The appeal and reviews of Yozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~: A moving story and beautiful visuals

Night Cherry Blossom Quartet ~Hana no Uta~: The Enchanting Sakura Shinmachi and the Four Warriors

■Overview of the work

Yozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~ is a TV anime series based on the popular manga by Yasuda Suzuhito, which aired on TOKYO MX from October 6th to December 29th, 2013. It consists of 13 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and was animated by Tatsunoko Productions. The story is set in Sakurashinmachi, where humans and monsters coexist, and follows the town mayor Hime and her friends as they face a series of mysterious incidents.

■ Story

Sakurashinmachi is a mysterious town where humans and monsters live together. The story begins with a scene in which a "fallen" goldfish suddenly appears and starts rampaging during the cherry blossom festival. The town's mayor Hime, his secretary Kyosuke, Kyosuke's sister Momoka, the Kotodama user Ao the Satori, and the honest Akina work together to overcome this crisis. From then on, various incidents await them, including the intervention of the "Senate," a watchdog organization for monsters, the kidnapping of Hime's cousin Kohime, and the appearance of a mysterious man who threatens the town. In the end, it is the bond and courage of the Himes that saves the town.

■ Characters

The charm of this work lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Yarizakura Hime

She is the mayor of Sakurashinmachi and a 16-year-old high school student. She has long black hair and reddish purple eyes, and always wears a long scarf. She cares so much about the town and its people that she sometimes acts recklessly, but her drive and sense of responsibility drive the story. She is voiced by Misato Fukuen.

Akina Hisui

He is the director of the "Hizumi Life Counseling Office" and is an 18-year-old, upstanding person. Although he has a gentle personality, he also has a scary side to him, so much so that when he gets really angry, people around him step in to stop him. The Hiszumi family is a family that has inherited "duties" for generations, and he can also perform "tuning". His voice actor is Yuki Kaji.

Nanami Ao

Satori is a 15-year-old staff member at the "Hizumi Life Counseling Office." She has light blue hair and eyes, and has the ability to instantly read the thoughts of a wide range of living things. She loves sweets, and her hobby is tree climbing. She is voiced by Saki Fujita.

The 50 sounds

A 16-year-old Kotodama user who works part-time at the "Hizumi Life Counseling Office". Having "fallen" in the past, she has the ability to materialize words. She wears glasses and has large breasts. Her voice actress is Sawashiro Miyuki.

Kishi Kyosuke

She is an 18-year-old demon who is the secretary to Sakurashinmachi's mayor Hime. She has a calm and serious personality, but she is a bit of a sister complex towards her younger sister Momoka. She has known Akina since they were children. Her voice actor is Daisuke Ono.

Momoka Kishi

Kyosuke's younger sister, a 16-year-old demon. Her strength is unstable, and she has enough strength to blow away a sofa with her crutches. Her hobby is listening to music. Her voice actor is Haruka Tomatsu.

V. Juri F.

She is the only yokai doctor in Sakurashinmachi, and is a 24-year-old upstanding human. She has a bright personality and is also active as an idol in the town. She is like an older sister to Hime. Her voice actress is Aiko Okubo.

V. Rira F.

Juri's younger sister, a girl who was supposed to have died several years ago. She has a witch-like appearance and a flower-like birthmark under her left eye. Her voice actor is Ai Kayano.

Yuhi Shizuka

He is the head of Sakurashinmachi and a local god. Although he looks like a boy, he is over 200 years old. His hobby is making his secretary Mariabelle cosplay. His voice actor is Sachi Matsumoto.

Yae Natsuhiko

Yuhi's younger sister, a 24-year-old sister. She likes bear goods, especially the bear headgear she received from Hime. Her voice actor is Natsuko Kuwatani.

Mariabelle

Yuhi's assistant, a 22-year-old android. He is quiet and mature, but also a little absent-minded. His voice actor is Rie Tanaka.

Tatebayashi Mina

A 5-year-old monster girl who lives in Sakurashinmachi. She is half vampire and half mermaid and speaks in the Kansai dialect. Her voice actor is Ayahi Takagaki.

Tatebayashi Hina

She is the twin sister of Mina and a 5-year-old youkai girl. She is half vampire and half mermaid, and has a timid and quiet personality. Her voice actor is Yuka Inokuchi.

Moon Viewing Lion Hall

A police officer and the guardian of the Tatebayashi sisters. A werewolf, he is 28 years old and single. His voice actor is Yasuyuki Kase.

Torin

A 15-year-old immortal who works part-time at the ramen shop "Houhouran". She is small in stature and has a bright and innocent personality. Her voice actor is Matayoshi Ai.

Hisui Enjin

He is the mastermind behind the mysterious incidents that occur in Sakurashinmachi and is a descendant of Hisen Enyo. He has taken over the body of Ao's older brother Gin and uses Hisen's abilities and Satori's abilities. His voice actor is Tomokazu Seki.

Mad Pomegranate

A 16-year-old necromancer, she likes to wear Chinese clothing. Her voice actress has not been announced, but her presence adds depth to the story.

■ Production staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of this work. The director and character designer was Ryo-timo, the assistant director was Suzuki Kiyotaka, and the series composition was Ishikawa Manabu. The art design was by Tsunagu Eiko, the art director was Oda Rie, the color design was Kimura Satoko, the editor was Sakamoto Masaki, the director of photography was Kamiki Masashi, the CG director was Obara Ayako, the sound director was Aketagawa Jin, and the music was by Yashikin. The animation was produced by Tatsunoko Productions, and the music was produced by Toy's Factory.

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Sakura no Ato (All Quartets Lead to the?)" by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, and the ending theme is "Tsukiyomi" by phatmans after school. These songs are important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the story.

■ Episode details

Each episode depicts a different incident that occurs in Sakurashinmachi. Below is an outline of each episode.

Episode 1 "Sakura Saku"

During the cherry blossom festival, a "fallen" goldfish suddenly appears and starts to go on a rampage. The princesses work together to overcome this crisis.

Episode 2: Spring Wind

The day after the incident, life seems to have returned to normal, but then the senate comes to see Akina. Hime and Kotoha begin sparring, but a strange spectator watches them.

Episode 3 "Susumidas"

Momoka is unable to control her demonic powers and is injured. Akina and Kyosuke have a disagreement.

Episode 4: "That Time"

The office staff are letting loose at the pool on an unseasonably hot summer day. Hime's cousin Kohime comes to tell them that she is running for mayor of the neighboring town, but a giant half-demon lizard appears.

Episode 5: Thorny Road 1

The half-demon lizard was being controlled by a mysterious man brought by the current town mayor, Morino. The mysterious man used an anti-demon barrier, causing Hime to lose her powers and Kohime to be taken away.

Episode 6 "Ibaramichi 2"

Kotoha uses her powers of words to destroy the anti-demon barrier device installed at Tokyo Tower. Hime recovers from the curse of the barrier and begins her counterattack.

Episode 7 "Ibaramichi 3"

The girls try to save Kohime, but the mysterious man corrupts the lizard again, turning him into a half-demon. Morino also rebels, but the true identity of the mysterious man is revealed.

Episode 8: "The Thorny Road."

Shinozuka and Minakana go on a stamp rally in the Shichigo area. Hime invites him to live in Sakurashinmachi.

Episode 9: "61 Before"

Hime and the others welcome a new member, Zakuro. Zakuro helps out with ramen deliveries to fit in with the town. Meanwhile, Enjin appears before Akina and questions him about the blooming of Shichigo.

Episode 10: Rokunoichi After

Ao nurses Hime back to health after she catches a cold. Mizuki and the other three girls start making a racket next to her, but then an unexpected visitor shows up.

Episode 11 "Hana no Uta 1"

As preparations for the festival progress, Hime visits Juri for a follow-up check-up after catching a cold, and hears that there has been a ghost commotion in town.

Episode 12 "Hana no Uta 2"

The true identity of the monster hunter is Juri's younger sister, Rira, who died as a child. The senators, Zakuro, and others assume that Rira is a half-demon and attack her, but only Hime blames Juri.

Episode 13: Hana no Uta.

Akina stops Enjin, who is trying to seduce Rira. Hime convinces Juri to apologize, and Rira hears her words...

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Yozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~" is a fantasy work that depicts a world where humans and monsters coexist, but it also depicts universal themes such as friendship, bonds, and a sense of responsibility. In particular, the individuality of each character, such as Hime's leadership and Akina's calmness, Ao's ability to read minds, and Kotoha's power of words, enrich the story. The setting of Sakurashinmachi is also appealing, and is an element that draws viewers in.

The animation quality is also high, with beautiful character designs and background art. Cherry blossom motifs are especially prominent throughout the film, making it visually stunning. The music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story, with memorable songs by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN and phatmans after school.

This work was widely accepted not only by fans of the original work, but also by anime fans in general. In particular, the growth of the characters and the changes in their relationships are carefully depicted, deeply moving the viewers. Also, by depicting different events in each episode, the story development is ingeniously designed to keep viewers from getting bored.

■ Recommendation points

"Yozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~" is a fascinating work that combines fantasy and human drama. Here are some recommended points:

1. Charming characters

In addition to the main characters Hime, Akina, Ao, and Kotoha, many other unique characters appear, including Kyosuke, Momoka, Juriyarira, and others. Their growth and changes in relationships are at the heart of the story, and have the power to draw viewers in.

2. Beautiful visuals

The beautiful scenery of Sakurashinmachi and the detailed character designs add to the appeal of the work. In particular, the cherry blossom motifs scattered throughout the work make it visually beautiful.

3. The appeal of music

The opening theme "Sakura no Ato (All Quartets Lead to the?)" and the ending theme "Tsukiyomi" are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story. The songs by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN and phatmans after school are memorable and will stay in the hearts of viewers.

4. Deep Themes

The story depicts universal themes such as friendship, bonds, and responsibility, and deeply moves viewers. In particular, Hime's leadership and Akina's calmness are at the heart of the story, and provide viewers with plenty to think about.

5. Story Development

Each episode depicts a different incident, which keeps the story interesting. The build-up to the final episode is also impressive, keeping viewers hooked until the very end.

Conclusion

Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta is a fantasy work that depicts a world where humans and monsters coexist, but it also depicts universal themes such as friendship, bonds, and a sense of responsibility. The growth of the unique characters and the changes in their relationships are carefully depicted, deeply moving the viewer. The beautiful visuals and music also add to the appeal of the work. This work, which combines fantasy and human drama, can be widely recommended not only to fans of the original work, but to anime fans in general.