Hidamari Sketch - x Hošimiccu

With the new school year in Hidamari, we have two new dorm mates, Nori and Nazuna, joining the crew. These girls are undeniably cute, though I must admit, I was hoping for the new characters to be a bit more striking and entertaining. Still, I found myself warming up to them fairly quickly (they're alright, but there's room for improvement). But the changes don't stop there. This season brings significant adjustments to the storytelling style. I'm not sure if I've just become overly familiar with the series or if this season is genuinely less visually imaginative, but it feels like that distinct shaftisms have taken a backseat. The third season feels more ordinary and commonplace to me. The strongest elements from previous seasons remain, but there are fewer of those signature cuts and deliberate shots and details that made the series stand out. Now, we have a more chronological story, moving through April, May, June, and July with only occasional detours that tie back to the main storyline. For instance, the girls might mention something they did last year in the first half of an episode, and then we see that event in the second half. Is this chronological storytelling better for Hidamari Sketch? It's definitely clearer, but I can't shake the feeling that the series has lost a bit of its magic. Thankfully, the humor is still intact. The jokes range from pleasant and cute to original and complex, and they never fail to get a laugh out of me. This keeps me in the right mood to enjoy the stories of the Hidamari dorm residents and their teachers. Once again, Teacher Yoshinoya steals the show for me — I never tire of her. I also appreciate the dynamic between the energetic and voracious Miyako, along with Hiro and Sae, who sometimes take on a parental role. Watching Yuno's character slowly evolve is also a highlight. In summary, while this season felt a bit weaker to me and it seems like Hidamari Sketch may have lost some of its personality, the humor and charm are still there. Even though the new girls didn't quite elevate it, it's still an above-average slice of life and comedy. 7.5/10 (17/02/2024)