Sakura Quest [Review]
“Tired of her rural home, recent college graduate Yoshino Koharu is desperate to lead a more exciting life in Tokyo. After a fruitless job hunt, she finally receives a part-time offer as queen of the bizarre “Kingdom of Chupakabura,” a rundown mini-attraction in the small agricultural town of Manoyama. However, Yoshino discovers upon her arrival in Manoyama that she was mistaken for a celebrity and the job offer was a mistake. Left with no other options, Yoshino reluctantly agrees to take on the role and aid the Board of Tourism in their efforts to revitalize Manoyama. Determined to bring excitement to the dying town with the help of local residents, the queen enacts a series of projects to highlight the beauty and charm of Manoyama’s culture. Sakura Quest delves into the story of a tight-knit community that is struggling to balance change while also maintaining the rich traditions and bonds which define their identity.” -MAL Rewrite
Story:
Well, you’ve heard of cute girls doing cute things, now get ready for cute women doing adult things (that sounded way better in my head…). In other words, Sakura Quest features young women working on promotion and marketing to help revitalize a small town. Sakura Quest is more than just cute characters, it creates a homey atmosphere as the episodes go by. The bonds that are forged and strengthened throughout the show is what makes Sakura Quest so enjoyable.
Artwork & Animation:
P.A. Works did an excellent job of illustrating the backgrounds, each scene is as beautiful as the last. While I love the character designs, the character art and animation could’ve been little more finessed, as there were strange facial expressions every now and then.
Character(s):
Sakura Quest pulls no stops in character development for the entire cast (and let me tell you it’s a lot of characters!). The wonderful sense of community that is built throughout the show is so touching that it was hard for me to not tear up at the end! Yoshino, as the “queen” of Manoyama, meets and deals with a lot of different people. And each of them has their own story, goals, and ambitions that make an impact on her. As she gets to know and understand the town of Manoyama she herself becomes more aware of her importance to this town and its future, making Sakura Quest a rewarding experience.
Sound (OST & Voice Acting):
The show features a good variety of genres, the most prominent (and my personal favorite) are the serene acoustic guitar pieces accompanied by an electric piano, it has that “country-side” feel that sums up the vibe for the show. There are dark and minor pieces that are used for the “chupacabra” theme of the show which is quite entertaining.
Enjoyment:
There aren’t that many shows that can make me tear up and yet Sakura Quest does the unthinkable. At first, I never thought I’d enjoy this show but the more episodes I watched the more attached and relatable Yoshino and our main cast became. They picked up and underdog role and to see them progress was more than satisfying.
Overall: Score
9
With a simple plot line and extraordinary character development, Sakura Quest will make you fall in love with the small town of Manoyama through its quirky yet lovable residents as well as its breathtaking scenery.
Best Girl: Shinomiya Shiori
Shiori is the gentle big sister type of character but she also steps up when the gang is in a pinch! I really enjoyed her character design and personality which makes choosing her an easy choice!
KiritoNarukami 