Wow. I am still speechless. This was an amazing ride, and somehow in only 11 episodes. I wish there was more. But that ending was so perfect, how could I hope to change that?

This was actually my first time watching an anime series. I’ve been an anime fan from an outsider’s perspective for a while but about a year ago I finally decided to buy some manga and get into reading a series. Manga is generally more convenient time-wise for me, but I had some time off during the holidays so I decided to download Crunchyroll and give Anohana a shot. I think I found it through a search on anime similar to Kimi no Na wa (My favorite movie which I just watched last March). So I’ve known about it for some time. 11 episodes went by way to fast, but I paced myself and watched 1 or 2 episodes a day. I looked forward to it every night for a good week haha.

Everything about this anime is just so real and down to earth. It immediately brought me in with very interesting yet relatable characters situations. The way the plot brings these old friends together is just a work of mastery. Seemingly, it starts with helping grant a wish, but what Menma’s presence did was far more than helping her get to heaven. It brought about a meaningful growth in each character. Everyone is a changed person by the end. This story does a really good job of highlighting inner struggles and what they can do to someone. Everybody had something they needed to let out but that couldn’t happen until everyone was brought together by the desire to help Menma. But in reality, they all helped each other. The breakdown at the shrine scene really just brought everything together. All the characters finally let it all out and everything was revealed. It showed how they had truly been brought back together. Overall watching Anohana has been a really eye opening experience that made me really value certain aspects of life. All the same the relatable, everyday life feel of it made it a really serene experience at times.

The ending was extremely well done. What was presented was the best goodbye any of the characters could have asked for. The presentation of the letters beneath the tree was really beautiful and heartwarming. And, after everything, everyone could finally see Menma one last time.

I’d really like to give props to the theme song Aoi Shiori. Galileo Galilei has a really amazing and unique sound to them that just makes me feel really relaxed and at peace. Anohana did just that while still expressing just the right amount of emotion and melancholy that fitted perfectly with the anime. I actually discovered this song way before I watched Anohana and it quickly went on my playlist. It gives me this really peaceful and nostalgic feeling. Definitely my favorite OST of the series (though the other two were great as well).

Anyway, I just though I’d share my experience with this amazing anime. I know it’s been almost 10 years since it was released but I’m just really glad I finally got to watching it. I think it was the perfect thing to kickstart my 2020.

Its been two days by the time I'm posting this, and I still can't stop thinking about it. I enjoyed it so much and really want to analyze it more that I think I might right my first MAL review on it. Wish me luck.