The appeal and reviews of "Hanayamata": Experience the brilliance of youth and dance

Hanayamata - The brilliance of youth and the charm of Yosakoi

The TV anime series "Hanayamata," which aired in 2014, is based on the manga by Hamayumiba Sou, which was serialized in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara Forward. The work is a coming-of-age story about the growth and friendship of girls who try to break out of their ordinary lives, and in particular how they change through the traditional Japanese dance called "Yosakoi."

story

The main character, Naru Sekiya, is a second-year junior high school student who is ordinary in appearance, intelligence, and everything else. Although she admires the heroines in stories, she lacks the courage to step out of her ordinary daily life. However, one day, she meets Hana N. Fontainestand, a blonde girl dancing in traditional Japanese clothing under the moonlight. Hana is a transfer student from America who was fascinated by the Yosakoi dance she saw in Japan as a child, and came to Japan to make that dream come true. Hana invites Naru, "Would you like to dance Yosakoi with me?" Although Naru is confused by the proposal, she gradually begins to think, "I want to shine too," and so she steps into the world of Yosakoi.

This encounter leads Naru and Hana to form a Yosakoi club, but they have a hard time recruiting members. Meanwhile, various characters appear, including Naru's best friend Yaya Sasame, her childhood friend Tami Nishimikado, and the student council president, Machi Tokiwa, and the story depicts how the girls grow together. The story is sometimes comical and sometimes moving, depicting the process of the girls struggling to achieve their dreams and deepening their friendship.

character

Naru Sekiya (Reina Ueda)

An ordinary second-year junior high school student. Although he admires the heroine, he lacks the courage to leave his ordinary daily life, but after meeting Hana, he begins to think, "I want to shine too," and so he steps into the world of Yosakoi.

Hana N. Fontainestand (Minami Tanaka)

A second-year middle school student who transferred from America. She was fascinated by the Yosakoi dance she saw in Japan when she was young, and dreamed of dancing Yosakoi in Japan. She formed a Yosakoi club with Naru, but struggled to recruit members. A high-spirited girl who worries about her short height.

Yaya Sasame (Kaya Okuno)

She is Naru's classmate and best friend since elementary school. She enjoys her youth as a member of a band, playing drums and doing other things appropriate to her age, but due to an unexpected turn of events she ends up lending her name to the Yosakoi club. In contrast to Naru, she seems like a girl who has it all, but...? Her family owns a soba noodle restaurant.

Nishimikado Tami (Yuka Otsubo)

A third-year junior high school student who is Naru's childhood friend and the vice president of the student council. She has been someone Naru has admired since she was a child, and is a beautiful and intelligent young lady, but her father-complex side is a flaw? She is torn between joining the Yosakoi club, which Naru and Hana invited her to join, and the daily efforts of being the daughter of Nishimikado.

Tokiwa Machi (Numakura Manami)

She is the student council president and a classmate of Tami. She declares that the Yosakoi club members Naru and Hana are forbidden from using the rooftop, which was their practice space, without permission. Although she is strict with others and herself, she also has a gentle side, watching over Tami warmly as her best friend. It seems that her strictness is related to the friction with her older sister...?

Teacher Sally (Mikako Komatsu)

A teacher at Yuihama Gakuen Junior High School. He teaches English and is Naru's homeroom teacher. Because he is still young, the students are friendly to him, but at the same time, he worries every day about the distance he should maintain as a teacher. Pushed by Hana's enthusiasm, he ends up taking on the role of advisor for the Yosakoi club...

Masaru Ofuna (Joji Nakata)

Manager of the Yosakoi shop "Katsu". Despite his tough appearance, he is a kind-hearted 33-year-old single man who loves Yosakoi more than anyone else. While he secretly supports the Yosakoi club with Naru and the others, he also seems to be interested in Sally.

Sachiko Yamanoshita (Mikako Komatsu)

A second-year student at Yuihama Gakuen Junior High School. Nicknamed Sachin. A friend of Yaya's, she plays in a band with him. A lively girl with short hair. She is the lead vocalist and guitarist in "Need Cool Quality."

Yuka Komachi (Mikako Komatsu)

A second-year student at Yuihama Gakuen Junior High School. Nicknamed Yutchin. A laid-back girl whose charm point is her swinging ponytail. A bit airheaded. In "Need Cool Quality," she is in charge of guitar and chorus.

Arisa Kajiwara (Mikako Komatsu)

A second-year student at Yuihama Gakuen Junior High School. Nicknamed Atchin. She is attractive with her shiny long black hair and outstanding style. She has many secret fans. She plays bass in "Need Cool Quality." The band's nickname "Nikukyu" actually came from something Atchin muttered to herself.

Production Staff

Director: Atsuko Ishizuka

Series composition and script: Reiko Yoshida

Character design and chief animation director: Atsuko Watanabe

Music: MONACA

Music Production: DIVEⅡ entertainment

Animation Production: MADHOUSE

Broadcast information

"Hanayamata" aired for a total of 12 episodes from July 9th to September 23rd, 2014. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo and the broadcast times in each region are as follows.

• TV Tokyo: Every Monday from 1:35am
• TV Osaka: Every Tuesday from 1:35am
• TV Aichi: Every Thursday from 1:35am (first episode from 2:05am)
• AT-X: Every Friday from 10:00pm

Repeat broadcasts were also available at the following times:

• Every Sunday from 9:00am
• Every Wednesday from 4:00am
• Every Thursday from 4:00pm

It was also streamed online and was available to watch on the following platforms:

• Niconico Live Broadcast: Every Friday from 23:00
• Niconico Channel: Every Friday from 23:30
• Bandai Channel: Every Monday from 12:00
• d Anime Store: Every Monday from 12:00

Theme songs and music

The opening theme "Hana Ha Odoraya Irohaniho" was sung by the group "Hanayamata". The lyrics were written by Aki Hata, and the music and arrangement were done by Hidekazu Tanaka (MONACA). This song is a bright and lively song that symbolizes the youth and dreams of the girls, giving energy to the viewers.

The ending theme "Hanayuki" was sung by smileY inc. The lyrics, composition, and arrangement were done by Yuuyu. In the final episode, "Hanayuki (Team Hanayamata ver.)" by Team Hanayamata was used to conclude the story.

Additionally, "Kodoku Signal" by Need Cool Quality is used in the film, and their band activities add color to the story.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Hanayamata" has been highly praised as a work that depicts the brilliance of youth and friendship. In particular, the way the main characters grow through Yosakoi dance moved audiences. In addition, the quality of the character design and animation is also high, making it a work that shows off MADHOUSE's production skills.

The story depicts the struggles of girls trying to break out of their ordinary lives, giving viewers the courage to work hard towards their own dreams and goals. In particular, the story that begins with the meeting of Naru and Hana depicts the power of friendship and the challenge of achieving dreams, which resonated with many viewers.

The characters are also unique and charming, and each character enriches the story, especially Hana's high-tension personality, Naru's growth, Yaya's friendship, Tami's efforts, Machi's strictness and kindness, etc. In addition, adults such as Sally-sensei and Ofuna Masaru also play an important role in supporting the girls' growth.

The music also adds to the charm of the work. The opening theme, "Hana Ha Odoraya Irohaniho," is a bright and lively song that symbolizes the girls' youth and dreams, giving energy to the viewers. The ending theme, "Hana Yuki," is also a beautiful song that concludes the story and left a lasting impression on the viewers.

Recommended points

"Hanayamata" is a work that can be recommended to many viewers as it depicts the brilliance of youth and friendship. In particular, the following points are the reasons for its recommendation.

• A moving story about the brilliance of youth and friendship.
• Unique and attractive characters
• High quality animation and character design
• An energetic opening theme and a beautiful ending theme
• A coming-of-age story through the traditional Japanese dance of Yosakoi

This work is especially recommended for those who like anime with a coming-of-age theme, those who enjoy stories of friendship, those who are interested in Yosakoi and traditional Japanese culture, and those who empathize with the struggles of these girls who want to break out of their ordinary lives and seek the courage to work hard towards their own dreams and goals.

"Hanayamata" is a work that gives viewers inspiration and courage, and is an anime that I would like many people to see. Please enjoy this work, which allows you to feel the brilliance of youth and the power of friendship.