It was well past midnight when the tenth episode of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day ended, and discussions quickly erupted online:
"What was the Main Character's true wish?"
"Could it be that there was no wish to fulfill in the first place, and she was destined to disappear at the appointed time?"
"I have a feeling Menma's wish has already come true."
"Maybe the Main Character's real wish was to restore everyone's relationships to how they were before? By making the fireworks together, their surface-level relationships seemed to recover. That's why it looked like she was about to disappear. But later, we see that their reconciliation was only superficial; they all still have their own thoughts. So why couldn't she ascend to heaven after the fireworks?"
"Is it possible... that Menma won't disappear in the end, and will stay with Jinta forever?"
"No way, no way. After all, the fact that Menma could remain a ghost until the final episode is already Old Thief Lin's greatest act of mercy. He wouldn't pull a comedic ending where she stays with Jinta."
"If Lin Zhiyan wasn't the Supervising Director and Takagi Makoto had just written the script, maybe that could have happened. But that's just speculation. If Lin Zhiyan didn't go for a heartbreaking ending, people wouldn't call him Old Thief Lin."
The fireworks soared into the sky, yet the Main Character didn't ascend to Buddhahood or vanish. This point remains a topic of much discussion.
Many are also speculating about the plot of the final episode:
"I feel like everyone has their own hidden thoughts right now. In the next episode, they'll probably gather again and clear the air. That's when Menma might finally disappear."
"Maybe it's because they never properly said goodbye? Perhaps the Main Character will only vanish after the farewell in the final episode."
"Their true wish definitely wasn't just to make fireworks together and watch them explode. But through the process of making and setting off fireworks together, Menma's wish should have been fulfilled. She didn't vanish immediately, so she must have some lingering attachment. The final episode will definitely reveal her true wish, and we'll probably find out what the Main Character's lingering attachment is too."
"No matter what, the final episode is bound to be heartbreaking. I'm almost afraid to watch it."
"I'm too sensitive. I cried during every episode leading up to this. If the Main Character really ascends to Buddhahood and leaves everyone in the final episode, I'll probably cry my eyes out."
"Ascending to Buddhahood is definitely possible. It just depends on how they wrap it up in the final episode."
In truth, while Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day features plenty of heartbreaking and stomach-churning moments in its first ten episodes, it's not as devastating as some might claim.
There are indeed some tear-jerking scenes, but for anyone who's been through the wringer with other tearjerkers, they probably wouldn't shed a single tear.
However, Anohana aired during Fuji Television's Noitamina slot, whose original audience is predominantly female, and many of them don't typically watch anime.
This demographic generally has a lower threshold for tears, so it's hardly surprising they'd find the first ten episodes heartbreaking and cry. Statements like "I cried during every episode" are just slight exaggerations.
That said, not everyone watching Anohana was part of the original Noitamina audience. Many viewers who wouldn't normally watch Noitamina shows tuned in purely for Lin Zhiyan's reputation.
A significant portion of this group had followed his previous works, such as Death Note, Lelouch, Gurren Lagann, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
Having endured so much emotional abuse through the years, they had developed a high tolerance for it.
Having weathered the "Lolo's Death" and "Zero Requiem" from Lelouch and Code Geass, their tear ducts had become less sensitive. They weren't easily moved to tears.
As a result, after watching the first ten episodes of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, most people simply felt: "It brought back my childhood," "A bit depressing, a bit stomach-churning, but also moving," "The emotional portrayal is delicate and excellent." No one found the animation particularly heartbreaking or tear-jerking. Some even boasted:
"Heartbreaking? It's nothing. What's Anohana compared to the real deal? When I watched Lelouch and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, those were the ones that really broke my heart."
"If we're talking about depressing, Madoka Magica is still way more depressing. Now Anohana is the standard for 'depressing,' but it's nowhere near as bad as that."
"Finished the first ten episodes and I'm feeling fine. Only the last episode left, bring it on."
"I agree, I don't find Anohana all that heartbreaking. I can understand why some people cry, though. For me, I didn't shed a single tear through the first ten episodes."
"It's hard to explain. The animation really focuses on delicate emotional portrayal and taps into childhood memories, creating a strong sense of empathy. That's what gives it that slightly heartbreaking and depressing feel. Looking at the plot alone, it's not really that heartbreaking or depressing. Some parts are moving, but it's not exactly tear-jerking."
"The final episode could have been more intense."
"Bring it on! If the last episode can make me cry, then I'll consider Anohana another masterpiece, right up there with Death Note, Lelouch, Gurren Lagann, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Otherwise, it's just a well-crafted, popular work with delicate emotional writing—a good piece, but not truly outstanding."
Although Lin Zhiyan had only posted once online after the first episode of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day aired, he still closely followed the discussions.
He found it absurd that some people were clamoring, "Let the storm rage even more fiercely!"
The Ronin Who Started from Douluo
He had never seen such an absurd request.
He even considered replying "At your command" in the comments section, but restrained himself.
After much deliberation, he finally posted on the web:
"I've seen some friends say that Anohana isn't sad enough or tear-jerking enough, and I agree. However, the scriptwriter for this animation is Takagi Makoto, not Lin Zhiyan. If I, Lin Zhiyan, had been the scriptwriter, I would have definitely made the animation more tragic and tear-jerking to satisfy everyone's demands.
As it is, I can only say I've done my best. If you want a more tragic and tear-jerking animation, I'll definitely deliver when I personally write the script in the future.
The real focus of Anohana isn't on tragedy or tears, but on recapturing the emotional resonance of childhood. The final episode next week should continue to move you as usual. Please continue to support us then. Thank you."
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 15+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon