Hana-Saku Iroha

[corocoro]

SERIES INFORMATION​

Original Name: 花咲くいろは
Alternative Name: Blooming Flowers ABC, Hanasaku Iroha
Categories: Comedy, Daily Life, Drama, Seinen, Slice of Life
Producer: P.A. Works

SUMMARY
Matsumae Ohana, a 16 year old girl, moves out of Tokyo and starts working at a hot spring hotel, which is located on a hill surrounded by cherry blossoms. Matsumae has yet to decide her future. The story will also feature other teenage girls who are looking for their dreams and excitements.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION:​

Most moe anime this season, and also trying to be the one with the most drama. The only thing rescuing this from being completely depressing is the indomitable spirit of the main girl. Despite being quite slice of life it managed to capture my interest - so I'm going to see where it takes me. Certainly has promise to it, so I am hoping for the best. ^^

Reminds me of: K-On! (Which I have yet to watch. o.O)​

 

[Kou]

This reminds me more of True Tears (minus the romance part, then again the romance part might pop out later?) with a more realistic approach without using cliches or fanservice. True tears still remains PA works' best series for me with a realistic romance.

Background porn, good animation and Kishida Mel character designs = this season's eye candy.

 

[Terumi]

/me repeats question again

is this watchable?

 

[Kou]

You like slice of life or True tears? This just feel like True tears-ish! For me, this is the best slice of life for episode 1.

 

[corocoro]

I watched neither True Tears, nor K-On!, so I might've been a bit guessing. :P
The ultra-moe was what reminded me of that music show. ;)

And yes, it is very much watchable. ^^

 

[Terumi]

okies, cause i unsure about 24 episodes with slice-of-life is enough to hook me in.
rural japan looks fine then

 

[Kou]

Hmm, well PA work's animation is beautiful + Kishida Mel character designs already guarantee a watch. I feel a little bit of drama is lurking behind.

 

[Fincher]

Can anybody put ending spoiler if it turns out good or bad in ze end?

 

[Kou]

Still damn far from the ending lol.

 

[corocoro]

There's only been one episode so far. :P

 

[Fincher]

Soz usually 99% of Anime are based on Manga or EroGames so you know how it turns out but apparently not this one.

 

[Kou]

Rape and cliffhanger!

Spoiler: episode 2

Iroha 2 continues to explore Ohana’s character in more depth, establishing her as quite a 3-dimensional character. In contrast to episode 1, where we saw most of Ohana’s positive traits, episode 2 shows more of her negative sides. We get to see that while she might be headstrong and independent, she also is able to get mad at others and even tries to get back at them, however small way it might be. Also that ky side of hers too. While I can understand her enthusiasm to help, but sometimes she just doesn’t try to think it thoroughly first… then again, Nako should have taught her properly as a senpai instead of shying away all the time.

This episode also shows how Ohana’s mother is a solid contender for QUALITY Mother of the Year already. Making your child cook for you since kindergarten, not coming for Parent’s Day at school despite promising to and further more teaching your child not to believe in others? Yeah, QUALITY parenting right there. I’m surprised Ohana didn’t end up worse than she is now. Poor girl ;_;.

 

[corocoro]

This will either fly, or crash and burn - albeit the second episode is more pointing toward the first possibility.

 

[Alice_Margatroid]

THERE IS A GOD AFTER ALL!!!

My hopes and dreams have been completely answered!

Spoiler: Erotica!!

After the rapist ending of the second episode I could only dare to dream for something super sexy and hot to happen, though from the whole mood of the series up to this point I was stuck with meer Fantasy!

Though the third episode answered my great and sensual prays to the ero gods, The third episode has Bondage Shibari, and Yuri bath scenes!!!!

\because of that I bumped this up to the second best anime of the season (still can't beat qwaser!)

 

[Kou]

I think I end up laughing more here than all the comedy animu this season.

Spoiler: episode 3

This episode was so hilarious. Loved it.

I did not expect the writer's subplot to take such a ridiculous turn. He tried to tie up Ohana using a bondage book, only to fail and have her, the victim, tutor him
I'm amazed by the way Ohana handled the situation. I'd say she takes after her grandmother a bit as well. Speaking of the grandmother, she is definitely a good person. It appears that despite having disowned her daughter, she still loves her very muchn and therefore is already taking a liking to Ohana who is so much like her. It'll surely take a lot of time for her to show her affection, but I'm sure it'll happen at some point.

The ero scenes from the novel were seriously hot... Don't desperate, Jiromaru-san! You really are talented! Nice fanservice towards the end of the episode too(wet shirt!). And yuri fanservice scene with quality art.......

The relationship between the girls has progressed quite a bit. Nako never disliked Ohana, she just found her liveliness overwhelming. Thankfully, she managed to overcome this issue in this episode, after realizing how considerate Ohana is. Minko still hates Ohana's guts, but it's easy to tell she's slowly warming up to her. She's just being tsundere now~

This episode should help remove the misconception that this anime is a drama. It's mostly a slice of life coming of age story, which may have a bit of drama at times, but this is NOT the focus of the show. In the end, I'm quite sure they'll be more comedy than dramatic moments in this show, unless it suddenly takes another turn. If I had to choose which it's closest to, I'd say ARIA.

PS. How did Ohana know about bondage?

 

[corocoro]

She read the book, obviously. :P

 

[Checkmate]

I'll take the bait and watch this.

 

[Kou]

^ No rabu .......... yet.

 

[Terumi]

me also lined this show up..
will needa find time tomorrow while starting fortissimo

 

[Kou]

Pooooooor me.

Spoiler: episode 4

Ohana was right, a rival did appear! Not her rival, though. I did not see that ending coming at all. Yuina doesn't seem like the type of girl Thoru would like. Then again, I guess we haven't really seen what Yuina is truly like yet. Her behavior in this episode surprised me a bit, she's the type of girl who'd fit right in in Denpa Ona. In any event, she was very entertaining. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her.

I can only agree with Thoru and the rest now. Ohana really can be oblivious/dense sometimes. Even Nakochi managed to figure out who Minko likes right away.

There were some very good heartwarming scenes in this episode. I'm glad Kou didn't fall into oblivion. The flashback where he and Ohana held hands - or rather, a bag- was cute. I feel a bit sorry for him, he's obviously been throwing hints at her for ages, but Miss oblivious never picked up on anything. He should have confessed a lot time ago. Kou and Ohana should get together :P:P.

The other scene I loved was the one taking place at the shrine. Nako is just too adorable... I'm curious to find out what kind of nickname she'll come up with. Hopefully not something unoriginal like "Ohanachi".

 

[Terumi]

caught the show finally, and i can say.

the show will be solid, no doubts. PA Works know what they are doing.

 

[Kou]

The stalking Grey Heron returns...with a vengeance.

Spoiler: episode 5

Congratulations to Ohana for clearing all misunderstandings with Minko. Overall, very standard episode with no real surprises (in fact, the ending was known within the first 4 or so minutes). But, solid character development for Minko and Ohana elevates this to an above-average episode. Slight revelation on Minko's past and the change in her relationship with Ohana made this episode for me the classic style.

Amusing that Ohana is supposedly supporting Minko x Tohru, but she is setting flags with the guy herself. And it seems Kou-chan is planning to visit her too, so I can see a nice battle coming on.

Yuina is great! The massage chair talk, the accent, Haruka Tomatsu's just awesome.

 

[Terumi]

/me claims the 4 highschool girls

1. ohana
2. nako
3. yuina
4. minko (dont be mistaken here, being #4 doesnt mean i like her the least, shes just outshadowed by the rest)

 

[Kou]

Not claiming anyone here. just shipping since i see potential love triangle everywhere. In b4 the T_T shipping wars start!

 

[Terumi]

love triangle? haha, doubt it will come anytime soon, most probably awhile more (you can read the manga, i havent)

gotta love the show, really really glad i picked up such a treasure