Aoihana

Aoi Hana is the story of Fumi Manjoume (Ai Takabe), the newest student at Kamakura's elite Matsuoka All-Girls High School. Fumi reunites with her childhood friend Akira Okudaira (Y''ko Gibu), who was her first love. Akira is shocked to learn this as Fumi is professing her love for another of her classmates, Yasuko Sugimoto (Chiemi Ishimatsu). Fumi is prone to crying, and when they were younger, Akira would be her protector, keeping Fumi safe from whatever had frightened or upset her. Her new love, Yasuki, is a very popular student and captain of the basketball team. As time goes on, the relationship between Fumi and Akira continues to develop and their feelings for one another begin to grow and change. Aoi Hana has been heralded for the crisp, realistic art and character-driven storyline which grace each 24-minute episode. Reflecting director Kenichi Kasai's attention to complex relationships and challenging gender issues, Aoi Hana is described by critics as "one of the most realistic portrayals of a young woman in love with another woman ever seen in an anime". MORE