Nichijou
Summary: Nichijou primarily focuses on the daily antics of a trio of childhood friends—high school girls Mio Naganohara, Yuuko Aioi and Mai Minakami—whose stories soon intertwine with the young genius Hakase Shinonome, her robot caretaker Nano, and their talking cat Sakamoto. With every passing day, the lives of these six, as well as of the many people around them, experience both the calms of normal life and the insanity of the absurd. Walking to school, being bitten by a talking crow, spending time with friends, and watching the principal suplex a deer: they are all in a day's work in the extraordinary everyday lives of those in Nichijou.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Nichijou primarily focuses on the daily antics of a trio of childhood friends—high school girls Mio Naganohara, Yuuko Aioi and Mai Minakami—whose stories soon intertwine with the young genius Hakase Shinonome, her robot caretaker Nano, and their talking cat Sakamoto. With every passing day, the lives of these six, as well as of the many people around them, experience both the calms of normal life and the insanity of the absurd. Walking to school, being bitten by a talking crow, spending time with friends, and watching the principal suplex a deer: they are all in a day's work in the extraordinary everyday lives of those in Nichijou.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
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Nichijou Trailers
Nichijou Pictures
Nichijou Review
Nichijou — Nichijou primarily focuses on the daily antics of a trio of childhood friends—high school girls Mio Naganohara, Yuuko Aioi and Mai Minakami—whose stories soon intertwine with the young genius Hakase Shinonome, her robot caretaker Nano, and their talking cat Sakamoto. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Comedy conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.47). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Nichijou offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Comedy, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Aioi, Yuuko
Main
Aioi, Yuuko
Main
Minakami, Mai
Main
Minakami, Mai
Main
Naganohara, Mio
Main
Naganohara, Mio
Main
Sakamoto
Main
Sakamoto
Main
Shinonome, Nano
Main
Shinonome, Nano
Main
Shinonome, Hakase
Main
Shinonome, Hakase
Main
Aioi, Mother
Supporting
Aioi, Mother
Supporting
Akagi
Supporting
Annaka, Haruna
Supporting
Annaka, Haruna
Supporting
Biscuit No. 2
Supporting
Biscuit No. 2
Supporting
Daiku, Kenzaburou
Supporting
Staff
Cook, Justin
Producer
Herek, Samantha
Assistant Producer
Senami, Riri
Assistant Producer
Ishihara, Tatsuya
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard, Screenplay
Tsuruoka, Youta
Sound Director
Ishidate, Taichi
Episode Director, Script, Storyboard, Assistant Director
Kigami, Yoshiji
Episode Director, Storyboard
Kitanohara, Noriyuki
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Sakamoto, Kazuya
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Takemoto, Yasuhiro
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Utsumi, Hiroko
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Yamada, Naoko
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Yoneda, Mitsuyoshi
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Hanada, Jukki
Script, Series Composition
Itou, Atsushi
Script, Planning Producer
Muramoto, Katsuhiko
Script
Nishioka, Maiko
Script
Furuya, Shizuka
Theme Song Performance
Hyadain
Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Arrangement, Theme Song Composition
Itagaki, Yuusuke
Theme Song Arrangement