Review of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Ano Hana is a tale of love and loss that I will never forget. I have a case of prosopagnosia which causes a headache when you experience hundreds and hundreds of faces in anime not to mention real life. However, Ano Hana is one of the few shows where I can clearly remember and recall the name of each character. Regardless of my own feelings, Ano Hana decided it wanted to grab a spot in my heart and stay there for a while: Two years and running at the moment. Why has Ano Hana reached so many people and caught them like they have me?Well folks that is because this show knows how to link you to the characters. As mainly a drama, grabbing sympathy from the viewers is very important, and Ano Hana makes sure your tear ducts are ready to run at any moment. You are so deeply invested in the feelings of the characters that every individual action makes your heart ache.
However, on the reverse side it is obviously possible that you are very apathetic. Well, you might enjoy the suffering the characters experience, but there isn't much to look forward to in terms of plot. To be completely honest Ano Hana is extremely simple in terms of plot. After many years of trauma, Menma's ghost returns to haunt her group of childhood friends; although to be specific only really Jintan. The super peace busters disbanded after experiencing the lose of such a close friend, and the members all split up and lead their own separate lives. Of course, due to Memna's persuasion Jintan is slowly forced to reassemble the gang together, in addition to trying to put her to rest.
Each character has their certain regret about 'that day' that causes them to transform themselves into different people, and through reforging their bonds only will they heal themselves. In reality the idea is quite simple, but excellently executed. The characters feel like they could be real living people by acting like normal rational people. Jintan who once lead their group becomes a shut in after feeling extremely responsible for Menma's death. Anjou whom was insecure about her appearance starts hanging around with the pretty, although extremely rude, girls. Poppo escapes the town where Menma died by traveling around the world using work funds. He seems to hold a strange regret about that day, and sympathizes the most with Jintan seeing a ghost only he can see.
Overall, Ano Hana is a story of growing up with your past haunting you. At some time funny, at other times cute, but at most times sad Ano Hana is a roller coaster ride of emotions. Although I think most people should be able to relate Ano Hana it is after all a romantic, slice of life drama. I am pretty opinionated since I only give a 10 to my favorite 10 shows, but I believe that reviews are nothing but ones opinion in the end, yes? If anything I hope I have displayed what you should expect to get out of this show, and why many others like me love Ano Hana.