Mono
“Cozy Trips & Missed Focus”
How many photos and videos do you usually take within a day, week, month, or year? I personally don’t take much, and my phone’s camera not working is a major reason why, but I usually opt to take at least one photo of each special day or outing for the memento value. Despite my sloppy camera skills, there is always someone nearby who is incredibly enthusiastic and consistently produces excellent results. To all the photographers out there who actively engage in their visually stunning hobby on both small and large scales, keep up the amazing work as you continue to share moments and spread happiness.
“Mono,” also known as “Mono: Weekend Animation,” is a 12-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 13th of April until the 29th of June in Spring 2025. It was produced by Aniplex, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Houbunsha, and INSPION Edge; licensed by Aniplex of America; and brought to life by Studio Soigne. The main crew behind it includes Kobayashi Hiroyuki, Fujita Kisei, Matsuoka Kouhei, and Tanaka Akira as Producers. Featuring Comedy alongside themes of CGDCT, School, and Visual Arts, each episode runs 24 minutes and is rated PG-13 for teenagers 13 years or older. The series was also released on Blu-ray and DVD as six volumes from the 2nd of July until the 3rd of December, 2025. It is based on the 4-koma Manga series of the same title. It began publication on the 16th of March 2017 and is still ongoing, serialized in Manga Time Kirara Carat by author and artist Afro. It was published in English via Yen Press on the 19th of November 2024 as well.
The protagonist of the series, Satsuki Amamiya, finds herself captivated by her upperclassman Makinohara's passion for photography. She thus becomes part of the Photography Club alongside her friend, An Kiriyama, to further immerse herself in this visual art. Being as enthusiastic as she is, Satsuki decides to make Makinohara the main subject of her photos, and she continues to take dozens of them each day. However, Makinohara eventually graduated and chose to leave the club in Satsuki’s passionate hands. So she resolves to start anew and buys a 360-degree camera at an online auction to pursue a new avenue in photography. While both girls’ love for the art evolves with each new experience, their club has too few members and is at risk of dissolution. The occasion is when they somehow convince Sakurako Shikishima, the president of the Cinema Club herself, to join the newly formed Cinephoto Club. Now backed by Sakurako and spurred on by Haruno Akiyama, a manga artist, our MC continues to explore new locations while capturing priceless memories that will never be forgotten!
This series adeptly focuses on travel, skipping the preparatory phase and plunging directly into the journey that carries the characters across Japan. They visit a myriad of awe-inspiring locations where we get to learn about and experience local cultures, traditions, cuisines, architecture, and scenery, all of which deserve photos of their own. Each new setting, despite the formula's repetition, provides a unique experience for both the audience and the characters. Whether they’re trying new food, engaging in a casual sport, or just snapping away, there’s always something to keep them entertained. It has flaws, though, because I wished they would focus more on one highly relevant aspect: stuff about cameras.
If your main cast are members of a photography club, surely they would elaborate more about cameras and dive into specifics that’ll tie in seamlessly to the narrative, right? Nope, they just procure an action camera, and that’s it. The girls explore a lot and, at the end, may take a photo or video to record the memory, which doesn’t happen too often until the final episode. I had anticipated a more prominent role for photography, but the journey itself overshadowed it. I understand that the most valuable aspects of such trips are the experiences, with photos being secondary; however, the initial premise seemed to be lost in translation. Instead, there is a strong emphasis on paranormal elements, many of which are spooky or haunted. At the same time, while the concept occasionally works, it still feels out of place given its consistent presence in the series. Despite the lack of a true story, the characters manage to keep the show engaging and entertaining.
I could connect with this cast of characters more than expected, because photography is a fairly relatable hobby. Satsuki, An, Sakurako, Haruno, and Komada Kako have such a spontaneous, entertaining dynamic around them. Every single interaction is hilarious, and their friendship feels so organic as they single-mindedly march forward to experience the best of Japan at every step. This heartwarming gang is the core of the series, and life will be just a little duller without them. Meanwhile, the supporting cast is quite comedic as well. While Haruno remains the big sister figure of the group, Kurokuma Torayo and the ever-free-spirited Kako steal the show whenever they’re on-screen. If anything, they should’ve made more episodes focusing on these side characters because Kurokuma really deserved more time in the limelight. She is the recurring ghost girl, and it never stops being amusing! Like most CGDCT, there’s the obligatory Yuri-tease between Haruno and Kako, which didn’t feel forced at all, and I actually rooted for them after some time; they share such a sweet, healthy connection, where they encourage each other quite often. They never stop being outstanding mentors for the girls, either, as they motivate them to follow their dreams along the way.
This is an anime; I did not expect to have the level of art and animation it delivered. The animation is extremely fluid, the artwork is so expressive, and there are many high-quality shots and moments just imprinted in my mind at this point. Without a doubt, this Slice of Life show showcased some of the season's most exceptional animated scenes, brimming with heartfelt moments and driven by skilled direction that evoked warmth. The character designs are simple yet distinct, each saying something about the cast member, while comedic punchlines are heightened by the characters going off-model in the most creative ways. Environments are vibrant, reminiscent of KyoAni shows. The scenery is as breathtaking as it is accurate. I want to visit these locations myself because the series painted the most vivid pictures, breathing new life into Japan.
The Sound and Music department is also well-handled, just not as noticeable as the rest. The composer is Hajime Hyakkoku, known for his work on K-On!, bringing forward a group of OSTS well-suited to the show's fun tone, but none of them transcend beyond the show. The Opening theme is "Many Merry Memories!" by Cinephoto-bu [Satsuki Amamiya (VA: Haruna Mikawa), An Kiriyama (VA: Aoi Koga), and Sakurako Shikishima (VA: Hikaru Tono)], which is extremely catchy and playlist-worthy even after you watch. The Ending theme is "Weekend Roll" by halca, which also stands out as a neat exit after the chaotic misadventures. On the voice acting front, Koga Aoi delivers a stellar performance by really bringing An to life and brightening up every scene she’s in, so kudos to her! The remaining cast members also do a solid job, bringing heart to the characters who run this show.
Overall, “Mono” is one of the few slice-of-life shows that I genuinely enjoyed. It is quite similar to Laid-Back Camp in vibe, and while most cannot relate to camping in real life, I’m sure we have all taken a photo or two. This series is less popular than it should be, which is sad because I hope to see more of this fun formula. I had so many laughs watching this, alongside expressive animation and voice acting that deserve praise. The show keeps the school aspect to a minimum, allowing you to enjoy this beautiful world alongside the characters as they continue to create memories. So if you’re looking for a fun, chill series that doesn’t require much brainpower, I recommend this show!
