Shows and Movies

Super Cub

I am in the process of rewatching Super Cub, a really sweet slice-of-life anime. It centers around Koguma, a shy, lonely, downtrodden girl who finds a bit of joy in learning to ride and take care of her new-to-her Honda Suoer Cub motorbike. Soon after getting it, she also makes a new friend. The story revolves around their budding friendship and Koguma's growing sense of self.

One stand-out addition to the show's visual style is their use of color. By and large, they aim for a muted, sometimes dull, naturalistic feel as an extension of Koguma's point-of-view. Whenever her spirits are lifted, by the joy of riding, by a delicious meal, or by a joyful moment with her new friend, all the colors in frame suddenly turn vibrant. I've experienced much the same thing, where euphoria during an escape from depression lifts a veil off of my perceptions, and it's as though colors shine a bit more brightly.

Koguma's a sweet, relatable protagonist trying to figure herself out, and this show's use of motorbikes as a fulcrum around which her deepening relationships and self-actualization pivots is really neat. Granted, it's also nakedly an advertisement for Honda's line of underpowered light motorcycles, but it's still good and cozy. I'd recommend it if you could use a show before bed.