Review: Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town Shares a Summer Fantasy

While Crayon Shin-chan humor can sometimes be a bit crude and the character designs might look a little harsh compared to other anime series, recent games have proven themselves to be smooth, soothing experiences. Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a prime example. It’s a relaxing game that focuses more on the pastoral charms of a quiet, countryside life and moving at your own pace, with the goofiness and madcap elements of the series offering entertaining and comedic diversions.

Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town starts with the pleasure that comes from living a gentle, kind life as a small child in a safe, tiny town. Shinnosuke and his family are currently living in Akita after his father’s job brought them there on a research project. Since his grandparents live nearby, Shinnosuke’s spends many days learning from his grandfather Ginnosuke and leisurely exploring the area with him. He collects bugs, fish, and plants for a local author. He meets kids around town. He takes requests to access new areas.

However, after getting established in Akita, Shinnosuke learns there’s a whole other area to explore, and it is one that apparently needs his unique help. Shiro leads him to a mysterious train platform in the nearby forest and, after getting on a car, it takes the two to Coal Town. It turns out Coal Town is in some sort of danger, and a young girl named Sumi asked Shiro to bring Shinnosuke there after she met the dog. Once there, you get involved in helping the town and its citizens as well, doing things like aiding an inventor named Yumi, assisting in creating food for Yosoi’s diner to sell, and challenging people to trolly races. 

Since this is a life sim, the gameplay loop is quite lowkey. After Shinnosuke wakes up and has breakfast with his parents and grandparents, we are left to spend the day however we’d like. If we decide to stay around Akita, that might mean tending to the garden and the things we’ve grown, hanging out with the kids and neighbors nearby, fishing, collecting bugs, and generally experiencing a relaxed daily life. 

Should someone head to Coal Town, odds are the narrative will advance a bit further. Not that there aren’t story-related activities happening around Akita. However, as the more otherworldly and unusual area, we’re pulled in to helping make a difference there. Especially in the case of revitalizing the diner and aiding with inventions. It’s also where you can get involved in trolley races, which is one of the more active activities. But again, even though sometimes it might seem like more is “happening” there, we can set our own pace. 

Since it is a very low-stakes game where a player can take their time, it also might make some of the more minor issues feel like less of a problem. For example, catching bugs can be a bit tricky. They’re small, after all, and with ones like fireflies it may be difficult to discern exactly when you should swing the net. (I recommend looking for the shadow!) When filling out the compendium for wildlife or getting specific items for quests, it might be a little frustrating if you just can’t come across the right fish or ore that you need. (Fish shadow shapes are different, though they are hard to see, and Shiro will alert you to rare items sometimes!) 

Also, I feel like the environmental design and direction means that even if someone normally wouldn’t be a fan of Crayon Shin-chan, Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town can still prove to be an incredibly appealing game. Both the designs of Akita and Coal Town are amazing, as well as very different. They occupy very opposite sides of the spectrum. In Akita, we have these wide, open, natural spaces filled with greenery, rustic homes, and more natural elements. Coal Town is a cobbled together industrial town. From a glance, you can see how the mines are the main reason it even exists. Yet even though it is crowded, polluted, and more densely packed with people, it’s still equally beautiful. 

Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a slow life simulation game paired with an engaging adventure involving the mysterious Coal Town. It’s a really relaxed and pleasant play, as a result. You can take your time with it and enjoy the ambiance. The only thing that might get in the way of some people’s appreciation or enjoyment of the experience is the presence of Shin-chan himself, as not everyone might appreciate his humor or the series’ character design. Still, even if you are apprehensive, it’s a soothing way to savor the last bits of summer before easing into winter.

Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is available on the Nintendo Switch and PC.