Shimamura is a girl that likes to skip third period, while Adachi is a girl that likes to skip school entirely. The two meet each other on the gym second floor, and start regularly hanging out with each other there, playing table tennis and just generally enjoying each other’s company. However, while Adachi has no other friends, Shimamura has two other friends she hangs out with, and when they meet it’s pretty clear Adachi is somewhat uncomfortable with the atmosphere. Shimamura, for her part, feels her relationship with Adachi is special, but also seems to be hesitant for it to get too close. Like this, the two of the work out the nature of their relationship and their youth. Also, there’s a person in a spacesuit. More on that later.
Based on a light novel (currently available in English, but I haven’t read it yet), Adachi and Shimamura is a yuri story, so that will definitely be a turn-off to some of our readers. If you are okay with yuri, though, this is a solid show to watch. At the very least, the awkwardness of seeing your only friend hanging out with other friends is something that transcends sexuality and is relatable for all, as is the fear of getting too close and risking conflict. Beyond that, this show is very much a slow-paced slice-of-life, featuring overall mundane interactions that slowly shape the character relationships. Oh, and as for that astronaut character… the original light novel’s author also wrote Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko, also known as Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl (if you want to look for its anime), and this story apparently takes place in the same setting, so the astronaut might be a nod to that other series? Overall this was a pretty solid opening episode.
Adachi and Shimamura is streaming on Funimation. Read our thoughts on all the new fall anime series, in additional comments from our other writers, on our fall 2020 anime first impression master post.
