April Showers Bring May Flowers Anime Series Review
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April Showers Bring May Flowers: An Anime Review
Synopsis
Hana Tabata is a high school student who believes she is ugly and unworthy of attention. She prefers to keep to herself, spending her time tending the school's flower beds and staying quiet in class. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when Ueno, the most popular boy in school, discovers that she is the one responsible for the fresh flowers that appear in their classroom every day. Intrigued by Hana, Ueno starts talking to her, which in turn brings her more attention from her classmates. The series explores whether this newfound attention will allow Hana to finally blossom and overcome her insecurities.
Realistic Character Development
One of the most significant strengths of April Showers Bring May Flowers is its realistic portrayal of its characters. Unlike many high school romance stories that tend to idealize certain characters, this series avoids creating larger-than-life figures. Every character is presented as a human being with their own flaws, insecurities, and personal struggles. The way others perceive them often differs from who they truly are inside. This emphasis on character development enhances the story, leading to more meaningful interactions and a satisfying narrative arc within the constraints of a thirteen-episode series.
The Main Protagonists: Hana and Ueno
The primary protagonists, Hana Tabata and Yosuke Ueno, are well-developed characters. Hana, unlike some other characters in similar stories, has not experienced overt bullying, but subtle yet persistent aggressions have instilled in her a deep sense of self-consciousness. She believes she is ugly and strange, leading her to try and remain invisible at school. Her involvement in the beautification committee, where she tends to flower beds and provides fresh flowers for the classroom, is a way for her to stay out of the spotlight. Her philosophy is that if she avoids attention, she will make everyone around her happier. However, this changes when Ueno discovers her secret and becomes fascinated by her.
Ueno, on the other hand, is drawn to Hana's quiet nature and her interactions with others in the class and committee. He is attracted to her from the beginning, although he is not fully aware of his feelings. Hana, however, is in denial about the possibility that Ueno might like her, as she doesn't believe she deserves his attention.
Sumire: The "Perfect Popular Girl"
Adding to the dynamic is Sumire, the epitome of the "perfect popular girl." However, this image is deliberately cultivated by Sumire, who believes that her physical beauty is a tool that will grant her whatever she desires. She acts like an angel to enhance her appeal. Sumire's shallowness contrasts with Ueno's unawareness of his own good looks. Ueno is not defined by his appearance; he is anxious and nervous, and his looks are not central to his identity. This contrast is further highlighted in their interactions with Hana. Sumire uses Hana to get closer to Ueno, while Ueno genuinely tries to be a good friend to her, attempting to convince her that he truly likes her.
Ueno serves as a middle ground between the extremes represented by Hana and Sumire, creating a compelling dynamic that drives much of the story.
Painfully Real Moments
The series also features moments that resonate with real-life experiences, enhancing its emotional impact. One such example is Hana's mother, Mrs. Tabata. Mrs. Tabata is eager for her daughter to have a romantic interest and is not shy about expressing this desire in public. During a visit to the restaurant where Ueno works, Mrs. Tabata immediately notices Ueno's interest in Hana and another classmate, Tetsuo, and switches into "Embarrassing Mom Mode." While the boys are relatively unfazed, Hana is mortified, comparing it to the social awkwardness of having her mother loudly inquire about personal hygiene products in public.
Hana cannot see that her mother does not view her as too unattractive to date or unworthy of attention from popular boys. She only perceives her mother's actions as embarrassing. This moment is relatable and emphasizes the depth of Hana's insecurities in a believable and recognizable way.
Character Development Beyond Tropes
April Showers Bring May Flowers dedicates significant effort to developing its characters beyond typical tropes. Even Shimbashi, the classmate who tries to reinvent himself as "cool" but ends up being "annoying," receives considerable screen time. His internal monologues reveal that he is largely convincing himself of his fresh start. While the audience is meant to find his lack of self-awareness amusing, the more important point is that change is deliberate and internal. Shimbashi believes in his appeal because he wants to, and he makes changes that make him feel better about himself.
Sumire, again, stands as his direct opposite, as her changes are tied to external validation rather than internal feelings. Hana and Ueno, on the other hand, work through their issues internally, even during the confession scenes in the final episode. They struggle to accept that someone could like them because they are not comfortable with themselves. Their personal growth is internal until they feel safe enough to let someone else in.
Pacing and Introspection
The deliberate pacing of the romance plot allows ample room for character introspection. This often occurs during typical high school romance settings, such as the school festival or a summer cookout. Small details help to highlight each character's personality and struggles. For example, when Hana hides in a bathroom stall, she leaves the toilet lid up, while Sumire and another character, Saya, sit on a closed lid. This detail indicates their awareness of and care for appearances, contrasting with Hana's belief that she is too unsightly for it to matter.
Art and Animation Quality
While the character development and story are strong, the art and animation quality sometimes falters. There are instances of off-model faces and stiff movements, particularly in later episodes. Additionally, inconsistencies arise with the characters' seating arrangements, with seat changes being introduced, forgotten, and then reintroduced over several episodes.
Subtitle Issues
The subtitles provided by Amazon also present some issues. On-screen text is not translated, which is problematic when explanations are written out or when text messages are used for communication. Viewers who do not read Japanese will have to guess who is communicating and what they are saying. Additionally, instances of "/N" appear at the end of some subtitled dialogue.
Overall Impression
Despite its visual and subtitle issues, April Showers Bring May Flowers is a sweet and engaging series. It explores themes of self-acceptance and personal growth as characters navigate the challenges of adolescence. The juxtaposition of characters works effectively, and the story balances elements of romance fiction with relatable aspects of being a teenager. While some moments can be difficult to watch due to their realism, the series is ultimately rewarding and worth watching with the official English subtitles.
Grade
- Overall (sub): B
- Story: B+
- Animation: C+
- Art: B-
- Music: B
Pros:
- Excellent character development for all main characters
- Sweet and heartwarming story
- Balances fictional romance with realistic aspects of teenage life
Cons:
- Untranslated on-screen text
- Subtitles have minor visual issues
- Inconsistent animation quality
Production Information
- Director: Mirai Minato
- Series Composition: Mirai Minato
- Original creator: Roku Sakura
- Character Design: Miwa Ōshima
- Music: Yūki Hayashi, Shōgo Yamashiro
