This is a personal piece I’ve wished to write for sometime now but didn’t know how to go about it and plus I needed pictures first haha!
God it’s April and the best time of year in the aussie land has come: Autumn the leaves are about to change and April brings a new sense of beginning for a strange reason. Maybe it’s because everything this time of year becomes still and beautiful, the temperature is a perfect 25 degrees, no wind and I’m able to appreciate the new surroundings I’ve had for the last year and a bit. Transitioning to country life wasn’t nothing new, living in a small village beforehand was my normal and now the only difference is everything is just bigger, vineyards, backyard hills and swimming in nature all around.
I wanted to share these pure surroundings and the anime it reminds me of. Sending my mind into a pool of peace.
The first image is of the old abandoned railway line that used to run through the main town. Upon discovering it from my random walks about the place, it instantly reminded me of Howl’s Moving Castle. A wonderful film that speaks of growth as a person can be a scary thing but main characters Sophie and Howl, come to accept each other’s denial parts of their growth they both refused to acknowledge. The scene of seeing a young boy Howl giving his heart away in a dream phase world of grass and an old cottage on a hill, Sophie is hopelessly watching the memory unfold was drawn into my mind. Staring at this old railway hub that ignites lots of eventful history went on here and a feature building I’ve come to admire about the town.
Next image the old railway line that goes out to the vineyard pastures. I walk through regularly and the views don’t feel real, definitely never seen such a beautiful view. Beauty is the first thing that comes to my mind and I think of the series The Aquatope On The White Sand, a series not brought enough to people’s attention. P.A Works I feel are masters of beautiful emotion in their series, there is an outpour in this anime involving two girls navigating lost ambitions, newfound passions and finding a new friendship in one another. This series is powerful and a perfect watch for those who might be feeling lost in life and this series will comfort you knowing you will find your way, with its aquatic stunning visuals. I always find beauty in these views every time.
Next image are the vineyards that surround this valley, right now they are in their prime time of vintage season of the grapes being harvested for the wine of the valley. Driving home every time after work these views don’t feel real and seeing everyone hard at work this time of year. For that reason my mind is brought back to sports anime Run With The Wind, a story about a band of young college and working men achieving one of the most challenging runs in Japan, the training, pain and tears. How everyone eventually comes together through the make up and fallouts, that’s what makes the series hold together so well. Seeing all the frustrating parts evokes some deep emotions. It’s an amazing series about unity in the purest form. Watching the harvesters working hard makes me think of this anime.
Final image just because it was a pretty moment and every week there is a new photograph to take, from a changing landscape. This sentiment makes me think of one of my old favourite titles, This Ugly Yet Beautiful World. The series shows its old era but holds a message that the world is full of ugly and beautiful moments. That you can’t change those moments they will happen, the main girl Hikari who appears to have forgotten her identity and is introduced to a world through Takeru eyes, then the hard hitting truth rears the ugly. Creating a crossing divide of identity for Hikari and her own worth, place in the world she was shown through Takeru. This series has always stuck with me that new moments are happening every second, I’ll see a new view every day in this valley I love.
I hope you enjoyed my poetic personal recommendation piece, I enjoy writing these pieces the most and a way to mention series I haven’t managed to on this blog. I had this blog idea on the brain for a long while and glad I got around too.
Happy April and new Beginnings!
See you next post!
Lita Kino
