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(This is an edited version of the review I originally posted 12 weeks ago on Instagram. Also please note I have not played the original material for this show.)

Visual novels seem to be the only visual based material that works being made into a anime, but the downside is that the adaptation most of time cannot fully adapt everything that was in the visual novel. However, what if there was an anime that could mostly adapt if not all the major plot points, and do it well?

STR #24: Ef: A Tale of Memories

Story:

This one is a rather oddball. Instead of having one main story, it ... decides to focus on two love stories at once. This typical sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but this show wonderfully balances it out so well. The anime itself makes sure that each love story gets the right amount of time it needs to develop the characters and to have a real impact on the audience which can be credited to the cast of characters. Also, this story focuses a lot on the themes of memories and what they mean which makes the that much more compelling.

Characters:

While they can sometimes come off kind of predictable, the characters are what makes this anime be as great as it is. The drama the characters go through and present feels genuinely human. The audience feels the character's emotions of happiness, sadness, frustration, and joy throughout this entire show, and it really leaves an impact to make sure the audience will remember this show. But, if I did have one issue...it would be that sometimes the drama can get a little unbearable, but that rarely happened.

Animation:

This has got to the best part of this show. You can tell Shaft had fun animating this, adding in their distinct touches that give the show more of it's own style to separate it from all the other anime based on visual novels.

Music:

It's absolutely beautiful, especially the opening themes. Most the stuff they do use for background music in the show is kind of forgettable, but it fits very well and is actually pretty relaxing too.

Overall: 9/10

I highly recommend this anime, and it is definitely worth your time to watch it.

(This is an edited version of the review I originally posted on Instantgram on August 18, 2015.)

This is definitely one anime that lives up to it's reputation of being a "Tear Jerker"

STR #43: Anohana

Story-

I know you probably already have read the synopsis for this series, but if you haven't yet this is actually one series that going in not knowing anything is something I actually recommend. Besides that the story here is pretty great with a good amount of focus on "Show don't tell"...but sometimes they never really explain enough but thankfully they do later on into the series. But if I did have one ... complaint it is that this show starts off really well, but the middle section just feels like build up to the ending. Sure the show needs those episodes because they have the important character moments, but just kind of felt like watching nothing most of the time. However though for what the story is, it's perfectly fine for the 11 episodes, with the exception of the few problems I mentioned.
Also, the drama here is really great because of the character being great as well.

Characters-

Speaking of, the characters here are "those character roles" like there is the "Funny guy character", the "Serious Guy and Girl character", the "Headstrong male lead", etc. But they were characterized to be a bit more Dynamic which means they aren't entirely said stereotypes and can actually have great character moments of realization, but they never go through any kind of character development. Sure for a simple show like this the characters do not really need to develop and the character moments are good enough of a substitute for developing, but that just does not feel right to me in my own opinion.

Animation-

The art style is nice and so is the animation, but nothing really impressive. But I can at least say that animation is definitely one of better aspects of this show.

Music-

It's actually pretty absent which is strange, but also strangely fitting. When they do play background music I'm so focused on what is happening...that I kind of forget it is there sometimes. Which is okay because the music does perfectly fit with this show; I just don't know if I'm going to be able to remember it well like I can with some other anime. But, the ending song is something I will remember, it perfectly portrays the anime.

Overall: 9/10


This is something I highly recommend so go watch it when you can.