What a series…Okay, Silver Spoon is definitely not a revolutionary anime, but it is a simple coming of age tale. A slice of life story that I would have definitely have enjoyed if I were 10+ years younger.
Hachiken finds himself burnt out by exams and makes a life altering decision to move to the boonies, where he attends an agricultural school. He becomes surrounded by classmates that basically are expected to inherit family agricultural businesses and farms.
Being an urban kid, this is definitely different, and his experiences of being thrown in as a new kid makes this one of my top anime for 2013. In my own life, I have learned that trying to gain employment in my chosen career field is difficult, with bittersweet temporary working periods. Knowing about Hachiken as he makes his life choices makes me feel like we are comrades. Hence my choice for this screencap, since he realizes that reality is not that easy, nor is it fun and games.
There is going to be a second season next year and as I wait, I know that I can relish memories of the first season, when there was a pizza party episode, his first road kill, curing Tonkatsu and watching little moments for his sparks of awareness.