The silent warfare between Tingaara and Gama Gama employees comes to a head in The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16, and things go in a direction I would never have expected them to. Let’s head in and see for ourselves what went down!
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16 Overview
The Aquatope on White Sand is the latest anime by the Anime Studio P.A. Works, previously known for producing critically and commercially acclaimed anime like Angel Beats and Another. Toshiya Shinohara directs the series, a director whose career so far has been intrinsically linked with P.A. works, having previously directed Irozuku Sekai no Ashita kara and Nagi no Asu kara for the studio before. It is an original series by P.A. works, which means it is not based on a previously existing property, such as a Manga or a Light Novel.
If you want to know how I felt about the fifteenth episode of the season, or if you want to catch up on it, check out my review of it here. This episode is also known in original Japanese as Shiroi Suna no Aquatope Episode 16.
– The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16 Review does not contain spoilers –
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16 Review- Plot and Characters
I love this week in anime so far. Mieruko Chan had a great outing, The World’s Finest Assassin had a fantastic episode, and Komi Can’t Communicate had one of the best opening episodes I’ve ever seen. I was afraid The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16 would get lost among those heavy hitters. I’m happy to say that I was wrong, and Aquatope just had one of the magical episodes it has from time to time.
Read More- The World’s Finest Assassin Episode 3 Review: We Are Not Killing Machines
This time, the episode was all about the rivalry between Chiyu and Kukuru coming to a head, as the reasons behind Chiyu’s supposed awfulness get uncovered in front of the entire aquarium. I’ll be the first to say that we may have misjudged her passion for the aquarium and trying to be good at her job as her trying to undermine Gama Gama and, by association, Kukuru. She had a perfectly valid reason to be the way she was, even though that doesn’t excuse some parts of her personality.
Kukuru was a natural rival to her when you think about it. They both come from opposite ends of a spectrum while loving the same aspects of a job they greatly want and are good at. Kukuru never had to fight for her position at an aquarium. She essentially became acting director of Gama Gama through nepotism, despite her passion and hard work for the cause. As we learn in The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16, Chiyu’s situation was basically the opposite.
Read More- Netflix’s Komi Can’t Communicate Episode 1 Review: I Want To Talk.
This episode makes you feel sorry for Chiyu while improving Kukuru’s relationship with her and demonstrating Kukuru’s heart to viewers and Chiyu. It also tackles the frankly absurd Japanese work culture somewhat, but I can’t possibly comment on that here. That’s a whole essay on its own. Just know that there is a reason that so few people are having kids in Japan in the current times. At least we have this to watch to soothe ourselves, right? Oh boy, the revolution can’t come quickly enough.
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16 Review- Art and Music
While the music in Aquatope is always great, this particular episode hit every track out of the water. You can’t really ask for anything more than what fits the show’s tone while being enjoyable on its own, and The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16 delivered both of those and more. The OSTs were bouncy and chirpy when required and tense when the moment arose. I think I even heard some new ones this time around, which is always nice to hear.
The animation was fantastic, but you’re probably tired of hearing of that by now. I have yet to figure out how P.A. Works has managed to churn out something of this high quality every week for more than 4 months now, and all I know is that there are some animation tricks involved. I’m just not a good enough artist to notice them. All I see is that The Aquatope on White Sand is a treat to the eyes whenever it drops.
Verdict
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16 was gorgeous and heartwarming. After a slight slump, the series was back on top form, and I hope this form continues till the end.
If you liked this review of The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 16, you will also enjoy our review of the next episode in the series, available right here!