I just am not certain what gives with all the ‘nothing’ shows. Sometimes it works, as with “Joshiraku”, but a lot of the time for a lot of the shows, it is a head-scratcher. You are not even certain if you like or dislike the show, as there really is nothing there to grab ahold of to determine whether you like it or dislike it. It reminds me of going to Denny’s: I can get something to eat, but it has no lasting impact on me. Did I even really have food? “Minami-ke Tadaima” is that kind of show, as we watch these three sisters who live on their own and the problems they face in everyday life, with their friends at school and at home.

The three sisters are, left to right, Kana the headstrong, Chiaki the youngest and Haruka, who is the eldest. There is no explanation as to why they are on their own, but Japan seems to have more absent and/or dead parents than even in the Disney Universe. They are getting along and trying to understand what life is about and what growing up entails. At least, that is what you are hoping for.

It’s just nothing of real importance really happens. Now, I have seen a lot of ‘nothing’ shows, but there is some caliber of progress. Even one as talky-heavy as “Joshiraku” still had enough verbal elements going on that made it appealing to watch, even though nothing of consequence went down. Again, maybe this is an instance where I am not the target audience, but I still think something of greater importance should happen.

I realize that this is a multi-season series and I caught a middle run (we do see them get older), but it’s just that I have seen this done better. Now, this would be an excellent “Introduction to Anime” show, so girls who think anime is only giant fighting robots can get interested in what is out there, but for the most part, it is a series that lacks appeal for me. The show even warns you as of such: “This story illustrates the daily lives of the three Minami Sisters. It’s very plain. Please do not expect anything else.” So noted.

On a scale of 1 to 10:

Artwork 7 (Rather standard artwork)
Plot 6 (Much ado about nothing)
Pacing 6 (Low and slow)
Effectiveness 8 (For what it does, it does it well)
Conclusion 7 (It reaches a ‘save point’, but doesn’t really end)
Fan Service 1 (A similar show would be “Ouran High School”)

Overall 6 (The course of life never runs true)

And remember, it’s first run until you’ve seen it. Enjoy the kotatsu.