I enjoyed the series, but it mostly served as something to watch on Wednesday before the Thurs-Fri rush of anime series this season, where all the good series are all released within 12 hours of each other.

But there is something a bit misleading about the series. It is titled Tamako Market, but she's really not even the main character. Tamako is far more like the lead in Bartender. She has no real character development, doesn't change in any way, and really is just a guide. Tamako going out is by and large exactly the same character she was going in.

Tamako's sister changes, her closeted-lesbian friend changes, her neighbor develops a backbone, her father changes, but Tamako is constant. She loves the market, she's always loved the market, and the market is her home that she has no intention of ever leaving.

If anything, the real main character of the story arc is Choi. Choi becomes a better person, a little more worldly, and while she's not more tolerant of Dera's bullshit, she learns that she doesn't always have to be a servant to her prince, she can entertain her own wants and desires a little. I also liked that last touch right toward the end with Choi. She fingers the metal band around her neck in the truck, in a particular spot, a clear hint that Choi bears an identical birthmark to Tamako (and Tamako's mother). She's just hiding it under the jewelry. Choi is quite obviously the Prince's bride, but she certainly can't tell her own fortune.