Honey and Clover ep.07

July 31, 2005 | 5 Comments

Well, here's another episode that impressed me. I'm probably repeating myself here but I have to say that it's rare to see an anime series that offers the combination of well-written stories, interesting characters, excellent animation, and quality voice acting. However, Honey and Clover has managed to do exactly this every single episode thus far. Admittedly, before the anime began back in March, I was already aware that the series has interesting storylines. Nevertheless, it was a nice surprise to see the story told in such beautiful animation styles. The animation highlight in this episode will have to be Hagu's back story. I like how the segment is nicely styled and animated in almost similar manner to Hagu's own water painting.

This episode itself begins with Mayama looking as if he's in terrible pain. A quick flashback to the night when Mayama took Yamada back to her house reveals that he got beaten up by Yamada's father. It appears that Yamada's father quickly assumed that Mayama was the one who made Yamada cried. Well, to a certain extent that is kind of true but I digress. Back in the present, Mayama tells Yamada that the truth is the pain actually comes from having to carry Yamada on his back. He claims that she was too heavy. Ouch, indeed. After Yamada gives Mayama some more beatings for the comment, Mayama asks Yamada if she wants to come with him to have breakfast at a Gyuudon chain whose name is similar to Yoshinoya. Yamada happily agrees to come with him but also feels sad in realising that her crush slowly turns into friendship.

Meanwhile, Takemoto is in despair because he feels that his life is haunted by the presence of Morita. He nevertheless feels a bit elated when he gets to see Hagu's exceptional artwork. Speaking of Hagu, she's been informed by Shuuji that he will have to leave to Mongolia to write a book. It turns out the email that he read back in episode 6 came from a professor who's going to collaborate with him to write the book. Because of this, Shuuji asks Hagu if she wants to come with him to Mongolia. This also causes Shuuji to reminiscence of the first time he met Hagu. He realised back then that Hagu is a talented kid who unfortunately is treated harsly by her grandmother. When her grandmother died, Shuuji made a decision to invite Hagu to Tokyo so that she will have a chance to meet people who share her interests.

Back in the present, Shuuji reveals to Rika that Hagu has chosen to stay behind because she now has friends that she can talk to. This saddens Shuuji a little bit because it means that he has to part with Hagu. He also wondered if he made the right decision when he took Hagu to Tokyo. Rika, however, assures him that Hagu is better off ever since she's in Tokyo and asks Shuuji to also take a good care of himself while he's in Mongolia. Later on, Mayama comes to Rika's apartment to bid goodbye to her as well as to give her a bracelet that will hopefully remind her of him. Fast forward a couple of days later, Shuuji decides to hold a farewell party for himself and his students. While on his way to Shuuji's apartment, Takemoto spots Hagu on a open field looking for four-leaf Clover for Shuuji.

Soon, everyone from Yamada to Morita end up helping Hagu to look for the four-leaves Clover. Unfortunately, even after searching for hours, they come to the party empty-handed, causing Hagu to cry. She tells Shuuji that she wanted to give the Clover to him so he'll always have good health and good luck. Shuuji assures her that she doesn't have to find him such a thing because Hagu herself has given him a lot of fond memories for him to take away to Mongolia. The episode then ends on a rather somber note as Takemoto narrates how one day all of the time they spent together will end and will turn into a simple memory. However, he is sure that he will always cherish and reminisce that memory over and over again. The memory of that time when all of them were having fun together.

Impression:

A good episode that finally gives Hagu's characterisation a background story it really needs. By the end of this episode I can understand a bit why Hagu has been acting like a little kid. When she was young, Hagu barely had any interaction with kids of her age. Her grandmother treated her like a child and limited her freedom, making it impossible for her to know how to behave properly as she turns into an adult. It also doesn't help that once she moved in with Shuuji, he dotes her like his little daughter. Hagu, of course, behaves accordingly: like a little kid. Because that's the way that seems to please her grandma, and one that makes Shuuji happy. Her naive nature is nicely exemplified when she looks for a four-leaf Clover, a symbol for miracle, something that most adults no longer believe in.

As people grow up, sooner or later they come to a realisation that there is no miracle. In a way, I feel sorry to see Hagu finding out about this for the first time. But sooner or later she will have to find out about this so she may as well face the harsh reality while she's still with a group of people who cares about her. I like how the series suggests that it's not the miracle that is important but rather the act of looking for hope. While she was looking for the four-leaf Clover, Hagu got the chance to be together with people who cares about her and vice versa. While their time together may end and turns into a mere memory one day, at least they'll always have something to remember. The memory of the time where all of them were together and have fun with one another.

© memento 2003