Aoi Hana (Sweet Blue Flowers)
My first review will be of a recent yuri anime I watched, Aoi Hana.
I'm aware this is a longer manga, which i do plan to read someday, but for now I'm just reviewing the anime.
This anime is quite short as, unfortunately, most Yuri series are. It also doesn't cover the full plot of the manga.
The two main characters, Fumi and Akira, were childhood best friends until Fumi suddenly had to move away. The two girls promised to stay in touch but eventually lost contact anyway, left with only fond memories of each other.
Fumi eventually returns many years later, after being accepted to a prestigious all girls school, Fujigatani academy. It's then she meets back up with Akira after so long and the plot commences.
I found this anime very realistic, in a way few yuri aren't. Despite how it seems, Fumi and Akira are not the main couple in the show. In fact, they don't date at all. The main Yuri aspect of this is the love between Fumi, who is slowly realising she is a lesbian, and Yasuko, a very popular senior student. Yasuko is bold and drawn to Fumi immediately, and asks her out suddenly.
My favourite thing about this Yuri is how it handled Fumi. Fumi is a shy, sensitive girl. She cries often, and she cares deeply about those around her. She was in love with her female cousin and was distraught when she chose to wed a man. Her reaction to this felt real for a teenage girl, a mixture of shame and sadness, but not enough to want to trouble others. The same applies to her turmoil over trying to confess she's gay to Akira when she and Yasuko begin to date properly.
The animation is stunningly beautiful. The backgrounds have a rough and soft feeling. The whole show gives of a vibe of nostalgia and it couldn't be more fitting for a show so focused on Fumi and Akira's past.
I have read other reviews of this show, and the most common complaint seems to be that its too slow paced. This isn't a show about rushing into love, its about love creeping up unexpectedly and the effect this can have you. I also get the feeling that the manga would be a bit more satisfying to read, but I can't fault the anime for not being given enough episodes.
Overall this anime is extremely good and I would recommend it. Its not for someone who just wants so cute and sweet yuri to turn their brain off to, but it is a natural and realistic feeling show about being a young woman, complete with stunning animation.
