Conclusion: Nichijou

So what is Nichijou? To answer that in any specific way would be an egregious error. Nichijou is probably the best summer 2011 series and a contender for becoming one of the top series of 2011, period. I shied away from this series like crazy at the beginning since its forerunner in the spring (A Channel) was just so bad. Then, at the urging of MorningLescue, I took a peek at one episode and realized something of vital importance. What was it?

Never bet against the house KyoAni.

Nichijou Awesomeness Exhibit #1

Nichijou is an enigma. It has humor, mystery, moe, creepy stuff, trolls, tsunderes, and roll cakes. For some reason or another, it appeals to my emotions in a way that no other series can. I don't know why, but this strange mix just seems to blend and blend well indeed. Let's go through the steps.

The sound is damn good. KyoAni clearly knows the value of silence during times where the visual triggers matter much more than random trumpets, but I'll be if random trumpets didn't seep into the funniest moments in the series. The OP and ED require no intro - they've already been selected as soundtrack picks of the week and they are excellent. At least in the sound department, Nichijou is already passing with flying colors.

The graphics factor isn't lacking at all - in fact, it's unequivocally second to NONE in this entire season. The regular style is very simple, very clean, and lends itself to creating both ridiculous amounts of cuteness and awesomely awesome crazy-ass scenes (Example: see hallway chase scene). From the flipping of the Mohawk kid's Mohawk, to the rough brushstrokes of Sakamoto the cat in pure gum-package-induced-pain, to the round adorable omfg-I-want-to-pinch-her face of the Professor, the artwork of the Nichijou anime adaptation makes you want to glue your face to the screen - from the beginning of the OP to the end of the ED.

Nichijou Awesomeness Exhibit #142

And then we come to the sheer awesome ballin' lack of plot. God, how can I even begin? Nichijou has great characters, each with special characteristics you will find hard to forget (kk Mai stop trolling plz). These characters interact in zany ways that just make you do anything from giggle in humor to self-implode due to the level of epicness inherent in the scene. The scenes are almost completely disjointed from each other and enhance the absurdity of the whole episode. The pace can be anything from a disquieting lull to a frenetic chase. In essence, each episode feels like I'm watching a speed-run of WarioWare. This not only makes inter-episode viewing easier on me, but it's fun watching each scene in isolation from the others. 

Of course, this isn't to say that no character ever changes. In fact, by watching the actions of the main cast over time, you slowly start to learn all of their habits and quirks. This turns any grimace or small action taken by a character into an inside joke - and only Nichijou viewers are in on it.

Nichijou Awesomeness Exhibit #3427

The scenes can be anything from a normal conversation between Yuuko/Mio/Mai (the three girls in the above picture), to an irresistibly cute argument between Nano the schoolgirl robot and her maker (the Professor), to the fight between the school principal and the deer, round 2. For Christ's sake, one of my more favorite series is simply a 15-second clip about rock-paper-scissors. If a series can make rock-paper-scissors seem hilarious, then it deserves respect regardless of anything else in the series.

I mean, Nichijou has a freakin' scene brilliantly, absolutely brilliantly, channeling Fantasia. The only thing I can say about this scene is that although Mio/Yuuko's screams were silent, my laughter was not. Here it is for your enjoyment:

They see me trollin' // They hatin'

Nichijou is a mystery. It is funny, frenzied, lax, surreal, and involves sausages. The series carves out a niche unique from that of Azumangah Daiou, its spiritual predecessor, by involving the surreal and the impossible with the completely ordinary in an epic manner rather than laughing at the ridiculously dumb and awkward actions of the girls involved. Furthermore, its graphical style is infinitely more refined and eye-catching than that of Azumangah and thus this series should be placed on a separate pedestal.

Nichijou is a wonder. To me it is mental chocolate, the best animated deadpan and slapstick humor I've seen in a while, the tooth fairy and Santa combined. It is everyday life (as its name so...aptly suggests) and yet everything we want our lives to be but can never be. Watch this series, regardless of which genre you like. You will be addicted to it in a heartbeat..

Raise the roof, Nichijou. Raise the roof. Only you can save the Earth with the Power of Heart.

Nichijou Awesomeness Exhibit #56789