Post by Bytor on Aug 19, 2012 21:52:57 GMT -5
-Details-
Genre: Drama
Company: A-1 Pictures
Format: 11 episodes
Dates: 15 Apr 2011 – 24 Jun 2011
-Visuals- 9.0/10
The animation style varies a bit between typical anime and a more realistic representation, most noticeably in the character models. The backgrounds and scenery are all, for the most part well done, and show an especially nice use of contrast in the various color palettes. This is actually the high point of of the animation. The use of colors and movements in the nature scenes to evoke emotions and set the tone and mood for the show. Combine that with the music and you have a show which , while not necessarily an artistic masterpiece is, as the parts add up to a whole, a visual feast where the designs are spot on and are perfect for what the show is, a melodramatic, sometimes comedic thought provoking journey.
-Characters- 9.5/10
The fine line between stereotypes and individuals is actually seldom a fine line, however, here it most certainly is. While the various characters certainly fit their predefined roles, Jintan, the recluse, Anaru, the follower, Yukiatsu and Tsuruko, the popular kids and Poppo, the drop-out class clown, what really makes this series shine is how they are shown to be sociological facades, to a certain degree, of their true selves. It is said that culture influences our personality and our personality then influences our culture, Few shows bear fruit to this theory as much as this one. The gang were all friends when they were young but drifted apart after Menma met her death in a tragic accident. As they got older they drifted apart, and grew apart, and grew, but, as time shows, they are still deep down the same as they were when they were young kids. I loved the various ways they grew and developed. I felt their stories were told wonderfully and while certainly nothing new were told in such a way as to make me care, and that is the true genius in a good story, the ability of the story teller to make you care about the individuals and the story being told.
-Story- 9.5/10
As I stated earlier the show is essentially about a group of childhood friends who lose one of their own in an accident. After her death they drifted apart and for all intensive purposes ceased to have much of a friendship. Suddenly the ghost of Menma appears to Jintan and insists that in order to "pass on" she needs her last wish fulfilled. Unfortunately, no one, including Menma knows what her last wish is. She only knows that in order for it to be fulfilled all of the old friends must be reunited. The story which unfolds does so at a wonderful pace and in a really profound and emotional manner as we get to see the journey which brought each of the friends to were they are now in life and how they were changed and grew. What makes the story so good in my opinion is it's obvious they, to a certain extent, aren't even sure how or why they changed but as realization occurs they come to grips with both who they are now and who they were then. This is truly a wonderfully woven tale, with comedic points where needed, serious moments otherwise and just enough balance to show us that this is often how life unfolds.
-Overall- 9.4/10
Do not watch this is you want to laugh. Do not watch this if you are looking for tons of fanservice. Do not watch this is you are happy and in a carefree mood. Do, however, watch this is you want to see the gambit of human emotions and experience a well told and thought provoking tale which will make you laugh and cry and experience all of the emotions in between. It's not the absolute best thing I have ever seen but having somewhat experienced the drifting apart of childhood friends I could relate and even without this I still believe it's simply a well told story with some well fleshed out characters.
