Overview
Situated near the local zoo and owned by the charismatic polar bear Shirokuma, Shirokuma Cafe is a popular spot for animals and humans alike, allowing them to sit back and relax after a hard day of work. Whether it's a cold beverage or the latest item on his menu, Shirokuma finds joy in being able to serve his customers, often striking up conversations about various subjects.
Together with the sarcastic Penguin and the clumsy Panda, they form an odd trio who get themselves caught up in all sorts of misadventures with their other friends such as Grizzly, a bar owner, and Sasako, a human who works at the cafe. From dealing with unrequited love, outdoor camping trips, karaoke sessions, and even the secret to brewing delicious coffee, there's always something bound to be happening in Shirokuma Cafe!
The cafe "At the White Bear" is a comic strip, 2-3 sketches are shown in a 23-minute episode. Moreover, it's structured a little strangely, at first it's not very funny, it's more funny, but in the finale of the series we laugh out loud when all the twigs converge into one root of intent. But because of the number of "stories" it's hard to watch in a row. Unless there are two episodes and I get distracted by something else. The series is rather designed so that the casual viewer watches on TV with nothing to do. Plotless, caricatured. Although over time, after several dozen episodes, you realize that the plot is still there, it's just global. The series ran for a year, so we were shown a year from the life of a certain society. In Japan, as in other developed countries, the issue of isolation of the population is very acute, when everyone is on their own, locking themselves in their room. The cafe is just the place to get closer to strangers during gatherings and walks. Adult topics about work and relationships are constantly raised among the conversations, and along the way many interesting zoological references are given. Sometimes it's hard to believe that these stories were invented by someone, but on the contrary, it's like you're looking at life as it is. Of course, there were cliched and boring and hackneyed situations, but there were very few of them. But there was plenty of Japanese life and national flavor, which I love very much.
It's an incredibly cozy and kind series, encouraging you to reflect on life and have fun.
in their own way: the penguins, gris-chan, the wolf baker, the tiger pastry chef, the regular panda
, it was really funny)
the series will come, as it seems to me, still to the older audience
, but the main intrigue remained undisclosed... How does a penguin get on a chair?!