Anime Addiction: Anohana - The Flower We Saw That Day


Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai and is produced by A-1 Pictures and it is a eleven episode series which follows a group of friends who have drifted apart over time and how the ghost of one of their childhood companion, appears and they must help her move on to heaven, and in a way move on from her death themselves.

I started watching Anohana just out of sheer curiosity because this is not exactly a new premise, but I wanted to see an anime take it on. What followed was four hours of pure beauty, compassion, smiles and a lot of tears. I will be upfront about this show.

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day made me cry like little child. I started watching the show at eight in the night and while I did finish the series at around twelve, I didn’t go to sleep till two, because I was too busy being emotionally drained.

The premise is a very simple one, but the way the story itself unfolds is nothing short of magical. There is not one episode which felt as if it was just a throwaway. The story has this emotional center which is particularly evident in the more intimate scenes. The amazing part of the story is that, while it has romantic elements, it is not the romance that brings up the emotional centre. That is what makes it so much different form all the other films and series which are extremely emotional in nature.

The story is very much about saying things you want to say, and forgiveness and acceptance. It is only made better by all the amazing characters.

Many characters in a lot of anime have this unreal nature to them. They seem unrealistic in what they are feeling or doing. But here, the emotions that these characters feel and express are, putting aside the other-worldly intervention the most realistic I have seen. This is how you know we will feel in the situations the characters are presented with. Throughout the show you have this feeling of tranquility, but also one which is thick with unsaid words and emotions which, you can tell, are tearing the characters up inside.

Every character is relatable and loveable. There is no big bad evil guy; there are only real characters that haven’t come to terms with a lot of things in their lives. Everyone is relatable, if not at the beginning, at least as the show progresses. They are all tied together by the spirit of this girl, who wants to fulfill her wish so that she can move on. All the characters feelings are tied together by this little girl.

It also helps that the animation perfect. The way the present contrast with the past, and the way the characters are animated show what they feel, but not in a way it seems forced. The colors, the movement, the tears, everything seems so real and yet so fantastical.

This is one of the shows which you can show someone who asks why you watch anime, because they think it is something meant for kids. I challenge you to not get emotional in the last three episodes. If you have friends who you have drifted apart from, if you have unsaid feelings and if you have bottled up feelings which you chose not to acknowledge, this is the anime which represents it and addresses those feelings in the most beautiful way possible.

Another thing which made the emotions that much more powerful is the movie follow-up which is set one year after the series. The movie brings back all those emotions and then some for good effect. What I am trying to say is that this amazing piece of art will leave you an emotional mess. It did that to me, and I am not a very emotional guy.

Everything about the anime is moving and powerful; the music, the writing, the voice acting… pretty much everything. It may not be perfect in every sense of the word, but it is pretty darn close.

I give Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day a 9 out of 10

Be sure to check out this emotionally powerfully anime and also the movie sequel, in case you aren’t emotionally drained at the end of the anime. Until next time;


Peace!!!

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