Review of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Oh man. When I thought I was dwelling too much on stress from college life, thinking dark and depressing thoughts all day long... Marathoned episodes 2 through 11 in one sitting and many tears. AnoHana is an anime to teach you something -- especially the sorrow and pain one endures after losing a beloved one. Watching this group of friends, separated after a tragedy some years ago, come back together and try to fulfill their friend's wish -- it saddened, heartened, impacted me. Watching AnoHana, you gotta wonder and be amazed at the sheer difference in emotive density between Western and Japanese TV shows, betweennon-anime and anime; for anime is so emotionally filled at times, and truly delves into deep and poignant topics that shows like Spongebob or Family Guy can never imitate. For only 11 episodes, AnoHana has heart.

I give AnoHana 9s in every category except character, which completely and utterly gets a 10. I haven't lost a loved one yet, so I can't truly empathize with these characters -- but seeing what they go through surely gives me, and anyone watching this series, a glimpse into what the experience is like. AnoHana raises the question of how much one should linger on thoughts of the deceased -- whether to think about him or her every day and lose one's sense of the present, or try to forget? Part of the main reason why we human beings find reason to continue living in this world is our relationships with others, with our friends and family. When does one move on?

I've seen other works by A-1 Pictures, but this one comparatively had great animation. Very fresh (thanks kissanime.to), good lighting, almost photograph-like illustration, quality of characters' faces -- these friends definitely look distinct, whereas in Sword Art Online or Fairy Tail you feel like there are some facial archetypes going around. Maybe it's because I've been watching One Piece pre-new animation style recently, but still, AnoHana is very well animated.

The sound, in particular that cascading piano, only adds to the tears. SO SAD. I haven't cried this much since perhaps Clannad.

I mentioned episodes 2 through 11. After episode 1, which set the premise, I wasn't too excited to continue watching, and besides I had other massive shonen to watch -- but after episode 2, the rest just sort of happened. Now it's 3:37 am and I'm still awake, writing this review, eyes still moist. There are quite a few excellent anime that start slowly, like Durarara!! and Steins;Gate and Bleach. Bleach and Naruto didn't get exciting until after 15 episodes or so. Don't be dismayed by any lack of action. This is not a shonen, according to MAL it's drama, slice of life, and supernatural. Rather than get your blood circulating or pumping, AnoHana gets the water flowing from your eyes. Total score, 9.2 out of 10.