Full Moon wo Sagashite

Full Moon Wo Sagashite is about a young girl who is trying to achieve her dream before fate takes her life. Along with her story, she meets new friends, overcomes many problems and discovers herself along the way. This anime was truly heart-warming and touching. I was moved on several occasions by the story line and the characters. I loved how this anime could make you laugh and cry at the same time. This anime is based around music and singing, so the sound and voices in this anime were amazing. The songs have a tendency to stick in your mind and lighten your mood ... almost instantly. Again the characters can really make you laugh and have such deep back stories that really make the anime what it was. Watch this anime and fall in love with the story, music and relationships between each of the characters. I would recommend this to anyone who likes heart-warming, funny, romantic, and dramatic animes. This series is a must see, it definitely won't disappoint!

~Main | Overall
Full Moon wo Sagashite, for me, is the quintessential shoujo anime. It has all the elements a shoujo addict like myself craves; it's funny, dramatic, emotional, has nice looking characters and great music. There is not much to be said about this series that has not been said already, I would truly love to give this series all PERFECT 10s because it does deserve it, but there are some minor stuff I gotta take points off for. Still hands down Full Moon excels as a shoujo series as most reviews you come across have demonstrated by giving this show nothing but 9s ... and 10s.

~Art | Animation
The art could be considered “old school-inspired” since it does have that 90's anime look. it kinda reminds me of Sailor Moon a little bit but you can tell it's fairly recent because the movements are a lot smoother and there aren't as many irregularities that you'd normally see in anime from the 80s – 90s.....but there are some [minor] errors and also quite a few scene looping and reuse.

~Music | Voices | F/X
This show has some of the best music anime has to offer.....eventho it's only like, 3 songs. No seriously, I think Full Moon, NANA and lets not forget Lacus Clyne [Gundam SEED] have some of the best songs in anime, if you are into ballads/slow songs and J-POP then you know what I mean. However, the 3 or 4 songs in this series, which in reality is a tad insufficient for a 52 episode series, gets played over and over and over again. This might annoy some viewers, I was OK with it though.
The OPs were not sung by Full Moon but by another group The Scanty. I only liked the first OP “I Love You” because it is very cheerful, playful and makes you want to sing along [I also like the little Mitsuki dance.] However I'm not too crazy about the second OP [Rock n Roll Princess] I do think that song is a little bit on the kiddie side. The title gets on my nerves words like Rock n Roll and Princess clash, I know they [The Scanty] were trying to perhaps be edgy or ironic but it's really lame sounding. Also I know little girls like to dream of being princesses...but the notion is all too very cliché to me.
I watched it in Japanese and the cast was just great, as usual.

~Story | Plot
What a great story! If it weren't 52 episodes long I'd watch it a lot more frequently. Like everyone else, when I first read the synopsis of this show I thought...cancer...CANCER??? How they make a show about cancer and think it's going to be entertaining? But it's really not as dramatic as all that, thank goodness! Full Moon is actually a very light and nice feeling show, which is very similar to Card Captor Sakura [as far as emotional tone goes, not plot-wise] but it can also be very profound at times.
There are a few things you should know though, like I said Full Moon is a 52 episode series, aside from the first couple of introductory episodes everything else seem to be filler. At least to me they seem to be filler, this does not mean that they are not funny or fun to watch. To me they are still somewhat vital since they allow you to see the characters in various situations and settings which allows you to understand and appreciate the characters as well as become attached to them. Now the last 12 or so episodes is when things are on and popping, this is where the story peaks and the biggest dramatic turning point is revealed!!! This is where you aren't going to be able to stop watching the series....I know I was hooked!

~Cast | Character
Not one character I didn't like! My favorite character award goes to both Meroko and Tanaka-san [yes Tanaka-san]. Meroko at first comes off as this ditsy, love-obsessed, brat but deep down she has a heart. This is important because a lot of anime females are like this and they do not have the opportunity to express it or have things turn out the way things did for Meroko [or even Madoka for that matter] and people just write them off as “air-head bitches” when truly that's only a superficial layer for who they truly are. Meroko was the emotional to Takuto's rationale and a person [in this case, Mitsuki] cannot be whole without either. And then there's Tanaka, I loved her she was so funny. Just they way they drew her face always smiling, mischievous...and she's always sneaking around spying, eavesdropping and listening to her music, eventho it's banned in the house where she works. Not since Alice from the Brady Bunch has a maid been this cool.
OK here comes the Bishounen Hunter section: Eichi-kun, what's not to love about this guy? He's smart, sensitive, polite and soft-spoken. He's also somewhat of a classy dresser....I love that white trench-coat! His style is simple yet understated and classy. Eichi wears a lot of white which supposedly is the color of purity and in his case this would be true, Eichi is my favorite bishounen of the series. Takuto comes in a close second, he is one-half of the Negi Ramen Shinigami team with Meroko. Takuto is almost the opposite of Eichi, he wears outlandish costumey,rocker-type clothes and is kinda brash and outspoken. His face is stern-looking most of the time while Eichi's face was always gentle and smiling. But Takuto is very principled and can be self-sacrificing.

~Worth It?
What can I say. I really like this series. Some people may hate the art, some people may hate the fact that it's too long, others may hate [Eternal Snow] and [Myself] being played over and over again. It was all worth it, the best way I can describe this show is that it's like one of those dishes you have to cook slowly for hours [maybe even overnight?] for it to come out fantastic and once you take a bite you realize all the labor was worth it.

This was the second anime I watched after Sailor Moon back in grade 10 and loved it. Near the end, I got addicted and would watch six episodes a night. It is an amazing anime.

*For people who watch dubs, this show only went up to episode 20 I think in English. If you want to see the rest, you'll need to watch the Japanese one.*

Mitsuki has cancer and wants to be a singer but because of her tumor, she can't sing in a loud voice. Two shinigami (Gods of Death) come to take her life but they promise to achieve her dream before her time ... is up.

Story- I love the story. I have no music skills what so ever and found this anime an awesome idea. She is very dedicated to singing; there aren't many animes like this out there.

Sound- The show has beautiful music and funny music. The open is very energetic. They know when to use the music at the right time to set the perfect mood for that scene. At first, Mitsuki may sound a bit old for age but her voice sounds more like a normal 12 year olds in the series.

Character- The development of the show is good. It shows characters' pasts (won't say who's) even if it's only a little bit of info. The characters are funny and the show made their development great till the last episode.

Enjoyment- I truly enjoyed this anime. I watched it a number of times and want to watch it during Christmas break again.

Overall- I recommend this anime for people who like supernatural stuff and who just find this idea interesting. I loved this anime and read the manga. The two are very different but it is an awesome show.

Ok so first impression when i read the description was that i thought it would be a depressing anime, since i hate those kinds because they make me sad, so i decided not to watch it...that was a few years ago i just recently watched and finished it during last summer and i the only thing i regret after watching this anime is not watching it sooner because it is by far one of the best anime that i've seen in a long time :)

story:
The story was so touching. Every episode you would cry, laugh, gasp, get mad. The ending of this anime was ... so epic leaving you breathless. Full Moon Wo Sagashite had literally the best ending in an anime i have ever seen!
10/10

art:
I really liked the art of this anime and i really have no complaints couldn't see it any other way it was very pretty!
10/10

sound:
ok warning you are going to get every song from this anime stuck in your head for days and days! but the songs are awesome i really liked all the songs in this show :))
10/10

character:
one the best things about this anime is the character development. You will fall in love with every character in this anime i absoulutly love Meroko and Takuto (aka green onion ramen :D)
10/10

enjoyment:
i really enjoyed this anime it's definitely one of my favorites!! I recommend it to anyone who loves comedy, drama, music, romance or shoujo animes this one is for you!
10/10

This will defientely always be one of my favorite animes of all time. There is so much depth to be enjoyed with this anime, it's impossible not to love it!

Story - 10/10

The Plot of this anime was unlike any plot I have seen before! Mitsuki, a 12 year old girl with throat cancer dreams of becoming a singer to reunite with her childhood love. Sound like a nice, rosy anime? Well, it can really fool you. This anime is not as cheery as it seems. I guarantee. It made me cry buckets. But nevertheless. The plot is truly amazing and the story ... of how she makes her debut as a (supposedly 16-year-old, watch the anime to find out!) singer and tries so hard to find her love is much more amazing and deep then it sounds. This is definetely not your typical shoujo anime!

Art 9/10

The art is definitely beautiful. One of the best I've seen!


All in all - this is an amazing anime on all accounts, if you haven't watched it yet, go watch it now! You won't regret it! I guarantee it!

Story: 9/10

I gave Full Moon wo Sagashite a nine due to its heart melting plot about a girl who wishes to be reunited with the boy she loved through a singing career, but isn't allowed to, because of her throat cancer. Two shimigami come and tell her that she only has a year left to live. With the help of the shimigami, she is able to become a famous idol and begins to pursue her career before she dies. A lot of the anime I felt wasn't necessary. Example: things like jobs, trips, etc. This anime starts off pretty...."boring", but the ending was so amazing ... that it makes up for the first half.

***If you choose to watch this anime, WATCH IT TO THE END!!! The beginning is a little hard to watch, because it doesn't really lure you in, but I felt that the ending was absolutely amazing. It didn't overdue it and left you guessing. (which is usually not a good thing) but in this anime, you could literally imagine and know what would happen next.*****

For those of you out there, who love comedy and touches of romance, this is definitely a must-watch anime for you.

Art: 7/10

It's not horrible to look at, but I personally am very harsh when it comes to judging art. I mean, when you're watching the anime, it's what you're going to be looking at the entire time!
It is a very "cute" style, but overall, I thought it was acceptable.

Sound: 9/10

When you know that an anime is about a girl trying to pursue a career as a singer, you automatically assume that it will have good music, which is pretty true in this case. The main character's voice is very beautiful and the songs leave you wanting to sing them along with her.

Character: 9/10

Like in most animes, you have the extremely kind female lead who goes through a time of depression, but gets back up. I felt the characters were very well introduced. You got to see flashbacks from their pasts, shedding a little light on why they are the way they are, and there's character development as well.

Enjoyment: 8/10

The only reason I gave this anime an eight out of ten for enjoyment is from the beginning. I felt it was really boring, but the ending completely blew me away, so I think that you will love this anime when you finish.

Overall: 9/10

Full Moon wo Sagashite has a few spots where I thought it could have been better conducted, but overall, it was truly a great anime that is a must-watch.

I hope this review was at least a little bit helpful.

It's once every blue moon that you come across an anime like Full moon wo Sagashite. I have come across so many animes in my life but never have I been emotionally intact the way I was with this anime.. it has it all the perfect ending, the best music, great story and character development.
I have watched it twice so far and willing to watch it over and over and over it's just one of those animes that gives you this warm feeling when you finish watching it.
If you haven't give this anime a try I say do. You won't regret it. This ... anime will somehow let you get through some of those hard moments in your life. I Give it a 10, definitely one of my all time favorite.

Full Moon wo Sagashite seems like one of those animes for a little girl. However, this is one among a handful of anime wherein there is more than what meets the eye.

STORY (10)
Full Moon has a rather typical and simple shoujo anime plot line that just blends in with the thousands of other anime; a 12-year-old girl with throat cancer dreams of becoming a singer because of a guy gets turned into a 16-year-old by a Shinigmai, so she may achieve her dream before her cancer escalates. However, the details and hints of suicide and death towards the ending of the series bind together with ... the beginning story line and create something unique and new; it opens up your eyes to the pain, sorrow and terrors faced by many people in this world that we don't realize. Certainly this plot will make you cringe.

ART (7)
I believe Full Moon has great art, but nothing that sticks to your head; it isn't memorable.

SOUND (8)
Myco has stunning vocals. Every song she sang truly took control of my emotions, though I am not fluent in Japanese. However, the opening song in the second half (Rock n'Roll Princess?) didn't quite complement my taste.

CHARACTER (10)
What I like best about Full Moon are the characters. Whether in movies, books, manga or anime, I've had difficulty finding a good story with great characters, but Full Moon blew me away. Meroko is the best character in all manga and anime. I believe Meroko is the heroine of the story. I would have preferred that they include her back story in the manga in the anime as well as it would've made her even better, but even without the back story, she is still amazing. I also enjoy the chemistry between each and every character.

ENJOYMENT (10)
If you want something to cause you to sob, this anime should be on top of your list. Among the countless anime I've seen, Full Moon made me cry the most, especially in the latter part of the series.

OVERALL (9)
Full Moon wo Sagashite is a great anime. Though childish and perhaps full of "fillers" at first, this series develops into something beautiful, sorrowful and impactive.

This anime is personally one of my favorites. Although, the story strays away from the original plot of the manga a little more than half way though the series. Because they made the anime when the manga was still being written.

But, overall. the story is VERY much tear jerking, because you can't help but cry with the story. You get to know the characters very well. I watched the anime first then the manga, which was kind of a big mistake because they are so different, and end completely different. They changed a lot in the story.

The only downside to having it released in America ... is that they destroyed it. It sounds like an ear shattering fan dub done by newbs, who can nor say a Japanese name, or voice act for their LIFE. But the over all the translation was terrible.

But con's aside, its still a very good series, and a definite must watch for those who love a good cry.

The story begins with an interesting concept I've never seen used before. That immediately pulled me in and kept my attention for the duration of the series. Throughout the story, many complex and diverse issues pop up that challenge the characters. Watching their approach to the problems and their interactions with each other strained and strengthened was a treasure to observe.

The artwork is not flashy or especially memorable during any moments, but this shortcoming is easily overlooked thanks to the story and character depth in the series.

The background tracks didn't have a staple sound that resonated with me or even caught my attention but the ... vocal recordings for Mitsuki's concerts and performances impressed me. A real singer was hired and brought in to make music for an animated character and that is honorable.

The main characters Mitsuki, Meroko, and Takuto have unique personalities. Each one has a trait that stands out and defines them as an individual. These characters are realistic enough to relate to on an actual human level and they are imaginative enough to entertain, frustrate, or inspire you at any point in the show. The characters and their interactions with each other, their adversaries, and the life's curve balls keep you on your toes. There's never a dull moment because they're young enough to make a lot of mistakes but they're experienced enough learn from them and do better in the future.

This is an enjoyable series with the combination of a great story and equally amazing characters to support it. This series is long and personal enough to draw you into their world, wrap you up in their problems, and lift you up with their successes. It's a very emotional journey that challenges important matters of the heart. The abstract concepts and realistic consequences are what make this series entertaining.

Overall score: 8/10
It lacked in a few areas, but the parts it excelled in overshadowed the flaws.

FMwS follows a young girl with throat cancer and her struggle to find a boy she knew while at her orphanage. She meets two Shinigami who eventually help her by changing her into a perfectly healthy sixteen-year-old and allowing her to sing as Full Moon.

I watched this show after a large number of female acquaintances recommended it. Being a guy, I didn't expect much from this childish sounding anime (especially after Fruits Basket) but it definitely surprised me, and then some. This anime is a lot deeper than it initially appears and the message it gives is a very positive and uplifting one. If you're ... willing to go through 52 episodes and like a bit of drama, this might be a good one.

Animation:
The animation is flawed at times and many aspects seem childish but I guess that is because the majority of the series surrounds a rather young girl. Nonetheless, I really like how Full Moon (the character) was drawn. The special effects, when necessary, were done quite nicely. My only complaint would be the rather outrageous costumes of the Shinigami.

Sound:
Myco. You hear four or so of her songs throughout this series so some go as far as to say that this anime is just a big promo for Myco. I have no problems with this as Myco has a really nice voice and her songs are likewise very good- yes they play over and over but I didn't get too tired of it.

The OPs are done by a totally different group which I find a bit odd. Their songs are not bad but I prefer Myco's songs. As for the BGM, it is fairly good and can help create emotional moments. However, there are also certain songs that make the anime sound very very childish.

Finally the Seiyuu. I found that everyone did an excellent job in general but I did notice that Mitsuki's voice grew higher after the first few episodes (probably due to Myco getting used to using a high voice?).

Story:
The plot could have progressed slightly faster but the overall message and plot sequence did deliver. The story also features very tight knit character relationships that change through the course of the anime. Veteran viewers will probably be able to guess the huge plot twist in the middle of the show, but the aftermath is still pretty interesting. Overall, the message of the anime is a very special one that is truly a gem among anime.

Character:
Mitsuki develops greatly in this anime. She goes through many trials and has to face failure on multiple occasions. Her relationship with Eichi seems a little too strong (though aren't all first loves?) and her goal to "warm" everyone with her songs is idealistic. However, these can be dismissed since she still is only a child.

There is also a developing relationship with the two Shinigami as well that is done very slowly and gradually, thus making it seem realistic. The only thing that I didn't like at first was that Meroko acts like a child all the time.

Value:
For an anime supposedly targeted at a young audience, this series is pretty deep. It surpassed my expectations and was enchanting enough to stay in my collection, and I've re-watched all 52 eps to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Note that in the manga version Full Moon has a lot more difficulty becoming a star so give the director some credit for not making it 70-80 eps long.

The first time I watched this anime, one simple thing happened. It stole my heart.

This anime is at the top of my favourites. The character development is strong, the plot line, while being fairly standard, contains enough surprises and comedic moments to keep one on the edge of one's seat, even re-watching one cannot help but seek the next episode smiling.

I would classify this as a fantasy musical.

My rating 5/5 stars.

Absolutly stunning this has a strong plot which is twisted to make you cry. The characters are very well developed and you grow to love them in a unique way. Takuto a personal favourite The plot is about a young girl who discovers from shimgami that she is going to die in a year from her throat cancer. This spurs her on to sing and try and reach her lost childhood love. It progresses with her becoming famous as fullmoon and searching for him along the way. But i wont spoil it to much. Beautful song choices from a real life band. And the series ... is funny and sad. this one mad me cry which is saying alot for it moved me.

I really really enjoyed Full Moon as it just had that innocent feel of old anime such as Cardcaptor Sakura while at the same time reminded me of Skip beat which I also really liked.

The best way to describe this series is simply "cute". Throughout the entire series I was smiling from ear to ear unable to get enough of the cute relationships between Mitsuki, Takuto and Meroko.

Initially I was put off by Mitsuki's voice but that was because my expectations were far different from reality and Im really glad I decided to give this series a try anyway in which I begun to really ... like Mitsuki's voice.

The music in the series is great most of the songs reminiscing of that 2000s old anime music which was really nice to get to listen to again. Mitsuki's singing voice is beautiful and good enough reason to watch the series on its own.

The series got surprisingly interesting later on down the line in a way that I didn't think a cute series like this would go getting quite emotionally driven.

Mitsuki is very cute, very much like Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura so If you liked that series you will definitely like Full Moon.

Overall Full Moon is a extremely cute show that seriously needs more attention. Its simple, its cute, its all you need to mindlessly enjoy a great series.

9/10 Absolutely loved it and will definitely re-watch in the near future.

This anime will surely make you smile and cry! It's very touching, and I, as a very tough person who isn't mushy & emotional (I'm called the Tough Cookie), I literally cried here. For me this is the BEST anime I've ever watched! MUCH BETTER COMPARED TO THE NOW-FAMOUS ACTION/ADVENTURE ANIMES!

Full Moon wo Sagashite.

Among a great deal of music and romance anime's out there Full Moon o Sagashite is the one bound to stand out.

Picture yourself in a situation in where you wish to reach your dream no matter what happens, However you are bound to never get to live it.
After Mitsuki finds out from two shinigami's she will only have one year to live she decides that to reach her dream of becoming a singer is now or never.

As this story goes on you are sure to become addicted. This is a story that you will laugh in, But tears might also come. ...
A Amazing story and a great storyline. I recommend this anime to people who like sad animes.

Are you Into:
Romance, Drama, Comedy, Music and Tragedy this is the anime for you..

--------------Story------------
I watched this anime while looking for the romance drama genre, and after finishing this anime, I can consider it as one of my favorite anime in the romance and drama category, comparable to fruit basket and clannad

The story itself is light, and not too much drama conflict. It is told that a 12 year old boy has a promise with his childhood friend who was separated from the orphanage to fight for his dream. And when his dream has come true, their love can move on to the next stage.

MC named Mitsuki had a dream to become a singer and at that time he ... had cancer in his throat which required surgery at the risk of losing his voice. This can hinder her dream of becoming a singer if her voice is lost

Immediately, a shinigami (angel of death) appears to take the life of the MC in the next 1 year. Knowing the MC has a year left to live, he immediately fulfills his dream of becoming a singer and auditions, and soon his childhood friends get to know him and their love will blossom.

From here the story begins. From the beginning of the debut to the end, which is seasoned with slice of life stories, comedy, and very good music.

Don't forget there is also a sad drama with scenes that make the audience sad, including the final plot where his dream is in sight but finally that hope is gone.

--------------Graphic Image-----------
In terms of drawing, it's very good, even though this anime was made in 2002, it can still make amazing pictures at that time. I think this picture is getting more and more amazing as the number of episodes goes on. Although now only available 480p, and no HD version. I think this is good enough and there is no need for the anime to be remade, and it is enough for the story to end here. There is no need to add another sequel that could spoil this good ending. Even though I have a little hope that there will be a side story, or a movie sequel that tells the story of the next life.

--------------Animation------------
In terms of animation, it's pretty good too, although there are some CGI images that are made stiff, but it's still pretty good, especially in 2002. And the more episodes, the smoother the animation moves.

--------------Music-----------
the music in this anime really fits and fits in terms of the story. Every soundtrack song that is made here, comes from the MC seiyuu (voice actor) directly, and the songs that are played in terms of the story. Every scene, story, and drama fits the music of this anime, it really fits the music, it can make my heart ache hehehe.....

When I first heard about this anime, I wasn't that impressed. I thought it was just another shoujo anime about a little girl getting to fulfill her dream with the magic help of some Shinigami.

[the text below contains spoilers]

I can honestly say that I was wrong, now that I've watched it all. This anime is suprisingly emotional and I can't describe how much I cried in the end, even though everything worked out just fine. I was extremely moved by Merokos choice to give up her own soul in order to protect Takuto from becoming a ghost, and it was really sad how she didn't ... even get her love in the end. She became an Angel instead, that's good (obviously) but still - nobody can see her and she can't be with Takuto ever again. That made me cry my eyes out.

And all the things that happened, everything with Eichi-kun and Mitsukis struggle to get to him, everything she has to go through and all the feelings that made the ups and downs in this anime is just .. amazing.

I never thought I would say this about a shoujo anime (with magic on top of it!) but it's really one of the best animes I've ever seen. If you are one of those who can't make up your mind to watch or not watch - the choice is really easy!

This anime can be deceiving, a girly shoujo anime turns into a gripping ending. The beginning is quite slow and people loose interest before they even finish the anime, but the best is till last. At a first glance, it mainly shows a girl and her dream to become a singer, a very simple story line which gets very edgy near the end.

It has cute characters, full of fluffy pink stuff, but as you discover that her unfortunate fate is sealed, there is nothing else for her to do but to fight for her dream to the very end.

It has 52 episodes, a ... bit longer than some anime, the English dubbed is also no complete, i had to switch from dubbed to subbed just to finish it, it is only dubbed halfway. People say it is too slow and that some where fillers and some complained about the sound and their voices didn't fit the characters. So there is a lot of criticism and i'd say this anime was a risk, but i thought it was very good and i did enjoy it.

Please watch it for yourself and tell me what you think.

A really cute shoujo anime.
But, It took me a long while to finish it because it was a bit childish and it gets boring after a while, even though the last ten episodesare quite interesting. Compared to it's manga, both the story and the art is worse. Arina Tanemura has a unique style but they just can't reflect it while making the anime of her work. Also the anime and the manga have different endings and the manga's ending seems more realistic. But the musics, especially the ending themes are beautiful and the main character is very well developed. Not a must watch but ... rather a nice anime to kill time.