Review of Blue Period

I started Blue Period out of sheer curiosity, and with finals season coming up at my university, I wanted a simple and short show to watch. I am a student of science and wouldn't change it for the world, yet it wasn't my original plan when applying to schools. I am a failed art student, dropping out of my university's graphical design program after just one semester. I was greatly discouraged and stressed in all my classes, and even though I had the technical skills, there was something others had within them that was not in me. Since I switched to biology, I had not drawnanything or gone near any of my abandoned art supplies. Until I watched the first 2 episodes of this show.

Sure, the art may be a bit janky at times, and the soundtrack isn't anything special. But watching Yatora struggle, cry, and celebrate his growth as an artist made me resonate with him greatly, because I also struggled and cried, yet I was not successful in the end. Yatora had that passion and motivation to keep going, regardless that he started late and had no prior knowledge. I felt myself always cheering him on and sharing his nervousness. I also felt a little jealous, and even sad that I couldn't push myself forward in the same way. The characters that surround him, from the effortlessly talented Yotasuke to the determined yet pressured Kuwana, were people I also had around me during my time as an art student. Comparing yourself to others blinds you of your own potential and development, and Blue Period touched on this subject well.

The support Yatora's friend group gave him was so very sweet, and it shows the importance of having people believe in you, even if they don't fully grasp what you are doing. Because of this encouragement, Yatora had his initial push which then set him off to create wonderful pieces of art. This in turn inspired his friend to pursue a career in patisserie making, which is a nice little detail that demonstrates the cycle of inspiration people can have on one another.

This review may very well be one guided by my personal emotions and experiences, but everyone has shows that they relate to in this way, Blue Period just happened to become one of mine. I've drawn two things since watching this anime: a still- life of some bananas I had laying around and a tapestry study. I felt at peace while doing both, and the time passed me by gently. I am once again getting invested in making art, but now with a fresh mindset. This anime gave me a reason to give art another chance, and while I may never make anything special, the work I put into a piece is good enough for me.