Watch Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is an emotional anime series that was first released in 2011. It tells the story of a group of childhood friends who are reunited years after the death of their friend, Meiko Honma, who they affectionately called Menma. The protagonist of the series is Jinta Yadomi, who has become a recluse and is haunted by the ghost of Menma. Menma's wish is to be granted a wish, but she can't remember what her wish was. Jinta vows to fulfill her wish, but he along with his friends, have grown further apart and their memories of Menma are hazy. The group has to bond together again and resolve their past issues to be able to grant Menma's wish and lay her spirit to rest.

The story is set in a rural Japanese town and captures the essence of traditional Japanese culture, which is reflected both in the visuals and the music. The animation is beautiful and the art style has a unique, pastel color scheme which gives the series a dreamy quality. The music is composed by REMEDIOS, and it has a very melancholic and emotional tone, which perfectly captures the mood of the series. The opening song, "Aoi Shiori" by Galileo Galilei, has a nostalgic melody and the accompanying animation creates a sense of longing for the past.

The series explores themes of loss, grief, love, and redemption, which are explored through the personal struggles of each character. Jinta is haunted by guilt over not being able to save Menma's life and has become a recluse who is unable to move forward. Poppo, who had always been the cheerful and carefree member of the group, has been traveling the world, searching for a sense of purpose. Anaru, who had always been jealous of Menma's relationship with Jinta, has become a fashionable and attractive high-schooler, but is still struggling to express her true feelings. Yukiatsu, who is plagued by an obsession with Menma, has become disillusioned and bitter. And finally, Tsuruko, who had always been quiet and reserved, harbors a secret which she is unable to express.

The characters are very relatable, and their struggles are rooted in realistic scenarios. The series also explores the dynamic of friendship and relationships, and how they change under different circumstances. The bond that the group shared as children seems to be irrevocably damaged by Menma's death, but the series shows how they are able to come together again and heal the wounds of the past.

The pacing of the series is very well done, it's not too slow and it's not too fast. The story unfolds at a steady pace, and the flashbacks are timed perfectly, which adds depth to each character's backstory. The writing is nuanced, with a lot of attention paid to the details, which creates a rich and immersive experience.

Overall, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a beautiful and emotional series that is a must-watch for anyone who loves anime. The story is very well-crafted and the characters are expertly developed, which makes it a very engaging watch. The art style and music, combined with the themes explored, make it an incredibly emotional and thought-provoking experience that will stay with you long after it's over.

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a series that ran for 1 seasons (20 episodes) between July 11, 2012 and on NIS