Neighborhood Story

Mikako Koda is a young fashion student in Tokyo trying to grow her label, Happy Berry, while studying at Yazawa Art Academy. She’s long been close to her neighbor Tsutomu Yamaguchi, whose quiet presence has always been part of her life. When Tsutomu’s looks suddenly make him popular at school and he begins seeing Mariko, Mikako has to rethink what she feels about him and what she wants from her career and personal life. The show balances light comedy with the small dramas of school, friendships, and creative ambition without revealing how those choices end.

Released in 1995, Neighborhood Story was directed by Atsutoshi Umezawa and created by Ai Yazawa and Aya Matsui. It’s an animated TV series that features voice work from Kappei Yamaguchi, Shiho Niiyama, Rumi Shishido, Hideyuki Tanaka, and Yumi Touma, reflecting its roots in manga-influenced character design and storytelling.

Critics and viewers have given the series mixed to positive responses, reflected in a modest average rating around 6.3 from a small number of votes. Viewers often point to its warm portrayal of creative ambition and the awkwardness of young romance as strengths, while some note pacing and episodic structure as limits. The show emphasizes personal growth, the tension between art and practicality, and the slow shift from friendship into romance.

Neighborhood Story has a modest but loyal fanbase, especially among followers of Ai Yazawa’s later work. It’s appreciated for early hints of the creator’s focus on fashion, relationships, and character-driven drama, and it remains of interest to those tracing the development of fashion-oriented storytelling in anime.

There are no widely reported major awards or industry nominations associated with the series. Its reputation rests more on creator pedigree and fan appreciation than on festival or prize recognition.