Ruri no Houseki

The nature scenery is exceptional. If you like nature, mountains, rivers, trees, and sunsets; this is worth watching. The characters are pleasant and entertaining. There is no sex and no violence in this slice of life series.

The story begins with a school girl who loves gems and jewelry, but can't afford to buy them. When she learns that her grandfather used to collect crystals on the mountain, she decides she will save money and find jewels herself!

Her quest for riches gradually changes into curiosity and a thirst for knowledge about treasures of the earth. She finds both pretty things and valuable things; learning a lot as she goes exploring the countryside.

This is fascinating and educational, yet never boring. If I was still teaching middle-school science, I would use this program in class to teach geology and the scientific method!

This won't be replacing any action shows in the top ten, but if you want to feel your mind grow, or just want to see some pretty scenery, I recommend you give this a try.

Well these days, I am so impressed with the works of Cloverworks whose well known anime are "Bocchi the Rock" and "SPYxFAMILY". Now they are releasing three adolescent comedies, "Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity", "My Dress-up Darling Season 2", "Rascal doesn't dream of Santa Claus" simultaneously. Their works are fine, terrific even in such a busy condition. The quality of animation could attract attention from overseas geeks.

By the way, recently, I found the one which should be checked. That is "Ruri Rocks". Original Manga is created by Keiichiro Shibuya, who was a school teacher of Science, studied Mineralogy in his graduate course. The quality of animation and music itself is also beautiful enough to make audiences to lock on to the beauty and wonder of stones and jewels among nature. However the most striking point of the story is that it is weaven to open up the eyes of audiences to think and see things as the entity having a long history and backdrops, which is quite important for students to learn and facilitate not only STEM but also humanities. The story proceeds to instill such a way of behavior, quite naturally. So impressive and exciting. Don't miss it.