Amanchu!

Hikari Kohinata is an effervescent teen who lives by the sea and loves scuba diving. On the first day of high school she meets Futaba Ooki, a quiet transfer student who moved from Tokyo and is having trouble settling in. Hikari doesn’t give Futaba much time to think, pulling her into seaside antics, beginner dives, and a series of awkward but warm moments that push Futaba out of her shell. Their friendship grows through everyday school scenes, club activities, and gentle challenges, with a cast of classmates and family members adding humor and support. The show stays lighthearted and slice-of-life, focusing on small personal changes rather than dramatic plot turns.

Released in 2016, the anime adapts Kozue Amano’s manga and features voices like Ai Kayano as Futaba and Eri Suzuki as Hikari, alongside Saori Onishi, Yuuichirou Umehara, and Kikuko Inoue.

The series didn’t collect major industry awards, and it wasn’t a big winner at mainstream prize shows. Still, it found appreciation among viewers who enjoy relaxed, character-driven anime, and it has a dedicated niche audience rather than wide critical acclaim.

Amanchu! carved out a modest cultural footprint among slice-of-life fans by centering on diving and coastal life, themes not often foregrounded in high school comedies. That focus encouraged fan art, quiet online discussion, and interest in more tranquil, nature-centered anime experiences, even if it never hit mainstream trends.

Critical and audience reaction has been mixed to positive, reflected by a modest vote average. Reviewers tend to praise the warm character dynamics and soothing atmosphere while noting the pace is slow and the stakes are low. Major themes include friendship, adapting to change, gaining confidence, and the calming, restorative presence of the sea, all delivered with light comedy and gentle slice-of-life rhythms.