Tamayura ~hitotse~ Special 1

I was excited to see that someone finally subbed this episode. Tamayura doesn't get a lot of press, but I love it. It is an adorable, heartwarming series. The special ep is brightened up by getting Fu, Norie, Maon, Kaoru and Chihiro into their yukata's, but the episode is also sweet and serious at the same time. If you were a fan of the series, this extra ep fits in perfectly.

Tamayura ~Hitotose~ Episode 10

With the other girls making great strides in pursuing what they want to be and do (Potte with her photography, Norie with making sweets, and Maon with...well, stuff), Kaoru is feeling a little out of sorts. She loves making potpourri but doesn't see that as something she can do into the future.

As she becomes a little depressed, the other girls get worried about their friend and press her to share what is on her mind. But Kaoru holds out, not wanting to burden them.

But her friends won't let it go and, with the help of Kaoru's strange sister, throw a little surprise gathering to help her feel better. But Kaoru has already found peace about it and even has a great idea for how the girls can showcase their budding interests.

As always, sweet, poignant, and calming. This show is at once the most childish and the most mature thing i watch (the topics aren't mature, but they are dealt with in a mature fashion).

Rating: B+

Tamayura ~Hitotose~ Episode 9

This episode actually is in two parts.

The first? Momoneko overload! The pink cat-puff-living-plushie momoneko-sama is our main character for the day.

He is apparently the little neighborhood do-gooder. He picks up trash, fends off jerk males, and generally helps people solve their problems.

Except he doesn't do to well with boars (or women?). After falling down on the job he has to prove his worth! and everyone else's confidence in him.

In part two, a stranger stumbles in to Hoboro's okonomiyaki restaurant and starts and eating contest. What exactly happened?

Turns out she is Shimako who we last saw on her way to confess her feelings to the boy she likes. apparently it didn't turn out too well.

The group kicks into help mode for this quasi-stranger in an effort to get her back on her feet.

Not my favorite ep, but still the same warm fuzzies.

Rating: B

Tamayura ~Hitotose~ Episode 8

With the festival now over, Fuu-chan thinks about how her role-model photographer, Shihomi-san, would have captured scenes that others would miss. It's just then that she runs into her and, what's this, could she be living in town? And with the okonomiyaki lady?

This episode becomes more about photography. Fuu-chan shares more of how she came to love it and we find that Komachi-chan has also taken up the hobby.

this seems somehow impolite. 

Fuu takes some time to share her photos with Shihomi-san and gets to see a more human side of her idol.

They also take a trip to visit a friend's cafe in the town over to try out some of her new sweets. The conversations there and along the way seem so light at first glance, but really carry a lot meaning in them that is both touching and inspiring.

are those...pocky in the middle?

I love the subtle values claim that this show consistently makes. It doesn't hit you over the head, but there is a light protest against being too carried away by the rush of possibility and missing out on how deep and wonderful the smaller and slower things of life can be.

deep.

Rating: A

Tamayura ~Hitotose~ Episode 7

A festival - called the Path of Longing (according to Evetaku's trans) - is coming up soon and Potte is excited to see it for the first time in years.

omgawd!

It was an event Potte had never really had a chance to see and it was a promise (to see it together) that her father never lived to fulfill.

uh, that's just wrong...

Promises run as a bit of a theme through the episode -people making and fulfilling them.

oh, a friend!

As usual, the cultural aspects of this episode are rich. The descriptions and decpictions of the festival, making teru teru bouzu to ward off the rain, snacking on okonomiyaki all are a treat.

A super cute ep.

Rating: A

Tamayura ~Hitotose~ Episode 6

Flashback episode with lots of Loli Maon-tan, including the possible origin of her love of whistling? But it's also the story of Potte and Maon's meeting.

But not just them! Kaoru and Norie show up as well. (Why haven't any of them changed in like, oh i dunno, ten years?).

Norie-chan seems to have always been uber にぎやか.

so damn cute...

Somehow, everyone starts crying and Maon comes to save the day. way to go Maon-tan.

everybody's crying?

Maon-tan to the rescue!

We then jump ahead a few more years to see again how Maon-tan's whislting becomes part of her life with her friends.

gotta catch 'em all. wait...wait...

so.funny.

Nothing too special about this ep. Same old warm fuzzies and a lot of loli.

don't you?

Rating: B

PS!  WHY WAS I UNAWARE THAT THERE IS MORE TAMAYURA!!! there was apparently a 4 part OVA before this.