Review of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Deaths have always been a tool used in anime to get the viewer to feel emotions without even trying. However, a way to prolong that sensation is to show how people cope with it. This in itself is not just sad, but very realistic.The trauma that goes with losing a loved one or friend is very tough to get rid of, and if you believe you have, you are either in denial or lying to yourself. With this concept in mind, here is my review of Anohana. Anohana is about a group of six friends called the Super Peace Busters who lost one of therememebers as children, Menma. As the remaining five grown older, they still struggle to forget the past and move on, ultimately splitting up. However, for the former leader of this group, Jintan, he can't seem to escape the pain of losing his childhood crush, especially being stockpiled on the fact his mother died around the same time causing Jintan to lock in his emotions and shut himself in from the outside world. The only problem is Menma materialized in his house and only he can see her...wait, what? Yes, she appears in his house as she would look if she grew up with everyone else, and has come back for a reason. Menma tell him she has one last wish, but can't remember. In his struggle to help her find it, he is forced to reunite with old friends and fights to get the others to believe his case. Just this scenario alone can have so many troubles, and I mean this in the best way possible. It is very dramatic, has no loose ends, and is a perfect story for this kind of show that is not only going for a tragic sense of loss, but for the heartwarming feeling when friends reunite.
The art is very nice, and very reminiscent or Toradora. The scenery is breathtaking, while the characters are less, but still very well designed. The characters are all very normal looking, but still have a style that sets them apart.
The soundtrack is kind of like a movie soundtrack. You don't really notice it, but it doesn't mean its not there. It blends so well, its quite remarkable how it moves with the story. Aside from that, the OP and ED is brilliant, and go with the show like chocolate and peanut butter. Other than that, the soundtrack is very nice.
The characters all have quite the personality, and each can be a favorite in their own way. They are all very lovable, and it adds a warmth to the show, but in the same breath they all have a desperation that adds intensity. Every character shows a different side you don't see coming, which is a breath of fresh air from so many one sided characters.
Overall, the show brilliant, but had one major problem that kept me from giving it a 10. It was a bit mello-dramatic. Lots of crying and yelling. In moderation this could've worked, but at some points it was a bit much. However, besides that the series is marvelous, and is a must see for drama seekers searching for a new way to be moved.