Alternative title: Rokuhouou Yotsuiro Biyori
Manga/Game/Light Novel Adaptation – Anime original by <studio>
Streaming on Crunchyroll/Funimation – Simulcast Pending

Premise

Four hot guys work a traditional Japanese cafe in the heart of Tokyo’s famed random bamboo forests. There, rando office ladies go to relax and learn some life lessons.

Marlin’s verdict: Porn for Women (and apparently men too?)

It’s really hard to describe this show in a less succinct fashion. Some lady, crushed from her stressful job, looks for refuge in the arms of fantastical caricatures of real human beings. In a positive break from the mold, none of them are outright jerks pandering to that gross masochist demographic, which automatically puts it at the head of the pack in regards to these kinds of stories. Still, it’s almost like the Seinfeld of anime there’s such nothing to it. I’m really struggling to do a full paragraph on the thing since all that happens is that they open a shop, share their one-note character traits of general nicety, serve customers(the normal part I suppose), and teach old people to… make plates? I wasn’t really following that part very closely to be honest. It all feels like something that could have been well handled in a half-sized production, but trying to fill 23 minutes with this was like pulling teeth at how slow the pacing was. I know I’m not the demographic they’re shooting for. (Actually, you are.) Doesn’t mean I can’t call a…wait say what now? (It’s a seinen show, Marlin.) What? Really? (Yes really. Also, you’re fired.) Hey, kmon Jel, what do you take me for an anime journalist or something? Well, now I am just utterly confused.

Once again, Japan seems to have no idea of the concept of stranger danger.

Artemis’ verdict: One-Bite Dessert

Yotsuiro Biyori, if not the most exciting or innovative show out there this season, is at least the best alternative to any of the other new bishounen-centric titles being released. It looks to be completely episodic in nature, with the cast of pretty/handsome guys making up the only main and recurring characters. None of them seem to be assholes, which is a great deal more than can be said for many pretty boy group anime out there, and as such Yotsuiro Biyori is entirely non-offensive and even rather sweet – these restaurant workers merely help solve the emotional problems of each person who enters their establishment, largely through the power of great cooking and conscientious listening skills. If that sounds boring to you then you’ll probably want to skip this one, as there’s really nothing more to it than that. However, it could also be seen as a good show for anyone wanting to switch off their brain for a while and watch something that might just give them the warm fuzzies – combined of course with some genuinely kind and pleasantly-designed bishounen.