a murder mystery that unfolds during a vacation to a remote island. It begins with Haruhi arranging for the SOS Brigade to take a trip to a remote island owned by a relative of Itsuki’s family. The group looks forward to a fun-filled vacation, complete with swimming, playing on the beach, and exploring the island. However, things take a turn for the serious when they discover a dead body, leading to a whodunit-style murder mystery kinda like we know it from the Ace Attorney games.
As is common with episodes in the anime, even this beach arc manages to combine humor with more serious elements. The episode presents an interesting dynamic between the characters and provides a deeper look into their personalities. This particular episode is significant because it showcases Haruhi’s determination and investigative abilities while also further developing the relationships and dynamics between the SOS Brigade members. Despite the unusual premise for a beach episode, “Remote Island Syndrome” stays true to the unique narrative style and character-focused storytelling of the series. It combines elements of the ordinary and extraordinary, providing both character development and a captivating plot.
Sailor Moon – Season 1 Episode 20
Even though the popular magical girl anime series has several beach episodes due to its long run, one that stands out is an episode from the first season, titled “The Summer, the Beach, Youth and Ghosts.” This is the 20th episode in the original Sailor Moon anime. The episode starts with Bunny and her friends deciding to take a trip to a beach house. Expecting a typical day of fun and relaxation, the girls are excited. However, they soon find out that the beach house is rumored to be haunted, which adds an element of mystery and suspense to the episode. The haunted beach house is, in fact, a trap set up by Nephrite, one of the Dark Kingdom’s Four Kings, to gather energy from humans. He targets a young painter, who is driven to exhaustion by a Youma, which feeds on his energy as he becomes obsessed with painting a perfect picture of the ocean.
In typical Sailor Moon fashion, the Sailor Senshi eventually faces off against the Youma, leading to an exciting battle. The episode ends with the defeat of the Youma, and the painter, free from the Youma’s influence, completes his painting in peace.
As is common with many anime beach episodes, this one includes typical beach activities, humor, and fan service moments, but also carries the main storyline forward with the ongoing battle against the Dark Kingdom. It’s an example of how Sailor Moon effectively incorporates the beach episode trope while maintaining the show’s central themes and plotline. It’s a fun filler episode that still includes elements of the supernatural and the magical girl genre’s typical action scenes.
Fruits Basket (2019) – Season 2 Episode 6
Fruits Basket has garnered attention and acclaim for its intricate exploration of emotional growth and interpersonal relationships. An essential narrative arc in this series unfolds during a visit to the Sohma beach house. This arc profoundly impacts the plot trajectory and the character development throughout the series. One of the critical components of this beach arc is the introduction and exploration of the character Akito at the beach house. The series reveals the oppressive and abusive dynamics Akito, the head of the Sohma family, maintains over other family members. This not only offers viewers a more profound understanding of Akito’s complex personality but also illuminates the multi-layered, darker aspects of the Sohma family’s curse.
Moreover, the beach arc serves as a crucial setting for deepening interpersonal relationships, particularly for the protagonist Tohru Honda. In the tranquil yet tense atmosphere of the Sohma beach house, Tohru’s bonds with two key Sohma members, Yuki and Kyo, evolve significantly. The narrative effectively utilizes the beach setting to underscore the characters’ emotional complexities, dilemmas, and the silent tension that underlies their relationships. In addition to relationship building, the beach arc offers extensive character development. Both Yuki and Kyo, central figures in the series, experience personal growth and development. They struggle to navigate their feelings, their relationships with Tohru, and their connections with the Sohma family’s members, leading to the evolution of their respective characters.
In conclusion, the beach episode arc in Fruits Basket is far from a typical light-hearted interlude often found in anime series. Instead, it is an integral narrative component, driving both plot and character development. The setting’s relaxed ambiance belies the significant emotional turmoil and intense character interactions, crafting an engaging, poignant narrative that leaves a lasting impression on the viewers. Thus, the beach arc beautifully encapsulates the series’ essence by juxtaposing the tranquility of the beach with the tempestuous lives of the Sohma family.
Are Beach Episodes Filler Content?
This is a small compilation of deeper beach episodes for those who prefer lighter episodes – don’t worry, the worst-of list is already in the queue. At the end of the day, one might ask whether beach episodes go hand in hand with fillers. Comparing the terms “Anime Beach” and “Anime Filler” on Google Trends from 2004 to 2023, there seems to be a quite clear result. But this is only for those who also like to have numbers behind the stories.
In nearly all cases, the blue graph moves up when the red graph moves up. There is, at least, a small correlation between the screening of a beach episode behaving like an anime filler. Even though there are a few beach episodes that deliver some plot points and character developments, most of them are just fun – and mostly fan service focused. Yet even then they can be enjoyable if they don’t disrupt the series itself too much. One thing is for sure: they provide a nice summertime beach feeling.
Featured Image: Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions; The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya; Sailor Moon
