Jun 17

Sakura Quest - Quick Thoughts

Sakura Quest is a slice of life drama anime by P.A. Works that focuses on a young girl fresh out of college, Yoshino Koharu. She has been struggling to find a job in Tokyo after getting rejected many times, until one evening when a talent agency offers her a contract to work as a brand spokesperson for the tourism board in the remote countryside town of Manoyama.

As a former country girl who migrated to a big city, Yoshino has her reservations about working in a remote town, let alone producing promotional campaigns to revive a hollowing out community. However, she's made the mistake of signing the contract without checking the duration of the contract. Thus, Yoshino takes up the mantle of the Queen of the Kingdom of Chupakabura with her team of ministers as they get to know the residents of Manoyama, the surrounding area and its cultural significance over the course of one year as stipulated in her contract.

The anime series has a total of 25 episodes which tell more about the characters or feature an event that Yoshino and her team has to organise, ranging from traditional aspects of Manoyaman culture to modern Japanese pop culture to Western influences, which kept me interested in watching every episode with good opening and ending theme songs. As the story progresses through all 4 seasons of the year, the artwork is accurately reflected with the characters in the appropriate attire, along with certain events happening only at certain times of the year, which is a nice touch to the slice of life genre.

Sakura Quest is an interesting anime drama, weaving a tale of bringing life against the backdrop of a rural community. The series portrays the characters' attempts at revitalization, despite the challenges and missteps. It's the evolution of these characters, coupled with the evocative placement of an insert song that goes with a fairy tale, that leaves a good impression with its heartfelt conclusion. This blend of storytelling elements culminates in a moving experience after watching up to the final episode. If you like slice of life dramas with good plot, character development and theme songs with very little fan service, Sakura Quest is an anime series worth watching.

Characters

Yoshino Koharu

Her reckless, immature behavior at trying to wriggle out of her job posting in the first two episodes may not be likeable at first, but over time, her gung-ho attitude, willingness to take on challenges, and ability to empathize with people could mean she is well suited for her role as the Queen of Chupakabura after all...

Shiori Shinomiya

A Manoyama resident who currently works at the tourism board, she does her best to help Yoshino settle into her new job. Her sweet temperament and desire to bring out the best Manoyama has to offer makes her the ideal choice to be Yoshino's minister.

Ririko Oribe

Shiori's childhood friend and fellow Manoyama resident. She is very shy and prefers to stay at home to surf the Internet. Even so, her ability to do research and desire to revive her hometown could mean the end of her shut-in days as she helps Yoshino out as her minister...

Maki Midorikawa

A former member of a small theatre troupe with experience in many different part-time jobs. She's recently returned to Manoyama after failing to get a job as an actress. Despite her setbacks, her experience and level-headed approach to doing things makes her a valuable member of Yoshino's team of ministers.

Sanae Kouzuki

A former worker in an I.T company in Tokyo, she quit her job to set up her own web design company in Manoyama, preferring a more relaxed pace of life in the countryside. When Yoshino and Shiori approach her to set up a website for the tourism board, she accepts the offer and becomes one of Yoshino's ministers.