Josei is a fascinating anime genre packed full of varied and captivating stories. Series in this category, however, are frequently overlooked, meaning many of the most memorable and trailblazing Josei anime are not widely discussed or even known about.
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Perhaps no series embodies this more than Otona Joshi no Anime Time. Despite having a fascinating premise and executing it stunningly well, most anime fans have never heard of the show, causing it to languish in obscurity. Here's what it's all about and why it's absolutely worth checking out for Josei anime fans and beyond.
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Otona Joshi no Anime Time Isn't Like Most Anime
Otona Joshi no Anime Time is different from your typical anime. Rather than telling one story, the show is an anthology series, with each episode adapting a short story written by a popular or award-winning novelist. This includes adaptations of Kawamo o Suberu Kaze by Kei Yuikawa, Jinsei Best 10 by Mitsuyo Kakuta, Dokoka Dewanai Koko by Fumio Yamamoto, and Yūge by Amy Yamada. Every episode is animated by a different production company, with My Hero Academia's Studio BONES, Production Reed, The Answer Studio and WAO World all taking part and animating their respective episode in a different style.
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While these shorts are not directly linked, they are joined by the common theme of adult women going through significant life events that leave them debating their situation. Rather than coming out as a single series, Otona Joshi no Anime Time's four episodes were released as sporadic specials between 2011-2013, which is part of the reason for this show's relative obscurity; it was easy to miss for fans who weren't paying very close attention.
One of the most impressive and memorable aspects of Otona Joshi no Anime Time is how grounded it is. It often feels like a slice-of-life series taken to its logical conclusion. The storylines are realistic, focusing on everyday human experiences and emotions like confronting nostalgia, deciding if relationships are worth continuing, and dealing with work stress. All of this is presented without fantastical or overly comedic flourishes, meaning the stories often feel autobiographical. Those watching Otona Joshi no Anime Time will constantly see glimpses of themselves or people they know in the characters and situations, making the entire series truly engrossing.
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Why Otona Joshi no Anime Time Is a Must-Watch for Josei Fans
That said, the biggest highlight of Otona Joshi no Anime Time has to be its lead characters. They are all adult women, an under-explored demographic in the anime medium. Each one feels impressively genuine, like someone you could bump into on the street while living day-to-day life. The story perfectly captures the messiness of real-life emotional crises, meaning characters make good and bad decisions and frequently go about things in seemingly odd ways. However, that only makes them more relatable and gives the series a naturalistic feel, something that's often lacking in slice-of-life anime.
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Likewise, the writing in Otona Joshi no Anime Time makes it further stand out from other anime, as the authors behind the stories are novelists rather than anime writers. This is clear in how the narratives play out, avoiding many anime clichés and while possessing a more literary quality in how they explore the lead characters' emotional states as they try to solve their problem.
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Having different animation studios tackle each episode means each has a distinct visual style that complements the episode's story. The visuals frequently present unique takes on everyday environments. While they remain realistic and recognizable, the anime uses color and shot choice to provide a glimpse into each woman's inner life, helping viewers further empathize with them and their plights without ever detracting from the naturalism that makes the writing so compelling.
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Otona Joshi no Anime Time is a fascinating Josei anime that deserves more attention. It's one of the most grounded and relatable slice-of-life shows to hit screens in a long time, and is a rare example of slice-of-life focusing on adult women with realistic adult woman problems. Josei's inherently niche nature -- and the show's slightly strange and fragmented release history -- limited its reach, but for those who love naturalistic anime or just want a more profound experience, Otona Joshi no Anime Time may be just the ticket.
