In the end, I enjoyed Noein. Just, what was it I saw? In part, Noein is a mindfrag anime, using quantum physics and that cute theory that all possibilities exist all the time in their own separate dimensions as decoration. The details of the quantum-p babble really aren’t important to grasp (but good side quest material), because the show provides action and human drama to carry it all forward and doesn’t collapse under the weight. Really, it boils all that theory down to a human level. Keep an eye out for each other to help each other, that we share an important role in developing the lives of people we care about.

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I finished watching Diamond Daydreams (Diamond Dust Drops) for the second time the other day. After watching the series over two nights it struck me that I really like Hokkaido as a setting. I’ve seen two other shows where I enjoyed the Hokkaido setting, Figure 17 and Noein. Hokkaido just feels like it’s from a slightly different time, rather than being just some other part of Japan. It feels cleaner, less preoccupied, and somewhat more pastel. I guess I could say the same thing about anyplace with lots of cows, such as rural Pennsylvania, but it’s more exotic when the farm hands speak Japanese (nevermind that I watch these shows dubbed in English, I still imagine they speak Japanese).

Actually during one of the extras on the Noein dvds, the director mentioned that he chose to set Noein in Hokkaido primarily because he felt the setting gave it a very different feel than if he set it in Tokyo. I might be putting words in his mouth, but that’s the impression I got, that it would be harder to convey the innocence of their friendships if it were set in Tokyo. That and he wanted snow.

Even though Hokkaido probably isn’t all that exciting, I’d love to visit there someday. It looks pretty.

What other good anime are set in Hokkaido?

Okay. That was amazing. Noein: To Your Other Self has recharged my anime batteries for sure.

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