BigN finally posted a report on Hidamari Sketch, which he completed, unlike myself. It's pretty interesting, although I think he sort of bent Manabi for the purposes of compare-and-contrast.

If I can say that Manabi Straight was about the beginnings and growth of friendships and what happens before, during and after the process of moving of, then Hidamari Sketch is about the fun times being had when those friendships are already in the growing stage and the future is nothing more than a passing glance.

I think it might be said with equal validity that Manabi is about politics, about leadership, or teamwork too. But this will do. Also, RTWT.