Of all the anime series airing this year, "Asuka-chan's Sailor Suit" is one that's garnering particular attention. I'm sure there are many anime fans reading this article who are "looking forward to this series the most." Just imagining this wildly popular manga series coming to life as an animation is exciting, isn't it? So, in this article, I'd like to summarize the story for readers like me who are "excited to see this series!" This article takes a fresh look at the story and considers how it will be portrayed in the anime version, so if you're an anime fan who can't wait to see "Asuka-chan's Sailor Suit," be sure to read on.
Enrolling at a Prestigious Girls' Junior High School
This work begins with the protagonist, Asu-chan, enrolling at a prestigious girls' junior high school. The story details Asu-chan's excitement and anxiety about her new environment as she prepares for her first day at school, giving us a glimpse into her character right from the beginning. Readers who want to get a closer look at Asu-chan as a character might want to pay close attention to this opening scene.
Is Asu-chan the only one wearing a sailor uniform?
Though feeling anxious, Asu-chan was excited about her first school post, when she actually arrived at school, she found out she was the only one wearing a sailor suit. Asu-chan's mother runs a dressmaking business, so she had prepared a sailor suit for her, but it turns out that sailor suits were a thing of the past. And so began Asu-chan's life as the only one wearing a sailor suit.
She makes up for it with her natural cheerfulness
If Asa-chan, a shy person like me, had realized she was the only one wearing a sailor uniform in school, I'd definitely refuse to go to school. But that's not what I'm talking about: cheerful Asa-chan. Though she was initially hesitant, she gradually gained confidence in her sailor uniform, and her cheerful personality helped her fit in with her classmates.
Meeting Unique Classmates
The story of this series follows the slightly clumsy, but cheerful and energetic Asu-chan as she grows through her interactions with her many classmates. Since it's set in an all-girls school, there's no romantic involvement, but it's a work that allows you to experience the lively atmosphere unique to a school with only same-sex students.
Interactions with Classmates
Now, I'd like to focus on the relationships between Asu-chan and her classmates, which are the core of the story. In addition to Asu-chan, there are many other fascinating characters in this work, so be sure to read this before watching the anime version.
Erika Kizaki
She's a classmate who becomes close with Asu-chan at the beginning of the story. In this work, Moto is often a character who is always talking to Asu-chan, so if someone asks about Asu-chan's best friend, she's probably the first name that comes to mind.
Comes from a wealthy family
She appears to come from a fairly wealthy family, and her mannerisms and clothing often reveal her good upbringing. Perhaps it's precisely because Asu-chan and she grew up in completely different environments that their interactions are always so stimulating?
Touko Usahara
Touko is a girl with a distinctively prominent forehead. Like Asu-chan, she has a cheerful personality and seems to act as a mood maker in the dormitory where she lives with her classmates. She is also very close to Asu-chan, as they share similar personalities. Kizaki and Usahara, mentioned above, are especially close to Asu-chan.
Kamimoku Neko
In contrast to Usahara-san and Asu-chan, Neko is a somewhat shy and reserved girl. Not only is she shy, but she also cares about her own experiences, and often sighs as she compares herself to Asu-chan, who is the complete opposite of her. In the story, Asu-chan behaves cheerfully towards Neko, despite her complexes. As she watches Asu-chan, Neko gradually discovers her own unique charm.
Akebityannoseirahuku
Like Shinmoku, she is also a somewhat shy girl. Unlike Shinmoku, she isn't into sports, but rather enjoys reading books and studying. Due to her shy personality, it took her a while to become close with Asu-chan and Kizaki-san, but they begin to interact frequently from the middle of the series.
The straight man?
She's also a character who brings a humorous touch to conversations between middle school girls, often stale, by adding sharp remarks at the end of each conversation.
Interact with Many Classmates
As you can see, Asa-chan interacts with many characters in this series. Her interactions with these numerous characters are the series' greatest draw. In addition to the characters introduced here, many other classmates will appear and interact with Asa-chan. Other characters will be introduced in a separate article, so please take a look if you're interested.
The Story Structure of This Work
From here, I'd like to further analyze and introduce the story structure of Asu-chan and her interactions with other characters, as explained above. Of course, stories don't always follow a pattern. However, each work has its own author's intentions for the story structure, so it's very interesting to focus on and consider those intentions.
A story in which Asu-chan sheds light on her classmates' inferiority complexes
The most notable aspect of this series' story structure is that it's not just about Asu-chan's interactions with other characters. This is because many of the characters Asu-chan interacts with have complexes about their appearance or personality. The general plot of this series is that Asu-chan, with her genuinely cheerful personality, interacts with these characters and helps them overcome their own complexes.
What is the origin of Asu-chan's name?
This is how the story unfolds: Asu-chan repeatedly clears the darkness in the hearts of the other characters. Perhaps the protagonist of this work was given the name Akebi-chan precisely because she plays the role of illuminating the darkness that the other characters carry within them.
Plenty of Events
Of course, the story isn't just a monotonous one of Asu-chan talking about the dark secrets of other characters' hearts. It also depicts events unique to middle school life, making it a work that even adult readers can enjoy with a nostalgic atmosphere.
Choosing a Club
When you think of junior high school, many readers probably think of club activities. This work also focuses on the series, starting with club selection, so readers who want to peek into the thrilling and passionate life of club activities will also enjoy it. Which club Asu-chan joins will depend on the story's progression, so I won't reveal it here. If you're interested, be sure to check it out.
Sleepover with Classmates
Sleepovers at the homes of friends you've become close with at school are a uniquely junior high experience. In this series, not only do friends stay over at Asuka-chan's house, but Asuka-chan also often stays over at the homes of her close friends. The depictions give us a glimpse into the kinds of homes these charming characters spend their time in, so be sure to check them out.
Sports Festival
Of course, the sports festival, arguably the biggest event in junior high school life, is also covered. This work particularly meticulously depicts the characters' movements, allowing you to enjoy the thrilling sports matches with a sense of realism that makes you feel as if you're actually there.
A story with a certain nostalgia
This work carefully depicts episodes that everyone experiences in junior high school, making it a work that will bring back memories for every reader. It's especially recommended for readers who attended girls' junior high schools.
What I'm looking forward to in the anime!
Up until this point, I've introduced the story structure and appeal of this work based on the manga version of "Akebityan's Sailor Suit." From here on, I'd like to focus on what's exciting about the anime version.
Asuka's Delicate Movements
Asuka's delicate movements are arguably the greatest draw of this work, and I'm excited to see how they'll be portrayed in animation. In particular, the way the characters are drawn in this work is so stunning that it reaches the level of art, not just a manga piece. It's already exciting to see how well this can be recreated in animation.
How far can we go in challenging the beauty of manga?
In any case, the manga itself is extremely well-crafted, so perhaps the most important thing to consider when watching this anime is how closely the animation can match its brilliance. It's also an excellent manga, so be sure to read it before watching the anime.
Summary
So, what did you think? This article introduced the story structure of "Asuka-chan's Sailor Uniform" without any spoilers. While the question of "Why is Asuka-chan, who appears in this work, named Asuka-chan?" is merely my speculation, I believe it's safe to say that this is the role that Asuka-chan is generally assigned. When you watch the anime version, be sure to pay attention to what role Asu-chan plays.
