Review of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
What type of anime is AnoHana you might want to ask. I would answer like this: AnoHana is a breath of fresh air in the anime industry nowadays, a type of anime that is exactly what you think it is. It has no outstanding twist, complicated course of events, mind-blowing original concept or anything of that sort. It is a simple anime,that is wonderful in its modesty, and has an original concept that stands on its own and differentiates itself from the "Drama & Slice of Life" genre. How can such a simple anime breakthrough from the standard and deliver such strong emotions and have such powerfulimpact on viewers? First of all, AnoHana is special, it holds a dear place in my heart, not only because it made me cry throughout the entire story, but because it made me empathise with the characters, get attached to them. It makes you want to support them, to cry when they are sad, to smile when they are happy and makes you feel as if you are not only an outsider, a simple viewer, but as someone that actively takes part in the story.
This anime made me feel happy not from just watching the odyssey of the growth of adolescent youth, but feeling as if I myself was taking part of it,part of the "Super Peace Busters" group of friends.
~ Story~:
As metioned above,AnoHana doesn't have the most original plot, but it certainly adds something new and powerful, pretending to be quiet summer breeze but took the viewers by storm, unleashing its most efficient arsenal: the ability to make people think, to make people realise that the characters could be real people, the type of people you pass by on the street or wait for the train in the subway.
The anime skillfully manages to portray everyday humans confronting their deepest regrets and sorrows. The story guides you through the lives of the main characters and their inner confilicts that all connect to what happened in the past,when they were just normal kids that befriended each other and formed "a secret assemblage that will protect the world" named Super Peace Busters". Until one day a dispute emerges between the members of the group culminating with a tragic incident and the loss of the most beloved member, Menma-chan.
The death of Menma-chan has a domino effect, resulting in the drifting apart of the original members one by one. Interestingly enough the story oscillates between the past and the present, making the viewer feel as if they stand in front of a puzzle that needs to be solved, each scene being a piece that needs to be assembled so that it creates an entire scenery.
Score: 7
~ Art~:
The art of AnoHana comes through magnificently. The studios Aniplex (Baccano!, Darker than Black,Durarara!!), A-1 Pictures (Ookiku Furikabutte) and Fuji TV (Haibane Renmei ) combined their efforts resulting in this hidden gem.
Score: 8
~Sound~:
I find the sound very compelling,especially the ending, "Secret Base 秘密基地" sung by the all-female band Zone, I think it's one of the most profound yet heartaching songs I ever heard. It evokes feelings of nostalgia and longing fused with the fond memories of the childhood.
Score: 8
~Characters~:
The characters are for me the strongest element of the entire anime. They
are first introduced to the audience as a group of adolescents that were once best friends but lost personal contact over time. At first glance they seem living a normal life with no hardships or worries, but at a more closer look their carefree masks begins to crack,revealing feelings of remorse and repentance.
The hikikomori Jinta, once the leader of the group and the most popular kid. The frivolius Anaru, once the shy and timid girl with glasses and also an otaku. The smart, model-student, good-looking Yukiatsu that also crossdresses in secret, once the only kid that would contradict the leader. The quiet, calm and collected Tsuruko that remained unchanged.
The small but spirited and whimsical, Poppo, that grew up bigger than expected but other than that remained the same, and finally Menma-chan that other than growing up physically even as a ghost, remains the same cheerful girl showing a bright wide simle on her face regardless of her inner sorrows.
It was pure delight to observe their metamorphosis throughout the series.
Score: 8
~Enjoyment~:
I think that by now the reader of this review already noticed my affinity for this series.I can say this, however: I was shaken by this anime, moved to tears in a way that no anime did through such a subtle and simple,yet refined and powerful way until now. I believe this anime will stay with me long after I watched it.
Score: 8
Overall: 8