Norbert Daniels Jr.
July 30, 2015 
Even if your favorite type of anime has a lot of action and an intricate plot, it’s nice to take a break every once in a while and just watch something warm and calm. That’s the niche that shows from the slice of life genre tend to fill. If you’re looking for something in that vein this season, then Non Non Biyori Repeat is a pretty good choice.
Repeat is the second season of the well-received Non Non Biyori anime from 2013. It centers around the lives of four elementary and middle school girls living in a rural area of Japan. Even though it’s the second season, people who haven’t watched the first can jump right in to this season without any problems at all. You don’t even have to start at the first episode of the new season. Just jump in wherever you feel like, you’ll be fine.
The show’s rural setting does wonders for its atmosphere. I’ve seen a few anime before that take place in the countryside but none of them really embraced it the way this show does. The scenery is almost completely overtaken by farmland and nature, with small rustic buildings sprinkled throughout. Seeing the characters walk about in this kind of environment is really relaxing.
One thing especially notable is how much work this show puts into crafting the image of a simple life. The main characters all attend class together in a single room despite their varying grades. All the excitement the students showed talking about little classroom games played with school supplies in the second episode was a really nice touch that reminded me how uncomplicated life was at that age.
My favorite part of the show is its youngest character, Renge. She’s the village’s only first grader and every scene with her is a joy. I love how the show’s creators managed to combine the easily-impressed nature of a 6-year-old with an almost perpetually deadpan face.
If you’re looking for a low-commitment show where you can just turn off your brain and relax, Non Non Biyori Repeat is as good a choice as any this summer.
Non Non Biyori Repeat is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
Norbert Daniels Jr. is a freelance writer who doesn’t want monsters in his closet. Listen to his podcast about appreciating cartoons at SaturdayMorningBlockParty.com.
