Anime Review: Diamond Daydreams
By Jan Suzukawa • Dec 4, 2009
Since we’re heading into the winter season, I thought it might be fun to review an anime that is set in the wintry locale of Hokkaido.
There doesn’t seem to be much josei anime out there, but one that stands out is Diamond Daydreams, a 13-episode series about six young women in the northern island of Hokkaido in Japan. Originally titled Diamond Dustdrops, the title referred to the ice-crystal phenomenon where the crystals glitter like diamond dust in the winter sky. The folk legend has it that wishes made upon seeing the diamond dust come true.
The six women live in different cities in Hokkaido and come from various backgrounds. Atsuko works in a Hakodate fish shop with her mother. Although she is already committed for a future arranged marriage, she finds herself attracted to an older man, a local jazz musician. Young Karin is an invalid in the hospital whose doctor tries to convince her to have a needed operation; but since her father died while undergoing surgery, she’s afraid to. Kyoko, a trendy filmmaker, is a demanding perfectionist whose controlling nature threatens her relationship with her easygoing boyfriend.
Suomi is a professional ice-skater with a secret from her childhood. Shoko is a radio talk show host in Sapporo who advises listeners on their love life problems – and who is secretly dating a married man herself. And in the final story, Akari struggles to support her widower father, who is ailing after his wife’s death.
Each character’s story is told in two episodes, with the final 13th episode serving as a grand finale in which each woman’s story is brought to a conclusion. The DVD set also features interesting extras on Hokkaido as a travel destination. If you need a break from shonen fight scenes and shojo schoolgirl stories, Diamond Daydreams might be the perfect anime to watch on a cold winter evening.
Diamond Daydreams was produced by Studio Deen and is distributed by ADV Films.
This column will be taking a break for the holidays, and will return in January. Happy holidays, everyone!
Jan Suzukawa works in the manga industry as a freelance editor and English adaptation writer. Website: www.jansuzukawa.com. Blog: jansuzukawa.blogspot.com.
