"Secret Bud" review: What is the appeal of a story about a secret flower blooming?

"Secret Bud": A moving OVA depicting the growth of the mind and body during adolescence

■Overview of the work

"Naisho no Tsubomi" is an OVA based on the popular manga by Yabuuchi Yu. The three-part series was released on April 25, 2008, and the story of the growth of the minds and bodies of adolescent boys and girls became a hot topic. The OVA was released by Happinet, and animation was done by Studio Hatsuka. It was directed by Shigino Akira, the script was written by Arakawa Toshihisa, and character design and general animation director was Takeuchi Kei.

■ Story

The main character, Tachibana Tsubomi, is a slightly shy fifth grader. She learns for the first time about the mysteries of boys' and girls' bodies through her mother's pregnancy and the video "Developing Minds and Bodies" she watched in health class. She also begins to wonder why people fall in love. "Secret Bud" depicts the sexual worries and physical and mental growth of adolescent boys and girls in a light-hearted love story.

■Explanation

"Naisho no Tsubomi" is based on a popular manga currently being serialized in Shogakukan's magazine "Shogaku Go-nensei". The OVA depicts the gradual growth of an adolescent girl, and unfolds a slightly mysterious and slightly sad story of love and friendship. It has resonated with many viewers by depicting the questions about the mind and body that people are too embarrassed to ask others about from a life-sized perspective.

■Cast

The voice actors for Tsubomi Tachibana are Kaori Nazuka, Saya Endo is Ami Koshimizu, Reia Kato is Akemi Kanda, Yae Yamabuki is Sanae Kobayashi, Daiki Nemoto is Ryoko Shiraishi, Kukita is Yuki Miyata, and Yo Saegusa is Mitsuki Saiga. The acting of each cast member expresses the emotions of the characters realistically, adding depth to the story.

■ Main staff

The original work is "Naisho no Tsubomi" by Yuu Yabuuchi, serialized in Shogakukan's "Shogaku Go-nensei". The director is Akira Shigino, the series composition and script are by Toshihisa Arakawa, the director is Keizo Nakamura, the character design and chief animation director is Kei Takeuchi, the animation director is Isamu Utsugi, the art director is Kazuhiro Inoue, the color setting is Megumi Saito, the color design is Naoto Kondo, the director of photography is Tetsuya Nishimura, the editor is Masaki Sakamoto (Morita Editing Room), the sound director is Kaoru Machida, the music is by UbiQuinta, the sound effects are by Yasuyuki Konno (Swara Pro), the sound production is by Aoni Production, with the cooperation of Shogakukan's "Shogaku Go-nensei" editorial department, the animation production is by Studio Hatsen, the production cooperation is by Studio L, the production manager is Takehiro Saito, the producers are Mariko Kusuhara and Masanori Koike, and the production is by the Naisho no Tsubomi Production Committee.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: "The Baby's Secret" (April 25, 2008)
Episode 2 "Boy ♂ Girl ♀" (May 30, 2008)
Episode 3: "Reasons to Fall in Love" (June 27, 2008)

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Naisho no Tsubomi" has been highly praised for its realistic portrayal of the physical and mental growth of adolescents. In particular, the questions and worries of the main character, Tsubomi, are relatable to many viewers, and the fact that it is portrayed from a life-sized perspective has evoked deep emotions. Also, the careful animation and direction that makes the most of the OVA format are not to be missed. While each episode deals with a different theme, the consistent depiction of adolescent growth provides viewers with an opportunity to think.

■Character Introduction

Tachibana Tsubomi <br> A slightly shy fifth grader. Through her mother's pregnancy and health class, she learns for the first time about the mysteries of boys' and girls' bodies. Her growth and worries are at the center of the story.

Saya Endo <br> Tsubomi's best friend, she has a bright and cheerful personality. She supports Tsubomi through her troubles and they grow together.

Kato Reia <br> A classmate, she is a girl with a more mature air about her, in contrast to Tsubomi. The worries of adolescence are depicted from her perspective as well.

Yae Yamabuki <br> A classmate of Tsubomi, she has a slightly shy personality. She too grows up confused by the changes in her mind and body that come with puberty.

Nemoto Daiki <br> He is a classmate of Tsubomi, and the story is told from his perspective as a boy. The worries of adolescence are also depicted from his perspective, which gives an opportunity to understand the differences between boys and girls.

Kukita <br> A classmate of Tsubomi, he has a slightly cheeky personality. The story depicts the worries of adolescence from his perspective as well.

Saegusa <br> A classmate of Tsubomi, she is a girl with a slightly more mature air about her. The worries of adolescence are depicted from her perspective, adding depth to the story.

■ Background and significance of production

"Naisho no Tsubomi" was made into an OVA following the huge success of the original manga by Yabuuchi Yu. By expressing the original theme of the adolescent mental and physical growth in the medium of anime, the message was able to reach a wider audience. The OVA format was also praised for being able to capture the essence of the original work. Thanks to the efforts of the staff, including director Shigino Akira and screenwriter Arakawa Toshihisa, they were able to bring out the charm of the original work to its fullest.

■ Message to viewers

"Secret Bud" is a work that realistically depicts the mental and physical growth of adolescents. It will be an opportunity for viewers to reflect on their own growth. It may also help parents understand their children's growth. The careful drawing and direction that makes the most of the OVA format, and the wonderful acting of the cast, allow viewers to deeply empathize with the story. Please think about the mental and physical growth of adolescents through this work.

■Recommended Works

For viewers who enjoyed "Secret Bud," we also recommend the following works:

"ARIA The ANIMATION"
This is a story about the growth of Undine girls who work on the water planet Aqua. Like "Secret Bud", it carefully depicts the growth of their hearts.

"K-ON!"
A coming-of-age story set in a high school light music club. It shares themes with "Naisho no Tsubomi" as a work depicting friendship and growth.

"Tamako Market"
A slice-of-life anime set in a shopping district. It has elements in common with "Secret Buds" as it depicts the protagonist's growth and friendship.

■ Summary

"Secret Bud" is a moving OVA that realistically depicts the mental and physical growth of adolescents. The worries and growth of the characters, including the protagonist Tsubomi, will evoke deep empathy from viewers. The charm of the story is maximized through careful drawing and direction, and the wonderful acting of the cast. Please think about the mental and physical growth of adolescents through this work. You can also get even deeper emotions by enjoying the recommended works.