Hansaku Iroha

Hansaku Iroha is this April's new series from P.A. Works. The story follows our main female, Ohana Matsumae who is sent to live with her estranged grandmother, who she has never met nor spoken to, at her Taisho-era (1920s) hot springs inn. It's not a lifestyle that Ohana would have chosen, but she decidesnot to be discouraged and to make the most of her new circumstances.

Tradition in anime tends to make hotsprings or beach episodes full of fanservice with busty girls and plenty of nudity. If that is your fancy then this series is not for you as so far it appears to be avoiding those ever common tropes. The series focuses more on a drama/slice-of-life esque storyline of Ohana adjusting to her new surroundings, having to realize not everything will live to her dream, fantasy, fairytale life. Having to put up with her irresponsible single mother who has fled with her boyfriend (Parental Abandonment yaaaay!) to avoid creditors and a cold unfeeling grandmother who disowned her child long ago and her work mates, Ohana will have her work cut out for her. Hanasaku Iroha is actually shaping up to be quality work and what might be the best series this season. P.A. Works has been around for ten years but only has a small handful of productions and everyone excels in quality.