Michiko & Hatchin

I actually struggled to finish this show. It was finished after a year, I have a tv in my room so im much more inclined to watch anime instead of bedrot. anyways, it was worth finishing.

i started the anime for the obvious reason - set in somewhere other than japan or europe with a black MAIN character. Its set in brazil, and a common critique of the show is that the portrayal of brazil is reductive and perjorative. The whole plot is crime, poverty and suffering. This is a valid critique, but knowing the producer(? writer? director?) of the show is the same as the producer of COWBOY BEPOP it makes a little more sense. Either way, these types of stories are not what I usually watch but I was surprised by how much it captured me. I was truly invested in the characters by the end. The message of the story is literally the "friends we made along the way" trope which was heartwarming.

Its weird being able to relate to the characters in an anime. The realistic setting helped a lot, but the diverse cast was really what brought it home. There was a small scene where Atsuko was in the car, and because her afro was so big it was being smooshed by the top of the car. Its so innocuous but all of a sudden she felt all the more real. These are people that could be not only real, but in MY life. I also really liked Atusko and Michiko's rivalry. ACAB but ig Atsuko is okay. There was some queer minor characters which was refreshing too!

ok im not even gonna front anymore i fucking love the portrayal of black people in this anime, we are so cool, this is so aesthetic. If you need a break from the lack of diversity, the high school settings, the fanservice of 16 year olds, this is for you. the main characters are literally just hot black women and I think thats unique enough to have merit on its own.