Review of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

This series translates as "We still don't know the name of the flower we saw that day" but for simplicity I will call it "Ano Hana" (That flower). This series is a supernatural/psychological genre anime with hints of romance and slice-of-life. The music and art are very pretty, the story is original enough for my tastes, and the surprisingly realistic characters are developed quite well given that "Ano Hana" has only eleven episodes. There are many fascinating psychological themes, and the show, at heart, is really about moving past one's trauma. The only reason I don't consider this a masterpiece is simply the scope ofthe story. It's not an epic, or an adventure; for better or worse, it's largely about real life (plus a little supernatural). If there's anything "wrong" with "Ano Hana", it's the fact that it can make a grown man cry. This series is one of the most tear-jerking shows in anime history, but there are both tears of sadness and tears of joy. This one isn't as dark as you might think it would be with the story's main premise. So give a whirl and see if you like it!

What I love most about "Ano Hana" is how it accurately portrays some elements of some mental illnesses. I know because I have several. One character exhibits traits of Major Depressive order during the first half of the series. Another character is almost obsessive enough to be called psychotic. A third character exhibits some signs of PTSD. Even outside of mental illness, anyone who has suffered a sudden and tragic loss may empathize with the idea of seeing "ghosts", whether it appears as a person, a place, or a past event. People like myself with Dissociative Disorders can also empathize with the identity confusion shown by one or two of the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this show and greatly respect its creators.