Watch Shining Hearts

Shining Hearts is a 12-episode anime series that follows the story of a relatively ordinary young baker named Rick Arden. Living on the island of Windaria, Rick spends his days managing his bakery and hanging out with his friends, including his close childhood friend, Amil. However, Rick's life drastically changes one day when a mysterious girl washes up on the island's shore unconscious.

After nursing the girl, named Kaguya, back to health, Rick learns that she is a princess from a far-off kingdom who is being pursued by a group of villains seeking to capture her for her magical powers. Alongside Amil, Rick takes up the task of protecting Kaguya and helping her find her way back home while evading the wrath of the villains on their tail.

Despite Shining Hearts' plot sounding rather typical for a heroic adventure story, the anime's greatest strength arguably lies in its calming and relaxing atmosphere. The world of Windaria that the show takes place in is bountiful and tranquil, with visuals that are consistently beautiful and picturesque. The narrative itself is unambitious, but at the same time, it succeeds in creating a warm and positive identity for itself that sets it apart from other anime shows in a refreshing way.

Shining Hearts also boasts a varied and large cast of characters, each with their own motivations and personalities. Alongside Rick, Amil, and Kaguya, viewers will also encounter a wealth of other heroes and villains, each with unique designs and voice acting performances. Of special interest is the show's main antagonist, Weiss, whose eerie yet charming demeanor manages to keep viewers on edge whenever he appears on the screen.

Rie Kugimiya puts in strong work as the show's leading man, providing Rick with a youthful and endearing voice that encapsulates his sincerity and determination. Kaguya's voice actress, Mai Nakahara, similarly delivers a pitch-perfect role as the princess, with her quietly regal aura and mysterious dialogue generating a sense of awe and intrigue. The rest of the cast puts in solid performances as well, with no actor sounding out of place or disingenuous in the slightest.

Where Shining Hearts falters, however, is in its pacing. There are stretches of episodes where very little plot-wise happens, with entire thirty-minute long chunks of content dedicated to Rick and his friends hanging out or baking cakes. While the anime's wholesome vibe is a fresh departure from the constant battle scenes that pervade many other shows in the genre, it can also drag on at times, leading to a bit of boredom for viewers who might expect the pace to pick up and the stakes to become higher.

Additionally, the show's animation, while generally impressive, can also be inconsistent in quality. There are moments in the series where characters' faces will become weirdly disproportionate or their movements will become clunky and jarring. While these moments don't detract terribly from the overall experience, they can be jarring enough to take viewers out of the world that Shining Hearts is trying to build.

Overall, Shining Hearts is an anime series that excels in its ability to create a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere that is chock full of charming characters and stunning scenery. While it may not be a show that is high-stakes, nor will it likely be for everyone, those looking for something calming and endearing would do well to give this show a shot. Rie Kugimiya and the rest of the talented voice cast deliver strong performances throughout the series, making it a worthwhile watch even for those unfamiliar with the anime genre.