Just wanted to share two anime really quick. First up, Hanasaku Iroha is a slice of life story about a girl from Tokyo being shipped off to her grandmother's traditional Japanese inn to live and work. It has a really mellow, moving, and funny storyline. I love that the big story events are really just every day occurrences. The music and backgrounds are amazing, too. You can watch it for free, legally, here.

I've also just started watching a new series that has just begin broadcast in Japan called Kids on the Slope. It's set in 1966 Kyushu and is about teens and jazz. The music is by Yoko Kanno, so you know it's amazing. Only a few episodes in, but, so far, I have to highly recommend it. I mean, come on! Moanin' by Art Blakely on Blue Note Records features prominently in episode 1. How cool is that? You can also watch it free here.