With the title of this anime translating to "my family", Atashin'chi was originally a Manga series by Eiko Kera. The series was adapted into an anime in 2002, and is available on both YouTube and Crunchyroll. This particular anime may not be as popular as Naruto or Attack on Titan, nor is it action-packed or consists of a complex plot with character development. Nonetheless, Atashin'chi deserves much recognition and fame. IMDb rating the show at a 7.8/10 does say something about its content.

Stepping away from one's usual favorite genre may not be easy. That may be one reason why Atashin'chi is not so popular. In fact, the series contains small episodes that last around 20 minutes and simply focus on the Tachibana family. They are just an ordinary family with no superpowers or anything strange except the usual weirdness that people experience with their own families. There are many reasons why Atashin'chi is a hidden gem that is worth giving a shot.

Perfect Pick-Me-Up

Mikan fights with her mother
TV Asahi

Atashin'chi is one of those animes that can be watched whenever and wherever. Whether you start from the middle of the series or at the end of the series, since there is no connected plot, it can be enjoyed either way. This means that the viewer won't be losing sleep over trying to figure out what happens next. In fact, this particular anime seems to be the ideal show to watch when having a low day or just to get away from stress.

Atashin'chi comes with many great lessons. The simplicity of life and the importance of family seems to be the key focuses of the series. With the Tachibana family trying to figure out what to do every day or how to solve some basic problem that seems to be exaggerated, the series is filled with irony and tends to trivialize life so that it comes off as a simple journey. Such a series seems to be quite crucial in today's world. While mainstream anime deserves their praise, they might not be able to take away the stress quite often. Fortunately, Atashin'chi is one show that you will get addicted in a good way. It won't force you to binge-watch it, but it will make you want to revisit it to forget the world's problems.

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Relatable Characters and Family

The mother and her friend walks in the park
TV Asahi

Regarded as a slice-of-life anime, Atashin'chi includes some fascinating characters. With an unnamed mother and a father and a daughter named Mikan and a son named Yuzuhiko, the show seems to focus on how dumb and weird these characters can be. However, when looked closely, they might remind the viewer of their own family bonds. The often quarrels with the mother over the laundry mix-ups, the constant scoldings by the mother for not doing certain things right, and, of course, the embarrassment the parents seem to bring by acting weird when you have friends over, the show seems to cover everything. In a way, the way in which the parents are unnamed makes them seem universal.

In a way, it seems like a look back at one's own childhood. However, it is also notable how very Asian the story is given that the family environment seems to resemble Asian culture. This might make it quite interesting for foreign viewers. Either way, the show does remind one of how important family is and to cherish the simpler moments even though they come off as cumbersome.

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Humor is on Point

A hectic moment at the Tachibana household with the Mother, Father and Yuzuhiko
TV Asahi

Another very good reason why Atashin'chi is quite charming is its humor. It is both simple and filled with irony. More often than not, humor seems to stem from the mother. More often than not, the Mother of the Tachibana family seems to be a hypocrite. It is quite funny to watch her come off as "higher than thou" regardless of all the mistakes she makes. All these bring out a simpler version of comedy that a good deal of anime seems to lack. Of course, regardless of how complex the plot is, almost every anime seems to carry a character that invokes humor. However, in Atashin'chi every character seems to invoke humor.

Given that the members of the Tachibana family tend to make a joke out of themselves in public, it is fascinating to see how the "public" reacts. The fuss they make over trivial things is another source of comedy. Not to mention how the mother tends to ignore the stares and the glances of the public and continue to carry on with whatever she is doing. In certain instances, it may seem like these characters create chaos and cause disturbances to others. Yet again, that seems to be the comic relief of the show.

Atashin'chi is the perfect show to watch if one wants to step away from complex narratives and storylines. It is a reminder of simpler times and the beautiful bonds we share with those who are close to us.