Lull in the Sea

Summary: >

The people of the sea have inhabited the coastal areas of Japan as long as people remember. There have always been disputes between them, but both have prospered by working together. However the people of the sea have been on the decline for some time, and last year the school under the waves had to close due to a lack of students. The 4 attending, now have to join the school above ground. It's taken time to adjust, make friends, and resolve differences but they've grown close to those on land.

Then a prophecy is handed down that the people of the sea will go into hibernation for a long time, as the lands above the waves enter a winter which could likewise span years. The students plan on one last festival, but doubts brew about whether the prophesy is even true. Things certainly do change afterwards, but not necessarily in the ways foretold.

Thoughts: >

If you pick up a show just because it's pretty, you won't go wrong with A Lull In The Sea. Better yet, the rest lives up to the attractive appearance. This is an anime I can't say enough good things about, however many of them I can't discuss in detail, because the story unfolds best experienced while watching.

Starting with the visuals, the imagination of the under sea town is wonderful. Things look similar to a regular town, but undersea flora replace the normal grass and tress, with schools of fish all over. The sky is a combination of the true sky, and the surface of the sea. It looks awesome. Above ground things great too.

It's hard to pin down what A Lull In The Sea does with the story at first. It follows the activities of four students from the sea. There is growing conflict between those of land and sea, with them stuck in the middle. There's also a love triangle between them, and one girl maybe in love with a boy from the surface. It's a good story so far, but the defining feature of this anime is the second half.

I can't go too far into details, but the second half becomes a brilliant story about growing up, and love in youth. When I say everything changes after the festival, you might assume it's event driven. Instead it's the characters that drastically change (or don't change), as the close associations become disjointed and everyone struggles to find their place in the new situation. It's a great story, but more so because of its insightful take on a coming of age story.

Putting all this together, the beautiful imaginative environment, great story, good characters, and insightful theme; you have something well worth watching.

Screen Caps: >