Glasslip is a 13-episode Japanese anime television series produced by P.A.Works and directed by Junji Nishimura. The screenplay is written by Rika Satō and Junji Nishimura with character designs by Miki Takeshita. The anime aired in Japan between July and September 2014. A manga adaptation was serialized in Pony Canyon's Ponimagaonline magazine, and a light novel series has also been published.
Plot
Tōko Fukami's family runs a glass-working business in a small seaside town named Hinodehama. She hangs out with her four best friends at a cafe called Kazemichi. During the summer break of their senior year in high school, they meet a transfer student named Kakeru Okikura, who claims that a voice from the future talks to him, and that it has led him to Tōko.
Ken Fukami is Tōko's and Hina's father. He runs a glass workshop named Yataglass Studio.
Mari Fukami is Tōko's and Hina's mother.
Hina Fukami is Tōko's younger sister and is a junior high school student. She is in the school's swimming club. She acknowledges Yukinari for his passion for running. She's seen smiling when her swimming club teammates noticed Yukinari with a girl, possibly with Yanagi.
Matasaburou Shirosaki is Hiro's grandfather who runs Kazemichi cafe.
Toshihiro Okikura is Kakeru's father.
Miwako Okikura is Kakeru's mother and a pianist.
Suzune Nagamiya is Sachi's mother.
Media
Print
A manga adaptation titled Hina's Lip, written by Kazemichi and illustrated by Mayumi Katō, was serialized in Pony Canyon's online manga magazine Ponimaga from July 3 to December 18, 2014. A three-volume light novel series, written by Yoshimori Uchi and illustrated by Shino, were published by Pony Canyon under their Ponican Book imprint from October 3, 2014 to July 3, 2015.
Anime
The 13-episode anime television series is produced by P.A.Works and is directed by Junji Nishimura. The series aired between July 3 and September 25, 2014 on Tokyo MX. The screenplay is written by Rika Satō and Junji Nishimura, and the music is produced by Akito Matsuda. The opening theme is "Natsu no Hi to Kimi no Koe" by ChouCho, the ending theme is "Tōmei na Sekai" by Nano Ripe, and the image song is "Lucent Eyes" by ChouCho. The series was simulcast in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Latin America, parts of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa by the Internet streaming website Crunchyroll. The anime has been licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks.
Episode list
Reception
Matt Packard of Anime News Network praised Glasslip for being visually beautiful, but criticized it for the generic characters, the lack of explanations for the supernatural phenomena introduced at the beginning of the series, and the presence of too many incongruities. Stig Høgset, writing for THEM Anime Reviews, also praised the striking visuals but found the characters believable and showed maturity when dealing with their respective relationships. Høgset ultimately found the show disappointing because its great start was marred by Tōko's visions leading toward a vague conclusion, saying that it "basically sells its own gimmick as a huge waste of time." Isaac Akers of The Fandom Post praised the series for its "aesthetic expression of mono no aware" through a traditional romantic drama narrative with characters that deliver organic teenage angst but said that its appeal depends on the viewer, concluding that "t's unlike anything else I've seen, and its numerous strengths in expressing its core theme make for a show that's fascinating to watch. It's not a show that I'd recommend to everyone, but for those who are looking for what Glasslip is offering, you won't be let down."
