Aoi Hana ~ Sweet Blue Flowers ~

I saw the first episode several hours ago and found it very promising, despite the fact that it's "yuri" and that I'm not a fan of the genre. The thing that sets it apart from the usual is its realistic premise; or at least based from my very limited yuri-themed anime knowledge that is.





It's already very weird in itself that I'm showing interest in this one. I'm not really that determined yet and neither have I ascertained up to what level of "girl-to-girl interaction" could I withstand, that each episode would surely bring. As far as I'm concerned, the thing that may have influenced me on giving this a shot was the fact that Kenichi Kasai is the one who's directing it. Why wouldn't I, he also directed Honey & Clover and Nodame Cantabile's first season, both of which that I truly love(d).



So, is there anyone else who's interested? :roll:

I'm interested in this series, and I've downloaded the first two episodes... and need time to watch them.

Like you I have never had any interest in a yuri type show but I was originally turned onto the show by the attractive character designs and soft look to it. I am happy with what I am seeing so far since I've always been a sucker for romantic dramas just never of this type before. It is visually pleasing and pretty enjoyable to watch but because of the subject matter I find myself filing it under "guilty pleasures". I'll watch this one all the way through though.

I gotta tell you I really wasn't sure what you'd think of this one Hermit I've seen the 2 episodes out and was wondering whether or not to make the thread for it. Anyway, the meganekko's in yuri genres are always my fav nano desu ^_^ the overall atmosphere in the this show is what I love, thou at times the 'old childhood friends' get played to much but I like it used this time, maybe cuz it's yuri nano desu ^_^ I really can't wait for moar.

Oh good ^_^ Loved this manga, now it's an anime *shivers with delight*

I already watched some of the subbed episodes. It was Blue Drop-ish, but quite good. It's scheduled to run for 11, so hopefully they can cover the love stories in the manga. I'd like it if they have a second season handy. 11's too short, like Shoujo Sect was extremely short.

Good timing jmason. I was just about to ask something, perhaps you can enlighten me.

Regarding the series and mostly of what I've seen in the third episode... while I do think that it was great and all (particularly the animation), I can't help it but be baffled with the fact that the girls in this series get romantically attracted with one another so easily, as if it's just a normal thing?

It most likely has got something to do with our culture in viewing lesbians, who casually dresses up and acts like men. The thing is, I don't have the slightest idea of how is it in Japan nor in any other countries. I wonder if it's within the norm there.

Anyway, I have no real problems with coping/dealing with it, knowing that this series is yuri even before I decided to watch it. I just don't get it why it seems like there's nothing unusual to it, judging by most of the characters' reactions. Perhaps I was expecting a little bit too much of realism for my own good.

It's always the case with most of the yuri anime shown. But to answer as to why women get easily attracted to each other in this types of anime, it's due to 3 factors:

1. Lack of men (all-girls schools are always the motifs with these anime)
NOTE: #1 doesn't work on manga much (see Yuri Hime mags)
2. Cultural issues
3. It's how mainstream yuri is

In addressing #2, Japan has a quite lax encapsulation of love boundaries. Lesbians and gays there are more socially accepted (in casual public, yes, but in mainstream public, nope) than in Western countries where there is still a rigid culture of man-and-woman views as a proper relationship. Like if you go to izakayas and late-night parks in Japan, or day/night social areas like Akibahara and Roppongi, you might see one or two lesbians/gays publicly dating. But otherwise from those, it's a private affair.

And lesbians in Japan doesn't have to look like a guy/resemble a bishounen to be real lesbians - they look like average normal women. Maybe they way most people view it differently is because of their own culture. In anime, the main reason some lesbian women resemble a bishonen is that it fills up a niche - the same as the seme-uke relationship in yaoi. In yuri if two women look like the typical Yamato Nadeshiko, it's hard to tell who's the "butch (top)". But if you place one that looks like a bishonen, it's easier to tell by looking. Try Sailor Moon's famed yuri couple. Anyone with a cursory knowledge of yuri can point out who's the "butch" and who's the "femme (bottom)".

'Butch' and 'femme' refer to masculine and feminine women respectively.

But for #3, mainstream yuri, is as you have said it: "the girls in this series get romantically attracted with one another so easily, as if it's just a normal thing". It's how mainstream it is. It's hard to sell it off as yuri if the girls can't easily fall in love with each like that. It's one of the draws and selling points. And they fall in love not because of gender issues but more of personality issues, more like seeing likable qualities in a person. But if you have read some real lesbian light novels and/or less-mainstream lesbian manga, it's not that easy.

I may not be too familiar with the genre but it isn't that hard to figure factors numbers 1 & 2 on my own. I suppose the 3rd one, the selling factor as you've mentioned is where it really comes down to. I was without a doubt mistaken in looking for so much realism in a series that's facing towards in another direction.

After all, yuri isn't my forte... but thus far, I don't really dislike what I'm seeing. And nevertheless, you've definitely earned yourself a +rep for helping me out. :)

Thanks for the +rep ^_^ On a side note, it's the same with yaoi too... guys easily fall for the other guys like it's so natural. Like Junjou Romantica. Selling point wins :D

Am watching the series, and found out later on that there's only 12 episodes, i though it was going to be longer, oh well, it's still good.

The best show of the season has ended, sadly.

Yep, you heard that right. If you're wondering, here's my "irrelevant" Top 5 Animes of this year's summer:


PS: If I were Ai-chan's brother, I suppose I can very well see myself just like that. Maybe in the next life, I'd get to have a little sister exactly like her.

Mm. I just finished watching the last episode last night as well. I really enjoyed Aoi Hana. It had amazing artwork, and it would always help me to relax after a long day. I'm hoping that they will have a second season, (but who knows). I also heard that you can start reading the manga around volume four if you want to keep up with the plot, but I'm not sure. If anyone could confirm or state which specific chapter, that would be really helpful!

And Sugimoto-senpai...man...even though she was a total bitch...I'd still want to do her...hard...especially in that suit. <3

A second season is quite unlikely with the way they ended it. It was good, really, but it just felt relatively short as if everything was over even before anything got started. Nonetheless, I like it just the way it was.

As for the manga's 4th volume, chapter 19 is where it starts.. although chapter 18 entitled as the last episode's, "Fireworks in Winter", is different as one should only expect. Better start reading from there I guess...

Well I too have finished watching the series, and I absolutely loved it nano desu, its been a while since I finished a series and felt all warm and fuzzy, I even applauded a little when it ended, I find it hard to express how I feel now that its over, I definitely enjoyed the fact that it was relatively short and was able to go smoothly without complicating things (all imo nano desu) and I definitely will watch it a few moar times because its has so few episodes nano desu.

I must say I did find the parents reaction to that thing with the Brother hilarious nano desu.


And just like you Hermit my buddy, Aoi Hana is my number 1 this season, the other 4, I am not sure yet, check back with me later nano desu.