Alternative Title: Ano Hana
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 11
Plot (wikipedia):
A group of six childhood friends drift apart after one of them, Meiko “Menma” Honma, dies in an accident. Ten years after the incident, the leader of the group, Jinta Yadomi, has withdrawn from society and lives as a recluse. One summer day, the ghost of an older looking Menma appears before him and asks to have a wish granted, reasoning that she cannot pass on into the afterlife until it is fulfilled. Since Menma does not remember what her wish is, Jinta gathers his estranged friends together once again, believing that they are the key to resolving this problem. However, hidden feelings, internal conflicts, and lingering feelings of bitterness from Menma’s parents result in complications for the group as they struggle to help not only Menma move on, but themselves as well.
I Say…
The feeling is somehow similar to Honey and Clover, funny and sad at the same time. You just can’t help it. Ano Hana is very short yet it etched a big time in my memory. There’s no such thing as forever because there’s “change”… and change can’t be helped at all. It’s part of life.
Just like for the troupe Super Peace Busters… life used to be so simple. One single tragedy changed them all forever.
I don’t know whether to classify Menma as a ghost or just Jinta’s hallucination. Hallucinations don’t write on diary pages or cook steamed bread, right? Poltergeist perhaps? Nah. Let’s leave it for you to be excited about.
Soundtrack is good as well, adding more feeling to the series. Galileo Galilee is a bit Suneohair-ish… that’s why I always get reminded of Honey and Clover. The ending theme Secret Base, is like the song of all songs for Ano Hana… a very strong theme that says it all.
All in all, it was worth the watch. One way or another it will make you remember some childhood memories too.
The Daydream Believer Show 