Mountain Climbing with Cute Girls? LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, people. How are you doing? I'm doing fine. OK...after pushing myself to write the two new blog posts, finally, I got a chance to write this post. Oh yeah, I did finally get to watch Nanoha Detonation since it is only out in Malaysia recently. YEAH!!!!! I might write something about it sooner or later. No decision on it yet. And also, one thing, I have just come back from youth camp. Hehe...it was great.

The cute girls!!!

Anyway, back to the topic! What am I gonna write about? About...CUTE GIRLS CLIMBING MOUNTAINS!!!!!!!! It's Yama no Susume!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK...I'm hyped up. LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



WARNING:-

SPOILER ALERT!!! If you haven't watched it and plan to watch it without anyone being the spoiler, please DON'T CONTINUE READING!!!



P.S. If you want to be spoiled, well, go ahead and read it. You HAD been warned. Don't blame me for being spoiled if you INSIST on continuing to read this post.

Introduction

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The anime...

The anime, Yama no Susume (in English, Encouragement of Climb and in Japanese, ヤマノススメ ) is adapted from a slice-of-life manga series of the same name, that is written and illustrated by Shiro.
The manga began its serialization in Earth Star Entertainment's Comic Earth Star magazine back in 2011. 8-Bit make all three seasons of the anime, which was simulcasted by Crunchyroll. The 1st season was aired between January and March 2013 while the second season was aired from July to December 2014. There is an original video animation (OVA) that was also done by 8-Bit too (and also numerous extra episodes). Oh yeah, the quite recently released third season was aired from July to September 2018. Anyway, let's move on from here.

The manga cover...

Plot

The childhood of Aoi...

The reunion...

The story starts with a brief childhood flashback of Yukimura Aoi. Who is Aoi? She is our story's MC and she is a quiet girl who prefers staying indoors and is afraid of heights. One day, when she first enters into high school, she somehow gets to reunites with her childhood friend Kuraue Hinata who was there in that flashback. Hinata is an outgoing person and loves mountaineering. They decide, I mean Hinata decide to drag Aoi along to climb the mountains together to once again, see the sunrise that they saw together as a child.

The defining moment...

So, did Aoi refuse to climb the mountains together with Hinata? Well, Aoi did agree to do so after having some thoughts on it. And from there, they started to climb the mountains and overcome them one by one. Throughout their mountaineering journey, they meet several other girls who are also mountain climbers. Aoi and Hinata begin to befriend them and start to climb mountains together with them. They are Aoba Kokona (The cute loli!!!!!), Saitou Kaede (the mountain climber senpai) and Kurosaki Honoka (Another cute loli!!!!! Oh, BTW, she appears much later). This gang will have a series of adventures on various mountains across Japan.

Cute Kokona!!!

I won't be describing each and every journey of theirs as I feel that you should watch it yourself. Plus, the anime is pretty much very similar to anime like Kiniro Mosaic and Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu Ka. So, do watch it!!! The anime is really cute to watch and quite funny at times. The cuteness is not as powerful as in GochuUsa but it is still VERY CUTE!!!!!! Oh yeah, a few things that I need to say before I move on.

Hi, Kaede!

The 1st season is basically a short anime episode series, where each episode spans around 3 minutes. This means you can finish season 1 with a little over half an hour. Oh yeah, that includes the extra episode 13. Anyway, as for season 2 and 3 episodes are the usual, normal length episode. OK, with the things that I need say has been said, it's time to move on.

Sukumizu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hinata's face there...

Anime Rating

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Season 1 (includes episode 13)

Story (Rating: 9/10)

The story is really cute and the flow of the story is good too. Oh yeah, the plot of the story is pretty easy to understand and the pacing is good. Only one thing...the episodes of this season are TOO SHORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope it will be longer...but what is done is done. Nothing can be done about it.

Aoi and Kaede moments...

Art and Animation (Rating: 8/10)

The character looks really good and the animation is quite well made. No weird variations or any weird movement of the animation appears in the anime. Well made, I said. I blame Imo-Imo for making me say this. Anyway, I really quite like the animation...well, I like the story and characters more than animation and art.

A nice picnic scene...

Sound and Music (Rating: 7/10)

There is no opening theme song...but there is a closing song, which is actually quite cute. I like it. Oh yeah, the BGM is decent too!

The OP for episode 13...I picked this because it's really cute.

Characters (Rating: 9/10)

Although the anime only presents a few characters, I still like the interaction between different characters. They are so cute! As for the character development, they are focused mostly on the main characters, Hinata and Aoi BUT I still found it enjoyable. As for relatability, well, that is unless you are mountain hiker. No, just kidding. You can find something that you can learn besides learning about the different mountain in Japan. Wait...you can pick things to learn from any anime...right? Just saying. Let's move on.

Cute girls talk...

Enjoyment (Rating: 9/10)

My answer to the question of whether I enjoyed it, is this: I really enjoy it but it's too short. I really enjoyed the light-hearted and cute moments but I still feel that it is too short. Well, you can say that it is due to financing and are trying the waters with an anime with episodes of around 3 minutes span. OK, it might have been the case but I still hoped that it would have been longer.

The night sky...

Overall Rating: 8.4 (8.25)/10

Season 2

Story (Rating: 10/10)

Just like the previous season, a good flow of the story and a cute story is still a big part of the anime. BUT...there is a brief period of a sadder tone of the story. Anyway, the episodes of this season are much longer than the previous one, which I do appreciate it. Overall, the story is really a joy to watch, for me.

The camping scene...

Art and Animation (Rating: 8/10)

Like the previous season, the art and animation are good and consistently good! I like it but well, it is not as good as many animations that I have seen (of course, comparing it other anime).

Kokona and Hinata at the top!!!

Sound and Music (Rating: 8/10)

The OP and ED songs are pretty good. Yes, just that simple. The two songs really bring out and present the anime as light-hearted and cute. As for BGM, I say that it is well done as it brings out the scene in the anime.

The OP theme song...

Characters (Rating: 10/10)

As compared to the last season, more characters are being introduced, which are mostly supporting characters. Even with the addition of characters, the cuteness is still there!!!! As for the character development, just like the previous season, the development mainly focused mostly on the main characters, Hinata and Aoi but I don't mind. They are really cute and of course, Kokona and Honoka and many other characters are really cute. So, one word to describe the characters (I mean the female characters) ...Cute!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I feel like the slight downward tone in the story creates more depth in character development.

Kokona daydreaming...

Enjoyment (Rating: 10/10)

YES, I really enjoy it!!!!! I really enjoyed the light-hearted and cute moments. The slight dent in Aoi's ambitions gives the story a little bit of depth in character development. Good thing, I say. Good thing.

Hinata and her super sukumizu!!!!

Overall Rating: 9.2 (9)/10

Season 3

Story (Rating: 10/10)

Similar to the previous season, the good story flow continues. And also, the story is still very cute. YES!!!!! Cute girls doing cute things are THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT...this season introduces some new friendships and relationships to the mix, which also brings up another set of challenges to Aoi and Hinata relationship. Anyway, the story is really joyous for me to watch.

Aoi and her new friends...

Art and Animation (Rating: 9/10)

Like the previous season, the art and animation are good and consistently good! Wait, isn't it just deja vu? Just joking, the animation and art are slightly better than the previous season. I'm serious!

Nice night view...

Sound and Music (Rating: 8/10)

The OP and ED songs are pretty good. Yes, just that simple. The two songs really bring out and present the anime as light-hearted and cute. Just like the previous season...Ah...I need more cute girls...I need more cute girls!!!!!!! As for BGM, I say that it is well done as it brings out the scene in the anime.

The OP...

Characters (Rating: 10/10)

Although the anime only presents a few characters, I still like the interaction between different characters. They are so cute! As for the character development, they are focused mostly on the main characters, Hinata and Aoi BUT I still found it enjoyable. As for relatability, well, that is unless you are mountain hiker. No, just kidding. You can find something that you can learn besides learning about the different mountain in Japan. Wait...you pick things to learn from any anime...right? Just saying. Let's move on.

The four princesses!

Enjoyment (Rating: 10/10)

Well, on this matter, my answer could only be one: "YES, I really enjoy it!!!!! I really enjoyed the light-hearted and cute moments." The addition and slight shift in the interaction didn't distort Aoi and Hinata's friendship that much but had instead strengthened it.

Cute Honoka!!!

Overall Rating: 9.4 (9.25)/10

OVA (Omoide Present story only)

Story (Rating: 10/10)

The brief story that brings up Aoi and Hinata's cuteness? YEAH!!!!!!! I love it. The story surrounds something that brings back the memories of their childhood together and ALSO surrounds Kokona's little journey around town. It is a really cute show.

Cute girl! I mean...it's a cute scene.

Art and Animation (Rating: 8/10)

The art and animation are pretty well made. It looks pretty similar to season 3? Hmm...never mind that, that's not the most important thing. Just saying.

Is it that the picture feels little distorted or just me?

Sound and Music (Rating: 6/10)

Decent music. What do you want me to say? There is not much of any music to be mentioned since it is mostly BGM. The background music brings the mood of the scene in the story

Aww...friendship...

Characters (Rating: 10/10)

Mostly focused on Kokona, Aoi and Hinata...they are really cute!!!! Anyway, it is just me being biased. Deal with it.

Hinata...thinking...

Enjoyment (Rating: 10/10)

This original video animation (OVA) is so cute and enjoyable that I have watched my favourite part of it several times. Aoi and Hinata being together is the best thing in this series. I love it!!!!!

They are so cute!

Overall Rating: 8.8 (8.5)/10

Screenshots

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Season 1

Hinata...lol...

...No, no, no!!! Let's pretend that we didn't see that.

Cute...

Hinata...fighting a bear?

Food!!!

That face by Aoi...

Climb!

Season 2

Hinata bath time!

Aoi bath time!

Kokona bath time!

Kaede bath time!

Someone is blushing...

Oh...it's the polka dot panties. Thanks! No, wait, I'm just kidding!!!

...and Aoi snapped.

Oh...it's the bear panties. Thanks! No, wait, I'm just kidding!!!

...and of course, Hinata snapped too.

Hikari and her fang...CUTE!!!

And also Honoka...CUTE!!!

Season 3

That face of Hinata while eating...

The meeting on the mountain...

Aoi and Mio...

Karaoke!!!

Hinata the princess!!!

Aoi the princess!!!

Kokona the princess!!!

And of course...Honoka the princess!!!

Another cute Hikari pic...

Oh...Hinata...WHY?! Why do this to yourself?!

PV/Trailer

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Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Conclusion

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Congrats! You have reached the end of this post. Oh yeah, one more thing, there is another OVA where it recalls season 1 BUT with a twist. You have to watch it to know it. Anyway, before you go, I would like to say this...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Hope to see you again and also hope that you have enjoyed the post. Goodbye, and God bless you! And once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Aww...so cute...

Overall Rating (whole anime): 8.95 (8.75)/10