Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea

Long ago humanity split into two worlds, the sea and the surface, with the latter losing Ena, the air that keeps underwater life possible. Over time the rift between those who dwell beneath and those who live above grew wider, though contact still exists. The story centers on Hikari Sakishima and Manaka Mukaido, childhood friends, along with Chisaki Hiradaira and Kaname Isaki, who are drawn to the surface to attend a school there. There they meet Tsumugu Kihara, a young man who loves the sea and its mysteries. As friendships deepen, old prejudices resurface, personal tensions rise, and a looming storm threatens both worlds.

Produced by P.A. Works, Nagi no Asukara is an original anime concept from Mari Okada and Toshiya Shinohara. It first aired in 2013 as a television series. The project stands as an original story rather than an adaptation, centering on empathetic young characters navigating two linked worlds, the sea and the surface. The production combines beautiful animation, a carefully built setting, and a soundtrack that underscores the shifting friendships and growing pains of adolescence.

Fans and critics alike have responded to Nagi no Asukara for its earnest look at identity and belonging. The series' visual contrast between underwater life and the surface creates a memorable backdrop for coming of age and the sometimes painful costs of growing up. Its exploration of prejudice between groups, quiet romance, and a willingness to treat character growth as the main engine of the plot earned it steadier attention within anime communities and discussion beyond its genre.

Critics praised how the show balances mythic ideas with everyday feelings. It threads themes of belonging, friendship, and the price of moving between two worlds through a teenage lens, while anchoring the narrative in character choices rather than action alone. The animation and sound design were noted for enhancing emotional moments and the sense of a fragile world on the cusp of change.