Ask John: What Are Iyashikei Anime?

Question:
What is an “iyashikei” anime?

Answer:
Among the numerous genres and styles of anime – shoujo, shonen, seinen, josei, sports, action, horror, and so forth – exists the unique “iyashikei” genre. The Japanese word “iyashikei,” is defined as “healing,” or “soothing.” Iyashikei anime are frequently referred to as “healing anime,” or sometimes “therapeutic anime,” but that doesn’t mean that iyashikei anime deal with medical topics like Black Jack or Ray. Iyashikei anime are called “therapeutic” because they’re the visual equivalent of aromatherapy. Iyashikei anime are calming, cathartic shows that allow viewers to relax and ease away stress and anxiety, leaving the viewer with a mellow, and sometimes nostalgic or melancholy mood.

More difficult than actually defining iyashikei anime is distinguishing what aren’t iyashikei anime. Iyashikei anime are typically “slice of life” stories and series about nothing in particular, but not all “slice of life” anime are iyashikei, and shows about nothing in particular that present themselves in a witty or comical way, or particularly attempt to develop strong empathy between viewer and characters aren’t iyashikei.

Ideal examples of iyashikei anime include Yokohama Shopping Log, Binchoutan, Aria the Animation, Bartender, Shibawanko no Wa no Koro, and Sketchbook ~full color’s~. These series focus on the daily lives and routines of their characters, but simply concentrating on daily life doesn’t necessarily evoke the calming atmosphere necessary for iyashikei anime. For example, realistic daily life anime titles such as Whisper of the Heart, Only Yesterday, Minamike, and Binbou Shimai Monogatari may have languid pacing, but they don’t consciously develop a peaceful, relaxing tone. Whisper of the Heart concentrates on developing a believable romance while Only Yesterday develops a rather sterile, intellectual nostalgia rather than an idealized, soothing nostalgia. Minamike and Binbou Shimai Monogatari concentrate on developing empathy for their characters, involving viewers in the lives and affairs of the characters instead of allowing viewers to restfully detach and focus on their own, personal sense of peace.

Family sitcoms including Atashin’chi, Sazae-san, Nono-chan, and Jarinko Chie are “slice of life” anime, but they focus on the hectic and humorous aspects of everyday life. These shows may be cathartic because they allow viewers to laugh at their antics and temporarily forget about their own worries, but these shows don’t evoke a calming feeling. Slice of life shows about daily school life, like the original ToHeart television series and Azumanga Daioh do have a calming effect on viewers, but they’re still programs that encourage viewers to empathize with characters and become absorbed in the relationships and struggles that the characters face. Certain children’s anime series like Pururun Shizuku-chan, Jagainu-kun, Nanami-chan, and Ocha-ken are designed to have a similar effect to iyashikei anime, but these programs often feel too active and energetic to be fully relaxing. Ironically, similarly the “stress relieving” anime Sweet Valerians combats anxiety through humor and action rather than peaceful tranquility.

A slow pace or nostalgic tone, alone, also don’t necessarily constitute iyashike anime. Experimental works such as Glassy Ocean, Diary of Tortov Roddle, Ginga no Uo ~URSA minor BLUE~, or mainstream works with a similar tone such as Mushishi and Iblard Jikan may share some characteristics with iyashikei anime, but their goal is different. These anime strive to be pointedly artistic, surreal, oprovocativeve rather than relaxing.

True iyashikei anime create a sense of objective distance between characters and viewers. Anime that arouse viewers’ strong emotions contradict the intent of iyashikei anime. Soothing anime allow viewers to peacefully and wistfully observe a simple, charming, and satisfying life. With Yokohama Shopping Log and Binchoutan, viewers observe characters living in pastoral, tranquil environments. Sometimes the characters face difficulties or conflicts, but the conflicts are ones that feel like hurdles to be overcome rather than frightening threats. Bartender literally recreates the cathartic sensation of talking out one’s worries to a sympathetic ear over a drink in a dimly lit, quiet, tasteful bar. Sketchbook ~full color’s~ depicts the humorous and charming, and fondly remembered moments of youth. Shibawanko no Wa no Koro emphasizes the slow-paced, comfortable and familiar nostalgia of Japanese traditions.

There are many relaxing anime. Shows including Galaxy Angel, Paniponi Dash, and Lucky Star are particularly soothing for hardcore anime otaku, but they exhibit none of the characteristics of iyashikei anime. The iyashikei genre has enough examples to legitimately constitute a unique genre of anime, but ideal examples of iyashikei anime appear infrequently. Individuals may think of any anime which they find relaxing as “iyashikei,” but the strictly defined iyashikei genre consists of anime that are composed specifically to create a sentimental, nostalgic, sometimes bittersweet soothing tone that allows viewers to unwind and introspect.