CITY The Animation, the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Keiichi Arawi’s manga series, has delighted fans with its unique blend of slice-of-life comedy and absurdist humor, animated by the renowned Kyoto Animation. Episode 10, which premiered on September 7, 2025, on Tokyo MX and is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, continues to showcase the series’ charm by delving into the summer misadventures of its extensive and relatable cast of characters. This particular installment highlights the often-awkward yet endearing experiences of young adulthood, budding romances, and nostalgic attempts to recapture the past, all while maintaining the show’s signature wit and exceptional animation.
Summer Vacation Shenanigans and Relatable College Life
Episode 10 of CITY The Animation masterfully encapsulates the essence of summer, focusing on how different characters navigate their breaks. The narrative prominently features Midori Nagumo and Ayumu Niikura, two college roommates whose dynamic takes center stage. While the series has always established their college student status, this episode particularly emphasizes their relatable struggles as young adults trying to make ends meet.
Nagumo and Niikura’s Content Creation Endeavors
A standout plotline in “CITY The Animation – Episode 10” involves Niikura encouraging Nagumo to become a YouTuber to supplement her income. This idea resonates with many real-life college students exploring side hustles. The episode hilariously portrays their initial attempts at content creation, complete with a “magical girl transformation sequence” where Nagumo transforms into a fox girl streamer in an “over-designed costume.” The show’s attention to detail, such as the “ratchet as hell” audio in their first video and the English dub’s voice actor, Erica Lindbeck, drawing on her internet voice acting experience to portray Nagumo’s awkward performance, adds layers of humor and authenticity to their venture. These moments brilliantly capture the often-clunky and poorly thought-out content creation efforts of early twenty-somethings.
Romantic Pursuits and Heartfelt Realizations
Beyond comedic ventures, Episode 10 also explores the emotional landscape of its characters, particularly in their romantic endeavors. The segment focusing on Tatewaku Makabe’s pursuit of Riko Izumi adds a touch of endearing vulnerability to the episode.
Tatewaku’s Unrequited Love
Tatewaku’s ongoing romantic subplot with Riko Izumi continues, with him facing the unexpected obstacle of her fan club. Despite the objectively silly premise of his struggle, the audience is encouraged to root for Tatewaku as he persists in his quest for love. However, the episode delivers a poignant twist when Riko gently informs everyone that she doesn’t harbor strong feelings for Tatewaku. This development shifts Tatewaku’s storyline from a “summer love story into a lost romance story,” a brilliant narrative choice that grounds the characters and their world in a more realistic emotional experience. This subtle touch of adversity and unrequited feelings makes the characters’ personalities and antics feel more tangible and human.
Nostalgia and Misadventures of Adulthood
The episode doesn’t just focus on the younger generation; it also beautifully portrays the attempts of older characters to relive their youth, often with humorous results.
Adult Attempts to Recapture Glory Days
A particularly “special” segment features Tatewaku’s Dad, Mr. Adatara, and the Editor-in-Chief of the town’s Weekly Magazine attempting to recreate the summers of their youth. Their plans for a beach trip, only to have it “rained out,” is a comedic highlight, executed with both conceptual humor and brilliant animation. These moments demonstrate the show’s ability to explore different facets of the human experience, from youthful aspirations to the bittersweet realities of adulthood.
The Enduring Appeal of CITY The Animation
CITY The Animation, produced by Kyoto Animation, is celebrated for its high-quality animation, witty humor, and its ability to make even the most exaggerated characters feel relatable. The series premiered on July 7, 2025, and has since garnered attention for its faithfulness to Keiichi Arawi’s distinctive art style, reminiscent of his previous work, Nichijou. Critics and fans have praised its fluid animation and the way it elevates the comedic timing, often utilizing silence and subtle reactions to enhance the humor.
Episode 10, like others in the series, continues this tradition by intertwining various character storylines, each contributing to the overarching tapestry of the “not-quite-ordinary” lives within the city. The series’ strength lies in its ability to find humor and heart in everyday situations, from college students trying to become YouTubers to the nostalgic yearnings of older generations. With its consistent delivery of “great jokes delivered through even better production values,” CITY The Animation continues to be a highlight of the current anime season, offering a charming and often hilarious exploration of the human experience.
