Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is an exhilarating slice-of-life anime series that aired in 2020. Produced by Science Saru and presented by the NHK, the show is based on the celebrated manga by Sumito Ōwara and is directed by Masaaki Yuasa. The anime series brings a fresh, imaginative take on the theme of youth, creativity, and the power of dreams, while offering a deep dive into the intricate world of animation production.

The story revolves around three high school girls who live in a semi-rural town that combines elements of both the past and future - from expansive rice fields to state-of-the-art technology. Asakusa Midori, our nerdy, introverted protagonist, is passionate about creation and has been fascinated by anime and the worlds within them from an early age. She takes inspiration from the simplest things in her surroundings and is able to imagine complex, fantastical worlds that are entirely unique. However, she lacks the courage or means to make her creations come alive.

Enter Mizusaki Tsubame, a popular socialite who hides a deep love for anime and a fervent desire to storyboard and animate, against the wishes of her upper-class parents. Lastly, the trio is rounded off by Kanamori Sayaka - a towering pragmatist who possesses a keen talent for management and sees the potential profitability in Asakusa and Mizusaki's skills. Despite being uninterested in the artistic aspects of animation, she is the glue who holds the team together, ensuring their dreams don't become too far detached from reality.

The series follows these three unique individuals as they form an 'Eizouken' (translated as 'Film Club'), intent on producing their own animation. Each episode offers a glimpse into their journey, showcasing the meticulous details of animation production - from storyboarding and character design to sound effects and background development. What makes Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! stand out is how it perfectly balances the creation of art and the business side of the anime industry.

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is not merely a show about creating anime; it's a pure ode to the art form itself, a tribute to all anime enthusiasts and creators worldwide. The series masterfully taps into the power of imagination, cleverly intertwining the girls' daily lives with the enchanting worlds they create. In moments of creative inspiration, the boundary between reality and imagination blurs, giving viewers a taste of the characters' creative visions, making the show captivating and visually stunning.

Emphasizing the power of collaboration, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! demonstrates how Mizusaki's refinement, Asakusa's ideas, and Kanamori's management work in tandem. The characters are well-developed with unique quirks and personalities that make them instantly endearing to the audience. The dynamic between the three main characters keeps the storyline lively and engaging, as they deal with various challenges and conflicts while staying true to their passion.

The animation style of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is a significant draw, with its whimsical illustrations that simulate the characters' artistic journey. Masaaki Yuasa's distinctive visual style, with its fluid motion, vivid colors, and rough lines, matches the show's imaginative and adventurous spirit perfectly.

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is also praised for its sound design, which plays a critical role in bringing the characters' creations to life. The sound effects used are all sourced from the natural and human-made sounds that Asakusa and Mizusaki encounter in their daily lives, adding another layer to the anime's immersive experience.

In conclusion, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is a compelling portrayal of the creative process. It's an incredibly entertaining and inspiring story about the joy of creation, with a perfect blend of reality and fantasy. This series is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates anime or has ever dreamed of creating something unique and magical on their own. Whether viewers are hardcore anime fans or casual viewers, they are bound to find themselves enthralled by the humor, charm, and creativity of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!