Cinematic Point Of View

I stumbled upon this 2 episode OVA called “Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou” (or Yokohama Shopping Log) when I saw it mentioned in a YouTube video about lesser known anime. Coffee shops? Androids? The end of the world? It sounded really intriguing, so I tracked it down. What a unique and peaceful work of art it turned out to be!

Based on a manga series by Hitoshi Ashinano, this quiet little slice-of-life anime, directed by Takashi Annô, takes place in a post apocalyptic Japan with rising sea-levels. Nature is slowly taking back the planet. The human population is dwindling. This is a very quiet Earth.

The main character, actually one of the few characters, is an android named Alpha own runs a small coffee shop all on her own.

Having been left in charge of the shop by her Creator, she spends her days doing very little until one day a delivery girl arrives with a package for her from her Creator. Inside the package is a camera with film for 300 photos.

After some reflection she takes this opportunity go out and take photos, really paying attention to the scenery around her for the first time. She takes this project very seriously.

And that’s about it. There isn’t really much of a plot. Where did all the people go? How did civilization end up like this? How and when did humans develop androids? All of these questions are never answered and don’t matter.

Instead of finding the answers to these questions, you are left to enjoy and appreciate the quiet wonder of the world, right along with Alpha. It’s truly a beautiful thing and one I have never seen in anime before. Imagine going outside and sitting in your backyard by yourself. Just listening. Watching.

This is a series is about the passage of time and appreciating what you have in the world that exists right now. Everything changes. Pay attention. That’s it in a nutshell.

This is likely not going to be for everyone at every moment in their life. I imagine most people will find it boring. Hold that thought though. You might not appreciate it at first, but let me suggest that if you aren’t enjoying this show, step away and come back to it when you are in a different mood. It will speak to you.

It’s like meditation. At first you are slightly uncomfortable. Then you sit a while and a natural shift occurs. You start to lighten up and suddenly, with no effort at all, you’re seeing things from a new perspective. You have to be open to it though.

Alpha sits in her coffee shop. She scoops in coffee grounds. Heats up some water. Pours the coffee and let’s it steep. She sits quietly at a table and watches the sun go down. If you let it wash over you, you’ll be right there sitting at the table enjoying the world as she is. It’s actually really moving.

The animation is sublime. It has those slightly faded colors of hand drawn animation that I love from the late 90s / early 2000s. The backgrounds feel very Neon Genesis Evangelion.

The cracked streets with grass peeking through. Overgrown trees bursting through crumbing buildings. The city of Yokohama submerged under crystal clear water. The beauty of the scene where the automatic lights come on under the ocean at dusk is “chef’s kiss” perfection.

Speaking of kiss, there is one short piece of what felt like “fan service” to me, as the androids exchange data through kissing. Not a huge deal but they could have left that out as it sorta changes the tone of the show for no good reason. That said, if you just move past that little moment, it’s all good.

The music by Gontiti is another thing. Sentimental, simple, and full of joy. Just enough romanticism to pull at the heart strings when the natural sounds of the world aren’t whispering in your ear.

Apparently there are two OVAs, one from 1998 and one from 2002, each consisting of 2 episodes. I am not entirely sure which one I watched (I think the 2002?) nor am I sure of what differences there are. I would assume the animation style.

In the end (pun intended), what did I take away from this show? Enjoy your life. Appreciate what you have. We live in a beautiful world. Take care of it. Slow down and pay attention to the little things. Be thankful.

I looked around on Ebay and Google and found that the DVDs are long out of print and very expensive. Luckily, YouTube has come to the rescue. I’ve embedded the 2 part OVA, that I watched, below.

Have you seen this series? I’d love to hear what you thought. And if you haven’t, leave me a comment after you watch it. Would really enjoying discussing it further.