Review of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (The Flower which we saw that day, whose name we still don't know) is about a group of childhood friends who have drifted apart after the death of a member in their group. But, one day, Yadomi Jinta (or Jintan, as he was known when they were younger), is visited by the ghost of Menma... the childhood friend who passed away. She asks him to fulfill his wish, which she cannot remember. Yadomi, who is know a shut-in who spends all his time eating and playing video games, sees himself reaching out to thegroup once more.

Story - I'll give this a 9/10 for the simple reason that the story was great! The pacing was good, and since the show only ran for eleven episodes, I actually found myself wanting more. The show was adamant with bittersweet, funny, and downright tear jerking moments -- and what's good is that all these were woven together so nicely that you are not overwhelmed with just one raging emotion. For me, a good show is one that gets you tearful, and then smiling at the next.

Art - The art was smooth and clean. The character designs are superb, and you can really see the effort they put in showing the individual characteristics of each one. The reason I didn't give it a perfect score is that there are some frames that just get me asking... "Uhm, why?" -- It's a pet peeve, but there are some things that just make me raise an eyebrow. For example, there were times when the edges of Yadomi's hair are round and curvy, instead of being sharp as it should be! It was so strange to look at.

Sound - The music was superb. Period.

Characters - This was one of the aspects of the show that really made it stronger. Along with the story, this made the show was it is. Watching the characters grow as we learn about their inner troubles was what kept the whole series going. We learn about their jealousy, resentment, guilty, love, and so much more.

Enjoyment - It was enjoyable. 'Nuff said.

Overall - I give it a 9, just because it was near to perfect.