Watch Dagashi Kashi

Dagashi Kashi is an anime TV series produced by Tokyo Broadcasting System based on the manga series by Kotoyama. The show premiered in January 2016 and ran for 12 episodes. It stars Todd Haberkorn as Kokonotsu Shikada, a high school student who dreams of becoming a manga artist but is pressured by his father to take over the family dagashi (Japanese candy) shop. The other main characters are Sara Ragsdale as Hotaru Shidare, a mysterious girl who comes to the town to recruit Kokonotsu's father to work for her family's dagashi company, and Justin Pate as To Endo, Kokonotsu's friend and fellow dagashi enthusiast.

The show is a lighthearted slice-of-life anime that centers around Kokonotsu's daily life at the dagashi shop and his interactions with Hotaru, who is obsessed with dagashi and often tries to convince Kokonotsu to take over the shop so he can help her develop new candy treats. Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to various types of Japanese candy and snacks, which are both explained and showcased through the various characters' reactions and experiences.

One of the main themes of Dagashi Kashi is the notion of tradition versus modernization. This is represented through the contrast between Kokonotsu's father, who values the family's dagashi shop and its history, and Hotaru, who is determined to innovate and advance the dagashi industry with new flavors and creative packaging. This conflict is explored throughout the series, as Kokonotsu struggles to reconcile his own dreams and desires with his father's expectations for him to take over the shop.

The show's animation style is bright and colorful, with a focus on small details such as the packaging and design of each individual candy. The characters are often drawn with exaggerated expressions and comical reactions, creating a fun and lighthearted atmosphere. The soundtrack is similarly upbeat and playful, with a mix of traditional Japanese sounds and upbeat pop music.

Dagashi Kashi does not have a traditional overarching plot, instead focusing on individual slice-of-life episodes that revolve around different types of dagashi or characters. However, there are recurring themes and subplots that carry over from episode to episode, such as Kokonotsu's internal struggle about the future of the shop and his relationship with Hotaru. There are also moments of drama and tension, particularly in moments where Kokonotsu must grapple with his responsibility to the shop and his own personal aspirations.

Overall, Dagashi Kashi is a fun and light-hearted anime that offers a unique look into the world of Japanese candy and snack foods. Its focus on tradition versus modernization creates an interesting dynamic, while the characters and animation style make it an enjoyable watch for fans of slice-of-life anime.

Dagashi Kashi is a series that ran for 2 seasons (24 episodes) between January 8, 2016 and on Tokyo Broadcasting System