Honey and Clover Very few shows bring such fond yet bittersweet memories to my mind like this one does. Memories of longforgotten hopes and desires and old friends that are now far away. Memories of what it felt like to be in college with no clear path to the future and no idea where to go next. This is Honey and Clover in a nutshell it is a story about the awkward time between childhood and adulthood and the journey towards becoming who you are. Honey and Clover is based on a manga by Chica Umino known for other titles like Eden of the East and 3gatsu no Lion. While 3gatsu has become very popular lately for good reason Honey and Clover is often overlooked perhaps because of its age. It was released in 2006 but still feels incredibly relevant today. In fact to me this show feels more grounded and relatable than 3gatsu which often relies on the game of Shogi and the settings surrounding that lifestyle to convey its ideas. Here we have a group of college students and adults just trying their best to find a place in the world. That resonates deeply especially in todays uncertain world. Upon first watch the art style might be the first thing that stands out about this show apart from the incredibly weird yet legendary OP. The show is drawn almost like a watercolor painting with washedout colors and a hazy almost dreamlike feeling to it. It strongly resembles 3gatsu which is a plus in my book. This unique style fits the subject matter like a glove and gives the show a soft comforting feeling like coming back to a warm home after being out in the cold all day. Honey and Clovers music is another incredibly strong point with an OST full of emotionallymoving songs that capture moments in time. These songs will sound objectively good on first listen but as the show goes on they come to life. The OST simply brings out the best of every scene and I can find no fault with it. Oh and it also features one of the most underrated ED songs of all time: Waltz by Suneohair. https://www..com/watch?v=YqxozjjIm9k For any sliceoflife series the quality of the show usually boils down to its characters and Honey and Clover nails this like few others. Whether it be the uncertainty of adulthood looming in Takemotos future Yamadas unrequited love or Hanamotosenseis lingering memories of youthful days gone by... Each character is relatable and you will almost certainly see parts of yourself in this cast as I did countless times. This is what really makes Honey and Clover shine: it has an almost universal relatability that borders on painful accuracy at times. The humorous moments are onpoint and the emotional moments can hit like a truck few shows can take you from a hearty laugh to the verge of tears as quickly as this one. Chica Umino has a generational talent for writing characters that feel like real people as 3gatsu no Lion clearly displayed. Here she was in top form. The cast of this show is absolutely unforgettable and the intertwining stories of their lives feel natural and genuine. Each and every episode is filled to the brim with wholesome character interactions that make you feel like youre spending time with old friends and youll find yourself wanting to come back to visit with them time and time again to discover one more anecdote one more nugget of wisdom. If there was a weakness to be found here it would be the story as there really isnt much of an overarching plot to speak of. The characters lives are the story and it works well but some may not be all that pleased by how characterdriven the show really is. If youre expecting a satisfying mindblowing conclusion to the series you will probably be disappointed there is a sequel as well called Honey and Clover 2 that ends the series in my mind I count both as one complete show. This show is not about the destination but the journey and few journeys are as touching and meaningful as this one. As you can probably tell by now this show is very special to me. When I first discovered it over 10 years ago while living oncampus at college it felt like a revelation. To a young man drifting along without any real aim in life it provided immense wisdom. It taught me the beauty of a simple honest life and how precious everyday moments should never be taken for granted. It showed me that a person can grow into an adult without leaving the things they love behind. Even now as a grown man in his 30s I still find value every time I come back to spend time with these characters. Ive lost count of how many times Ive rewatched it so I may be a bit biased but I truly believe this show is one of the greatest anime ever made and it is undoubtedly my personal favorite of all time. Even though all of this praise is subjective I invite you to find out for yourself. Spend your time with this show I dont believe you will regret it. Edited May 2022: Still my favorite anime of all time. My love and respect for this series grows with every passing year. I have yet to find any other anime that portrays the ups and downs of the human experience as well as this one does. Truly a timeless masterpiece. If you enjoyed 3gatsu no Lion and havent seen this show yourself some love and watch it ASAP.
98 /100
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