CITY The Animation (2025) already has a MASTERPIECE episode... With a REVOLUTIONARY Storytelling!

Hello, Dear my friends.

I remember the days we spent talking about our dreams.

It's hard to become an adult.

Let's go find the thing that we kept hidden.

Throw away your cluttered mind.

Swim in the clouds.

Raise your hand and run out, right.

The rain has stopped. Sing along.

Hold hands. I laugh too.

You laugh too.

I'm sure like this… We'll meet again.

I always get emotional when I hear those poetry words, which mark every episode's beginning during the opening sequence.

They make me imagine old childhood friends, reuniting after countless decades. Reminiscing about the golden years. When everything was simple. Perhaps more fun. There was a deeper connection with nature, people, and the power of imagination. Gifts that seem to dissipate by time's arrow. One grows older and the deepest connection is with oneself, searching for strength to cope with one's own life.

Let's go find the thing that we kept hidden. What does that mean? Perhaps we still got the power to dream, imagine, connect… smile.

If those old friends still laugh with happiness while remembering their golden years, that means it's never too late. Age will never fade away our childhood's gifts. We laugh together because we're still ourselves. We just forgot we can always feel happy again. Hard times don't have to be sad all the time, right?

When we meet again… we'll laugh again. I hope it will be very soon. Experiencing something this wonderful in the future. I really do.

The playful side of humanity

Yes, it's hard to become an adult. What am I missing? When will I find the thing that I kept hidden?

We are all discovering ourselves. Every day of your lives. No matter how old we become. Life always brings us new challenges, experiences and memories. Many times, the charge feels so heavy, as if progressively there is less time to relax fully. Maybe that's true sometimes. But, in the other hand, it's healthy to strike a balance. The next day (and the day after tomorrow) will come with more unfinished business. If we end up a stage, we start a new one with new up-and-downs. Practically, as if that were the cycle of our daily lives. Constantly focussing on that is exhausting 一 soon I'll elaborate more on those thoughts. 

That is why, in the midst of the storm, it is okay to take some time and throw away your cluttered mind. Here is when I ask you this.

What if there were a cozy blanket, embodied in an animated series? A show you can always return to for encouragement and laughter.

Can you imagine a fantastic CITY where smiles never lack, despite all up-and-downs? Despite all your hardships, there'll always be a happiness moment waiting for you, no matter how small it may seem. A warm blanket, as warm as the lyrics. From now on, I want to invite you to free yourself from the mental constraints placed on how your reality should be. Of course, this is not about “everything must be happy all times”. But appreciating those touches of joy our day offers, which make us feel that it's still worth giving our all tomorrow.

Finding daily motivation, being optimistic, having an idyllic vision, expressing our emotions, imagining the most beautiful and playful side of humanity we could aspire to every day… is alright. Maybe not credible, but it's not impossible the thought that we can be happier and more generous than yesterday. Fiction always serves as a reflection of what our reality can become. There are some values that should never be perceived as outdated. They're a blessing. Superman (2025) taught us recently.

The show offers an exciting point of view about the wonders of growing up, as well as sweet relaxing moments from daily troubles and uplifting approaches to the up-and-down of our everyday. But most importantly, a joyful inspiration on how to be a liitle better and more grateful the next day, despite all our struggles. Because, honestly, this series has had a strong impact on my personal life these last two months. I will delve into details soon. 

If small rare lapses of genuine happiness exist in our lives, there'll always be hope for a brighter summer. Never forget to laugh now and again. I assure you that future lapses of joy will never feel smaller than before. Changes can be fun, after all.

It's time to get you to know City.

What's the show about?

CITY THE ANIMATION (2025) is a slice-of-life surreal comedy anime adaptation of Keiichi Arawi's CITY manga series, directed by Taichi Ishidate (Nichijou, K-On!, Violet Evergarden). It's produced by Kyoto Animation (K-On!, Violet Evergarden, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid).

Welcome to the city aptly named "CITY"! An eccentric poblation with endless unusual, exaggerated, mischievous and cheerful personalities. With pleasent and peaceful music. Adorable dreamlike animals. Fancy basic designs in color, shapes, lights, shadows. A smooth soothing community atmosphere. From tiny elements like an empty bench, to routines like sunrise. There's always a smile when you walk though the streets and meet their inhabitants. Artists, families, day laborers, students, dreamers.

Here you'll learn about their lives in half-hour episodes fragmented into “anthological” sketches where everyone is connected. All actions are cause and effect of the sum of sereval lives without one realizing it. In CITY, every day is a new and unprecedented adventure, with many genius spontaneous punchlines from anywhere.

Among all characters who certainly have their place, like any human being on this planet, we focus on the lives of NAGUMO (a one-outfit free spirit who loves having fun), NIIKURA (altough gentle, her patience is always tested) and WAKO (a harmless sweet multi-talented airhead). Three roomates in their youth, who get through their daily lives to pay the rent and fulfill their dreams, encountering unpredictable twists along the way in the most absurd and entertaining way possible.

The series portrays relatable events from everyday life, infusing them with a heathly dose of funny madness by personifying the thoughts and decisions of its characters. Physical comedy, with the magic of animation to break the mold of reality and highlight circumstances you have surely experienced before. From serving customers at your part-time job or spending time with your best friend… to an embarrassing eating habit, falling asleep in the middle of a school exam, or a scavenger hunt that will help to round up the money for the month… even facing your literally inner (corporeal) demons during the moral dilemma of picking up a coin from the ground. Unpredictable occurences full of love and shock, with soothing entrancing visuals and nostalgia about life's uncertainty. Without losing the vibes, appealing to a sense of resilience and hope.

Basically, is a spiritual sequel to Arawi's previous manga work: NICHIJOU. Another sketchy anthology-like comedy about the madness of everyday life, which received an anime adaptation in 2011 by the same studio.

Both TV series are similar in fliudity, charming designs, strokes and harmonious coloring in their own folly worlds. While CITY's main trio focuses on people's challenges in their 20s, NICHIJOU's best friends trio are high school students with daily homework. If you want to know more about this counterpart, I got another article (in spanish) talking about this other masterpiece.

Nichijou: My Ordinary Life2011

City the Animation2025

My G.O.A.T. episode?

CITY THE ANIMATION premiered in July this year on Prime Video, with a 13-episode weekly release (11 to date). None of them have a specific title, as they're a compilation of various comical segments. Now that we are in the mood, let's talk about the episode I wanted to revisit. For me, it's an outstanding demonstration of how a grounded narrative can be enhanced with the endowments of animation to create an ingenious visual framed storytelling that embodies the wonderfully distinghuished essence of the series, in form and substance… Resulting in one of the MOST CREATIVE episodes in television of ALL TIME!

To be honest, I've spent a long time staring at my blank page. I had too many doubts about this story. Is this really a G.O.A.T. episode? Is it too early to consider it a masterpiece? Why not talk about Breaking Bad or BoJack Horseman, with episodes so highly acclaimed? Or any other anime that generated discussm such as the heartbreaking Takopi's Original Sin, the existentialism in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, or yesteryear content? What will others think? No one here is talking about CITY… Is it worth it?

NO! HOLD UP! These are the doubts that prevent me from moving forward in life. I can't think about pleasing people or reinforcing the idea of elitism in tastes as if there were an only truth in the supremacy of series and movies. I must embrace my experiences as unique, true and authentic, because they shaped my path of admiration for audiovisuals. I should be proud of it. Is there any problem that I found my way in the animation style? I have the judgment to disern and reflect on everything I see. I broadened my horizons. I continue doing it every day, making sure I never forget who I am. And I'll never stop because there's always more to explore. If you'd like to know me a little more, click on this Spanish article where I reflect through the first film I ever saw.

I can't keep looking back at the past. I must look to the future. There might has already been too much online nostalgia these years. I want to demonstrate that our present has also got diamonds to offer. This time, I will be the forerunner of something very special. An underrated stunning animated piece of art, that deserves wider viewing.

I will bring up a CITY worth watching, because of its extraordinary perspective on adulthood and the adventure of growing up.

Without further ado, we'll now talk about CITY THE ANIMATION's fifth episode. I promise you the deeper we delve, the more you'll understand the show's fresh delightful essence and creativity.

What's the episode about?

CITY's Episode 5 continues directly where the previous one left off. During Episode 4, NAGUMO (during her part-time restaurant delivery work) was passing by and saved an umbrella from being away by the wind, which belonged to the millonaire MS. TANABE. In gratitude for such a good deed, wants to find NAGUMO to “give her an award”.

The fourth episode ends with the main trio 一NAGUMO, NIIKURA and WAKO一 searching separately throughout City for NIIKURA's seemingly beloved locket, which accidentally got snatched by a sneaky cat. She seems obviously embarrassed by it and doesn't want anyone to see what contains. 

NIIKURA fails to catch the cat. But worse still… She sees NAGUMO being kidnapped and taken away in a limousine by Ms. Tanabe's faithful butler.

This cliffhanger brings us to the titular fifth episode. NAGUMO can't escape. NIIKURA gets distracted from the crisis, because the cat's nearby and chases it.

Suddenly, City trembles.

Behind Ms. Tanabe's mansion, two giant 12-floor golden towers emerge from the ground, immediately catching WAKO's attention in the distance.

These are the Tanabe Residence Hospitaility Twin Towers (yeah, that's their name), where Ms. Tanabe keeps deserving do-gooders 一like NAGUMO一 captive on the right tower's top floor. Surprisingly, there are all luxuries: food, books, spa and more.

Locked up, NAGUMO meets the stoic NICE MAN inside too. He suddenly opens a secret door to descend the tower. NAGUMO follows him. Nice Man confesses he got kidnapped twice before (the second time he can't even remember why). If you're asking yourselves, yes, Ms. Tanabe rewards ANY good deed she witnesses, not only those in her favor.

During his last lockup, Nice Man discovered the secret door. But while going down, a videogame-like boss from downstairs took him back to the top with all luxuries. When someone tries to escape, there will be trials floor by floor waiting for them. If you lose, you'll be pushed back to the hospitality. Without choices, Nice Man stayed there. After a moment, he was taken to the top of the left tower and… He was reluctantly spoiled like a king, with more and more rewards on each floor below, all the way to the exit.

The highest level of hospitality! Who wouldn't wish that? Nice Man doesn't, “because genuine kindness must not be rewared”. But Nagumo? Of course she wants!

Too late. The secret door's closed. But that's not all. WAKO sneaked in and followed NAGUMO out of curiosity, by climbing the right tower.

With no other choice, the three go down each floor. Nice Man is sure that working together will make the difference this time. But, from now on, things get more ironic. Whenever NAGUMO gives up or loses on purpose to return upstairs, all the bosses today are incapacitated and allow them to proceed. How can this happen? It's quite reasonable. They've broken a limb, or became sick, or had an identity crisis, or a spontaneous live-improving emotional encounter. You know, business as usual. Their Shawshank Redemption is a piece of cake. In a certain sense, that might be also the highest level of hospitality (but not what NAGUMO wanted).

This brings us to the middle of the episode, which represents CITY's comic cleverness. The easy way out and people's sincerity become playfully annoying, and relaxing in viewer's eyes at the same. Seeing CITY's citizens with innate good values is the key to the whole show's optimistic laid-back vibes, central morals, comical amusing sources and infinite (oddly) delightful moments.

 

 

So far, I applaud the use of the billonaire archetype with a crazy gentle twist. Ms. Tanabe doesn't want to crave attention (not even for this article's thumbnail). She loves City, its citizens, and their mutual kindness. She sends her butler to reward all good samaritans, even for little stuff. With only saying “bless you”, a award must be awaiting you. She has the money, the power, the influence… and she's a godsend.

 

 

Therefore, CITY's behind charm is defined. A dream community with heartwarming surprises and absurdly charming payoffs. Wouldn't it be great having more kind people in our world? At least, there's a City with this everyday reality. Ms. Tanabe's “maliciously" sweet plan, Nice Man's incorruptibility, Nagumo's frustrating easy escape, the laid-back Wako simply wandering around. Strangely uplifting.

 

 

Also, I must talk about the claymation addition between the 2D scenes, during the mansion and the towers' introductory sequences. Such an inmersive fancy beauty and colorful life. A style which is used in the ending credits, too (with construction paper scenes included). Just the CITY basics are already a breath of fresh air for our overly ordinary lives.

 

 

And the adventure isn't over yet. We still got the second half of the episode, where you'll learn why is the most creative episode I have ever seen. Are you ready?

 

If the madness so far hasn't been enough, the upcoming events will make everything from before seem (barely) normal by comparison.

In the B-plot, we return to NIIKURA, who finds the cat being held by two witty high-school besties. So, she debates with herself whether she should talk with them (no, what if they open the locket?) or simply take it and run away. Spoiler alert, she wastes her time. The cat escapes again and settles on a moving family van. The chase goes on.

Everything “normal”, right? Well, here comes the twist. The picture above is just a fraction of the real full-size screen, which was cut by myself. In reality, what I've already told you, has been happening at the same time we're watching how NAGUMO, Nice Man and WAKO continue passing the trials effortlessly. 

How is it possible?

Suddenly, in the second half of the episode…

THE SCREEN HAS BEEN SPLIT INTO TWO PANELS.

Now both plots are being witnessed simultaneously.

1. NAGUMO, Nice Man and WAKO descending the tower.
2. NIIKURA and her locket at the besties' mercy.

And there's still more to come. After the cat scene,

THE SCREEN SPLITS INTO FOUR PANELS!

Because of what just happened, we got now 4 storylines running at the same time, where only the larger panel has audio. Depending on the most relevant plot of the moment, the panels move and change sizes.

So far, we have:

1. NAGUMO, Nice Man and WAKO descending the tower.
2. NIIKURA and her locket.
3. Both high-school besties just walking around leisurely, enjoying being besties.
4. The cat on the van and the family inside.

And shortly after,

WE HAVE FIVE PANELS!

1. NIIKURA finally remembers NAGUMO and calls her.
2. NAGUMO has her phone (yeah, a friendly kidnapping) and answers.
3. The high-school besties meet the City South High School soccer team.
4. Two rowdy twin girls inside the van, with the cat still above.
5. A young City celebrity observes the twins, whose hair resembles hers because they are big fans.

Wait!

NOW THERE ARE SEVEN!

1. NAGUMO tells NIIKURA where she is.
2. NIIKURA easily locates the Hospitality Towers, forgets her locket and runs to rescue her.
3. The besties and the soccer team.
4. The van with the cat above.
5. The young celebrity is invited by the butler for a special in Ms, Tanabe's mansion.
6. The butler kidnaps more citizens.
7. One extra panel for the cat (why not?).

I think you get where I'm going. There's no end, I swear.

The screen CONTINUES SPLITTING into 8 (even 9) PANELS. 

Always decreasing, increasing, transforming, moving and changing sizes, according to their relevance and characters' interactions. When we see new citizens, new panels are created. If some suddenly meet each other, their panels merge. But despite everything, their little stories always remain. And many of them will probably continue in future episodes.

 

 

Surely in other films or episodes you may have seen a two, three or four split-screen for a brief moment at most. On this occasion, the production behind exceeded its limits and stablished a new unattainable standard for audiovisual storytelling experience. CITY THE ANIMATION keeps getting better with each episode, always surpassing the boundaries of creativity and imagination.

 

 

A colossal tangle of storylines. If I were to explain them all detail, it'd be a total confussion which would require a separate article. Actually, I'm pretty sure I missed many storylines without realizing it. I need another rewatch. All right, supposing that you are already overwhelmed by the seven panels we stayed on, it's totally understandable. But I promise you. Everything will make sense.

 

To continue where we left off,

Let's recap the eseentials:

1. NAGUMO, Nice Man and WAKO keep passing the trials.
2. NIIKURA running desperately to the towers.
3. The cat with the locket jumped off the van and ran away again.

Keep in mind that ALL these adventures take place at the same time in different areas. Such as an encounter the mythical Japanese creature Tsuchinoko, City's soccer team training, a sleepy girl, a walk in the woods, and old lady hiding under the butler's limousine, and more crazy stuff.

The most important to remember is that, progressively, the whole bunch of citizens are heading to the Tanabe mansion, either though the butler's efforts or by coincidence. Also, Ms. Tanabe is preparing some kind of special event with a wide range of foods, in front of her mansion.

Amidst mutiple panels rushing uncontrollably, the trials have concluded. Our champions finally reach the first floor.

Disappointed that there'll be no hospitality, NAGUMO opens the exit door.

When suddenly,

EVERYTHING COMES TOGETHER.

What is about to happen, deserves to be seen directly from the episode.

Please, enjoy the clip.

A labyrinthine, stunning, breathtaking animated video collage of stylish cacophony with warm wind instruments. One simple frame constantly rewinded and bubbly fragmented, portraying CITY's inner and outer beauty. Hospitality never ends.

 

 

Every single citizen in the same place. Lots of details I've picked up that I won't mention, in order to avoid prolonging this further. But I can assure you there's a complete understanding of each citizen's mannerisms. Even the most imperceptible small details tell us a lot about who they are.

 

 

Now we hear everything and everyone. Water bodies merging into one single tide, in a cosmic sea. Separated, but connected. Everyone, at the same time, within their own tiny big world. At the end, we immediately see all worlds again 一 this time in one single frame. The one-minute sequence actually occured in just a few seconds for City's citizens. If we pay attention, every world is rewinding as the animation continues. Because when time moves foward one second, billions of people are happening simultaneously. It's a planet full of humans. This wonderful scene slows down time to embody City's multiple lives. It touched me. It made me appreciate every single second we're still here.

 

 

Universes converging into a whole, as brushstrokes on the same canvas. A landscape filled with stores, experiences and people full of life to explore. No distinctions, no preferences. Everyone is valuable in their ordinary lives - equally wonderful. Everyone deserves an award.

 

 

Apparently, Ms. Tanabe doesn't only kidnap strangers in the Hospitality Towers. She also organized a banquet for the whole City. Her butler assures her everyone is enjoying. In the end, this has been the highest level of hospitality. Could it be that she wanted this day's trials be as easy as possible, so her “prisioners” reach the party? Looking back, any path taken would have ended up at the highest level of hospitality. But it's always better when we're together. Even the left tower rewarded ones can join the feast.

 

 

Why does she do this? Knowing CITY, there may be a funny reason behind that will eventually be revealed. Or simply, she's just a good person who loves seeing and showing kindness. Is it really impossible that such a person exists? Although hidden, there is always goodness in the world, as in City.

 

Afterwards, we return to the usual change of frames on one single screen. An exhausted NIIKURA reunites with NAGUMO and WAKO, all astonished by the mansion party. Anyway, after a long day, it's good to relax with a tasty meal and those who you love. Except for Nice Man 一 he's leaving. I appreciate his loyalty to his principles.

A party full of precious lives. Our main trio, the besties, the soccer team, the celebrity meeting the twin fans, parents, students, a police officer, new movers, and many other lovable weirdos. Ms. Tanabe is happy that everyone's happy. Everyone together. Because City is amazing. And it deserves to be celebrated every day, every episode along their extraordinary ordinary lifestyles.

Another great day for NAGUMO, NIIKURA and WAKO, even though the locket was never found. NAGUMO is certain that NIIKURA cared so much about it because it contained money. Ashamed and nervous, without saying a word, NIKURA prays that her locket never shows up again.

So… where is it after all?

The episode ends with the cat lying down next to a antique shop owner. The man takes the locket and puts it up for sale as a product…

But not before revealing what's inside…

A picture of NAGUMO…

Her best friend whom she met in high school.

It is then followed by a credits sequence, exclusive for this episode. A gallery of Edo period-style paintings, revealing the Tanabe family ancestor, who showed compassion and generosity to everyone in his village. He is the cornerstone. The ancient tradition of hospitality that endures until now.

Later, as the icing on the cake, we discover that a giant Buddha created the Tanabe Residence Hospitaility Twin Towers. They're a gift from the gods which endure likewise.

Finally, we hear Ms. Tanabe 一the godsend (coincidence?)一 asking her butler to give an award to another good citizen. We may never know who it is, but one thing is certain. The hospitality cycle will remain without exception for ever and ever. City (and City the Animation) are truly wonderful.

And to top it off, a post-credits scene hints that the pair of besties know about the picture inside NIIKURA's locket. I haven't finished the series yet, but I really hope she can get it back someday.

THE END. Half an hour to dream, get inspired and motivated to be better… is necessary from time to time, isn't it? It would be great if real life was like that.

Can comedy become a G.O.A.T. episode?

First for all, it's worth mentioning that all secondary characters mentioned have names and are recurring faces in CITY THE ANIMATION. I refrained from delving into details in order to focus on the essentials (which are already quite dense). But you must know all these lives valuable, interesting and full of stories. Just like every human being on Earth.

That's part of the charm inside CITY's storytelling, taken to another supreme level with the framed narrative in Episode 5's split screen, which I honestly can't do it justice by just describing it with written words. This is a multi-perspective audiovisual experience that deserves to be tested on a screen, repeated over and over again to learn everything. Storylines coexisting in a chaos full of beauty, joy and optimism for life, that even come through in its divine sound mix.

It may seem confusing, overwhelming and overstimulating. Believe me, I absolutely understand. This is probably the most complicated audiovisual piece ever, in terms of keeping up with it. Getting the whole picture takes longer than the 30 minutes this episode lasts. And that's exactly the point.

For more than half an hour, we are the observant omnipresent gods for this multiverse of interconnected lives in small universes, during seemingly insignificant routine moments. But watching them simultaneously makes the viewer contemplate everyday life with its third eye. We are never alone. We coexist with an infinity of lives that intervene unwittingly concurrently.

CITY embodies our planet's intrinsical beautiful gift in a City where everyone proudly proclaims to the heavens how wonderful is being alive, each in their own unique way. Never dare calling it town, please.

By itself, is an uplifting series. So is the fifth episode. You may wonder if there is heavier elements in its micro-stories. Yes, there is. Just like the normal everyday life's up-and-downs, this anime has emotional moments that touch the heart in many ways. For example, the locket incident shows that not all situations get a perfectly happy outcome.

Here's the moment where I ask you 一 have you noticed that usually the episodes considered outstanding within a series tends to be the tragic ones? When talking about best episodes, people tend to focus on drama, technical and narrative complexity, or a different tome from what we're used to. If we transfer this to the comedy genre, it means that an episode with a more serious mood would be the standout. Or in the action genre, it would be and emotional rollercoaster taken to extreme highs. For example, refering to anime, I might have chosen the tearful Dan Da Dan's seventh episode ("To a Kinder World").

This is when I put on the brakes. Because if a comedy series episode can stand out by logically being a comedy, it doesn't need a serious tone to be worthwhile. A great comedy episode may be the one that makes you laugh the most, right? In my opinion, comedy is underrated 一as this series一 and deserves more recognition for their essential genuine laughing roots, without always requiring a deep subtext (does The Naked Gun saga ring a bell?). Sincerely, I hope it will not go unnoticed as Nichijou did. You can marathon CITY THE ANIMATION on Amazon Prime Video.

Although, well, at the end of the day, it's a matter of perspective. The “best episode” honour can be received for a variety of reasons. Narrative pace, mix of plots, some specific bond between the characters, the relevance for the overall story, and many more. The choice is yours.

The one-episode experience of a full-series identity

The best I can do is sharing my opinion about CITY's Episode 5, on why I think it's supreme and one of the greatest gems in history, maintaining its usual identity without needing foreign elements to highlight or embellish the installment. Although the multi-split screen storytelling is an episode-event, in hindsight this is not so far-fetched within the series' cute affection for silly things. CITY constantly experiments with transitions, images and ways of chronicling the citizens' daily lives. Conveying retro vibes of past decade narratives in emotional lovable situations 一 when less was more.

In short, all of them are lectures on how to innovate on seemingly simple stories. But, in fact, the fifth episode is a nth-degree upgrading of its innate comical and optimitic atrributes in the face of routine's adversities, resuling in a colossal triumph in the name of the art of animation. A familiar story for the show, with a distinguished narrative and fluctuating aesthetics. True, a CITY common practice, but these only 30 minutes challenge you in a monstruous level. What's more, I've discovered something interesting about the CITY manga chapters which were adapted for this episode. While the manga's got a classic structure of separate scenes, the anime dares to share everything at once. It takes advantage of the audiovisual nature to give new values the hospitality event. Also, intends to explore the subtext behind the series' raison d'être with novel narratives and visual techniques.

In real life, there are countless stories and lives happening at the same time. As we walk, work, read… there are billions of people living and existing. The episode conveys that feeling perfectly.

The one-episode experience of a full-series identity. Consistent designs, fluid movements, exceptional time management, commendable scene coordination and storyboarding. A meticulous animation, down to the smallest detail. From the split-screen transformation to the culminating convergence sequence, everyone matters. Everyone deserves quality visuales, even if they're only seen for a second. The life of a secondary character is just as valuable as of a main character. Both in City and on Earth, if we consider ourselves the main characters in our own lives.

The concept for animation is the technique of creating the illusion of movement in static images. Following that, we got here a perfect cozy space-time fragemented synchronicity. Everyone's connected. Everyone feels alive. The length of the multi-split screen fraction equals the time that has passed in the citizens' lives. The one-minute cosmic sea sequence was only five seconds inside City. This is a experimental episode that practices time manipulation with a great technical effort, resulting something neat and admirable.

In an era of abundant, domestic tech, digital content saturation and short attention spans, this half hour is a multi-stimulus psychological challenge. Al least, it takes full advantage on the streaming services to repeat and rewind between panels, as if it were a piece of plastic art to analyze stroke by stroke, second by second 一 which I dare to call video art. Brightly overwhelming, as their converging little univeses got their own cares and troubles. The finale shows what sets City apart from other towns 一 a comminity of witticisms with laughs, love and conmotion.

I'm serious. CITY is certainly special to me. That's the reason of all my effort into this article's thumbnail, for example. I wanted to capture the underlying spirit of the episode and the anime ingeneral. The simplest story you can imagine will always be transformed into a visual delight.

Every series can have at least one adventure that defines it completely. That episode that always reminds you why you love the whole assembly. CITY's episode 5 embodies it. The one I recommend watching if you want to know the show at all. A once-in-a-lifetime event that teaches the difference in WHAT you tell… and HOW you tell it. There relies CITY and City's magical unrepeatable charm.

Personal thoughts

Time flies. A second just passed and I'm currently the same age as the protagonists. But different lifes… Hmm... Sorry, I think I need to take a little time to reflect on my reality.

Well, I'll be finishing college very soon. The problem is that I'm not sure if I will devote myself to audiovisual communication. I love writing this articles, but my creative process is very deficient. I constantly doubt who I am. I'm anxious, perfectionist, hypersensitive, many personal unfinished business. My mind flies a lot, gets lost among my emotions and writes these extremely long texts, because I have this uncontrollable feeling that every detail is essential to me.

This article costed me four sleepless nights. I knew it would happen, because I know me. And I feel disgusting, as if I enjoy torturing me. I take long hiatuses from writing because I fear for my own creative process, which slowly kills me. And I don't know what to do. Everything I search for and ask… does not help. Seriously…

Is there something broken inside me?

It's hard to see the positive side all the time. We are all always discovering ourselves, but I think many times we don't really know what we want. I hate myself many times. My body, my folly toughts, my perspective of the world. If I'm honest, my school years were a self-imposed bubble exclusive for the subjects, that I feel the outside world is always eating me alive. Now I analize every single detail and everyone around me, looking for an answer, a solution… or a culprit. What the heck happened to me? I used to be a top student class. Now I'm dissapointed in what I have become. WHY?! Please, Lord, I want to know. I just want to feel in peace with myself.

I've been wondering lately if life is worth living. I want to do many things, but I feel meritorious of anything. Nowhere to cry without the feeling that I'm messing with others' lives.

It's hard to become an adult. What am I missing? When will I find the thing that I kept hidden?

I think CITY gave me the answer.

Indeed, I think CITY's Episode 1 finale put into exact words how I feel about life. Nagumo talks about what the wants to do in the future 一 many things, but if she chooses one, it will be the most fun. Simple. At least in my 22, it feels like a part of my identity. Unfortunately, a loved one does not think the same. My thoughts may change in one year, but at least for now all what I want is a calm life. That's not bad, and I know I'm not the only one who desires it. My point is that I still have hope that I can find fun in writing and speaking about the things I love. And I love fun things. My fun things. And I want you to also enjoy your fun things.

I don't know when will come my next article, but sooner or later I'm sure I'll figure out a way to improve myself. Because I genuinely feel I'm finding more fun and lose my fears little by little. The fact that I keep writing this article is the sign that I feel a calling in the writing. I just have to keep going and try my best. Step by step, growing up.

CITY is one of my current sources for serenity and funny anecdotes. A unique take on those rough challenges. A ode to fun of relatable anecdotes with colors and cotton candy, like a temporary escapism to simple times. A comedic optimism recarge to never lose hope for a better tomorrow, by contemplating others' perspectives 一 from creatives to characters who can be a reflection of reality. Maybe that's why I love comedies, animated projects, uplifting content and focusing on the dialogues.

Just to clarify, I know how to differenciate the real world. I do. It's just that listening to and watching stories have been my devotion for as long as I can remember. Movies, TV shows, animation. I think of them all the time. I learn many good values from them. They help me feel complete and fine about being myself.

And sometimes, my hyper-anxious mind simply needs some rest by focusing on one single thing for a while (ironic, considering Episode 5). Even though I am always with my thoughts, which eventually make more anxious about everything. I also like to focus them on small concrete universes. This affinity is part of me. And I must feel proud of it.

And setting aside my introspections, you're passing over one of the best comedies of all time. With few episodes left, maybe they'll cross boundaries again, who knows. Honestly, I don't read the original sources in manga. But for now, the multi-screen episode was a blessing in all senses of entertainment.

Animation twists reality, allowing unique emotions and experiences, interwining the constructed universe's reality. Here, silly stuff become the new normal. A gift that live-actions won't never surpass.

But most importantly, CITY's simply really funny. And that's more than enough.

Aw. Time flies. The golden years are delightful, but our present is too. And I'm happy to share with you this 2025 G.O.A.T. gift. I hope more people can know it. If you like, give yourself a 30-minute chance to escape life's hustle and bustle.

Life's hard, indeed. But sometimes it's now about what happens, but how we handle them. CITY handles life with immutable hopes for a brighter sun, after the heaviest storm. Deeply moving and inspiring.

Please, never forget to laugh now and again. I try it every day and I hope you can, too. Following Tanabe family's steps, I promise you that those brief moments of kindness and happiness 一a hospitality attitude一  will never feel smaller than before. We just need to find them, which may be the thing that we kept hidden.

Throw away your cluttered mind. Swim in the clouds. Because changes can be fun, after all.

The season that was vague melts without a care.

In just five minutes on foot down the sweltering street. 

Whether it's a dream or reality, I can't tell.

Oversleeping and ending up in a pinch.

Endlessly chasing all things I want.

Feeling embarrassed of being stubborn.

Seems that they're all in season right now.

Pretending to be the same as always.

It's a summer that's differente from last year.

Annoying, but still, it's fun.

You're still you and you're great.

In this town on the edge where everyone's the same,

I want to be with you today too.

Beyond the roof.

The sun is hiding.

Ah, summer is leaving.

These lines mark the end of each day inside City, in their closing sequence. A City where summer always returns. I hope it can bless you with its light too.

Thank you for coming this far and tolerating me. Another day living. Another day older. Another stage in our constant self-discovery. Another chance to enjoy the day.

I wish you all the best.

Goodbye, Dear my friends.

Yours sincerely,

Esteban Valladares