Ano Hana Episode 11

So.Much.Crying.

The final episode of Ano Hana, and it does not disappoint. Everyone from the Super Peace Busters finally let out all the feelings they have been bottling up inside. Anaru starts off with admitting that she only wanted Menma to go to heaven so that Jintan would stop thinking about her. Yukiatsu admits that, even after all these years, he still can't stop chasing after Menma. Finally, Tsuruko lashes out to Anaru that, rather than being jealous of Menma, she was jealous of Anaru as she believed that if Menma and Jintan ever got together, Anaru would have most likely hooked up with Yukiatsu. Poppo unleashes the final blow by stating that the only reason he's been traveling was to forget how useless he was when he saw Menma drown in the river. Elsewhere, Menma is slowly beginning to fade away.

She was such a cute kid.

Did not see that coming.

Not good.

So, looks like I was (thankfully) wrong about Poppo having a crush on Menma. Though, I really didn't expect Poppo, of all people, to be the one who witnessed Menma's death first-hand. Not that there's anything wrong with that, script-wise, as I enjoy being taken by surprise (as long as it doesn't involve my favorite character dying). After letting it all out, the group has somehow gotten closer and the mood is lightened up after Jintan points out that one of Anaru's fake eyelashes are peeling off. This little moment was handled really well and it didn't force itself too hard into the dramatic mood. It was also nice to see the group unconsciously slip to using each other's childhood nicknames again. With a new-found resolve, Jintan is sent to retrieve Menma so that they can finally say their farewells.

Yukiatsu laughing?! Didn't see that coming either.

They were all such cute kids.

Okay, now I don't hate Yukiatsu so much anymore.

Compare and contrast with the first cap.

When Jintan arrives, he finds Menma collapsed on the floor. It's here where we finally find out what Menma's true wish was: A promise to Jintan's mother to make her son cry. To let out his bottled up pains and emotions. Her wish was so simple, yet so sweet. Jintan, despite the fact that Menma finally had her wish fulfilled in seeing her closest friends in tears, still remains firm in his decision to allow the entire Super Peace Busters to properly say good-bye to Menma. When he meets up with his friends at the secret base, however, he can no longer see Menma (though he can still hear her).

Looking manly there, Yukiatsu.

What are these wet things coming out of my eyes?!

Menma tells Jintan that she's playing "Hide-and-Seek", so Jintan and the rest of the group leave the base in search of Menma. While they're away, she begins writing in her diary whilst tears fall from her eyes. The group continues to search for her, and finally find letters addressed to each of them underneath a tree. Each letter has Menma naming the qualities she loves about each of her friends. Jintan, unsatisfied, calls out to Menma that they haven't found her yet, so she shouldn't leave yet. Then, the entire group starts yelling "One more time!" (though for some reason, the subs place "Are you there?"). And, at last, the entire group can finally see her.

Dang it! I really wanted to ship these two together!

This scene was too cute.

Hold on  a sec...There's something in my eye.

What I really loved about the final scene with Menma was how everyone (but her) reverted back to children, which was both really cute and touching, in fact, I actually started to feel some wet substance coming out of my eyes at that moment...And don't get me started on when she finally disappears. Then, we get an epilouge of sorts where we see how everyone is doing. Jintan has started going to school again, Yukiatsu and Tsuruko are both on much better terms (and it's hinted that both couples may be cannon), and Poppo is finally catching up to his studies whilst working at the construction site at the same time. This episode was absolutely stupendous, and. if I could, I would give it a higher rating then 5:

Final Verdict:
This is definitely the show of the season. The storyline was excellent, and, though the anime had some issues with quality here and there, it was still pretty consistent and I've honestly seen worst, and I definitely look forward to the soundtrack's release. Though many thought that Hanasku Iroha  would give it tough competition for the top slice-of-life drama series, Ano Hana has definitely won me over. (Don't get me wrong, Hanasaku is an enjoyable series, it just isn't up to par with Ano Hana). And there aren't many series out there that can make me unconsciously cry out there (the only most recent ones being CLANNAD and Angel Beats!), so I applaud Ano Hana for this as well. This is definitely a series you do not want to miss.
It's final score is:

When did my roof start leaking?

Ano Hana Episode 9 and 10

This scene was amusing to watch.

As you may have noticed, instead of just doing a one-episode review, I've decided to lump episodes 9 and 10 together. Sadly, I had suffered from the laziness syndrome for a while, and before I knew it, episode 10 was already out. So...yeah...I'm still recovering, but worry not, I will fight this ailment and continue to diligently submit my reviews for my few readers out there! As a result, the reviews may also be briefer than normal...Some of you may have also noticed, but for some reason, the caps I took for episode 9 are mirrored, so please bare with it.
Episode 9:

Awkward.

 After Menma's existence is revealed to her other childhood friends (barring Jinta), she decides to bake some muffins as a sort of celebration. However, since Jinta is the only one that can see her, the rest of the group can only see a tray of muffins levitating mid-air. Yukiatsu continues to irk me with his drama that "Oh, Jinta didn't want to share Menma with us because he thinks he's better than us and blah blah blah". Before I have time to reach through my laptop's screen and wring his neck, the scene shifts back to Jinta's house, where we witness a heart warming scene between him and Menma.

Yukiatsu, please go die.

 Later, Yukiatsu decides to actually do something for Menma instead of just ranting about how Jinta gets to have her to himself. He asks and gains permission from Menma's father to create the dream fireworks from Menma's diary. Later, the group then sets out to get everything ready. Anaru and Yukiatsu have a chat away from the rest of the group (with the exception of Tusuruko, who happens to be eavesdropping on their conversation) and Yukiatsu brings up his offer to go out with Anaru again, believing that the two are kindred spirits since both have lost in their respective battles of love. Anaru rejects him again (ha!), and the two start to somewhat playfully bicker with one another. Afterwards, Jinta goes out and leaves Menma alone with Popo, only to finally realize that he doesn't want Menma to disappear.

It makes sense, and yet, it doesn't.

Noooooo, don't tell me... Menma, you player!

What you say is what you are.

Menma~

This episode gets:

Jinta's mom was so pretty~

Episode 10:
The fireworks near their completion, which means that Menma will be leaving soon...Jinta decides to invite Menma's parents as well, but Menma's mother still refuses to go. Satoshi, on the other hand, firmly states that he plans to see the fireworks, leaving his mother in tears. 

There's alot of crying in this episode.

Yukiatsu and Anaru continue to meet with each other despite their agreement to "not date". That evening, a "farewell party" is held for Menma who shows her appreciation via her diary. Yukiatsu then suggest that they recreate the day before Menma died, and surprisingly enough, even Popo goes along with it. This time, though, instead of denying his feelings and calling Menma "ugly", Jinta finally admits that he does like-like Menma. And instead of wearing an embarrassed smile, Menma cries in response.

I want this mug.

 After Jinta's "confession", Anaru starts crying on her way back from the secret base, Tsuruko in tow. It is also revealed that this entire time, Tsuruko has had a thing for Yukiatsu (despite his jerky personality and borderline creepy obsession over Menma, seriously, the only thing this guy has going for him are his looks and grades). Back to Jinta and Menma, the latter seems to have taken the confession extremely well. Jinta then finally tells Menma that he doesn't want her to disappear. Menma disagrees as she believes that she will be reborn once she gets to heaven. As much as I love this show, I strongly disagree with the whole "reborn" belief (probably because I'm a Christian), but anyway, either way, I'd still like to see these two somehow get together.

I knew it.

I don't care if she's dead, I'm still shipping these two together.

This guy needs a new hobby.

 The day that the fireworks will be set off arrives, and Jinta is having second thoughts about pushing through with it. Satoshi arrives and more crying ensues with Menma embracing her younger brother. Though Satoshi can't see her, he comments that he smells a "familiar scent" and possibly feels the added weight to his body. Afterwards, the fireworks are finally set off...And Menma's still there.

I'm liking Tsuruko's new look.

It's kind of sad that, if Menma were still alive, she'd only be a few inches taller than Satoshi. Pfffttt...Like I'm one to talk.

They don't really look like fireworks, but they are colorful.

This episode was heavy on the drama and angst, but that's what makes this show and its characters feel so real. The animation was also turned up a notch during the fireworks scene, especially when Menma started moving about when she realized that the plan had failed. The way she moved looked...so..lifelike, I guess? Well, you get the idea.

 This episode gets:

Ano Hana Episode 8

:c

So what have I thought of Ano Hana thus far?:
I believe that this is the best "Slice-of-Life" series that the Spring anime season has to offer thus far. The animation continues to be fluid and consistent, the characters feel real, and the soundtrack is pleasant to the ears. Ano Hi Mita Hana No Namae O Bokutachi Wa Mada Shiranai (literally meaning, "we still don't know the name of the flower we saw that day") stars five childhood friends who have drifted apart since the death of Meiko Honma (a.k.a., Menma)...Years have passed and the five are now of high school age. For some reason, Jinta has been revisited by the supposed deceased Menma and believes that she will be unable to leave until her "wish" is granted...


Episode 8:

Yeah, real subtle with those promotional posters there, A-1 Pictures...

This episode picks up from the last with the group visiting Menma's mom in an attempt to gain her permission to set up fireworks (which they believe may have something to do with Menma's wish). Menma's mom then suddenly lashes out at them in tears, asking why they were able to grow-up while her daughter could not. Alot of emotion and ANGST then ensues. The group leaves empty-handed and Yukiatsu being the hypocrite that he is suggests that they give up on fulfilling Menma's wish and accuses Jinta again of being too obsessed with her.

D'aaaaaaaaaaawwwwww

Now, this episode wasn't entirely angst-filled. There was a cute little moment between Menma and Jinta wherein Jinta starts to tear up at the thought of not seeing Menma again after her wish is granted. Menma misinterprets his tears over a show (or movie, since I've never heard of it) called "Dogs of Flanders" and attempts to cheer him up in an extremely adorable manner. There was also a rather pleasant scene between Jinta and his Dad when they go off to pay their respects for his deceased Mother and another scene in which Menma's little brother is properly introduced.

Pfffft....Jinta's face

HNNNNGH

The episode ends with another cliffhanger with Menma finally revealing her presence to the rest of the group (which I have been eagerly waiting her to do four episodes ago). In short, ALOT happened in this episode, all of which was executed well. Menma's big reveal didn't seem to forced and the characters continue to act and feel like real people. I'm also happy that even at this stage, the animation remains high-quality. The opening theme may also be one of my favorites for this season.

Why did it have to end here?!

I give this episode a rating of, out of 5:

Wow! My first episode review, and it already recieves the highest possible rating...But it certainly deserves it! ^-^