⚠️ This review contains spoilers for the anime and manga ⚠️
—Story/Characters
The story starts off pulling out your heartstrings, like a big clump of hair, as Fumi experiences heartache for the first time. Her older, female cousin (Chizu Hanashiro) had initiated a sexual relationship with her and shortly afterwards, Fumi learns that Chizu is immediately getting married off, to a man that she's never met before. Fumi has to internalize her feelings, while her family celebrates, and she's a shy and tender-hearted girl, so she lets the emotions smolder, rather come to terms with them directly. That last sentence is important, because there's a big development, with that, towards the end of the series.
Coincidentally, Fumi has an encounter with her childhood friend, Akira Okudaira, and doesn't recognize her because, when they were kids, Akira was much taller than she was; but now, they're on complete opposite ends of the spectrum! I found this subversion of physical attributes interesting, because, in this case: the tall girl is the crybaby and the shorter girl is her protector, when it's usually the other way around! Upon attending Matsuoka Girl's High School and joining the drama club, Fumi finds herself falling in love with her "lady prince" upperclassman, Yasuko Sugimoto!
Yasuko then rudely rejects another underclassman, Kyōko Ikumi, and asks Fumi out. Fumi lets herself get closer to Yasuko, not realizing that she's only manipulating her, to gain the attention of a male teacher that had spurned her, a year prior. Yasuko, then, of course breaks Fumi's heart and acts like a complete jerk — she then tries to get back together with Fumi and mend their relationship, and there's this really cathartic moment where the meek, kind-hearted Fumi stands up for herself and says that she's not going to let Yasuko play games with her heart anymore. The anime then leaves off with a romantic scene, with Fumi and her childhood friend, Akira, starting to develop feelings for each other — holding hands in the snow, reminiscing about their childhood.
The manga goes further with their relationship, of course; Akira's realization that she's in love with Fumi is really poignant, because she had always assumed that she didn't have a crush on anyone and, that she was, essentially, asexual. So, when she realizes that she's besotted with her best friend, Fumi, it's difficult for her to come to terms with. This is really relatable, if you've ever been a queer teenager, because you're taught that girls like boys; so, you can often delude yourself into thinking that you aren't infatuated with one of your female friends, when you really are!
The way that Fumi is taken advantage of, is always something that screams of a lesbian adolescence. Many girls will experiment with bisexuality, but not commit to a queer relationship — like with Yasuko, so it's more difficult than with a heterosexual relationship to find someone who's completely being "real" about it. This was so relatable, because I have been in that position before!
I thought that it was clever to cast Yasuko as Heathcliff ("Wuthering Heights") in the school play, because although in the ACTUAL story Heathcliff is cruel because a life full of oppression and abuse, but Yasuko is still manipulative and selfish in a similar way! This series perfectly encapsulates what it feels like to awkwardly flower onto the small stem of same-sex relationships, it's probably much more common now, but when I was younger, being gay was mostly an experimentation type of thing. At the end of the manga, Fumi and Akira are able to find a soulmate in one another, and live happily ever after! It's a really beautiful story — it's kind of shocking how little people talk about this anime!
—Technical
Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅
Takako Shimura (story, art), notable works:
Published Manga
* Awajima Hyakkei
* Beautiful Monday
* Boku wa, Onnanoko
* Dōnika Naru Hibi
* Fubin BL
* Gelatin
* Hoshi no Koimonogatari
* Hōrō Musuko ("Wandering Son") ✅
* Joshi BL
* Koi'iji
* Love Buzz
* Mangaka-san no Oishii Sashi'ire
* Melo Neko
* Musume no Iede
* Okite Saisho ni Suru Koto wa
* Otona ni Nattemo
* Sayonara Otokonoko
* Shiki'i no Jūnin
* Wagamama Chie-chan
Character Designs
* Aldnoah.Zero —series ✅
* Battery
Commentary: I am ashamed to say that I haven't explored more of Ms. Shimura's bibliography, from what I've read, her works are pretty solid. I prefer the manga and anime for "Aoi Hana" over "Hōrō Musuko" ("Wandering Son") — while they both have really good characters, the plot and transition between perspectives is more sloppy in "Wandering Son"! The manga for "Aoi Hana" has a little bit of this, but since there aren't as many characters, it's less of a headache to keep up with the revolving scenes. Her designs are splendid, though! That was part of the reason that I kept watching Aldnoah.Zero, despite the questionable plot points! Very talented artist and story-teller!
Kenichi Kasai (director), notable works:
* Amanchu! ✅
* Bakuman. —series ✅
* Chōyaku Hyakuninisshu: Uta Koi. ✅
* Cooking Papa
* Hachimitsu to Clover —series ✅
* KimiKiss Pure Rouge
* Love Stage!! ✅
* Major S1
* Mama wa Poyopoyo Saurus ga Osuki
* Miracle☆Train: Oedo-sen e Yōkoso
* Nodame Cantabile —series ✅
* Ōkami Shōjo to Kuro Ōji ("Wolf Girl and Black Prince")
* PuriGorota: Uchū no Yūjō Daibōken
* Senjūshi
* Wagamama☆Fairy Mirumo de Pon!
Commentary: Man, Mr. Kasai really likes those vivid color palettes! His work on slice-of-life is really atmospheric, in series like "Amanchu!" and "Hachimitsu to Clover" — there's a really beautiful, nostalgic feeling to them... that is accentuated by the subdued, pastel scenery! From what I've seen, "Aoi Hana" and "Hachimitsu to Clover" are the top must-watch series, directed by Mr. Kasai. In the case of "Bakuman," while the anime adaptation wasn't terrible, you can't beat Takeshi Obata's art style. I think the only anime-adaptation that really pulled it off was "Hikaru no Go"!
※Speaking of "Bakuman", the live-action film had a great musical track in it. Check out "Shin Takarajima" (新宝島) by a band that goes by the name of Sakanaction! They are incredible!
Good Seiyū Work = ✅
Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅
One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅
Ai Takabe as Fumi Manjōme, notable roles:
* Maiko, Hōrō Musuko ✅
* Agiri Goshiki, Kill Me Baby
* SP, Sacred Seven
Commentary: Ms. Takabe was a really talented actress in the industry, both her roles as Fumi Manjōme ("Aoi Hana") and Maiko ("Hōrō Musuko") are really compelling. Unfortunately, she got arrested for cocaine possession and was thus, ousted from the industry in 2015, the latest news on Ai Takabe — is the news about her recent marriage, but despite her beautiful performances as bishōjo characters, it doesn't look like she'll be coming back to anime voice acting. Wonderful performance as Fumi, though!
Yuko Gibu as Akira Okudaira, notable roles:
* Akiwo Suzuka, Koi Koi 7
* Haruka, Tabi Machi Late Show
* Maon Sakurada, Tamayura ✅
* Hikari Onozuka, Yama no Susume ✅ ✅
Commentary: I really liked Ms. Gibu as Hikari Onozuka in the second season of "Yama no Susume" — as Aoi's co-worker at the bakery, she's very sassy, but cute... in a tsundere way! As Akira, she's a very clear-hearted and pure girl. Later in the manga, I thought she was one of the most well-written characters, as she experiences something that a lot of LGBTQ+ teens go through — the horrors of self-actualization, thinking that you're asexual or that you haven't found the right guy, and then you come face-to-face with the fact that you might actually be in love with one of your closest friends! Amazing job!
Chiemi Ishimatsu as Yasuko Sugimoto, notable roles:
* Junsa ("Officer Jenny"), Pokémon XY
Commentary: It's kind of strange that Ms. Ishimatsu is both Yasuko Sugimoto ("Aoi Hana") and Officer Jenny ("Pokémon XY"), and then everything else is just a full discography of hardcore hentai roles. Well, I suppose she is kind of like the "evil" bisexual character in "Aoi Hana"! Ms. Ishimatsu does a great job of making her come off as a noncommittal jerk. But, the character also has a couple of other main attributes, that are vying for dominance: she's both a cunning, yet charismatic heartthrob and a mixed-up adolescent. Later, it is implied that the charisma is mostly a mask, and then the plot reveals that her emotional stability is in shambles if she isn't the center of attention; despite her desperate attempts to appear mature, aloof, and cool. Although, Yasuko Sugimoto is really unlikable, she's also a really, really well-written character! Stunning performance!
Yui Horie as Kyōko Ikumi, notable roles:
* Lieza Flora Meruno, Arc the Lad
* Sue Harris, Argento Soma
* Belfast, Azur Lane ✅
* Sarara, Binzume Yōsei
* Kisara Tendō, Black Bullet ✅ ✅
* Nepgear, Chōjigen Game Neptune ("Hyperdimension Neptunia") ✅ ✅
* Kotori Shirakawa, Da Capo
* Yume Asakura, Da Capo II
* Millhiore Firianno Biscotti, Dog Days ✅ ✅
* Azuma no Shibanu Tamamushi-hime, Double Circle
* Ai, Dōbutsu no Mori ("Animal Crossing")
* Fatina, Druaga no Tō
* Yuria Aikawa, Elite Jack!!
* Charlés ("Carla"), Fairy Tail ✅
* Tōru Honda, Fruits Basket (2003) ✅
* Kaoruko Ichijō, Futakoi
* Namiko Nozaki, GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class
* Manami Amamiya, Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! ✅
* Kōko Kaga, Golden Time
* Kaho Nikaidō, Hatsukoi Monster
* Hanyū, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅
* Anna Suehiro, Hōrō Musuko
* Sonken Chūbō, Ikkitōsen ✅
* Yōko, Inukami! ✅
* Mitsuko Komyoji, Jinzō Ningen Kikaider the Animation ✅
* Anna Kushina, K ✅
* Haruka Nishida, Kanamemo ✅
* Ayu Tsukimiya, Kanon ✅
* Mamiya, Kantai Collection ("KanColle") ✅
* Yasuna Kami'izumi, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl
* Akane Mishima, Kämpfer
* Wiz, Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! ("KonoSuba") ✅ ✅
* Haruka, Kurogane Connection
* Mary Stuart, Kyōkaisenjō no Horizon II
* Riki Naoe, Little Busters! ✅
* Naru Narusegawa, Love Hina ✅ ✅
* Mitama Yakumo, Magia Record: Mahō Shōjo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden (TV) ✅
* Makie Sasaki, Mahō Sensei Negima!
* Lika Izayoi, Mahōtsukai PreCure! ✅ ✅
* Mayura Daidōji, Matantei Loki Ragnarok
* Masako Natsume, Mawaru Penguindrum ✅
* Miss Monochrome, Miss Monochrome the Animation
* Mai Ichinose, Mitsuwano
* Tsubasa Hanekawa, Monogatari —series ✅ ✅ ✅
* Suzu, Nagasarete Airantō
* Yuzu Komiya, Nekogami Yaoyorozu
* Narrator, Nichijō ✅
* Yui Kanakura, Nisekoi ✅
* Tsurara and Setsura Oikawa, Nurarihyon no Mago
* Shiro, Nyanbo!
* Mizuho Miyanokōji, Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru
* Hōzuki, Otome Yōkai Zakuro
* Natsuko Honda, Ō-sama Game the Animation ("King's Game")
* Miyako Uehara, Paniponi Dash!
* Chie Satonaka, Persona 4
* Aun Freya, Photon
* Saren, Princess Connect! Re:Dive ✅ ✅
* Honey Kisaragi, Re: Cutey Honey ✅ ✅ ✅
* Felix Argyle, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu ✅
* Silvia Maruyama, Rikujō Bōei-tai Mao-chan
* Rokuna Hiiragi, Rokumon Tengai Mon Colle Knights
* Mihoko Fukigi, Saki ✅ ✅ ✅
* Ryūnosuke Akasaka, Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo ✅
* Yuya Shiina, Samurai Deeper Kyō
* Eri Sawachika, School Rumble
* Catherine Chapman, Sci-Fi Harry ✅
* Bi Ryū, Sengoku Collection
* Serena Cadenzavna Eve, Senki Zesshō Symphogear ✅ ✅
* Kosuri Onigashiri, Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai ("SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist")
* Takako, Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Prétear
* Tōka Kureha, Shining Tears X Wind
* Iris, Shironeko Project: Zero Chronicle
* Sakuya, Sister Princess
* Rio Takeuchi, Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna
* Shiro Usa, Sugar Bunnies
* Corina Solgente, Tales of Eternia
* HMX-12 Multi, To Heart ✅ ✅
* Aoi Misato, Tokyo Majin ✅
* Minori Kushieda, Toradora! ✅
* Ayu Tateishi, Ultra Maniac
* Urin, Umi Monogatari: Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto
* Maria Ushiromiya, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅ ✅
* Yūki Cross, Vampire Knight
* Gauche, Yume Ōkoku to Nemureru 100-nin no Ōji-sama: Short Stories
* Akane Akaza, Yuru Yuri ✅
* Siesta, Zero no Tsukaima
Commentary: Ms. Horie does a really magnificent job of making Kyōko Ikumi both cute and sympathetic, as her character is actively pining after Yasuko Sugimoto, the "lady prince" of the group. Her dynamic with Yasuko is really interesting, too, since Kyōko is forced into an arranged marriage with a boy she doesn't like; while, Yasuko was dumped by a male teacher, and thus, uses other people as a hurtle, to get over him. Kyōko comes off as unsympathetic at first, because she's obsessed with Yasuko and even cuts her hair to look more like her, but then it is revealed that Yasuko has a tendency to lead other people on and Kyōko is actually very dedicated and loyal, and not as obsessive as one might think.
Conclusively, Aoi Hana is a simple, teenage romance story... but the refinement and care taken into the small character nuances is something to write home about. The manga and anime are the best shōjo-ai stories that I've experienced, out of ※all of the ones that I've hungrily devoured over the years: it has a special place in my heart. The anime for "Aoi Hana" gets a 7/10, while the manga is a solid 8/10!
※Another really good shōjo-ai manga is "Lonely Wolf, Lonely Sheep" — Fūka Mizutani.
