I will let you know when I start to talk about events that might be interpreted as spoilers. Also this is my interpretation of the events in the manga this review is subjective and does not hold any absolute truths. All Im trying to do is present the manga as I see and interpret it while approaching some of my beliefs on life connecting the themes of the manga with philosophy which is a subject that Im very fond of. The human experience is often shaped by a complex interplay of emotions thoughts and social dynamics. Among the myriad emotions that color our existence I believe anxiety depression and loneliness stand out as constant emotions that we all have to deal with in the course of our lives turning into the three pillars upon which our foundations are constructed philosophically speaking. Ohana Holoholo showcases a good example of how complex and difficult it is for individuals to face those emotions especially when relating to others. The main characters are often confronting avoiding or reacting to those feelings while dealing with the variety of emotions that come along the way creating realistic relationships between struggling characters. I would like to start by clarifying why I feel that way about these feelings that can be considered to be a constant burden to our lives the root of our suffering and yet the fabric of our existence which shapes us as people while paralleling the manga. From now on if you are someone who believes in spoilers be aware that from this point forward I will be exploring the main themes of the manga characters and events so consider yourself advised. I. Anxiety Since we understand the concept of death our lives become a run against the clock towards an unknown date when we cease our existence. If that isnt enough in the book The Concept of Anxiety Sren Kierkegaard posits that anxiety is not merely a psychological state but an inherent aspect of human existence. His concept of anxiety highlights the tension between the desire for freedom and the dread of the unknown. In this way anxiety becomes a fundamental element of the human condition shaping our decisions actions and ultimately our understanding of self. Maya is always on high alert battling with her thoughts while trying to be in a relationship with Michiru hiding her true feelings and needs. Afraid of a future where she is betrayed again she carefully navigates the relationship hoping that the status quo between them remains the same. Her apprehension or fear about the future is as good an example of someone suffering from anxiety as any. https://i.ur.com/jvXIgEd.png Now from a psychological perspective anxiety is recognized as a natural response to stressors. Sigmund Freud suggests that it stems from unconscious conflicts between the id ego and superego. A state of anxiety is most fitting for Michiru a struggling single mother. Opposed to Maya Michiru acts out on her feelings. Her agitating personality often seen as childish for outsiders resonates with someone who is uncomfortable and stressed to some degree. Later on in the story we understand that her fears and insecurities are the main reason she acts that way and also the reason why she left Maya. The pressure of being a mother forces her to face her anxiety instead of running away. https://i.ur.com/Ecr7FIa.png The state of anxiety for Maya and Michiru is contrasting with one bottling up these feelings and the other acting out. But as an audience we can sense that this feeling is more in control of them than they are of the feeling especially in the first part of the manga. II. Depression I know depression is a serious problem. Im not trying to diminish or simplify this state. The depression that Im talking about is mostly an existential type. So when Im talking about depression Im not using it as a term meant for the clinical condition but more of a melancholic feeling in an existential and philosophical way. Idle hands are the devils tools is a quote that I often hear especially from religious folks. I harbor a strong disdain for it because it conveys a message of avoiding idleness without considering the reasons behind it. It seems to suggest that being without anything to do is inherently wrong. In my perspective this quote is frequently employed in a way that integrates societal norms into marketing strategies to sell products. Personally Ive lost count of how many people have tried to preach to me against my idleness. Nevertheless I tend to observe that individuals often use this reasoning and logic as a means of avoiding selfreflection sidestepping contemplation of their existence and diminishing their consciousness. Peter Wessel Zapffe a Norwegian philosopher and writer introduced the idea that humans possess an overdeveloped intellect compared to nature in general. This heightened intellect exposes us to the harsh realities of existence ultimately leading to an inevitable and profound sense of despair. In his essay The Last Messiahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheLastMessiah you can read it herehttps://philosophynow.org/issues/45/TheLastMessiah he argued that this condition leaves us vulnerable to existential depression. His perspective on depression viewing it as a consequence of hyperawareness and the inability to escape the futility of life adds another layer to the human experience. In this framework the depressive state becomes a reaction to the overwhelming weight of existence. The individual grapples with the realization of their own mortality and the inherent meaninglessness of life. Zapffe proposes four ways to escape depression: Isolation Anchoring Distraction remember the idle hands and Sublimation. According to him without employing any of these tools humans are left in a perpetual state of depressionthe natural condition of beings grappling with consciousness. Interestingly these four mechanisms are consistently employed to some extent by the characters throughout the manga. Mayas profound sadness following Michirus departure reaches such intensity that it hinders her from getting close to Michiru again. Fearing the potential attachment and subsequent loss she retreats into a state of Isolation and Distraction. Despite these coping mechanisms Mayas love for Michiru prevents her from finding satisfaction in these strategies. Instead she embarks on a personal battle to discover a stable anchor for herself ideally hoping that Michiru could play that role in her life. Michiru primarily relies on Distraction as a means to avoid confronting her consciousness rooted in her history of struggling to form connections with others and the uneasiness and anxiety that loneliness brings. However her role as a mother compels her to establish a relationship with her son prompting a shift in her coping mechanisms towards Anchoring. She begins to anchor herself in the relationships with those close to her even exploring possibilities outside of her immediate circle such as with the teacher. In critical moments both Maya and Michiru are faced with the prospect of losing each other. During these times they turn to anchoring in each other and the love they share providing a brief but significant respite from the despair of consciousness. Nico becomes an extreme example of how emotions and states of mind can drive a person to extremes. He also conceals these feelings while interacting with others resorting to Distraction and Sublimation as coping mechanisms. Throughout the manga there are subtle hints of his depressed states often overlooked due to the coping mechanisms he employs to avoid confronting his sadness mostly conditioned by the loss of the person he loved. In the later chapters when these coping mechanisms are no longer in action we witness him descending into the abyss of despair. In this moment neither coping mechanism is deployed and he experiences a profound sense of despair. Nicos depression could be argued to be clinical however as the manga does not provide this distinction and I am not one to diagnose him I assume it is not solely due to his improvement in this state after dealing with repressed emotions of extreme sadness imposed by grief. After experiencing despair he grieves for the person he lost and finds some acceptance allowing him to move on and free himself from the need for Yuuta as a coping mechanism. III. Loneliness The Russian writer Leo Tolstoy often tackled this theme in his works by depicting characters grappling with profound existential isolation despite being surrounded by society. The alienation felt by his protagonists stems from a disconnection between their inner selves and the external world. Tolstoy suggests that the inability to bridge this gap contributes significantly to the pervasive sense of loneliness that permeates the human experience. According to him loneliness is not merely a physical state but a spiritual and existential one. The quest for meaning and connection becomes a central theme in Tolstoys exploration of loneliness emphasizing the essential human need for genuine and meaningful relationships. If I had to pick one main theme of the manga it would be the pervasive sense of loneliness. Each character experiences a unique form of isolation struggling to communicate their feelings of sadness and anxiety. This shared sense of loneliness becomes a common thread connecting them with each other. One example of this is Michiru before leaving Maya and having a child. She constantly relies on other people to keep her company and Maya points out her inability to be alone highlighting the profound loneliness she experiences. https://i.ur.com/HDlabiv.png Maya on the other hand confronts her loneliness largely imposed by Michirus actions headon. She retreats into isolation at times where she encounters anxiety and depression. https://i.ur.com/roFMh8J.png https://i.ur.com/Y6yHUSa.png https://i.ur.com/rpNrGQA.png Building Relationships Beyond These Feelings The constant feelings of loneliness depression and anxiety set a framework for many actions and reactions in the story. However there is much more emotion that adds to the mix of any person and relationship and it is no different in the relationships portrayed by the characters in the manga. This is what makes this story stand out from others. The interplay of these emotions often leads the main characters to a chain of reactions influencing their actions and feelings which in turn send ripples into the other relationships they have with secondary characters. Importantly this dynamic doesnt fall into a cyclical and toxic pattern. This is mainly because the characters succeed in understanding their feelings communicating with each other and accepting themselves. It is only after Michiru and Maya accept those parts of themselves that they can move on to be in a relationship with each other. Similarly Nico must accept Keiichis death before he can move on and find a new purpose beyond relying solely on Yuuta. Through these selfacceptance journeys they are rewarded with relationships that are not only comfortable and happy for everyone but also built on a strong foundation capable of withstanding even the most dire situations. Extra Notes The manga has a 3gatsu no lion feeling to it the themes and art bear similarities possibly because Shino Torino sensei is Chica Uminos assistant. Its likely that they influence each other explaining why they feel closely connected. The extra chapters felt a little unnecessary primarily serving to provide a conclusive ending for every side character. The story introduces some cliche plot twists towards the end but even with these cliches the message is effectively conveyed. The strength of the welldeveloped characters from the beginning allows readers to focus on them and overlook certain narrative choices. Beyond these points I didnt encounter any issues. Conclusion The trio of anxiety depression and loneliness as explored forms the three pillars of the human foundation. Despite often being perceived as negative these emotions play an integral role in shaping our understanding of self the world and our place within it. Through acknowledging and exploring these emotional pillars we gain a deeper insight into the intricacies of the human condition and the complex tapestry of our existence. Ohana Holoholo not only understands the power of these emotions but also weaves the struggles of its characters particularly Maya and Michiru into a narrative that explores the depths of these emotions and their impact on relationships. However the manga goes beyond the exploration of these challenging emotions. It intricately depicts the characters journey towards understanding communication and selfacceptance. The narrative emphasizes that only by accepting and understanding oneself can one forge genuine and meaningful relationships. In the end Ohana Holoholo invites us to reflect on the complexities of the human experience offering a poignant exploration of emotions relationships and the pursuit of selfdiscovery. I gave it a score of 80 puddings out of 100 as Yuuta stole and ate the other 20.