Yokohama Shopping Log

About Yokohama Shopping Log

Yokohama Shopping Log (ヨコハマ買い出し紀行) blends sci-fi and slice of life by Ajiado (1998). Below is a fresh retelling of what the story is about. In short: This is not so much a story as it is a slice of life. Or rather, it is a look into portions of the life of a girl named Alpha, together with the people around her.

More of the story: Alpha runs a little cafe on the outskirts of Yokohama. There are almost no customers, but Alpha does not mind at all since she has the occasional company of the old man who runs the gasoline stand down the road, as well as that of his grandson Takahiro. This is a Yokohama of the future, when the sea covers most of the land and roads have disappeared under sand or water.

With sci-fi at the core, ideas, tech concepts and production design set it apart. Voice work is led by Hekiru Shiina as Alpha Hatsuseno and Akiko Nakagawa as Kokone Takatsu. Think of it as a pick for fans of futuristic settings and big-concept stories. The run is 2 episodes in total, so you know what you are signing up for.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with Ajiado, which means the visual identity of Yokohama Shopping Log follows that studio's craft. Because it leans on sci-fi, ideas, tech concepts and production design set it apart. At 7.4/10 it earns a solid reception, a safe pick for fans of the genre. On the casting side, Hekiru Shiina voicing Alpha Hatsuseno gives the lead role a recognizable voice. It aired in 1998, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.