Being a fan of slice of life and for some reason sad anime, I have inevitably heard many tales of AnoHana. And after finishing many anime of the same genre, such as Clannad, Kanon 2006, Angel Beats and 5 Centimeters per Second, I finally sat down and opened up AnoHana, episode 1. And the journey began.
Story: 7
The story is undoubtedly interesting and well executed. Without any spoilers, the story revolves around a group of friends who separated after childhood due to the death of one of their friends. The ghost of their dead friend returns in the first episode, and the story begins from there. However, only one of the gourp, Jinta, can see her. While I can't say why the ghost of their friend (I will call her Menma from now) has appeared, for part of the anime, it becomes a mystery as to why. And after you figure out why, it brings in another mystery that the friends work to solve. The interactions between the characters as they try to believe that their friend is actually there. It keeps you intrigued the whole time to figure out Menma's secret and also what the happened in the past between the friends. However, it only receives a 7 because of what seems like some gaps in the plot which are there for good reason, but are still hard to ignore. I'll drop a section with spoilers right below so if you want to see my thinking, go ahead and read it. If not, then just skip on.
*****SPOILERS*****
In the last episode, there are friends in the group who still don't believe that Menma is there. However, she proves her existence by writing notes and also interacting with the world around the friends, proving that Jinta is not responsible for what is happening, and that a ghost is. However, while keeping this tactic unused until the end to make it more dramatic and emotional, I found myself screaming inside to just interact with the environment. Move a cup, write a note, do something. There is an explanation as to why writing a note may not work, but it doesn't stop Menma from attempting something else.
*****SPOILERS*****
Art: 9
The art in AnoHana is stunning and visually pleasing. The character designs are perfect, and the animation is fluid and smooth. There don't seem to be any rough edges, and the style is done in a way that keeps the characters somewhat moe without straying from a sense of realism. The backgrounds are beautiful and complement the anime very well, often attributing the emotions that one will fell while watching this anime. I expected nothing less from A-1 Pictures, who have produced Sword Art Online, OreImo, Black Butler, and Sound of the Sky, which all have fluid and well done animations.
Sound: 8
The soundtrack is very touching and emotional. While none stand out to me at the moment from the background tracks, both the OP and ED at this moment are enough to make me tear up. Both are very catchy, and the music in the ending scene is used absolutely perfectly.
Character: 10
The characters in AnoHana are what make this show shine. From all the characters we get the story of growing up with their own guilt and regrets regarding the death of Menma. The characters each undergo a fair bit of development, be it the acceptance of feelings towards or between other characters, or the acceptance that Menma is dead, and that nothing you do will change it. The idea of having to let someone or something go is a feeling many of us are versed in, which was an excellent move by A-1 as it gives the viewers something to connect to and latch on to. This is not the only feeling that we can attach to, however. The show contains many relatable topics, like unrequited love, moving on, trying to fit in, or trying to forget. All come together and create what can only be considered as an amazing work of art.
Enjoyment: 10
AnoHana brings the tale of a group of friends who cannot escape the past, and their endeavors to both come to terms with it and reorganize their lives. While it contains the supernatural "ghost" idea, it is still a very realistic story of people who are trying to come to terms and accept what has happened to them. It also shows how people connect and how difficult it is to deal with emotions. The characters are all relatable in some way or another, and by the end it, you will be left in both awe, and tears. AnoHana is a complete package that provides all that you need, plus a very satisfying yet sad ending that ends the series perfectly.
Overall: 9
While AnoHana contains little to no straight up action, it does action in its own way, through the dialogue and interactions between characters. Adding to this its great soundtrack, splendid art, amazing characters and a story that draws you in, I can safely say that AnoHana is one of the anime greats in its genre. It brings a show on the same level as other big names like Clannad and Angel Beats, and while it has its flaws, no show is perfect. but AnoHana gets pretty close. AnoHana, the flower we saw that day, is a work that is definitely not one to be ignored, and for those who love the genre and could use a good cry, I couldn't recommend this anime more.
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