City the Animation
We often remember our school days with nostalgia, a time when we had minimal responsibilities and lived solely for enjoyment. It differs greatly among people, but it’s always enjoyable to reminisce about those times as an adult while also coming to the somber realization that those days will never come again. Did we fully embrace the opportunities we had? Did we rush to grow up into adults too quickly? For example, I remember having much more spare time and fewer responsibilities back then, even though I had almost no money to spend on things I wanted. Now that I do, I yearn for more spare time and fewer duties to hold me back from living the life I want. So step back and ask yourself how it is for you….
“City The Animation,” or simply “City,” is a 13-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 7th of July until the 29th of September in Summer 2025. It was produced by Pony Canyon, Kodansha, Rakuonsha, and ABC Animation, and brought to life by good ol’ Kyoto Animation. The main staff behind it includes Nakamura Shinichi, Tateishi Kensuke, Nishimura Mainari, and Ueda Tomoki as Producers. Featuring Comedy and Gag Humor, the series is targeted at the Seinen demographic and earned a PG-13 rating for teenagers 13 years or older for its 27-minute episodes. The series is based on the Manga of the same title, which began publication on the 29th of September 2016 and is still ongoing, thanks to the work of author and artist Arawi Keiichi, who has it serialized in Morning. It was even published in English via Vertical Inc. from the 27th of March 2018 until the 25th of January 2022.
It's best to leave aimless daydreaming to hopeful high schoolers who haven't experienced life's realities. It's a vital part of growing up, but what happens after leaving that bubble can vary. Once graduation arrives, these people suddenly face bills they did not have to worry about while pursuing higher education or employment. But the protagonist, Midori Nagumo, is special because she never stopped dreaming even after starting college and is determined to have fun while remaining recklessly ignorant of the responsibilities now placed upon her. The perfect foil for her is Niikura, her supposed best friend, who has a goal set in stone to become a photographer following college. Despite her drive, she often gets dragged into Midori’s schemes, and this is how they end up meeting Wako Izumi, a tenacious and airheaded classmate whose daily life involves capturing photos of whatever she finds fun. Somehow, this unlikely trio ends up living together in the same apartment while trying to navigate their unique lives in the city; however, unbeknownst to them, many unexpected and extraordinary events are set to occur daily, and they cannot avoid them!
When I first heard about and saw the promotional material for this show, it reminded me of "Nichijou - My Ordinary Life." They certainly have the same vibe, featuring a batch of nutjob characters living out “ordinary” lives while experiencing all sorts of wacky experiences. In this case, the lovable batch of idiots is already out of school and trying to navigate the complexities of adult life, with whatever reservations they have. Still, the primary focus is living in the present while discovering the wonders of everyday life. A grown adult can indulge in a whole cake from a bakery after work; this series emphasizes that our choices shape life, and the people in our lives significantly contribute to our overall positivity and happiness. You can always enjoy a silly conversation, watch a sunset, pet a puppy, or have meaningful relationships without labels, yet we often seek escapism into fantasy worlds for something different. This is why a show that celebrates and showcases the boundless beauty of ordinary life is so endearing. As we fumble through life to achieve our hopes and dreams, we encounter absurdity everywhere, which is both amusing and amazing.
This show is fundamentally a comedy, and despite its subjective nature, it consistently elicits a chuckle from its audience. It is humorous in that it will bring a smile to your face, elicit occasional giggles, and evoke heartwarming emotions. If this show were a person, they would welcome you back home from college or work, make you dinner, give you some warm milk and cookies, and finally tuck you in for the night, assuring you that everything will be okay. I acknowledge that this may sound implausible, but that is the impression it conveys, and you must encounter it firsthand. Outside of that, you’ll be treated to plenty of inventive comedy that might not have crossed your wildest imaginations.
It's almost unbelievable how imaginative and expressive this show can get in such a mundane setting—not in the visual or ostentatious sense. Every single frame oozes with passion, ideas, and details that keep exploding faster than you can process them, making me really appreciate all the effort that went into it. This is precisely how they maximize the medium without a high budget, proving just how impactful elevated storytelling is. The series peaked at episodes 5 and 13 for me, among the most hilarious and creative moments I’ve ever seen on the small screen, truly pushing the very boundaries of what animation can do. It is such an exceptional masterpiece that I cannot afford to diminish its value for anyone, so I shall refrain from further comment.
Moving on to the character department, this cast is defined not by their names, backgrounds, or titles, but by their passions, relationships, and, most importantly, their spontaneous and candid reactions to ordinary life events. Trust me, there are characters here without names, but they are all very relevant, have their own meaningful stories, and play a role. Imagine that in a 2025 series! What makes everyone bloom in their own way are their relationships and interactions, which are ever so dynamic yet natural. We cannot navigate life alone, and bonds play a giant part in how things go, so seeing such genuine connections on full display was truly a refreshing experience. Every single person has their own inside jokes, routines, preferred pastimes, goals, and distinctive vibe. But no matter how different they are, they interact like real friends, amidst chaos and affection. This show is a masterclass in “show, don’t tell” when it comes to character connection, because you can feel they know each other in every mundane act they commit. All the characters are so fleshed out alongside City itself, so when the heart-touching moments come, they hit hard with sincerity. Every encounter and farewell holds such profound significance, and I would be dishonest if I didn't shed a few tears, a reaction I never anticipated from a lighthearted comedy like this.
City is no Demon Slayer, but it is a masterpiece in Art and Animation in an entirely different way. It is a celebration of the medium in the purest way possible: packed to the brim with vibrancy, life, energy, and details you didn’t know were possible. The staff definitely had fun creating this anime, and it is evident in all the effort put into every scene; I genuinely felt like I lived in the city myself! All the backgrounds and scenery are impeccable, representing and bringing out the best of the events unfolding, full of unique details and personality that really make this a living, breathing ecosystem where love and laughter thrive. All the artwork is calming and pleasing to the eye, simple yet vibrant, with subtle lines and a warm palette that bring out the best in character expressions.
Riho Furui's "Hello," the opening theme, captivated me with its sounds and music. It is one of the most cheerful songs I've heard in a while, one I found myself humming and playing on repeat in my head with no prompting whatsoever. The more you listen to it, the more it grows on you, and it blends so seamlessly into the show's vibe that I found it difficult to skip. It is a sequence of utter ridiculousness, carried even further with lyrics full of uplifting, joyful, and hopeful feelings. Even the Ending themes, "LUCKY" by TOMOO and "Mambo No. 5" by Dámaso Pérez Prado, are vibrant, quirky, and fit City so well alongside the stellar OSTs, which heightened each moment to cloud 09. The Voice Actors must have thoroughly enjoyed recording their lines, as I sensed their joy and laughter emanating from each utterance.
Overall, “City the Animation” is the perfect Anime to watch if you’re looking for a chill and funny show that even leaves you with a warm and happy feeling inside. It is a creative work in which every person involved puts in their best effort while enjoying every millisecond, and their love and dedication seamlessly transfer to anyone watching the show. Actually, I recommend this one to anyone without reservation, because such a celebration of the beauty of mundane life deserves to be seen and appreciated by everyone, reminding you that there’s much happiness to be derived from an ordinary life.
