Non Non Biyori: Vacation was a pleasant 1 hr. plus a smidge of fun, adventure, and absolutely gorgeous scenery. And I am not talking about the rural scenery of the landscape about Asahigaoka. The cast takes it to the exotic island of Okinawa for a four-day romp about the tropical environs. All this thanks to the luck of Suguru, the silent boy who never bothered a seiyuu for a bit of business.
The settings are the marvel of this production with detailed backgrounds and animation stills which seem like characters enter into and animate by their presence. Like walking into a picture and creation begins. This has always been the strength of Non Non Biyori, but Vacation just maxes out the effects.
But its more than beautiful backdrops. The four girls of Asahigaoka Branch School just have a way of livening up the place wherever they meet. But there are wrinkles. Of course, there is the battle of physical/emotional maturity between Hotaru and Komari, especially as they visit the intimates department to buy a belt. Yes, a belt. What were you expecting? Then Renge, artistically gifted as a first-grader can be, wishes to draw four scenes from Okinawa, including the elusive dolphin. But the key to this movie is the friendship of unmotivated Natsumi (still lots of homework to do before end of summer vacation) and the daughter of an Okinawan innkeeper, Aoi Nizato. Aoi is super dependable and helps her mother run the inn. Aoi is Natsumi's polar opposite. Yet, Natsumi catches Aoi at practicing badminton in the back area of the inn, and Natsumi finds a girl with the same energy as she has, a girl with a work ethic plus an athletic spirit which drives her to enjoy life in snatches.
After days of snorkeling, kayaking, mountain climbing, swimming, beach going, souvenir shopping ... it is time to return. But Renge doesn't have her dolphin picture. But what she draws as a substitute is very poignant, and a special gift for Natsumi who has matured just a bit.
Again, the animation soared and the music ... Well, everyone knows that music sets the mood, and this movie used the background music to nearly control the emotions. I'm tearing up at the oddest times and not understanding why. The girls are only taking pictures of an endangered crab at the island's lighthouse, that's all. I know iyashikei has needs to touch hearts, but it shouldn't lean on crutches. Good stories will win out. I mean, the music was pleasurable, but I didn't find it striking. Let's say it was decent music (but we're on to its tricks, okay?).
If you enjoy the Non Non Biyori series, Vacation will never disappoint. It is one more charming tale in the books.
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