Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai.

Jinta Yadomi is peacefully living as a recluse, spending his days away from school and playing video games at home instead. One hot summer day, his childhood friend, Meiko "Menma" Honma, appears and pesters him to grant a forgotten wish. He pays her no mind, which annoys her, but he doesn't really care. After all, Menma already died years ago.

At first, Jinta thinks that he is merely hallucinating due to the summer heat, but he is later on convinced that what he sees truly is the ghost of Menma. Jinta and his group of childhood friends grew apart after her untimely death, but they are drawn together once more as they try to lay Menma's spirit to rest. Re-living their pain and guilt, will they be able to find the strength to help not only Menma move on—but themselves as well?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Honma, Meiko Main

Kayano, Ai Japanese

Yadomi, Jinta Main

Irino, Miyu Japanese

Anjou, Naruko Main

Tomatsu, Haruka Japanese

Hisakawa, Tetsudou Main

Kondou, Takayuki Japanese

Tsurumi, Chiriko Main

Hayami, Saori Japanese

Matsuyuki, Atsumu Main

Sakurai, Takahiro Japanese

Yadomi, Atsushi Supporting

Ogata, Mitsuru Japanese

Honma, Satoshi Supporting

Mizuhara, Kaoru Japanese

Yadomi, Touko Supporting

Ohara, Sayaka Japanese

Aki Supporting

Makino, Yui Japanese

Saitou, Shunsuke Producer

Ozaki, Noriko Producer

Iwata, Mikihiro Producer

Nagai, Tatsuyuki Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Aug 12, 2025

A_Spacewhale

Recommended

When someone dies it can be hard to remember that we are still ourselves without this person in our lives even though it can be hard to feel that way. In this story we follow a boy who seems to have lost all sight of himself after the death of his childhood crush and the toll it took on their entire friend group. The big twist here is that he has her ghost guiding him to a goal that we as an audience don't know. If you are looking for a tragically beautiful story on how to deal with grief and also how we as ... humans can get back up after tragedies this is the series that can help you find some spark and motivation to keep moving forward (just be ready to cry though).

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Apr 13, 2025

Spzct

Mixed Feelings

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day)

The animation is clean and serviceable, with soft colors that match the nostalgic and emotional tone. While it doesn't stand out for visual innovation, it effectively conveys the characters' emotions and supports the story. There are a few beautifully framed shots, but overall, it's more functional than artistic.

Story – 7/10
The premise is strong—a group of childhood friends reuniting due to the ghost of a deceased friend—but the execution can feel uneven. The pacing drags in parts, and some emotional beats feel slightly forced or repetitive. However, the ... central mystery and emotional conflict provide a solid narrative arc that resonates with many viewers.

Characters – 6/10
The characters are central to the story, but their development is mixed. Some undergo meaningful growth, while others remain stuck in stereotypes. Their emotional struggles feel real but are sometimes exaggerated for drama. Menma is a lovable presence, but other characters like Jinta and Anaru may feel underwhelming or frustrating depending on the viewer’s perspective.

Music & Sound Design – 4/10
While the ending song “Secret Base” is iconic, the rest of the soundtrack is largely forgettable. The background music doesn't consistently elevate scenes, and at times, emotional moments lack sonic support. Sound design is adequate but not immersive.

Emotion & Impact – 6/10
Anohana aims to be a tearjerker, and while some moments hit hard, others feel overly manipulative. The final episode delivers emotional closure for some, but if you’re not fully invested in the characters, the impact can fall flat. It tugs on heartstrings, but not always effectively.

Worldbuilding – 6/10
The setting—a quiet rural town—acts as a nostalgic backdrop rather than a deeply developed world. While not expansive, it serves its purpose and enhances the themes of memory, loss, and growing up. The supernatural element is kept subtle and symbolic rather than detailed.

Entertainment – 7/10
Despite some slower parts, the show maintains viewer interest through mystery and interpersonal tension. It balances slice-of-life drama with emotional suspense, making it a compelling short series for those into character-driven stories.

Innovation – 7/10
At the time of its release, Anohana stood out for its blend of supernatural and emotional realism. It helped pioneer the modern “feels trip” anime genre. Though it’s now been followed by many similar series, it was one of the earlier emotional ensemble dramas with a ghostly twist.

Rewatch Value – No
Due to its emotionally heavy nature and lack of deep rewatchable layers, most viewers won’t feel compelled to revisit it. Once the emotional climax is experienced, much of the intrigue is gone.

Overall Score – 6.1/10
Anohana is a heartfelt but somewhat uneven emotional drama. While it delivers memorable moments and a unique concept, its execution and character work might not land for everyone. A good watch if you're seeking a sentimental journey, but its impact depends heavily on personal resonance with the themes of loss and friendship.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Jul 25, 2025

UserWithaName

Not Recommended

genuinely the most aggressively boring anime I've ever watched. I felt nothing but boredom while watching this. I can't call it a shit show cuz I wouldn't necessarily say its bad but holy is it nothing to note. I hate it so much for being so little. All humor in the show is cliche and safe, nothing funny was said the entire show. The cast of characters was mediocre at best and bad at worst. They all felt like watered down versions of stereotypical romcom characters. the plot was nothing revolutionary either. hiding behind loss of a loved one doesn't make up for the first ... half of the show being completely pointless especially considering the premise has been done a million times and at least 10 thousand times better than this. soooooo borring im getting bored just thinking about the show. tho i cant find anything terrible about the show besides how terribly okay it is so I am frustratingly forced to give it a five

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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	Poll: Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai Episode 11 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) tsubasalover - Jun 23, 2011	1,253 replies	by SAMEERDEEP007 »» Aug 10, 12:38 AM
	Poll: Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) notnishiura - Apr 21, 2011	363 replies	by Warchuu »» Jul 30, 7:41 PM
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