Review of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Lots of people have already given this series a lot of attention, so I'll try to keep it short. Story:6/10 I get what they were trying to go for as far as the story goes. But the way it's presented makes it seem like we are already supposed to feel sad just because the writer said so. A lot of moments in the story feel shoe horned in and come across as a little full of themselves. Like the fact that everybody loved Meiko and they just can't get over her or the fact that they all need some epic emotional moment to finally "let go".Other parts just make no sense like how Meiko stuck around for 10 years and NOW decided to finally fulfill her last request in order to move on. The story itself had a lot of potential but instead it was shoved down the audiences throats with very little explanation and charged with expected emotions.
Art:7/10 The art is good for the most part. No real complaints there.
Sound:7/10 Had some good tracks and that ending track though overused fits the anime as a signature song.
Characters:4/10 For the most part badly written and shallow characters that seem to have one dimension and a penchant for melodrama.
Enjoyment:5/10 It was all right I guess. The whole concept of "ghost girl comes back to finish unresolved business" is for the most part interesting. Has some sad moments that get downplayed by how out there and overly dramatic they are portrayed but at least it tries to get the audience emotionally involved.
Overall:6/10 Had some ambitious ideas about loss and unresolved feelings. Could have been a lot better if it would have been more subtle and tried to keep one tone throughout. Trying to mix comedy in does it a disservice and I guess it could have gotten away with if it handled it better. One character even comments how Meiko's interactions seem like "watching a one man show". If the show is going to present such heavy themes then at least it could have taken itself a bit more seriously or found more opportune and subtle moments to be silly. I had high hopes for this anime going in. I had heard the praise it had gotten from those that watched it But it was too on the nose for my tastes. It's not bad per sé, but it can certainly be a lot better. The concept is interesting enough. But overall I would call it an ok show. It may also be a bit overrated but it does handle heavy themes for it's credit. I just wished it would have handled them better, it had a lot of potential.