Anohana, also known as "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day," is a tear-jerker anime that has received a lot of attention from people who don't usually watch anime, as well as celebrities. The story begins with the sudden appearance of a childhood friend who was supposed to have died, and there are many memorable scenes between the protagonists Jintan (Yadoumi Jinta) and Menma (Homma Meiko) that will make you laugh and cry. We'd like to introduce some of these memorable scenes featuring the pair!
Jintan and Menma's Famous Scene ①: A Summer Beast Appears
At the end of summer, Jintan Yadomi, who had become a virtual recluse after failing his high school entrance exams, suddenly appears before him. His childhood friend, Menma (aka Meiko Honma), who died in an accident five years prior, appears before him. Her presence is the embodiment of the stress and trauma he had been carrying, combined with the summer heat.
Though it's an illusion, it's realistic, interfering with his life in some way. From that day on, Jintan is forced to confront his past.
I think she wants her wish granted, right?
A vision of Menma suddenly appears. She's incredibly carefree, and inside, she's exactly the same as she was back then. Menma tells Jintan, "I think she wants your wish granted," but says she doesn't know what it is specifically. With that, Jintan has no way of granting it. However, it seems Menma's wish can only be granted by everyone. This is the beginning of a new chapter for Jintan, Menma, and everyone else, as time begins to move again.
Famous Jintan and Menma Scene 2: Anaru is Anaru
Menma appears as a grown-up, but the contents of his mind remain unchanged. One of the characters, "Anjou Naruko," is nicknamed "Anjou Naruko," or "Anaru" for short. It's a ridiculous nickname, but since it was a nickname given to them as children, they didn't understand the meaning of "Anaru." Menma, whose mind is still the same as it was back then, repeatedly calls out Anaru's name.
Let's make our wishes come true together
Menma calls Anaru Anaru, saying things like, "Let's make our wishes come true together, Anaruu!" Jintan tells her to stop calling Anaru that, but Menma, not knowing the true meaning of Anaru, simply says with affection, "Anaru is Anaru." Menma doesn't mean any harm, but this scene is enough to make you burst out laughing.
Jintan and Menma's Famous Scene 3: The Trauma of That Summer
Five years ago in the summer, the six members of the Super Peace Busters gathered at their secret base, playing games and other activities as usual. But then, out of nowhere, Anaru suddenly asks, "Jintan, you like Menma, don't you?" Jintan, embarrassed, replies, "Who said you were so ugly?" Menma just laughs awkwardly, but Jintan, embarrassed, runs home.
Everyone's Trauma
When Jintan returned home, Menma's smile at that moment stuck in his mind. He thought he could just apologize tomorrow. However, that tomorrow never came, and Menma died in an accident. Not being able to apologize to Menma, and the fact that he hadn't said those things back then, might have saved Menma. This remains a deep trauma for Jintan, one that hasn't faded even five years later. However, it becomes clear that everyone was indirectly involved in Menma's death, and that this trauma was not just for Jintan, but for everyone.
Jintan and Menma's Famous Scene ④: Shining Jintan
Menma has been suspicious of Jintan, who has been leaving the house early in the morning and returning late at night. Thinking that Jintan might have become a delinquent, Menma runs out the door. However, after overhearing Anaru's phone conversation with Poppo, she learns that Jintan is working a part-time job to fulfill Menma's wishes.
Cool Jintan
They set off fireworks and prayed to the gods to heal Jintan's mother. Menma had a hunch. He went to check out the construction site where Jintan works part-time. Seeing Jintan working there, Menma muttered, "So cool, shining bright Jintan," and pointed his light at him. This is a scene where Jintan is just so cool.
Famous Jintan and Menma Scene 5: Jintan Reminds Him of A Dog of Flanders
Jintan takes on more part-time jobs to fulfill Menma's wish, and collapses from overwork. Anaru worries about him, but Jintan doesn't stop. However, fulfilling Menma's wish would mean Menma disappearing.
Tears are flowing
When Jintan comes home, Menma offers to clean his fingernails and begins to remove the dirt with a toothpick. But he also wants to be with Menma. Only he can grant Menma's wish, and that's what Menma wants. But if his wish comes true, Menma will surely disappear. Thinking about this, tears well up in Jintan's eyes.
Menma Remembers Something
Jintan desperately tries to cover up the worried Menma by saying, "I was reminded of A Dog of Flanders," but it's a lame excuse. Seeing Jintan like that, Menma remembers something. It's about Jintan's mother, and also about her own wish. This scene touches on the heart of the work.
Famous Jintan and Menma Scene ⑥: Jintan's love is that he wants to marry her.
Everyone gathers at the secret base to make Menma's wish come true. There, Yukiatsu suggests recreating that day as entertainment. It's a sideshow that seems to be pushing Jintan into a corner, but it all comes to a head when Anaru asks, "You like Menma, don't you?" Jintan tells Menma he loves her and tries to run away, but Poppo says, "If you run away now, the same thing will happen to you, Jintan!" He stops. When Jintan stops and turns around, he sees Menma with a troubled smile on her face, crying and shedding tears.
Go to heaven
Afterwards, Menma also tells him, "I love Jintan too," and adds that she wants to marry him. If that's the case, then let's just stay like this forever... Jintan couldn't help but think that, but Menma told him that she hoped to be reborn and meet everyone again, and that she would rest in peace. She had overcome the trauma of that day, but her farewell to Menma was imminent. It was a heartwarming yet heartbreaking scene.
Anohana: A Compilation of Famous Scenes Featuring Menma and Jintan
Anohana is famous for being a tear-jerker, and the story and direction weaving together Jintan and Menma are truly moving. Of course, there are many touching scenes with the other Super Peace Busters, but the scenes with Jintan and Menma were the ones that really stuck with me! I think Anohana is a truly great anime!
