Common Name: Hinako Note
Score: 6/10, 4/5
Length: 12 Episodes
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life, Moe, Ecchi
Summary: For most of her life Sakuragi Hinako has lived out in the country side, acting as a scarecrow for hire since simple communication with others makes her body freeze up. Determined to get over her problem, Hinako moves into a boarding house/cafe/book store in the city. While all the tenants of her new home are a little strange, they share a love of theater and a desire to help Hinako overcome her social anxiety. Perhaps getting on stage will do her some good.
Review: Considering how many Slice of Life comedies have come out over the years since it became a seasonal staple, it figures that the closest we get to creativity in the genre these days are just standard comedies with some signature, uniting gimmick. Hinako Note is one such variation of that formula that uses theater, musicals, and skits as it's overarching gimmick. Now, it's not exactly a secret that I am a fan of slice of life comedies and this show's use of moe is another big plus for me personally. What kind of irks me about Hinako Note, though, is how the show frequently turns to ecchi comedy as another means of attracting an audience. While it mainly shows up with the show's End Cards (single frame sketch that appears post credits to showcase fan art or a funny "what if" scenario), there is a degree of it present within the actual show itself.
As always, this kind of ecchi stuff is mainly used for general titillation or
to placate the rabid yuri fans that're drawn to these shows.
While I'm just one of those people who isn't really a fan of this stuff, I am particularly bothered by it in Hinako Note because the characters aren't portrayed as being sexual personalities outside of these rare situations. For the vast majority of the show, Hinako and the other residents of the boarding house follow the general rules of moe. They are cute, innocent characters who are frequently presented in a hyper-deformed chibi format and are primarily defined by their unique quirks. For example, Hinako is the standard, air-headed klutz character but is primarily defined by her social anxieties and tendency to act like a scarecrow/animal magnet.
But I guess all those things can be summarized as being a socially awkward country bumpkin.
Then there's Natsukawa Kuina who runs the boarding house's book store, loves to dress up in various kigurumis (animal pajamas), and loves books and food above all else. So much so, in fact, that she has a tendency to eat books to express her love and momentarily sate her appetite. Next is Hiiragi Mayuki who is in charge of the boarding house's cafe, is in love with the idea of being a princess, and is generally child-like despite being one of the show's older cast members. Ending the list of the tenants, Ogino Chiaki is the manager of the boarding house, the most "mature" character, and is the driving force behind the show's theatrical gimmick. Lastly, Nakajima Yua is the tsundere of the cast and super-fan of the idol-like Chiaki. When they're all together, the show blossoms into what can be considered a straightforward and amusing gag comedy that never passes beyond the realm of mediocrity. It's a safe, and solid moe title that can be equal parts amusing and relaxing--a great title to just veg out to. So, it comes as something of a bizarre juxtaposition to have all that simple and generally innocent and kind-hearted brand of comedy along scenes that feature some kind of lewd pose or sapphic scenario.
It just doesn't make sense how this show can make relatively thoughtful references like this
and then follow it all up with things like this.
I understand that it's just another means of drawing in one of the larger anime communities--those who are invested in the smuttier side of anime--but I can't help but think it doesn't belong in this show. There are, of course, instances when gap moe makes sense. Absurdist comedies in particular benefit from the gap moe formula of characters acting...well, out of character, but not cutesy moe comedies like Hinako Note. There is a good chance I'm just being overly sensitive to this issue though. While I'd argue it does harm to the overall experience, the lewder moments are few and far between and, again, typically reserved for single-frame stingers as a little something extra for the people who want it. As a whole, the show is fun and moderately enjoyable but will be one of those titles I'll have forgotten in a year or so. Give it a shot if you're into slice of life and have nothing else on your plate, but there's little reason to touch this one if you're not part of that demographic.