Reviews

Conceptually, Slow Loop is about using a cherished pastime to overcome grief and build close friendships. You may not know a single thing about fly fishing going in (I sure did not), but we can all understand the desire to partake in a fun hobby and seek the company of others who are mutually passionate. There are approximately five million SOL anime that execute this very same concept, but this one is at least slightly better than average in that it is legitimately educational about its subject matter and creates likable characters with relatable conflicts. It also fails in some key ways that keep it from being a “great” SOL, primarily the uninspiring artwork in a setting that is more often than not outdoors, but you kind of have to take what you can get in the most regurgitated genre in the medium.

First, lets elaborate more on the positive - Slow Loop does a fine job of making the audience understand the nuances and joys of fishing. You go out on a boat or sit by a shore surrounded by nothing but the natural world, free from all technological obsessions and urban concerns. Just man, a rod, and aquatic wildlife. The lead characters Hiyori and Koharu have dealt with immense hardship in their young lives related to the tragic passing of loved ones, but those concerns are eased gradually as they’re connected with nature and grow closer to the friends that surround them. This presents a wholesome message about how no matter the tragedy, you can seek happiness and heal your sorrow with the company of companions over time. There’s also a lot of effort to detail the theory of fishing in terms of effective techniques, equipment and routines. So much so that if a viewer decided to take up fishing, they would be able to do so using the knowledge gained from the episodes.

On the other hand, the production values are bad all around. Not just in terms of animation - there is a profuse use of panning shots during fishing expeditions, but the background art is very bland. There are many instances where the detailed character models appear jarringly out of place compared to the ironically static nature that surround them. As a result Slow Loop fails to make one feel immersed into the outdoors as I'm sure its intention was to do. This extends to the texture of the dishes as well - there are few times in this show that something was prepared that made me salivate at the idea of eating it.

Perhaps its a bit unfair to harp too much on this point though - this was not some highly anticipated, heavily advertised show. Those who chose to watch Slow Loop likely will have their expectations exceeded. There was just potential here to be something great if the artwork were better. My score of a six may seem to imply this show is bad, but I mean it to describe a show that has enough positives to at least be worth watching and perhaps enjoyed by niche communities. This may perhaps be you if you fancy the premise of cute girls fishing and bonding over time.