Anohana (Final Thoughts)

Title: あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない | Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai | lit. We still don't know the name of the flower we saw that day
Animation production: A-1 Pictures

Episodes: 11

Released: Apr. 2011

Genre: Drama

Opening theme song: "Aoi Shiori" by Galileo Galilei

Ending theme song: "secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~ (10 years after ver.)" by Ai Kayano, Haruka Tomatsu, and Saori Hayami
Official Site 

Plot: A group of childhood friends drifts apart after one of them, Meiko "Menma" Honma, dies in an accident. Years later, the leader of the group, Jinta Yadomi, has become withdrawn and lives as a recluse. An older Meiko appears to him, and says that she must have a wish granted, though she does not know what it is. (source: MAL, AniDB)

Final thoughts: I liked that this show doesn't waste anytime in developing the story. And, it sticks to the main plot and it keeps moving forward without getting side tracked. However, it shows how these five main characters were all affected by the loss of their friend, Menma. For instant, Jintan use to be outgoing and was viewed as a leader among his friends. But after Memma's accident, he became isolated from everyone else and completely loses his confidence. Another member that was affected by the loss of their friend was Anaru, who forces herself to be socially accepted by others which leads her to become even more unhappy about the things that she really doesn't want to do. Finally, Yukiastu who on the outside seems to be a perfect honor student, but on the inside he has developed a complex when dealing with the loss of Menma. Then, it shows some of their flashbacks of their own childhood memories with Menma and how their past lead up to their current lives.

But overall, this anime is an overly emotional drama. However, it did do a good job at portraying human emotions for these characters, which feels very real. And, if you're into a tear-jerking anime, then this is recommended.