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A healthy fraction of the screen time is taken up by just “scene setting” rather than dialogue or action. Frieren’s travel montages are probably a well known example.
The Authors special interest: Thermae Roma Nova and Ruri Rocks spring to mind.
Characters behaving like mature adults, without pointless drama.
In that sense, yes, Dragon Ball Z is a cozy anime.
Dragon Ball Z is a cozy anime
Didn’t consider DBZ as cozy, but DBS…
Vegeta behaves like an adult?
Someone has to out-adult Goku
Cicadas, little iron bell chimes, visible steam coming out of cocoa mugs. Bonus for excessive use of kotatsu.
little iron bell chimes
Like in ARIA?
Aria is the essential cozy anime. Zero drama, where these young people are doing their best learning about their world, and growing up.
I wouldn’t say absolutely zero drama: in ep 2 Aika and Akira have a pretty ugly fight for example. But ARIA really knows how to resolve things in that soft and gentle way. Suteki!
Cicadas
NGE is cosy…
Higurashi No Naka Koro Ni… [/jk, in case it’s necessary]
- slow pace
- cute girls
- chibi art style
- aesthetic environments
- very little action
- very few serious stakes
- thin or nonexistent plot
- every episode ends on a good note
- no cliffhangers
- soothing music
- cute voices
- characters with a soft voice
- random shots of environments and objects in between
- shots where almost nothing moves or happens (think non non biyori veranda scene)
- singing and music by characters
- tradition
- interconnected social structure
- lots of hugs and snuggles and head pats etc
- tangible love between characters (of any kind)
- lots of conversation
- daily life / relatable activities
- down to earth (not too unrealistic) but with a slight element of mysticism / unexplained magic (think gochiusa’s tippy)
- cute clothes that are plausible as everyday wear
- environmental sounds
- day nights cycle / passing of the day / daily routine
- lots of golden hour
- lots of moe
Singed, your local SOL/CGDCT/Iyashikei weirdo.
Off topic but
shots where almost nothing moves or happens (think non non biyori veranda scene) is so underrated. This is what makes Japanese literature so meditative and beautiful. I still remember the first time I read The Old Capital (古都, Koto) how immersive it felt to experience those pages of text where “nothing happens”. 😌🩷
I’ve been meaning to read more but it’s been a little hard. Maybe I’ll take your recommendation and read The Old Capital. In English, I’m afraid. My Japanese is way not good enough to get into literature unfortunately.
This is what makes Japanese literature so meditative and beautiful.
It does seem Japanese media does have more of this as well. I don’t know of any western media that is similar to Iyashikei anime. It could very well exist though, I just haven’t come across it.
A good story that keeps my brain engaged, but not quite “excited”. I’m loving The Cat and The Dragon right now
Is Haibane Renmei cozy?
I’ve rewatched it in bed before falling asleep. So I guess it should count as cozy. At least for me.
It’s my favorite anime. My one and only anime that I would give an 11/10. But I wouldn’t call it cozy because there is an underlying darkness and uncertainty to the characters and what’s going to happen to them. It doesn’t feel “cozy” even though nothing “un-cozy” is happening plot-wise.
Whatever the heck Leadale is
Series that lack characters acting out of malice and plots without perilous situations. On the other hand, even shows that are usually cozy can, out of nowhere, turn into the most brutal betrayal that shellshocks generations of viewers.
No violence or triggers, just situations without tension. Mostly composed of scenes bringing warm and pleasant feelings like doing hobbies, talking, eating, exploring
