[Skullmeat]

English: Castle Town Dandelion
Synonyms: Joukamachi no Dandelion
Japanese: 城下町のダンデライオン

[Information]
Type: TV
Episodes: 12
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jul 3, 2015 to Sep 18, 2015
Premiered: Summer 2015
Broadcast: Fridays at 02:16 (JST)
Producers: Pony Canyon, TBS, DAX Production, Houbunsha, TC Entertainment
Licensors: FUNimation Entertainment
Studios: Production IMS
Source: 4-koma manga
Genres: Comedy, Seinen, Slice of Life, Super Power
Duration: 24 min. per ep.
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

The Sakurada siblings live a normal life in a typical Japanese household. Well, that's what their father, the king, wants for them at least. As members of the royal family, each sibling possesses a unique ability, and over two thousand security cameras have been placed around town to make sure the children are safe and sound. Moreover, all nine of them have been designated as a potential successor to the throne with the decision that the next ruler will be selected through an election.

However, for the timid Akane Sakurada, the third eldest daughter who wields the power to manipulate gravity, all of this attention is a complete nightmare. With all the cameras constantly monitoring the candidates and even broadcasting their actions on the Sakurada-dedicated news channel, she decides that if she becomes king, the cameras have got to go. But just how will she convince the public that she is the most suited to rule if she can't even overcome her own shyness?! Election season is in full swing as the search for the next king begins in Joukamachi no Dandelion.

[Review]
I'll be honest, at first I did not have high hopes for Castle Town Dandelion, as it seemed like It could have been a rather mundane Slice of life. However, as I slowly watched it, my opinion began to change. Castle Town Dandelion, is less slice of life, and more a story about personal growth, and overcoming obstacles. Seems cliche, given the subject matter has been covered by countless other anime, but Castle Town Dandelion manages to bring its own flavor to the genre. The way characters interact make them feel natural and relate-able, rather than you larger than life protagonist. In fact, the show in written in a way that the siblings feel like their own characters, but together are greater the the sum of their parts. Each has a weakness, strength, and a background that not only makes them more lifelike, also compliments other characters. However, there are possibly too many characters in the show, and some end up feeling neglected or underdeveloped at times, particularly Aoi, who is rarely seen, and I even found myself wanting the protagonist herself to have more screen time because her interaction with the other characters makes for some great comedic moments. Aside form that, the animation quality varies in places, which is sad, because at its best its downright beautiful. If you have the time and a bit of patience, Joukamachi no Dandelion is a worthwhile, and even heartwarming watch.

[Oni]

The concept of surveillance and media in an anime is interesting. Might be funnier given the election going on in the US. If I want something more akin to slice of life I'll likely watch this.

[Jiggly]

I'm kinda interested in this too. I have so many things piling up on my watchlist. I'll likely end up watching this after watching another splice of life show and feeling the void afterwards!

[Despised]

The first that caught my interest were the genres. I might check this out.