Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai Review

One of the biggest shows from the Spring 2011 lineup is Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shriranai (We Still Don't Know the Name of the Flower We Saw that Day). With so much hype behind this series, did it leave a lasting impression or was it just another over hyped show?

What is it: AnoHana is an anime about 5 teens still trying to deal with the death of one of their friends. 11 episodes were produced by A-1 Pictures under the helm of Tatsuyuki Nagai as director. Tatsuyuki Nagai has directed some noteworthy anime such as Toradora! and Honey and Clover II. With such an acclaimed director, it is no wonder AnoHana had such big hype.

Main Plot: A group of 5 teens who were childhood friends, but have drifted apart, are soon reunited after finding out one of them has been seeing the ghost of their dead friend. Thus begins their adventure finding out all suffer from their past and hold many regrets. In hopes of resolving their regrets each agrees in trying to help send their friend's ghost to heaven.


Why it's special: This show had much hype because of its director. Yet that alone did not make it a reason to being one of the standout series of Spring 2011. Top notch animation and high production value with an intriguing story set up what could have been another great show.

Plus One:
The cast size: Once again another show with a smaller cast. Perhaps some may prefer shows with larger casts but having smaller means that I can get to know the characters better. It gives more time for development and progress. 

The story: What could have been another run-of-the-mill story about a friend seeing the ghost of his dead friend actually turned out better than expected. It portrays just how difficult it is for people to get over the death of a loved one, even for children. 

The reality of it all: With such a depressing topic AnoHana still manages to put in happy moments, which make it even more bittersweet. Characters react in a natural way to situations, even though it can be what is viewed as the wrong choice.

The youths: I would have loved to seen more of this. Perhaps had the kids been shown in their younger selves it would have had an even bigger impact when seeing them older with their problems. In the brief moments we get to see the younger versions, we see just how close they are all together yet with problems already. 

Minus One:
The characters: Oh how whinny these people are, sure they have problems but they are drowning themselves in their own sorrow. What first seems like helpfulness to send their friend to heaven turns out to be due to selfish reasons. Also not all characters are fully explained and are given rushed explanations towards the end.

The length: AnoHana is only an 11 episode show, far too short for a series with bigger ambitions. What is set up to have great depth and suffers later on because of not enough time. Not only did the ending feel rushed but also as if there was supposed to be something greater in store.

One for all:
What could have been a great show suffers mainly because of how short it is. When the group set out to fulfill Menma's wish, it fails but shortly after it is granted yet really doesn't make too much sense. What could have been developed with a second season is rushed because of the length. Despite the shortcomings of the ending, this show really envelops the viewer with all its melancholy.