Apr 7, 2016
First review, pardon me.
This long named series- AnoHana, for short, is a gem. Some of you may think that it's too dramatic and over the top, and some would think that the story doen't need one of its characters in it because she's too annoying or whatever. For my case however, AnoHana deserves the 10/10 rating, and is currently my personal favorite. Why?
The story is about a group of friends, known each other since childhood, yet drifted apart after the death of Meiko Honma (Menma), the liveliest of the bunch, who also seemed to be the glue that binds the group. With her early death,
...
and a wish left unfulfilled, Menma's spirit goes back to Earth, specifically, in Jinta Yadomi (Jintan)'s home. Along the time this happened, all five of the remaining "Super Peace Busters" appeared to have changed... or have they? This story is a unique telling of closure and of rekindling. How the anime executes this story is wonderful, specially putting pieces of the story in their right places, not too early or not too delayed as to entertain the viewer as well. This series is tagged as a drama, and no good drama can exist without shedding a tear or two. AnoHana executes these tears masterfully, as I never thought that an 11 episode series would make me so emotionally engaged.
For the characters, it's hard to hate any of them because you'll see them grow throughout the series. They might do something in the show that will make you hate them, but hang on. This is how they develop. Personally, I would have loved to see more story for two of the characters (Poppo and Tsuruko) since they didn't get that much attention compared to the other four, but that's just my opinion.
Finally, the other aspects. First, the music. The OP is a good mood starter tune for the viewer to get into the story. The OST overall provides the feels atmosphere that the series wants the viewer to feel. From the sad dramatic moments to the little cheery moments, the BGM complements it perfectly. Coming off as the cherry on top is the ED. It might not have been an original, but the way the female seiyuus deliver the song, and by how the song begins during a cliffhanger-ish revelation moment, it really sets up the mood, and occasionally the tears. For the others, the art is amazing. The backrounds are beautifully done too. The visuals are pleasant for the eyes: not too catchy, not too dull.
Overall, this is an ideal anime for the ones who like to experience an emotional rollercoaster ride and for those who want to see how fiction deals with grief and closure. For me, this is the anime that I will cherish my entire life. It really relates to my life so much, but not literally, only as a metaphor. Life isn't always about the cheery moments you experience, but is also the sadness within. We will lose someone important to us one day. How will we deal with it? Not that this anime will answer that question, but as you venture through the experiences of the Super Peace Busters, you're in for a touching ride.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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