Honey and Clover, Box Set 3

Graduation Day
First, some clarification. Considering the episode count of the two previous sets and some other details, this final set of Honey and Clover - being marketed in Region 1 as Honey and Clover 3 - is apparently the limited series Honey and Clover 2 which followed the original series. It follows Yuta and Hagu's final year as undergraduates as they prepare to follow their three friends into the workforce. The initial recap episode is probably not necessary for those who have been following the series on DVD.

As Yuta decides what kind of architectural work he wants to do and Ayumi grieves as the last nail is put in the coffin of her hopes of a romantic relationship with Takumi with Rika finally deciding to let herself love again, we finally find out why Shinobu needs so much money as Nomiya stands prepared to catch Ayumi when she falls if only she'll let him. But a terrible accident leaves everyone dropping everything and running to a friend in need as one of the gang suffers...

Honey and Clover is one of a kind.
Honey and Clover is fantastic. One of the best anime I've ever seen. The characters are loveable, to the point that I wanted to jump into the TV and stomp the guys that tried to move in on Ayumi and Hagu. The drama is amazing and moving. The art is one of a kind. I've never seen an anime with art like this one. It's too good to pass up. This is a priority one for any anime fan.

Get this anime!
I hold to this simple maxim when it comes to anime: Art school anime is often worth it. Many anime that features art students are raucous comedies (Hidamari Sketch comes to mind), and "HachiKuro" is no slouch in the comedy department, but this drama is told with unparalleled beauty and warmth, largely because of the original artist, Chica Umino. The sketch-and-watercolor visual style is innovative in a time when practically every animation studio reached for bright colors, CG, and 3D modeling; the characters are unique and expressive, and the soundtrack does what every great soundtrack does-- highlight the great moments, and stay in the background otherwise.

It's exciting to see Noitamina shows being released in this region (perhaps because of the ADV licensing brouhaha, HachiKuro was not released here for YEARS), because it means other great shows will soon be released (I'm looking at you, Bunny Drops and AnoHana!).

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