CITY The Animation, Kyoto Animation’s much-anticipated return to non-sequel anime since 2019, has consistently delivered a unique blend of surreal humor and relatable slice-of-life narratives since its July 2025 premiere. Based on Keiichi Arawi’s manga, the series navigates the eccentric daily lives of its diverse cast in the aptly named “City.” Episode 10, in particular, stands out as a masterful showcase of the show’s ability to ground its exaggerated characters in profoundly human experiences, all while celebrating the quintessential spirit of summer vacation.
Episode 10: Summer Adventures and Heartfelt Misadventures
The tenth installment of CITY The Animation intricately weaves together multiple character arcs, each capturing a different facet of summer. The episode is lauded for its ability to make its extensive roster of characters feel relatable and human, even amidst their cartoonish antics. Viewers follow the protagonists through various summer misadventures, solidifying the series’ reputation for crafting an “unpredictable ordinary life” filled with laughter, love, and emotional moments.
Nagumo and Niikura’s Content Creation Endeavors
A central storyline in Episode 10 revolves around college roommates Midori Nagumo and Ayumu Niikura, whose dynamic takes on a distinctly “college roommates” feel. Niikura, ever the pragmatist looking to capitalize on Nagumo’s various side hustles, persuades her to become a YouTuber to boost their income. This endeavor leads to one of the episode’s most memorable and hilariously awkward sequences: Nagumo’s “magical girl transformation sequence” into an “over-designed” fox girl streamer.
The depiction of their nascent content creation journey is remarkably authentic, from the “ratchet as hell” audio of their first YouTube video to Nagumo’s initially “clunky, awkward, and even scared performance” before settling into an “uwu” voice in more produced videos. English dub voice actress Erica Lindbeck’s portrayal is specifically noted for capturing the nuances of an internet voice actor’s early career, making this segment a relatable and humorous take on modern online ventures.
Tatewaku’s Unrequited Summer Romance
Another poignant plotline follows Tatewaku’s persistent romantic pursuit of Riko Izumi. His attempts are consistently thwarted by Riko’s formidable fan club, adding a layer of comedic futility to his efforts. However, the episode takes a “devastating” turn when Riko gently informs Tatewaku that she doesn’t reciprocate his strong feelings, shifting his subplot from a hopeful “summer love story into a lost romance story.” This development is praised for adding a touch of realism and emotional depth, preventing the characters’ personalities and antics from feeling entirely detached from reality.
Reliving Youth: Mr. Adatara and the EiC’s Beach Trip
Adding to the episode’s diverse narratives, Tatewaku’s father, Mr. Adatara, and the Editor-in-Chief of the local Weekly City magazine embark on a mission to recreate the summers of their youth. Their meticulously planned beach trip, however, is comically rained out, a concept described as hilarious and executed with brilliant comedic timing. This segment provides a generational contrast to the younger characters’ dilemmas, reflecting on the challenges of recapturing past glories.
Themes and Animation Excellence in Episode 10
CITY The Animation has been praised since its inception for its stunning visual quality, a hallmark of Kyoto Animation’s work. Episode 10 continues this trend, with reviewers noting how the studio “goes nut nut mode” with its animation, even for “tiny details” like a character’s mustache catching the wind in a different episode. The series’ distinct cartoonish art style perfectly complements its surreal tone, allowing for consistently fluid and vibrant animation.
Episode 10 particularly highlights how the series effortlessly combines exaggerated humor with deeply relatable human elements. The struggles of Nagumo and Niikura with content creation, Tatewaku’s heartbreak, and the older characters’ nostalgic mishaps resonate with viewers. This blend ensures that despite the absurd nature of “City,” its residents and their experiences feel genuinely grounded in reality, making CITY The Animation a standout in the Summer 2025 anime season.
