Yotsuiro Biyori – Come for the Tea, Stay for Everything Else

• Genre: Slice of life, comedy, drama, relax, kitty!
• Episodes: 12
• Studio: ZEXCS

 

There are those perfect little moments in life. Not the big important ones that change your destiny. The ones I’m talking about are the quiet mundane little times were nothing much happens but everything seems to just fall into place. For instance, a lazy afternoon when you happen to discover the perfect little cafe. Not too fancy but pretty and comfortable. Not so popular as to be overcrowded but not desolate either. Maybe the weather is awful outside and you happen to be safe and warm in your seat. Or maybe it’s gorgeously sunny and you’re enjoying the lush green scenery from the huge window you’re sitting by. The staff is kind and friendly. The drinks and food are delicious but reasonably priced. As you text with your best friend or read your latest obsession, you sort of wish you could live in this moment forever. It’s a light effortless happiness that can just pass you by without you even noticing. Those of us who are lucky get to stack up those moments and add them up to a wonderful lifetime. And Rokuhōdō is a place that specializes in creating them for their customers. Perfect little moments in time crafted with tender care that will make you smile, if just for a bit.

It’s no accident that my summary tells you next to nothing about what actually happens in Yotsuiro Biyori. This is a show like a sunny afternoon. It’s more about creating an atmosphere and an idea than telling a specific story. Did I just describe Slice of Life as a genre? Maybe. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Now that I’ve sneakily established that Yotsuiro Biyori is a Slice of Life, you probably have all sorts of expectations for its production values and style. If not, I’m sure the pictures in this post gave you some ideas. You’re probably right on every count.

The series invested more in design and art which remains wonderfully consistent, than animation. The style itself took me an episode or two to warm up to but once I did, I ended up enjoying it a lot. Like most aspects of the series, it’s not very flashy or striking but it’s well done and reliable. The voice acting is handled the same way. Calm and understated performances delivered so naturally that you could forget these aren’t the actual character’s voices. Well, they are but you know what I mean.

It’s the type of show you feel safe sinking into because you know what to expect. It doesn’t do anything much out of the ordinary in terms of production, but what it does, it does very well. Much better than average in fact.

As for the narrative, it’s also pure slice of life. Sui inherited a café/restaurant from his grandfather and he runs in with a small cooking and serving staff. It’s a warm comfortable little place that aims for a traditional Japanese experience and a happy relaxed atmosphere. That’s exactly what the rest of the show aims for as well, and it succeeds. The stories themselves don’t really matter all that much. My favourite may have been the one about the kitten because of adorableness overload (see header gif) but they were all unfailingly pleasant.

One thing I appreciated about Yotsuiro Biyori is how it refuses to dwell. We know Gure had a difficult rebellious phase as a kid but we never find out why or exactly what happened. Just that he got over it eventually. Tokitaka was a successful artist but gave it up, again we have no idea why. Sui and his twin brother haven’t spoken in years despite being very close as kids. There’s a rift there. They live quite close to each other and could easily visit. You guessed it, we never see what went wrong, and when they do finally meet there’s no resolution to be had. No one screams or cries. It’s just quiet little pains or disappointments that occasionally haunt you for a second then drift out of your mind.

Handling the drama so lightly felt absolutely true to life and fit in with everything else Yotsuiro Biyori is about. It’s a show about enjoying the little things. If I could compare it to anything else, it would be the Flying Witch. It had that same easy-going peacefully blissful atmosphere. Yotsuiro Biyori may have been a touch more comedic or at least more slapstick in its comedy.

I was very surprised by how much I Enjoyed this series. It really is an ideal show to help you unwind and forget your problems. It also made me long for a homey little neighbourhood cafe I could while away afternoons in. That’s something I really miss about living downtown (I’m in a suburb now).

Final verdict, come in, take a load off and enjoy your time at Rokuhōdō Yotsuiro Biyori.

Favourite character: Nakao Tsubaki (he cooks nothing but deserts…)

What this anime taught me: Not so much “taught” but ever since I finished watching it, I switched the little coffee I did drink to green tea and I’m very happy about that. Don’t know why. It tastes better I guess.

Drunken men give some of the best pep talks.

Suggested drink: Tea Tini – simple yet delicious just like this show

• Every time we see Kinako-chan – take a sip
• Every time Gure speaks in Italian – Saluti
• Every time anyone gets a low-key foodgasm – get a snack
• Every time Sui gets shiny glasses – take a sip
• Every time anyone says “chiffon” – take a sip
• Every time Gure and Tsubaki biker – take a sip
• Every time the show makes you hungry – get another snack and be disappointed it’s not the same as what’s onscreen
• Every time Sui isn’t wearing a kimono – gawk
• Every time Gure makes foam art – take a sip
• Every time Sui isn’t allowed to cook – sigh in relief
• Every time you spot a return customer – take a sip

This time I really went completely insane on the screencaps.  couldn’t help it, this show translates so well to still images. If you have the time you can take a look at the huge imgur gallery I put together. I tried to curate the pics to really represent the show. I’d love to have your thoughts on it.

For those that think imgur is scary, I also have a Pinterest board of course and a few examples below: