Ep 3. Hitonmochi (Rice Cakes Thrown in Celebrations)

Barakamon is an anime series that revolves around the life of Sei Handa, a talented calligrapher who, after punching a veteran artist, is exiled to a small island community to practice and improve his art.

In season 1, episode 3, titled "Hitonmochi (Rice Cakes Thrown in Celebrations)," Sei is introduced to the island's celebration of rice cake throwing, a traditional event where the community members gather to throw rice cakes at a shrine. Sei is initially surprised and repelled by the messiness of the event and how much chaos it causes. However, as he gets to know the locals and learns about their culture, he begins to appreciate the significance of the tradition.

Sei's calligraphic skills become the talk of the town, and he is approached by a father who wants him to teach his daughter, Naru, calligraphy. Naru is a free-spirited and playful child who spends most of her time running around the island and collecting odd items. Sei is initially reluctant to teach her calligraphy, not wanting to be distracted from his own work. However, he finally agrees and sets out to teach Naru the basics.

Throughout the episode, Sei struggles to find the right approach to teaching Naru, who is easily distracted and uninterested in the formalities of calligraphy. He realizes that he needs to adopt a more playful approach to reach her. Sei also learns that there is more to life than just calligraphy and begins to appreciate the innocence and mischief of Naru's world.

As the episode progresses, Sei becomes more involved in the Rice Cake festival, and Naru and her friends drag him into the festivities. Eventually, Sei lets go of his inhibitions and embraces the chaos of the event, throwing rice cakes with the rest of the community. He also finally manages to teach Naru the importance of focus and discipline in calligraphy, and they bond over their shared love of art.

At the end of the episode, Sei realizes that there is much to learn from the quirky community of Goto, and that being a part of something bigger than himself can be fulfilling. He discovers that his exile was not a punishment, but a chance to explore new horizons and to find himself in the process.

Overall, "Hitonmochi (Rice Cakes Thrown in Celebrations)" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the beauty of tradition, the joy of community, and the power of art to connect people from different worlds. It is a great addition to an already great series and a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike.