Blue Period 7/10

 This is one of the few times I knew the manga before the anime, and I remember loving the manga, because the characters were fun and the story revolves around art and what it means to become an artist. Mangaka seem to be experts in that field, and I wonder why there aren't more of them writing basically autobiographic stories about their path to becoming mangaka.

 

"Blue Period" got its name from Picasso's Blue Period (Picasso sank into a severe depression and blue tones began to dominate his paintings). The anime explores themes of self-discovery, creativity, and the pursuit of one's dreams, making it a compelling story set in the world of art. The manga/anime offers a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of young artists as they strive to express themselves through their work. We follow our main character Yaguchi as high school student and later art student in Tokyo.

Yaguchi has always followed a conventional path in life, excelling in his studies, doing what his parents ask of him, and generally adhering to societal expectations. However, he begins to question his purpose and what truly brings him joy. His life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers a hidden talent for art during an art class, and when he sees what other art classmates are capable of creating, namely cross dresser Ryuuji and shy girl Maru, he wants to seriously pursue art.

He becomes obsessed with painting (he's especially attached to the color blue), there are so many colors and technics, so many materials he can use to express himself. It overwhelms him, when other artists are so far ahead, but they inspire him as well. His talent and work ethic gets him into his favorite university, where the real challenges of becoming an artist begin, and where he meets many more art weirdos and friends. I also like his relationship with his teachers, who want to push Yaguchi in the right direction. To them, he's like a rough diamond that just needs to be polished a bit more.

You could call this a slice of live anime, but to me it's much more. The theme of being young and insecure is universal. So is the wish to find a purpose in life and following one's dreams, Blue Period hits all those notes. The supporting cast is also great and helps us understand the art world better and deliver different perspectives of what art actually is. If those themes speak to you, you will enjoy this mature coming of age story.