Hachimitsu to Clover II

I think Hachimitsu to Clover is a masterpiece. It is one of the best series I have seen. That is why, although other reviewers have already covered a lot of what I want to say while this is also my first review, I cannot let the chance slide to share my feelings about this series.

Hachimitsu to Clover feels, to me, like a slice-of-life in its purest form. No aggressive action scenes, exaggerated body shapes and too many unrealistic situations, but a story about live, its happy moments and its drawbacks presented in a realistic way. I like how the main characters each have a ... theme of life, while at the same time these times are also interwoven into their interactions and events in life, and also in the overlaying themes. It makes the series feel coherent.

The strongest point in the series is the recognition of the story. Events in life like unrequited love, heartbreak, and the eventual break up of the group of friends after school life is over are events of daily life and very recognizable for me personally. Not only the sad aspects speak to me, but the happy moments also make me feel good. It is inevitable in anime that some aspects are kind of exaggerated, but I think Hachimitsu to Clover is the anime which portrayed life and its events in a way so realistically.

I especially recognize myself in the main character and narrator, Takemoto. To expand on this a little more, with minor spoilers ahead, especially his main theme is recognizable. He is not sure what path he wants to take in life and what he wants to become. For me, being in a similar situation in this part of life, it is, in a way, comforting to see this theme come back in media like this. It reassures me that I am not the only one with the problem, and that taking major choices in life is difficult. A fictional character in a fictional work does not solve your problems, but it is soothing to watch this very fictional character struggle and taking one step at a time, slowly solving his struggles in his own way.

One thing I also like is the lack of technology. This is probably more romanticism than really wanting to live in a similar situation, but to me, the lack of the media and its social responsibilities of today is a development I do not really like, although it has it advantages and I am a user of it myself. Since this series, published just over a decade ago, is already from a different era in terms of media, there is clearly a difference in technology in comparison to today's situation. I like to look at that. Spending face-to-face time with your friends, not look on your phone constantly, having time to rest, think and learn quietly, it is a warm situation to look at. Of course, living in a similar situation would be impossible to me, as child of the current era. Nevertheless, I look at it in a romantic way.

One aspect I also find quite strong in this series is the music. I like how, one time per episode, a song slowly comes in from the background and perfectly fits the scene. These songs mainly seem to be from the band Spitz, and this series surely has made me a fan of their work. While I try to avoid spoilers, I want to give one example. I still remember that in the first episode, the song "Hachimitsu" sang by Spitz popped up, while, after one of the main characters was introduced, another main character made her do some crazy stuff and others were arguing and later watching the event. A simple event but in combination with the music, a happy sight to look at.

Does that mean that this series is perfect? No, of course not. This type of anime is not for everyone. It is slow, without much action and without much exaggeration, Furthermore, the art style is also not one that everyone likes. For me, it is also a series I could not watch at a fast pace. It took me months to finish the first season, and over a month to finish the second. That is partly because I recognized the series as a masterpiece. I wanted to be in the mood for an episode of this realistic series before I watched an episode. Otherwise, one episode, with its slowness and lack of exaggeration is really long.

All in all, for me personally. Hachimitsu to Clover is one of the series I have seen. It speaks to me in a way no series ever has. It was like looking to life from the perspective of a giant telescope. Seeing moments of joy, seeing moments of sadness, seeing how live works, it is a series which made me think. For me, this embodies the pinnacle of anime. Next to series I just enjoy, a I really enjoy series which make me think. There is so much more to say about this series, but there are just some points I really liked about the series. Together with other, unmentioned points, led to an extraordinary story.

I hope this will not be my last review of this series, and with that I mean that I hope for a (short) epilogue. That is just for my own satisfaction, but in reality, the ending of this series, both of the first and the second season, fit the nature of the series perfectly. In that sense, I should be happy that I had the privilege to enjoy this second season, as the first season also had a - for this series - satisfying ending. That is it for this review. Thanks for bearing with me.

The first series didn't end so much as just stop, leaving everything kind of drifting and unresolved (part of the subtle beauty of this series). I knew that the second series was going to tie things up somewhat, but I really didn't expect it to end how it did. The second series wasn't as funny as the first and is only half as long, but if you enjoyed the first series and care about the characters and want to find out what happens to them, then you must watch the second.

Outstanding, the first season is not that really great but its good, i have a lot of expectations in this series, in the first season the storyline was good and the character as well, but the sound track and comedy was average, and sometimes the comedy was just its not for this show, i dont like Comedy when you put in with a drama genre, its not good for me, and its not freah when i saw it, but all of that changes in the second season, from first until the last episode was outstanding, i got the feeling of this Anime, the most important ... one is the Character, Takemoto and Morita are the most great building, both of them has the big stage at this show, at the final i dont expected that Shuu-chan will with Hagu, i thought Hagu will choose Takemoto or Morita, but thats a great plot twist, the most favorite part in this Anime is monologue i reallu love the monologue in this season, apart from that i just disappointed why Yamada and Nomiya didn't get more stage in this show, i really wait for them, and how about their feeling through Mayama and Yamada, but as explicit ending i know and i understand that they will find their happiness such as Mayama and Rika. Reallu love this show, well done, this old Anime is great. I dunno but mostly of old Anime has a better story line than this day Anime. For examole, Hachimitsu to Clover has a great Story line and great execution when we can feel what and catch the meaning of the story. I love this one even though the first season hust very good but the second season was Outstanding, And Finally as an Anime Series Hachimitsu to Clover got 9/10 from me. 8/10 from the first season and 10/10 from the second season. 🌟🌟🥰

Words can't really describe how good this anime was. It was about everyone trying to find a resolve for their issues while trying to move past the bumps in the road. The anime was really relatable and it felt like we were maturing with the characters. I was glad to watch this anime because it helped me mature in a way as well. The anime had its dark moments, but they were easily replaced with wholesome scenes. The character development was really good, but I still dislike Hagu's character development and the way they went with her. Yuuta and Shinobu had excellent character development and ... I like the way the anime ended with them. I ended up dropping the anime awhile back because I didn't really give it a chance, but im glad someone got me to pick it back up because this anime was really nice.

Best anime ever-- as it connects to my own life, -thoughts, and understanding on a deep personal level. This show is not just entertainment, this show is life-- all of it's shortcomings and bittersweet moment put together in a few hours worth of drawings and words. While watching I constantly thought about 2 of my favorite novels... "Norwegian Wood" and "Kokoro" this story takes moments and psychologies(or thoughts) from each of these famous novels and makes them enjoyable. This Anime was brilliant as there was lots of deep thought and heavy moments that questioned our lives and life in general, and they also did a ... good showing this with indications and symbolism like the four-leaf clovers and the metal shrine patterns; But they were able to make this show as great as it was because of it's lightness and it's naturally comedic moments. This is why i'm able to say that even if I watch 1000 more animes in my lifetime this anime will never be topped. The Plot is ingenious and the art-style and voice actors really made this anime as great is it could possibly be.

As I started writing this review I had a thought I've had many times before "it's a lot harder to praise than to critique". I sincerely believe that to be true. It's not that my vocabulary is more suited toward negativity, rather I find it difficult to compliment something I'm passionate about in a suiting manner.

Watching this serie gives you a feeling of simplicity, as packed as it is with art, music and story - it never really overwhelmes you. Instead, each episode has a music-break with light dialogue that helps progress the story and character development while you get the time to think it ... over. If you're binging a serie, like most people do these days - you rarely get the time to think between the episodes. This serie had so many moments that kept me guessing and contemplating different ends and turns, so I valued that time more than I normally would. Some parts felt a bit rushed and seemingly just shoved in there, should've had more leading up to it. Overall it didn't go fully as I expected, as I tend to lean towards a darker story - yet I'm very satisfied with how it played out. To put it simply, it was bittersweet and I loved it.

Well...this season sure was emotional...what more can I say?
I've seen other emotional animes such as Clannad, fruits basket with the slight comedy in it as well, but since this anime was so linked to reality it made much more of an impact. Honey and clover II basically carries on from the first season so nothing changes too much, although I expected it to be a few more episodes that would tie up all loose ends and bring the anime all together but I was wrong.

So much happens during the second season that my heart ached a little to see SO much emotion, I had to ... watch something a bit more cheerful after watching a few episodes and right at the end. I loved it, and I'm sure other people will but please do have some tissues ready at your disposal.

p.s regarding why the rating for the art is the lowest [8] is because it really does get slightly annoying that the main heroine [Hagu-chan] looks like a 7 year old. But during the second season, there is the sense that she looks more mature and grown up which is really nice to see.

Season 2, I actually dropped it midway of the series 10 years ago and completely forgot about it.

Decided to rewatch Season 1 and then Season 2.

I actually enjoyed season 1 more than Season 2.

Season 2's pace was draggy for my taste after the conclusion of 2 characters which was exactly midway of the series.

Making me remember the reason why I actually dropped it years ago. The joy from Season 1 was practically lowered since it went to a serious tone for story.

one back story is practically too unnecessary for me which pulled down one character's charm of the whole series included season 1. ...

Ending wise I was actually disappointed. In fact i prefer the conclusion from yamada.

Artwork
Artwork wise has some improvements from season 1 nothing to more to say about it. just that the expression and tones were better in Season 2.


Music
The series is known for placement of the special songs to make it look like those typical J-drama but season 2 the song placement wasn't as good as season 1. this was because the story was dragged down along with it.

I probably mentioned already in my review of S1 how much I love this show. It's just that, for me, seasons 1 & 2 are both perfect and I cannot review this anime as 2 separate seasons, because the character development, the story, and the entire progression of this show flows smoothly from season 1 to 2. And I just can't look at it any other way. I love how attached I've become to each of the characters and how this show truly resonated with me down to my soul. I'm not even kidding. That ending of season 2 in particular always broke me to ... tears, it NEVER fails, probably why I always re-watch this alone as much as possible. LOL. As dramatic as this show can get, it's actually a "feel-good" anime for me. It always gives me a bittersweet but hopeful and positive feeling every time I finish re-watching it.

HIII BARBIE HERE >.<!!!!
Another review by me into the perspective of a woman.
YES i loved the soundtrack theme in general, the photography, the patrons and the following of the story, the great director and creative dude who helped in princess tutu and evangelion and my fave karekano did that labor, the talented and incredible CHIKA UMINO, did this well put it.
My trouble is something more social focused, I liked the characters but my female girls DESERVED better, idk why the fascination of women in asia writing about man, what she did with morita and takemoto she could do it with hagu or ayama, but she ... did'nt and this is something why it's lack for me, I couldn't connect with the men protagonists, they were so boring to me, I wanted more of hagu, rika, and ayama, even miwako, I understand that if you do a manga or anime focused on women is not well received in japan, but how are all this men writing about magical girls, even producing this type of anime?, idk weird. I wished chika developed more of the women, bc they deserved a well story telling, for example NANA is an amazing example of integrating men into the work but nothing revolves about them. I was excited at first bc I was curious just bc of hagu and it really took me a while to finished it, yes the philosophy is great, and has another elements, but it flopped tbh.