Glass structures, clean lines, and simple colour combinations are the few things that I instantly noticed when watching Tari tari. Although it’s not the first time that I’d seen this on anime, Tari Tari wonderfully showcases the simple yet eye-catching structures. It’s also evident that the architecture says a lot about the Japanese aesthetics.
Adding only what’s necessary has always been a focus in traditional Japanese design. Zen concepts of simplicity embed the ideas of freedom and reveal the inner qualities of materials and objects for the essence. More importantly, it emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment.
Say for instance, it’s noticeable and nice how Tari Tari innovatively designed its gymnasium, school yard, café, and classrooms through the use of glass. Regardless of the contemporary western nature of the glass architecture, as part of the minimalist movement, it was said that Japanese Zen Philosophy is still one of its major inspirations. Glass is visually filled with void space and gives room to anything—especially the light—by which could be likened to the concepts of inner soul, illumination, and order.
Further, the simple and well-defined contours are invigorating to watch. It’s interesting how the funky yet clean and sophisticated geometric figures create some form of psychological aesthetic which can bring some Zen-like functionalities in the mind—freedom of movement, ease, and innovation.
Hence I guess just like Wien, as someone who is foreign to the Japanese culture and an anime fan, I can’t help but to be amused by every littlest detail of what the animation is offering. Similar to what I had seen in Hanasaku Iroha, structural designs add silent monologues and flavour to the scenes.
Lemmas and Submodalities 
How do you do it Snippy? How much do you invest in shows you pick up to write these kinds of articles? I now know why you always pick so few. While I’m busy admiring Sawa’s horse (and her beauty), mocking Wakana;s existence, calling Taichi “some guy” and Wien a foreigner, you marvel and educate the masses on the school’s infrastructure. Maybe that’s why you’re more beloved.
Anywho, glad to see someone else other than myself watching TT.
Aww thanks OG. Actually, I’m so ready to pass-out on this hour but I just really want to at least publish something because it’s been long enough. I’m still catching up on some anime and I’m still working on with my new schedule.
But anyways, yes the characters are likeable but for some reason I still prefer the Hanasaku Iroha girls. It’s such a pity (for me) that I noticed more the background than the characters itself. But hopefully I’ll appreciate the characters more as the series progress.
You know I’ll always compliment you Snippy. It’s well deserved after all. Some would call it sucking up, I see it as stating facts.
This show is a Hanasaku clone after all so it’s to be expected that the cast isn’t as awesome. Besides her sexiness and horse, Sawa is the best character on the show so far, while I’m STRONGLY hoping Konatsu doesn’t fall for either of the guys. I prefer Wakana be involved in a love triangle with the guys since she’s my least favorite character. I’ll say this much, Wien and Taichi are more amusing than Koichi and Toru, but not by much.
chihayafuru’s Tacihci…actually most of Chihayafuru;s male characters remain the best of 2012 in terms of SoL shows.
Oh yes, Sawa is really sexy. I like her character and the fact that she horse rides. The only thing that stops me from fangirling is her twin tails–it’s a turn-off. But I’m really hoping that Sawa will wear out those twin tails. If that happens, she’ll instantly turn on my fangirl mode.
If there’s one character that I kind of like enjoying that would be Wakana. At first I thought she’s going to be like Minchi but good thing she didn’t. I like her sometimes apathetic attitude and introversion, plus girl in pony tail is a plus.
As for the Konatsu and the other two guys, I don’t really care about them. Konatsu is a nagger and I don’t like her hairstyle… I’m okay with Wein but he’s still far from being a Taichi material.
I’m hoping “Bob” (Check my TT analyses to know who I mean. I’m not good with names on this show)’s sister makes more appearances. Rrrrrr. She fulfills my older women quota…2nd only to the grumpy vice-president.
I’m expecting more Matutu (Sawa) bikini goodness next week as she takes her shirt and skirt off (I think). Aww, no love for the twin tail hairstyle? I think it suits her, even though I’m more of a loose long haired girl lover.
i dunno. I still don’t think much of Poo Poo (Wakana) but maybe she’ll grow on me in time.
Polka (Konatsu) just needs to stick close to Sawa so she can get her flat tooshie spanked some more.
Enrique (Wien) has the oddbal factor going for him and little else. Of course he’s no Taichi. Taichi’s DA MAN! He’d better win Chihayaa’s hand if they plan on progressing the romance. Wow, me caring about a hetero couple. It’s been a while. Taichi’s that damn awesome.
Oh dear. I thought I did reply. Let’s try again. So you don’t like twin tails, eh? That’s a shame. Although I prefer long loose hair, I won’t deny the charms of the twin tail. I’m also looking forward to Sawa taking her skirt and shirt off, at least I think she will do so next week.
Konatsu should just stick around Sawa so she can spank some sense into Konatsu some more. That was glorious.
Wakana’s still not doing it for me but the Spaniard and her mother’s past are enough to at least wanting answers.
Did I mention how hot both Taichi’s older sister and the strict vice principal are? Rrrr.
Wien’s oddball personality are fun and all but you are right when you said none of the boys are anywhere near as awesome as Chihayafuru’s Taichi. I am so psyched for the 2nd season and will hopefully finish the Chihayafuru review sometime this weekend.
Ahaha, your naming conventions are really making me crack. Btw, I saw that your comment went to my spam inbox, but of course, I’m always here to retrieve it ^^
Actually, I quite enjoy the grumpy vice principal. Those grumpy characters usually annoy everyone but at the same time they have ultimate breakdowns wherein you’re going to be entertained on how they suffer, not in a sense that they’re dying or whatever but you’ll see vulnerability in them which is quite… alluring and emotionally engaging.
Sawa in bikini… that must be nice yet again I’m only going fully appreciate her if she let loose of her twin tails, hehe. For me, I still prefer Wakana. I don’t know why there’s a Spanish on this show. I think maybe that Spaniard became her mom’s friend… hmm.
Wonderful post!
When I first started watching Tari Tari, one of the things that had struck me was definitely the beautiful scenery in some shots, and now I’ll no doubt have to keep a closer eye for the architecture in this series, too! I always appreciate it when an anime takes that extra step to add in the type of details like the one’s we’ve been seeing in this series!
The architecture and artwork definitely got me hooked. I really enjoy the quick snapshots of the cool structures. ^^
People can give it crap for being similar to Hanasuka Iroha, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It has beautiful animation and artwork; the only thing lacking are the character designs which are a bit bland for my taste. Of course I’m not expecting a deep plot or the best character development because I understand that I’m watching a slice of life anime. In that respect, the first two episodes show a promising series that will offer a relaxing change of pace from the other options this season.
On a side note, it’s nice to see an article about this show that actually has some substance to it. You did a great job of picking up on some of the small things that make Tari Tari beautiful. Keep up the good work!
I really agree with that. I don’t totally mind if this is just another Hanasaku Iroha since I like that show. But having watched the three episodes, my problem is the lack of character design. I didn’t see anything special and worth remembering except for Sawa’s horse riding and the awesome architectures. But regardless, the show has enough ingredients for me to keep it since I like SoL anime with nice animation. The plot is also different from Hanasaku Iroha and seems interesting, plus I can see potential character developments.
Btw, I noticed that it’s your first time here. Thank you for dropping by.
I found you during the Aniblog Tourney actually. I never thought it would be that hard to find quality non-episodic blogs, but apparently I was wrong.
It was aggravating to see a bunch of thoughtful blogs like you get beat out by your run of the mill summary and reaction posts. I don’t need somebody to tell me what I just watched; I just watched it.
Thank you for your kind words. I’m really humbled whenever somebody appreciates what I’m writing here and I’m read glad to read and hear positive feedbacks from the Aniblog Tourney audience. ^^
I actually never noticed the architecture in Tari Tari. Part of the reason why is because the buildings where I live all use tons of glass. It definitely makes things look nice.
Wow that must be awesome because usually glass architectures look very modern.
He who lives in glass house should not throw stones.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. ;)
Anyway, for me one of the attractions of good animation of any kind is that, to me at least, it is usually possible to evoke a much deeper reaction from me than ‘real’ images. For whatever reason, animation and what my mind “sees” tend to connect more readily and so I can associate much more readily. The result tends to be that I can recall scenes from well done animation better than I can from ‘live action’ shows.
Exactly and likewise. ^^
Call me shallow but a lot of times I prefer a good animation over a good plot and character design. After all, we’re watching anime… it’s animation–a visual medium.
Glass walls certainly make everything looks more classy. The visuals are indeed similar to Hanasaku Iroha, vibrant scenery, detailed structural designs, but it’s certainly not a bad thing as I really liked Hanasaku Iroha. Haven’t started on Tari Tari yet thogh.
It’s nice to give it a shot. I think it’s very relax and nice. Although, I’m still hoping for a little bit more from. It might seemed like Hanasaku Iroha but I guess really different from it although both have similar and familiar vibes.
Anime architecture does really have interesting layout. It only show how rich their artistic side is and good animation skills.
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Dear Snippet, thanks for this excellent post! From the start I was impressed by the size of the school’s buildings and the gym which would be sufficient to serve a medium-sized city in my country. Now I discover there’s a lot more to say about Tari Tari’s set!
Some thoughts:
– The color scheme in the 2nd and 3rd picture are somewhat off, no? The buildings are nice but the flowers’ colors look 1970s amusement park and bite w/ the paint color of the buildings.
– I love the third picture from below. Buildings of only glass and steel are all nice and well but imo they tend not to take care of the emotional side of the humans inhabiting them. I love wood and bricks in modern buildings. In the picture the light and spacious modern design is combined with the warmth and natural colours of wood. The window grid (is this the correct expression?) adds some nostalgic element, as well, as it wouldn’t be necessary w/ today’s technology.
In sum, I think the school seems to provide an excellent physical environment for their students – “freedom of movement, ease, and innovation” as you point out. If just there weren’t that narrow-minded vice principal…
Oh, I forgot to mention the most awesome of all of Tari Tari’s buildings: Wien’s (temporary) home! I don’t know that much about architecture but to me it looks like a sweet combination of prairie style and some Japanese elements (e.g. the grid windows on the first floor wings). I wonder which RL locations the creators took inspiration from. In any case there seems to be someone at P.A. works who likes early 20th century architecture (witness Kissuiso or the hotel in the last eps of Another).
I really commend P.A. works for making good quality architecture. I also remember how I loved the scenery in Hanasaku Iroha. It certainly gives ease and nice viewing experience.
sweet combination of prairie style and some Japanese elements (e.g. the grid windows on the first floor wings)
I’m not really knowledgeable about architecture as well. What I know only depends on what some of my friends majoring in architecture told me and from what I read in magazines. But yeah, I guess most of the contemporary Japanese architects practices minimalism. Grids and space are really part of their designs because it was said that they’re integrating their culture/practices to the modern world–which is really nice.
As always thanks for the comment, jreding.
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I’m not sure why everyone is just agreeing with the post; all it’s saying is that the glass makes things prettier in the anime, but then that leads to the question of how usage of class contributes to Tari Tari. On its own, the architecture is meaningless- its the interplay between the characters and the setting that allows the architecture to play a larger role. I’ve chanced upon quite a post here about the Architecture of Tari Tari that tells a more complete picture, especially how the glass mirrors the character’s feelings (namely, when they open up to others, much like how glass allows light to enter and warm a building).
If my link breaks, this is where you want to go:
I’m not sure why everyone is just agreeing with the post; all it’s saying is that the glass makes things prettier in the anime
I prefer exploring just one theme rather than exhausting the post with so many words, then I let my readers take it from there. :)