Anime is one of the best forms of entertainment today. It is a form of entertainment that serves as an escape from the cruel, mundane, and harsh reality. However, compared to the other genres, iyashikei animes dramatically differ from the others. This is due to its storylines that can literally give the audience a time of healing and tranquility. While iyashikei genre is not as popular as other mainstream genres. However, it has grown into one of the most appreciated genres in the industry for several reasons.
What is an Iyashikei?
The term iyashikei is a Japanese word that translates to healing or healing type. It is a genre of entertainment that is typically present in Japanese works, such as anime series or manga. This type of genre is said to be capable of providing a soothing and healing experiences.
According to Shaenon K Garrity, a cartoonist, editor, and writer who has done various manga translations, iyashikei are masterpieces that focus more on worldbuilding and deep visual setting and less on the storyline and its characters. Unlike action or thriller genres, which are considered to be fast-paced, iyashikei shows and mangas are typically slow-paced. This is because the healing effect it has is achieved by highlighting scenes that are not only significant but also lesser scenes that give off comfort and tranquility.
The main goal of iyashikei anime is to become an escapism for the audience. It hopes to bring solace by lessening or helping the viewers to relieve stress completely. Moreover, animes or mangas that are under the iyashikei genre frequently take place in rural areas. It features fresh and natural scenery together with gentle stories and characters. While all other genres of anime can be a form of escapism, the iyashikei genre gives its audience the time to enter an entertaining and therapeutic world. However, it is unfortunate that compared to other genres, it is less popular.
Why Is Iyashkei An Underrated Anime Genre?
Although there are many people who know, recognize, appreciate, and love iyashikei anime. It is unfortunate to know that it is still, for some reason, an underrated genre. There are numerous animes belonging to action, romance, fantasy, and isekai genres that have become massively popular and commercially successful. This makes shows or mangas from the iyashikei genre receive a lesser amount of recognition from fans and in terms of the industry’s market.
However, this kind of standing in the mainstream doesn’t make it less compared to other genres. It is just the fact that it lacks the promotion it needs across the various media platforms. Iyashikei animes or stories are the kinds which an audience will garner a lot of worth cherishing takeaways that can help them understand themselves better or the world in general.
In addition, as stated above, animes or mangas can indeed be a great escape for someone who just wants to escape the world’s noise. Indeed, the anime one chooses to watch can definitely be an escape through the entertainment it offers. However, with the wide range of genres, it can also display scenes or stories that might give its audience more to think about. With thrilling, mysterious, action-packed, horrific, or lonely features, it is a fact that it is unavoidable.
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The emergence of multiple social media platforms has become one of the major stepping stones for the anime industry to achieve the success it has today. There are a lot of fan-made videos of famous anime series, such as One Piece, Naruto, Black Clover, Fruits Basket, and other mainstream shows circulating online. These videos help in boosting their popularity even more.
However, it is essential to highlight that iyeshikei animes may have yet reached the fame that the other genres have achieved. However, social media has begun to pave the way for fans to increase their awareness of the genre. Despite it being considered underrated, there is no doubt that iyashikei animes have a dedicated fanbase.
While this type of genre may sound boring due to the lack of action-packed or lovey-dovey scenes, many fans have grown interested in it. This is because of its overall unique style. Therefore, the entertainment and values that iyashikei animes carries will undoubtedly expand its popularity. This popularity will allow the overlooked genre to grow further, making it possible to become one of today’s most loved genres.
Why Iyashikei Animes Are a Must-Watch?
As mentioned, iyashikei animes feature a unique style. It is a fact that the main reason why iyashikei animes should be added to a fan’s list of shows to watch is due to its calming nature that can give serenity to fans. But it should be taken into account that the ability to convey relaxation isn’t the only thing that makes it an exciting genre. In fact, there are several reasons that make the unique style of iyashikei animes a must-watch series.
First and foremost, animes under the iyashikei genre are visually appealing. It is important to emphasize that in any genre, the visual style of a certain show is necessary. Iyashikei animes attract viewers because of the solemn and serene scenery. It is not only the storyline or characters of the said genre that are visually appealing.
One of the characteristics of the iyashikei animes is that its other details are also aimed to soothe the audience by conveying peace. Its visual style may be deemed simply compared to others. However, its bright and colorful style, along with its richness in featuring nature, is what makes it peaceful. Iyeshikai anime celebrates even the smallest yet most beautiful things one does in day-to-day life. From preparing a meal, walking to school with your friends, exploring nature, or the warmth of being with your family, iyeshikei does not indeed fail to make the ordinary extraordinary.
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Moreover, iyashikei anime also deserves to be recognized by many because of its music or soundtracks. Like the contribution of its colorful art style, soundtracks also act the same way. It is one of the elements that make the peaceful theme of the series more prominent. In iyeshikei shows, soundtracks match the overall meaning of the genre. This implies that it also has a soothing effect that relaxes the audience as they watch the series or whenever the particular soundtrack is played.
In addition, iyeshikei animes possess healing qualities that are rare in any anime genre. There are instances when reality can be too painful and lonely, which is natural because not everything is about rainbows and butterflies. But, these can sometimes create a void inside a person. Thus, many choose to escape from it by entertaining themselves through animes and other types of shows. However, what sets iyeshikei anime is that it is not only an escape, but it is also a cure.
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Iyeshikei animes have a healing effect that can fill the emptiness through their heartwarming plot, themes, characters, soundtracks, and settings. In most cases, the ending of iyeshikei films and series is happy, which proves its audience’s relief. The characters usually adhere to the phrase “if there’s a will, there’s a way,” which can help the viewers face their own challenges until they reach their desired goal or happy ending.
Lastly, its uplifting themes make it the genre for everyone. While plenty of animes, if not all, has values they wish their audience can learn from the characters or the story, iyeshikei anime can, without a doubt, transmits nothing but positivity to the fans.
The series of films belonging to this genre does not accentuate any negativity, such as revenge or hatred. Instead, it only intends for its audience to learn kindness, empathy, the significance of families and friendships, and how important it is always to remain optimistic.
In conclusion, there are a lot of elements that contribute to the goodness of series or films under the iyeshikei genre. The characters involved in its storyline, visual style, soundtracks, and themes produce an iyeshikei show that wholeheartedly captivates the fans by drilling into their curious or troubled minds to appreciate all the things in life, whether big or small.
Five Beginner-Friendly Iyashikei Animes
The iyeshikei genre is probably one of the most relatable genres among all that are present in the anime industry. It is an underappreciated genre that unlocks the wider capability of an audience to understand others, free themselves from the miseries of life, and provide them the emotional support they need or still lack.
Well, if you have found this genre intriguing but find it hard to know where to start. We have listed five iyeshikei anime that can help make those wrinkles and eyebrows disappear. These animes will certainly paint a smile on your face while it enchants you with their healing elements.
5. Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless
Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless, or Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge is an iyeshikei anime that also offers a lot of comedy. This series offers an interesting and entertaining story that revolves around the theme of friendship or school. Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless emphasizes the comedy side, avoiding the possibility of boring its audience with each of the episodes.
Although there are many who enter high school with the goal of making it one of their most memorable stage in life, Tanaka-kun is the complete opposite. Some may want to find love, genuine friendships, and top the class; however, Tanaka-kun wants his life to be as uneventful as yesterday. He easily falls asleep anywhere and always acts inattentive in things. Hence, to maintain his lazy lifestyle, Tanaka will try to surpass day-to-day challenges. He believes that by preventing them, he can have more time for himelf.
4. My Neighbor Totoro
There is no question that all Ghilbi movies are the perfect escape for people who crave serene and quiet moments. A lot of Ghilbi movies sometimes highlight the other genres they feature aside from iyashikei. However, My Neighbor Totoro is the Ghilbi movie that literally focuses on the meaning of the iyeshikei series and films, which is healing.
For fans who are more into anime movies or those who can’t find the time to watch a whole series, this one is for you. My Neighbor Totoro is the perfect iyeshikei film that will teach its viewers the power of kindness. This classic masterpiece from Hayao Miyazaki centers on a gentle storyline together with its adorable characters, including a friendly spirit. It is a movie wherein kids and old alike will learn to appreciate the wonders of nature through its aesthetic styles.
3. Barakamon
Barakamon is a comedy and iyeshikei anime that was released in 2014. Compared to some iyashikei films, genuine laughs are guaranteed in this one. Barakamon is a series that was written hilariously for the audience. But regardless of having a lot of scenes giving out comedy, its healing qualities are equally presented to the fans.
Barakamon is a series that revolves around the life of a calligrapher, Seishu Handa, who is young and handsome but can be quite narcissistic at times. A comment about one of his works offended Seishu greatly, resulting in him making an outburst. His father sends him off to a rural environment to get rid of his arrogant personality. He will experience a not-so-peaceful country life because of his eccentric neighbors, who will later become his friends. This series is a warm-hearted series that will heavily be focused on the beauty and importance of self-growth.
2. Mushishi
Mushishi is an adventure, supernatural, and iyashikei anime series by Yuki Urushibara. To start, Mushishi anime is another anime that showcases beautiful scenery and storyline. Upon watching, one will instantly realize that this anime is another of the many in which every detail present in the series has been well thought of. Although minimal to almost no conflicts are featured in the series, the main character always tries to maintain his kindness to others.
Mushishi is an iyeshikei anime that have to receive a lot of recognition. This is because of the perfect blending of its genre, which helps make the series more effective in conveying tranquility to its audience. The plot, ambiance, and art styles are all relaxing and therapeutic to people who will take the time to watch it. Mushishi explores the theme of spirituality, humanity, and nature. Lastly, it is not solely an anime that can help its fans heals but also stimulates the mind to be active because of its storyline and characters.
1. Non Non Biyori
Non Non Biyori is an iyeshikei anime that features a well-written plot without the need for any drama or conflict among its characters. This series highlights that kids can also find a way to enjoy themselves, even if it is away from the modern and busy urban life. Non Non Biyori will allow its audience to see the fun kids can discover in the wilderness.
This series definitely incorporated all the elements of iyeshikei anime, making it an anime that can provide emotional and psychological healing to fans. Non Non Biyori centers on making the most out of life by enjoying what they are blessed with in their small but beautiful rural home. With the series’ mesmerizing nature scenes, the adorable, likable characters, chill and serene plot that comes with laughers and heartwarming moments, Non Non Biyori is genuinely the top recommendation for those who want to indulge themselves in iyeshikei series or films.