Who are we to decide that Slice of Life is a genre filled with the same shows? Isn’t there a batch of examples that still have those same aspects of Slice of Life and even create a fresh atmosphere and aura to its world and characters? The answer is quite simple: yes. There are still slice-of-life anime that provide more than just cute girls doing cute things, though there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. Non Non Biyori is one such show that fits the category perfectly as an instant slice of life classic.

One phrase that perfectly summarizes the show would be a breath of fresh air. I mean that too. If there is one thing that distinguishes Non Non Biyori from most shows, it is the pleasant atmosphere that engulfs the world of the show. From its character interactions being so grounded in a real-life, down-to-earth manner that makes it more memorable and authentic to the environment to the subtle hints of its artistry in the backgrounds and characters. The plot detailing the issues of differentiating city life from the rural countryside areas of society doesn’t necessarily paint a whole demonstrated structure of how the story goes. But if you look at it further down the road, that isn’t necessary for this show. It just lets the plot speak for itself through regular dialogue rather than pointless exposition to explain anything since there’s hardly anything to tell in the first place. Sure, that might capsulize the slice of life genre, but Non Non Biyori is probably one of the few who does it better than the vast majority.

What little plot that Non Non Biyori showcases make up for the excellent colorful cast of characters that make the show worthwhile to watch all the way through. Every girl has a unique personality that distinguishes them from the rest in terms of the writers’ build-up to their sense of humor in the comedy. They aren’t just this mesh of girls with personalities A, B, or C. The difference in character makes them feel like real human beings that anybody can relate to, whether from their disposition or typical actions. Renge, for instance, is the youngest of the bunch, and you’d think that they’d make her into this young girl who acts older than her elementary age, but it is, in fact, quite the opposite to this general aspect; at least in most cases to be specific. Her kindergarten mind ranges from being cute and curious that, in some cases, it can be construed to how come kids at her age act in a civil manner.

The art is pretty breathtaking, considering how minimal the scope is to the show. It greatly enhances the atmosphere in its relaxed tone and inflection from how the characters look crisp and clear from the actual colors and designs. The backgrounds especially give a wide range of detail to perfecting this countryside town, giving its structure more creativity and care to design how the characters live through their day-to-day lives.

What’s unique about the comedy itself is how the timing is so minimal and slow that it quickly makes the scenes more memorable just from the silence and pauses that last up to even about ten seconds. Again, the atmospheres help the show’s credit with this. The environment is so chill and down-to-earth that the jokes fit the anime perfectly, even with its mild attempts at being wacky in a typical moe comedy. That at least is always welcomed, thanks to the hilarious antics of Renge and Natsumi, whose air-headed ways still tickle the moe-bone whenever her actions are on-screen.

Casting couldn’t have been better to give these characters the voices that fit them very well. Highlights include Kana Asumi with her very distinct, sarcastic voice that matches Komari’s senpai attitude that all the other girls look up to her. Ayane Sakura has made a name for herself in the seiyuu community by gracing her beautiful voice to the public, and she has done it with Natsumi, a role that she was born to play. However, it would be interesting to hear someone like Yui Ogura play her.

For what it is, Non Non Biyori might be a big surprise for anyone who might be getting a little tired of the Slice of Life genre dominating the majority of the seasons lately. I am one of these people. Though I don’t necessarily have any contempt or hatred for all of the shows like this, Non Non Biyori is a clear sign that the genre has a lot of things going for it and reminds us why it’s still considered a favorite genre for so many people. The show perfectly captures what it was like to be a middle school kid. It does want us to remember what it was like being at that age filled with mystery and friends, or lack thereof. Most slices of life fail to capture this essence, but we finally have one, and its name is Non Non Biyori.

Grade: A-