Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, the northernmost island in all of Japan, known for its extremely cold climate and rural settings.
And these will be the recurring themes of the anime we are about to recommend, all of which are marked by snow-filled and dark settings.
This listicle will show you which anime are set in Sapporo and why you should watch them. These are our opinions, so take them with a grain of salt.
Table of Contents
5. Kita e: Diamond Dust Drops
Kita e: Diamond Dust Drops is a 12-episode series released in 2004. Its genres are comedy and sentimental and it is inspired by the video game series of the same name.
The episodes take place in small, self-contained stories, where we see different girls living in Sapporo and their love escapades as protagonists.
The flaw is that this excessive differentiation makes the narrative quite slow and rambling, with no particular peaks of quality.
Kita doesn’t impress with its narrative or its characters either, all in all quite stereotypical, but it is still enjoyable if you are looking for a slice of life.
4. Wave, Listen To Me
Wave, Listen to Me! is an anime based on a seinen manga released in 2020 in 12 classic episodes.
Minare Koda works in a restaurant and just had a breakup. She rants about it to Kanetsugu Matou, a radio station director, who will broadcast her complaints the day after.
Outraged by that, Minare goes back to the radio station, where she will explain her drunken speech in detail. Kanetsugu sees some potential in the girl and she will be one of his best hosts.
This fun and wholesome drama romance is something you can’t miss if you want to recover from heartbreak.
Unfortunately, since it is mainly set indoors, you won’t be able to enjoy the beauty of Sapporo.
Although in the few moments outside, but also in general, the icy, snow-filled atmosphere will be the master.
3. She, the Ultimate Weapon
She the Ultimate Weapon is a sentimental and science-fiction drama anime that ties the recklessness and love of youth to the horrors and dastardliness of war.
The protagonist of the events is Chise, an awkward and sweet student who one fine day finds the courage to reveal her feelings to her classmate Shuji.
After an initial dispute between the 2, the boys will begin to confide in each other, discovering that the feeling that binds them is true love. But suddenly, everything changes.
On a romantic trip to Sapporo, the airplane is attacked by a massive military raid, killing almost everyone and starting a war.
Sure to be dead too, when he opens his eyes Shuji will have a disconcerting revelation. Chise will be equipped with 2 frightening metal wings placed on her back.
Shuji will soon discover that Chise is the ultimate weapon designed by Japan to defeat opponents. The premise of this anime, we realize, may seem decidedly bizarre and almost nonsense. But trust us, they are not.
This anime has a huge psychological aspect beneath the appearances, deep and intense, especially in its ending.
Unfortunately, the city depiction won’t be accurate, as the setting is post-apocalyptic, so prepare to watch a war-torn Sapporo.
2. Golden Kamuy
Golden Kamuy is set in Hokkaido and tells the story of Saichi Sugimoto, a survived soldier who seeks fortune to support the family of a deceased friend.
One day he is told the story of a famous criminal who stole a huge amount of gold and hid it in Hokkaido before getting caught by the police.
The only clue to its location is the coded map he tattooed on the bodies of his cellmates in exchange for a share of the treasure.
Sugimoto will join forces with a young girl called Asirpa, whose family was murdered by the criminal, and the pair will start searching for the hidden treasure.
Golden Kamuy is an anime dealing with the theme of war that will give you a stark realism, with a particular focus on the emotions felt by the soldiers.
It does a great job of showing us around a last-century Sapporo, as some of you may recall from the Sapporo Brewery Arc. It’s also worth mentioning that this is one of the best anime set during the Meiji era.
1. Erased
Erased is a fully immersive 12-episode anime that merges Mystery/Crime, Psychological, Supernatural, and Thriller elements.
The main character is Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old mangaka without any success, mostly due to suffering from notorious writer’s block.
However, following mysterious happenings, he obtains a power called “Revival” that allows him to go back in time just enough to save people’s lives.
During his far-from-a-happy childhood, one of his classmates had been murdered, and this is where his mission begins.
The Sapporo setting is perfect, with its snow creating a backdrop that will leave you speechless. Its settings are cold, dark and melancholy, making the thriller atmosphere even more immersive.
Some places are even based on real locations. An example is given by Tomakomai Municipal Misono Elementary School, the inspiration for the school that Satoru and his friends attend.
Another example is provided by Tomakomai City Technology Center, which appeared in Episodes 4 and 7. During Episode 4, we will also see Shinichijo-doori Shotengai, a famous shopping street in the city.
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