You might’ve heard that easily preventable diseases through exercise and stress management are increasing. But why? Did humanity one day decide, “May our girth be as great as our achievements?” Nah. It’s because we’re coaxed into living sedentary lifestyles. This, in turn, degrades our quality of life. So, finding something to keep you active and stress-free is a necessity. Because of that, I’m quick to pitch the outdoors, but that’s a hard GFY for some people. And that’s fine; it’s not for everyone. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to vegging on the couch if you don’t like to touch grass because niche hobby anime can be the springboard into pastimes you probably never considered.
Take Up Pottery with Let’s Make A Mug Too
I enjoy cultivating succulents and cacti. Over the past fifteen years, I’ve garnered a modest but exotic collection of ethically harvested plants. On weekends, when the weather or life prevents me from heading into the wild, I find comfort in tending to my plants. But I often lament that the only easily accessible pots I can buy are mass-produced plastic or ceramic garbage. Whenever I’m stuck buying that garbage, I remind myself I’d have an envy-producing atrium if I were a potter. So, when Osamu Kashiwara’s Yaku Nara Mug Cup mo aired, that was the push I needed to try to be one.
Let’s Make A Mug Too centers around pottery (Mino-ware pottery). The story follows Himeno Toyokawa, the daughter of a deceased pottery master, who moves back to her hometown of Tajimi. Ignorant about her mother’s legacy, Himeno takes some of the cups her mom made to her class. That seemingly inconspicuous decision catapults Himeno into the world of pottery.
Let’s Make A Mug Too — A Niche Hobby Anime About Pottery Making
The 12-episode Nippon Animated show aired during 2021’s spring season. One of the comfiest niche hobby animes, Let’s Make A Mug Too, is a cozy watch, even if it’s a quintessential cute-girls-do-cute-things show. The art style is soft and visually appealing, the characters are lovable, and you learn pottery basics. I actually tried taking it up as a hobby. Unfortunately, my local kiln closed shortly after due to the global COVID-related sales slump. But, while I usually have to do additional research when picking up a new hobby from anime, this one was a huge help. A lot of the stuff is covered here in such a palatable way that it’s pretty easy when you try it. Don’t get me wrong: the first time you’re behind a potter’s lathe, you’ll butcher what you’re making.
I know plenty of our readers won’t have the luxury of accessing this hobby. But those who do will find it’s one of those rare things with the perfect balance of challenge vs. enjoyment. So, you’d do well to give this niche hobby anime and what it’s teaching you a try. Both seasons of Let’s Make A Mug Too are available on Crunchyroll.
Do It Yourself!! The Art of … Wait For It … Doing It Yourself
I feel like my education and youth didn’t prepare me for plenty of things. Taxes, the headache of medical bills, and the cost of basic necessities are ever-present threats to my existence. But the real shock came when I had to buy furniture and dog houses. I still can’t comprehend how a 3′ x 3′ x 6′ scrap wood and plywood doghouse drained my account of almost $2000. But since I’m incompetent with power tools, that was a payout I had to endure. Or at least I had to until I watched the adaptation of Bell Koyubita’s Do It Yourself!!
The show revolves around Yua Serufu, a motor-function-defective girl who is almost as accident-prone as BP. As she rides to school one day, she gets into a minor accident that damages her bike. Luckily for her, Rei Yasaku helps her fix her damaged bike. Later, after Yua tracks Rei down to thank her, she finds out that the skilled mechanic is also the president of the Gatagata Girls’ High School DIY Club. A club that’s unfortunately close to closing down due to a lack of members. Seeing the club as a way to build things that would strengthen a fading friendship, Yua jumps into the DIY lifestyle.
This Fall 2022 Pine Jam offering is a niche hobby anime that will inspire you to build something. And it lets you know you’ll fail. Even the main character never masters anything she tries. Yet her enjoyment is so infectious it will make you enjoy your failures, too. Do It Yourself!! is streaming on Crunchyroll.
After School Dice Club — The Joys of Board Games
While picking up this hobby won’t keep you physically active, it will help keep you mentally active. With the advent and popularity of video games, one would think that board games are a relic of a bygone age, but the opposite is true. Board and card games are thriving. The availability of materials, the ease of getting new games to market, and crowdfunding sparked the golden age of board game creation. As a result, we now have thousands of short, enjoyable games and hundreds that span days to complete.
Hōkago Saikoro Kurabu by Hirō Nakamichi is a celebration of those games. This niche hobby anime explores the world of table and card games and what goes into making them. The Liden Films show follows Miki Takekasa, a loner who embarks on an adventure after Aya Takayashiki, a new transfer student, coaxes her into one. As they wander the town, they spot the school’s student council president, Midori Ono, and decide to follow her. That little decision reveals that Midori works at a game shop. And when the three girls realize they share a mutual love for board games, that shop quickly becomes their unofficial clubhouse.
Of all the hobbies I’m trying to promote here, this is the easiest (in terms of accessibility) and cheapest to get into. J-List fans who need help with game creation can even reach out to one of our editors, as Rodney works in game development. After School Dice Club is streaming on Crunchyroll.
Niche Hobby Animes
So long as you’re still breathing, you can learn and hopefully enjoy something new. And as a new year rolls around and most of us jump on the “new year, new me” hype train, why not be a new you? Pick up a non-standard hobby and have some fun in your life. Don’t content yourself with merely watching anime; emulate what you see. Prove the boomers right.
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