“Wait, was that assignment due today? Whoops. Sorry! I was trying to figure out how to put the sound of a seagull into a pentatonic scale.”

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The World of Anzu

Anzu lives in a vibrant, slightly bohemian coastal town near the Shonan area of Kanagawa Prefecture, a region famous for its beautiful beaches, laid-back surf culture, trendy cafes, and proximity to Tokyo. It's a place where the bustling energy of the city's youth meets the relaxing, timeless rhythm of the sea. Palm trees line some streets, and surfboards are a common sight, even on rainy days.

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Anzu's family runs "The Tidal Café," a popular, brightly decorated spot right on the beach promenade. The café is known for its refreshing shaved ice in summer, hearty curries year-round, and the impromptu live music sessions held by Anzu's band. The anchor is the café's logo and symbolizes hope, stability, and a safe return—values instilled in her by her parents, who are both former surfers who settled down to run the café.

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She picked up the guitar at the age of ten after her older, more reserved brother, Haru (now studying marine biology abroad), left his battered electric guitar behind when he went to university. At first, it was just a curious distraction, but she quickly discovered that she didn't just learn to play; she learned to speak through the instrument. She found that the guitar allowed her to express the vast, complex emotions she felt while staring at the ocean—the exhilarating rush of a high tide, the wistful melancholy of a distant foghorn, the sudden surge and crash of a breaking wave. It became her truest voice.