After her single mother decides to run off with a boyfriend to dodge debt collectors, the young and energetic Ohana is sent to live with her grandmother. However, her grandmother is the strict owner of a hot springs inn and requires her to work at the inn to pay for her living expenses. Although Ohana is unhappy about this situation at first, she decides to make the best of her situation and work hard. Ohana's life is suddenly filled with fun, mischief, and drama!
~~~
~~~
~~~Hanasaku Iroha is the story of Ohana, a 16 year old high school student, who is uprooted from her
fairly comfortable life in Tokyo to live with her grandmother in the rural areas of Yunosagi. While
she initially believes that she’ll be living a fairy tale life, her dreams are dashed when she learns
that she’ll be working as a waitress for her keep. However, through the trials and tribulations of
working at the inn under the seemingly-iron fist of her grandmother, Ohana learns who she really is
and what she wants out of life.
First off, the animation. It’s gorgeous to look at, especially the scenery. You can tell that the
animation studio really put the effort into creating the backgrounds so that you felt as if you really
were in the rural areas of Tokyo. Kissuiso Inn (where Ohana lives and works at) is gorgeous on it’s
own, but then you get to see the characters. Each character had their own set of facial expressions
and personality – as expected from any show – but the animation really brought them to life. Every
emotion, from happiness to sorrow to anger and everything in between, was perfectly done and it really
brought a sense of realism to the series as a whole.
After dazzled by the animation quality, Each and every character had a backstory and a past that was
slowly brought to light over the course of the series. The fact that Ren, the head chef and a rather
surly looking man, was actually the shiest of the group and was prone to becoming a nervous wreck if
too much pressure was placed on him was adorable. While some characters didn’t get quite as much of a
special treatment as others in terms of gaining a history, they were always an intricate part of the
story telling as a whole. Everyone – including the minor characters – has a part in how events unfold
through the series, which is almost unheard of in a lot of shows. Basically, the characters are
outstanding and I loved the amount of effort they put into each and every one of them.
Then, we finally get to the plot itself. While it started off in the typical fashion, it was quickly
noted that was not your typical slice-of-life show. Yes, there’s the unrequited love that’s a part of
almost everyone’s teen years, the one girl who always seems to hate you no matter what you do and the
older man who eventually seems to take interest in the female lead. But if you look past all of that,
you’ll see that the story is complex and extremely involved on an emotional level. Ohana wants
desperately to fit in, but her efforts to befriend Minko (her classmate, roommate and fellow
co-worker) are constantly thwarted by Minko’s abrasive attitude. Not to mention that Tohru takes
interest in Ohana. Well, let’s just say that it’s definitely a bumpy ride for Ohana. Taking into
consideration the fact that Ohana is also trying to get along with her uncle and grandmother – both of
whom she’s never met before – and help keep the inn from closing in the process, the plot is extremely
well done. Everyone finds out information in their own time and several of the episodes actually made
us choked up because of how emotional it was.
As luck would have it, the music only helped to benefit the plot and the characters’ development. Each
track was custom-made for each specific emotion or situation, unlike some shows who use the same song
for everything. None of the tracks were annoying or put us off either, which is a plus.
Overall, this was a wonderful show with a wonderful cast, music and animation to back it up.~~~
__Rarely do you find a show that emphasizes the humanity of its cast as much as this one does. With a strong narrative about growth, acceptance, and hard work - Hansaku Iroha is ultimately a show that inspires me to live to my fullest potential. __ Let me start of by saying that Hanasaku Iroha has been my favorite (if not at least top 2) anime for the past 3 years or so now. So do keep in mind that I certainly have subjective biases towards it. With that said, I will be trying to present the shows merits in an objective manner to help you decide if its worth your time. Hansaku Iroha has "heart". I know you may have heard this word quite often being used to describe a show, and to be fair I'm quite guilty of it too, but what exactly I mean by that can't quite be described... You know how you could potentially have more fun doing something with others as oppsed to doing it alone? Or how "home-cooked food" tastes better than its restaurant-served counterpart? I can't quite place it but I would say it comes down to the attention to detail. That extra element of something that is put into a usually predictable and bland situation. The premise of girls working in a hot spring (with a focus on slice of life Slice of Life too on top of that) is by no means new or exciting to begin with. You probably won't watch a show like this just because of synopsis since my first instinct would be to assume that the show just packs regular SoL high jinks with the setting just being a gimmick and excuse to add in some predictable fan-service. NO. That isn't what Hanasaku Iroha is. Okay maybe there's a little fan-service (which isn't in any way bad tbh) but the show largely respects your time and actually has a message. It's a story about growing up, accepting yourself and the ones you love, and also moving on. It's presented with beautiful art, a masterful soundtrack and a uniquely moving story that are all equally deserving of focus in this review alone. But I think I'll let you experience that yourself, if you choose to. What I'd like to highlight here is the characters, or actually, how much they don't seem like "characters". This may sound cliched but they do really feel like they are actual living breathing human beings. During my numerous times re-watching the series, I do find myself thinking that these could very well be real people living their lives just being filmed. A lot of the characters feel like they have lives outside the scenes and some major characters aren't even treated with the usual "main character treatment". We don't learn all their live stories and aren't even being persuaded to like them as human beings. There are plenty of characters who have questionable personalities and make odd decisions at times, some characters are outright mean and a lot of times their actions aren't justified. If they make a mistake, they don't apologize and when they are happy don't always show it. But I still love all of them to bits, and I feel like you guys will too. It's because they are human and humans make mistakes, don't always say what we feel and hurt others as a result of it. It doesn't end after a character arc too, these problems will stick with us until the day we die. It's unavoidable. That's why its nice when I see these qualities in others. And seeing them live on believing in the warmth of humanity makes me one to do the same. Do give Hanasaku Iroha a try if what I described sounds appealing to you! I realize that the review could be read as extremely subjective but I promise you there are objective merits to it too! If you're still unsure, check my favorites list, and if we share at least a few on there I'm quite confident you'll enjoy this show. To be honest I'm only writing this to spread the word since I feel more people definitely need to give the show a try. So if you did end up watching it and enjoyed your experience, do let me know. I'll be overjoyed to hear it :)
_Note: this review is mostly spoiler-free. All spoilers are properly indicated in the text beforehand._ From the very first episode, I knew that I would love this show. The characters, the atmosphere, the plot: everything makes for a great anime. The slice-of-life vibe and likable characters make for a very comfortable watch. Add to that a compelling plot with real progression and just the right balance of comedy and drama. This combination pulls you deeper into it with each episode and results in an extraordinarily binge-able and enjoyable gem. ~~~img80%(https://i.imgur.com/M1Xke9R.png)~~~ This anime deals with a lot of interpersonal themes: romance, dreams, loss, hard work, finding oneself, growth, moving forward. All in all, it makes it very relatable and particularly aspirational. But the real highlight of the anime is Ohana, the protagonist. At first, she is presented as a cheerful but cynical highschool girl (or in her own words: "quite the realist"), who is clearly bored with life and without a goal. ~~~img80%(https://i.imgur.com/u5aopCV.jpg)~~~ Ohana is strong-willed, self-centered, and can't read the mood. At the same time, she is a cheerful and happy-go-lucky girl who could easily fall into the "always nice, always happy" protagonist trope. Such characters are easy to like, but hard to take seriously given how unrealistic they are. But the contrasts in Ohana's personality, and her inner conflicts, make her pull off that bubbly vibe without coming off as overly naive or as the dweller of a rose-tinted fairy tale world. I can say confidently that there are very few characters in anime that earned my admiration so fast. On top of that, Ohana is honest to a fault and extremely dedicated, making her almost impossible not to love. To illustrate what makes Ohana so unique, I'll have to delve a little into the plot of the first episode, so a __minor spoiler warning__: _When her criminally irresponsible mother throws a curveball at her, making her change cities to live with her unknown grandmother who owns an inn in a small town, she accepts such a radical change with stunning straightforwardness. When it becomes clear that she is in for quite a hard life in that inn, she does not spend a single second moping around, immediately deciding to work hard and make the most out of it. It is such a contrast with the expected "teenage drama" reaction to such a situation that I was already sold. Her headstrong personality and lack of common sense unwillingly cause problems to those around her. But her candor and devotion win those same people back, making her a force to be reckoned with._ In conclusion, even if all components in this show are very familiar at first, their combination is masterful. The end result is uniquely entertaining and ranks in my favorite shows of the genre, even after watching my fair share of slice-of-life dramas. ~~~img80%(https://i.imgur.com/Jc844uW.jpg)~~~ Finally, I have to comment on my feelings about the end of the show, so __spoiler warning__: The end of the anime is bittersweet, satisfying, and hopeful. Leaving behind a warm and comfortable place that your heart grew fond of is sad. But life is about moving forward, learning, evolving. You carry all the experiences you had, becoming ever richer, and going on to greater things. Finally, there's always the hope of returning to a place where you belong, now more mature and confident.
# ~~~___Introduction___~~~ ~~~Airing in April of 2011, Hanasaku Iroha is a show by PA works that serves as their magnum opus.~~~~~~This review will be a deeper dive into the themes this show explores as well as what I think of the anime that changed the way I have and will ever look at anime.~~~ ---- # ~~~__1__~~~ # ~~~__The Background/Staff__~~~ If anyone asked me why I think Hanasaku Iroha is one of the best in the business, a decent chunk of the credit lies in this part. Despite being released in __2011__, it is still one of, if not, the best anime in the pure SoL genre. - With Majority of the script written by a name known to many, [Mari Okada](https://anilist.co/staff/100978/Mari-Okada), the story of Hanasaku Iroha is the first show that truly showcased the full extent of her talent - from the tight main plot filled riddled with strong introspective moments to having some of the best characters and coming-of-age. These points are now all part of Mari’s writing, having presence in other shows that she wrote following Hanasaku Iroha, such as [ Anohana](https://anilist.co/anime/9989/Ano-Hi-Mita-Hana-no-Namae-wo-Bokutachi-wa-Mada-Shiranai/), [O Maidens](https://anilist.co/anime/105932/Araburu-Kisetsu-no-Otomedomo-yo/) and [Sakurasou](https://anilist.co/anime/13759/Sakurasou-no-Pet-na-Kanojo/). Next up on the list we have [Jin Aketagawa](https://anilist.co/staff/103074/Jin-Aketagawa) and [Shiro Hamaguchi](https://anilist.co/staff/102689/Shiro-Hamaguchi), each responsible for sound and music respectively. - The former needs little introduction to the quality of the work he does as he is one of the biggest names in the industry, having worked on [Kaguya Sama](https://anilist.co/anime/101921/Kaguyasama-wa-Kokurasetai-Tensaitachi-no-Renai-Zunousen/),[ Rezero](https://anilist.co/anime/21355/ReZero-kara-Hajimeru-Isekai-Seikatsu/) and [Yorimoi](https://anilist.co/anime/99426/Sora-yori-mo-Tooi-Basho/) amongst countless other big shows. The lesser known latter, who has spent a large part of his career on [One Piece](https://anilist.co/anime/21/One-Piece/) is not to be slept on as well. Both do a wonderful job at bringing the whole concept of a ryokan, the inevitable advancement of the traditional town of Yunosagi and a boringly bustling Tokyo to life through OSTs and atmosphere. Rounding up the main staff is director [Masahiro Andou](https://anilist.co/staff/101518/Masahiro-Andou) ([Wolf's Rain](https://anilist.co/anime/202/Wolfs-Rain/), [FMA](https://anilist.co/anime/121/Hagane-no-Renkinjutsushi/)). As is with his team, he plays a huge part in making sure Hanasaku Iroha succeeds. Andou’s style teeters on ___subtlety___ mixed with ___clarity___. - An example of this would be in episode 1webm(https://files.catbox.moe/y7pu51.webm) where Jiromaru was cleanly set-up for his arc while the current one was running. Aside from that, his use of symbolism and general story structure - especially during multi-episode and character focused arcs are executed with finesse. Thanks to these amazing backstage talents, Hanasaku Iroha was able to shine even brighter. ------ # ~~~2~~~ # ~~~__Characters__~~~ Following the technical aspect of the show is the practical side. Starting off with characters; Main as well as the important sides. #~~~2.1) ___Ohana___~~~ - A phenomenal MC that is one of the key pieces of character in the show. As the epitome of a Coming-Of-Age character - she goes through a ton of changes. From an optimistically forward-looking yet aimless MC to an adjusted, determined waitress to finally discovering her own meaning of life and how to make the most out of it. All of this while never faltering in her own values, a trait all characters of this show share and one of its strongest points. #~~~___2.2) Sui___ ~~~ - The other piece of the puzzle, Sui is tradition personified. Because she is written so damn well, she is the core of most of the good drama in this show. - She is confident and unwavering in her beliefs, values and absolute rules, always on the edge of right and wrong, something like following your heart vs doing the right thing, making her the perfect anti-hero/pseudo-villain as viewers are more often than not likely to find themselves agreeing with her views on certain events. Together with Ohana, these 2 are undoubtedly the core of Hanasaku Iroha. #~~~2.3) ___Enishi and Takako___~~~ - The parallel of Sui, representing an evolving future generation. The two play the part of the fools - a young, inexperienced but hard working couple, serving as the shepherd of a new age where times change and adaptability is key. - Throughout the show, Enishi is presented to us as a faithful son of Sui, always trying his best to learn and improve himself and the inn as the heir. Takako is introduced as his partner in crime, a manager he acquainted with during his college days. - Together, they constantly look for new, innovative ways away from the norm to try to better the Kissuiso, much to Sui’s dismay. As a result of their clash in views, the 2 parties frequently have run-ins, leading to good, tantalizing drama, as both sides never truly have the upper hand since no one is right or wrong. I will go into further detail about some of their conflicts in a later segment. #~~~___2.4) Nako, Minko, Tomoe___~~~ - We complete the list of “essential” characters with this trio. Even though Ohana, Nako and Minko are listed as the main circle of friends, I decided to relegate the latter 2 down to the level of Tomoe; that of a smaller side character. Make no mistake, I am by no means calling the 2 of them weaker characters but rather felt that they fulfill the same purpose. - All 3 of them fall under the umbrella of “Plot Material” for me - the in-betweens/content of most major arcs are filled up by them and their personal issues. As such, each of them fill a more generic character archetype i.e dere types and whatnot. - However, these 3 individuals outmatch their competitors of a similar character type as they display the potential to easily develop into wonderful characters with the help of great drama, should the need arise. ---- #~~~__3__~~~ #~~~__Themes__~~~ ~~~Moving on the last segment of content, Themes.~~~ #~~~___3.1) Growth + Tradition___~~~ - A topic I’m still not fully confident in discussing as I don’t feel that I have the skill to explain, originally thought to have separated the two, are growth and tradition. Going hand in hand, these 2 themes make up 90% of Hanasaku Iroha, always appearing in one form or the other around every corner. - Briefly touched on during Ohana’s character segment is growth, the ever prevalent. Present in all of the characters and in our own IRL, growth is beautifully showcased in Hanasaku Iroha. Every character maintains their personalities and qualities while unknowingly becoming the best versions of themselves. A surreal mix. Even as a standalone, this aspect of the show is easily one of the best in the game. But when coupled with the next big theme, tradition, perfection is somehow lifted even higher. - Tradition is no doubt the most unique thing of the show. It is presented in a way that I have only seen one other time outside of this show - Sakura Quest that comes out 7 years after that is nowhere close to this series. Tradition is constantly challenged in this show, through Sui, Kissuiso or the whole damn town of Yunosagi. Change is inevitable, we all know that. But when brought up in the face of tradition this brazenly, a miracle happens. We spend a decent chunk of runtime exploring the minds of the traditional, as they struggle to adapt to the ever-growing and advancing world around them, relentlessly finding ways to keep their treasured way of life alive. - The centerpiece, or rather, embodiment of this is Sui. As is the way of a marvelous character, Sui displays both sides of the conflict towards the end of the show, showing her adept adaptability, being able to stick to her tradition while also breaking the rules to allow what is needed when the time comes, exemplifying growth and tradition together as one. Enishi and Takako also fall in the same vein, except their part is of the new generation as mentioned in their own character study. Easily able to abandon tradition, they show growth by having the adaptability and innovation that the new generation leans towards. - As for the other characters (Ohana, Minko, Nako and Tomoe), they play their part in a slightly different way - all of them go through the same type of growth while sticking to their own unique beliefs, as a result of their drastically different backgrounds. - With such a vibrant cast going through the same process yet bursting with their own individuality, Hanasaku Iroha is the Coming-Of-Age anime that fans of the genre need to see. #~~~___3.2) Kissuiso___~~~ - Finally, the elephant that is surely tired of being in the room for 1400 words is addressed. The last major theme is the Inn itself. - The silent deuteragonist of the show. Serving not only as a beautifully crafted backdrop inspired after the real life Inn in Kanazawa, the Yuwaku Onsen but also the source and heart of the story. In a sense, the story revolves around Kissuiso. It is the catalyst for the growth of all characters, the reason for tradition and the one thing that connects every single plotline. The importance of the Kissuiso cannot go unstated and credit really has to be given for this absolute marvel of a location. - Coupled with the other major theme above, a bustling-ly quiet story about one’s meaning of life is perfected. ------ #~~~___Conclusion___~~~ - This is technically my 3rd review of Hanasaku Iroha(2nd if you’re counting anilist only) done after my 2nd rewatch and I was hoping that I have 1up’ed myself from my previous attempts. I tried my best to incorporate and detail as much about the drawing points of the story as possible without spoiling. - In my first 2 reviews, I state that Hanasaku Iroha is one of the best anime of all time and was my then-favorite anime. I have since found more shows that I personally enjoy more than it but what Hanasaku Iroha taught me will stick with me for a lifetime. - #Aside from my personal stuff, I wholeheartedly believe that anybody, no matter your taste, will be able to at least appreciate this anime for what it’s accomplished. -------- ~~~__Previous edition__ ~~~ ~~~__v__~~~ ~!From the studio that brought you Classics like Angel Beats (2010) and True Tears (2008), comes a SoL never before seen. Hanasaku Iroha, 2011, is without a shred of doubt my absolute favorite anime of all time. Hansaku Iroha has everything - Visuals that far exceed its time, a Story that is unprecedented till this day, Characters that are intriguing and behave as realistically as actual humans, a Sub-Plot so good it could actually be a story of its own and last but not least, all of these achieved in 2011! (A lot of the objective criticism will trace back to this) Brief rundown (my own rephrasing?) The story follows a 16 year old Matsumae Ohana, forced to move from the bustling city of Tokyo to a Rural Town of Yunosagi, (based on the real life location of the Nishigishi Station in the city of Nanao) after her mother, Matsumae Satsuki, decides to elope with a man she recently met WITHOUT taking Ohana. In Yunosagi lies an Inn called the Kissuiso, run by Satsuki's mother or Ohana's grandmother. Sent there by her mother, Ohana must find a way to cope with her new life at the Kissuiso, following in her mother's footsteps of "Rely only on yourself". In depth explanations (I suck at these bear with me, in fact I've never even tried it) Visuals Not much to say about this other than the fact that it's absolutely beautiful. For a 26 episode TV series anime it has some of the best animation. This was in 2011! See it and you'll believe it. Story This is the only part where I tend to have a hard time convincing people on how good it is. Without a doubt, this is the 1/2 of the anime's best features. As an Asian, this anime and everything about its' story hits too close to home. The drama is seldom overexaggerated and even when it is, it's usually for the purpose of comedy and not because of a mistake. It has a great flow of story for a SoL, nicely paced with equal parts funny, touching and downright depressing moments. While often bright and loud, it's during the sombre, quiet scenes backed by the beautifully animated background that truly shine the brightest. Characters The other half of what makes this show truly a masterpiece. As it should be with original stories where characters are tailor-made for its progression, no character felt out of place in any way, shape or form. Each character has their own unique set of priorities, personalities and the most important point - values. The show relies HEAVILY on the values of its characters. Every decision made by a character is shaped by their values, and this is the main reason of why I think this anime has the best characters. One more important point i forgot to mention is that the character dialogue and overall realism to real life is uncanny. I wouldn't, for even a second, doubt that any show can come close to what this anime has achieved in its time. If anyone were to disagree with me, let me preface it - any dialogue that is not made with the purpose of fulfilling comedy is ultra realistic. And once again, this was written in 2011! Music Someone fill me in on this I don't really pay attention to music in anime except for openings and endings. I simply don't think music is too big of an influence on a show. Sub-Plot I won't say too much about this because spoilers, but the back and forth of this shows' sub-plot is superb. There was only one small part which I didn't get, otherwise, MINT. All in all, i rate this anime 10/10 personally. It is, like i said, without a doubt my absolute favorite anime of all time. If i had to rate this objectively, would ya guess it, it's still a 10/10. I firmly and absolutely believe that whether you come out liking or disliking this, you will not be able to deny this show of it's achievements. So, if you've read this all the way, thank you and please check this anime out. This is my Anilist so you guys can come at me and tell me how shit my taste is and how I haven't watched the popular shows hence my hastiness on giving this 10.!~
Hanairo is a drama first and foremost about family in all its forms and its complications. Many other anime will tackle the idea of family being the people around you, but they seldom consider family also being tied to a specific place. Part idyllic rural getaway and part stressful service job, life at the Kissui inn is also not shown to be particularly easy nor lacking in charm. The inn, in many ways, represents the Shijima family, with their employees more akin to family friends than just workers. Aside from diving into how a traditional Japanese inn operates with some exceptionally charming detail, the inn is very much the setting to explore the complex relationship of the Shijima family. While one of the show's central themes is finding purpose in what you do regardless of the agency in circumstance, it seems this is very much subordinate to the idea of family and their influence. Going to Kissui Inn is not a Cinderella story for Ohana, and she very much has to work to make the place home. The Shijima's are shown with their warts and all, never becoming an ideal or even particularly close family. The strained relationships and lacklustre parenting from both Ohana's mother and grandmother really help sell the narrative. Despite some of the Shijima's striking out on their own or having other aspirations, they are all connected back to the inn in one form or another. Be it Ohana learning to love the inn despite the initial harsh reception and difficulty working; to her Uncle Enshi's journey as the heir apparent of the business. While it does dive into melodramatic territory at points, the ragged nature of their familial relationship provides the drama with its much-needed suspension of disbelief. Despite its potential to devolve into a dour take on a dysfunctional family, it juggles the more strained familial elements with its more optimistic elements. Ohana's presence acts as a catalyst for everyone, breaking down the status quo that borders on the stagnation of the inn. While her character is not particularly nuanced or original, it is, more importantly, believable and understandable. On the other hand, the side characters steal the show with their lively, almost eccentric personalities. While many of them are not directly explored, there is sufficient exposure and tidbits of information given as the series goes on which fleshes them out. This adds to the show's suspension of disbelief since the only characters that directly tell Ohana about their motivations are her peers, mother and grandmother. All of which are either close to Ohana or have a connection to her that necessitates she eventually understands them better. While some characters are explored in greater depth through individual episodes or switching to their perspective, it does not feel like the screen time spent on them yields proportionate returns. Characters like Mr Beans and Renji, who receive almost no greater contextualisation, still retain much of their charm. Part of this is the precise characterisation they receive in passing or in brief moments when the plot rotates to them. Yet, it is the blank spaces in the other details of their life which is equally necessary to bolster their believability as fully formed characters. This is not to say that the time spent on side characters like Tomoe or even Jiromaru is wasted. But there is never enough time committed to draw anything incredibly compelling from it. Where Hanairo struggles a bit is in its initial tone. Serious scenes such as Ohana being slapped by her grandmother are shortly followed up with zany adventures. In particular, Tomoe and Jiromaru's episodes that flesh them out as side characters are distinct tangents. While fun and entertaining in their own right, the scenarios that play out are almost goofy. Given the art direction and much of the run time is spent with more grounded, character-driven humour, the exaggerated plots of these "side episodes" create some degree of whiplash. Arguably, this is in line with the tone set by the eccentric personality of Ohana's mother. Still, these never entirely align since Satsuki's outer shell is peeled back and shown to be just one layer of her personality. The series takes a grounded dramatic tone from beginning to end, resulting in the more extreme deviations feeling mildly jarring at times. At the same time, the plot does feel mildly bloated in places, with some of its side tangents never feeling fully utilised. Yuina, in particular, feels underutilised since she is in many ways a foil to Ohana. It would have been easy to turn her into an antagonist, which the series thankfully avoids. Yet, it never does anything particularly interesting with her while spending a significant amount of time on her. Of course, there is a strong implicit contrast between the two that ties back into the show's themes. Both of them have very different perspectives despite being part of families in the same business. At the same time, they have a lot in common since they are both searching for a purpose to their paths in life. Despite Yuina offering some valid push back towards the idea of simply following in her family's footsteps, there is never a real dialogue between her and Ohana. On the other hand, there are parts of the plot like the school festival, which do robustly support and highlight the character development of Minko and Nako. Though the more subtle character elements and conflicts are appreciated and done exceptionally well, the lack of overt confrontations does feel sorely lacking at times. Though it is possible to do without them, it does feel like a missed opportunity to dig into the themes and ideas of the show instead of having them being an undercurrent (Though a powerful and refined one). While it is difficult to say the show does not waste any moment, it is also clear that all the tangents and side elements do substantially reinforce the central setting and characters. Given that the show is very much about Ohana's experience instead of being driven by a clear plot goal, this bloatedness is forgivable. Some additional polish may have made it more cohesive and streamlined, but ruthless cutting would be to the show's detriment as well. Despite the meandering plot, the focus on the Shijimas and the inn as a metaphor for their status as a family gives the story a robust thematic throughline. At the same time, the show does not feel long enough since it does not delve adequately into Ohana's more fraught relationship with her mother, among other elements. While some retooling could have benefitted the series, it would produce a radically different show that is more parts family drama than an exploration of the Kissui inn as a setting. It gives the entire series a feeling of being neither concentrated enough on its thematic underpinnings nor fluffy enough to be a school/part-time job slice of life. While it handles both these elements well, and in particular moments brilliantly, there is never this seamless melding that would make it a truly excellent show. Overall, Hanasaku Iroha is an outstanding show that explores the complex and messy ways we relate to our less than ideal families. This is the lynchpin, which holds together everything from drama, setting, and humour. Despite some of its flaws and a few meandering episodes here and there, there is a strong emotional punch to the show only furthered by the bittersweet yet hopeful ending. The characters are all charming, and those in the spotlight have a degree of depth and realism to them, allowing Kissui Inn to come alive. Although there was a thematic resonance, the show falls short of that 10 out of 10. In its lowest moments, Hanairo almost steers itself out of being even an 8, only propped up by prior solid character building and animation quality instead of what is playing out on-screen at the moment. Even then, the visceral, unapologetic, yet optimistic nature it portrays the complications of a family is enough to propel this show to a 9.