Hana-Saku Iroha – 19



This show has the tendency to develop its characters really, really well, while being really annoying in the process. the previous episode was a great example of that, and this episode continues that trend with Minko. This episode was enjoyable, interesting, and again got quite a bit on my nerves.

Beyond the attention at Minko, I also have to praise this episode for not just looking at her, but rather the entire cast. This episode was quite well balanced in order to give a lot of characters their share of screentime and to flesh them out a bit. It’s especially the small details in this episode that rocked. This episode also finally gave some character to some of the classmates of the lead girls, and despite being yet another school festival episode, I enjoyed the small individual scenes.

Minko’s development isn’t looking out to be as good as what Nako got in the previous episode, though. Her crush on Tohru had always been a bit superficial, and the entire drama around her revolved around it, where she wanted to make good food in their class restaurant to impress him and started yelling at one of her classmates for doing exactly the same. At this point anything can of course still happen, but Nako development last episode was very good, especially on hindsight.

In any case though, the entire cast is growing together at this point, and I hope that the next episode will do the same. For example, Nako helping out her classmate in the art club was surprisingly genuine.
Rating: ** (Excellent)

5 thoughts on “Hana-Saku Iroha – 19

  1. Yeah, I did think you were a bit harsh on the Nako episode. It did give more insight to her character and the whole sea metaphor was a really good excuse for some really cool visuals.

    In general this second batch of somewhat random stories, seem to work much better that the ones in the first half.

    And I’m pretty sure we will get an emotion packed finale, the show seems to be able to pull off these moments effortlessly when it tries to.

  2. @Kiseki: I guess it was a funny way to show how she would like Kou to somehow fit in with her new life.

    Also, the Minko yelling at a classmate about the same thing she is doing, is deliberate. She was also telling it to herself.

    Also don’t be disappointed about Minko’s development. I think this episode was supposed to setup things and the next one will probably deliver.

  3. I think this was better than the Nako episode, don’t forget the next episode continues with Minchi’s development and the fact she was so harsh when she is doing the same as the girl (as Ohana’s eyes might remark next episode) is what made it interesting, IMO. Maybe I do like this type of episodes where we are aiming to something to advance the timeline as well, and we had moments for all the girls. I’m not sure her crush has been thaaaat superficial (not like that classmate of hers, anyway), but if it was I don’t see the rough point. I wonder why Nako was more like wanting to stay in the inn than go to the festival and such. And, I can’t help but wonder if Tohru is going for Ohana and that will ’cause Minchi-drama.

  4. This episode was great!

    My only problem with it was the girl Yuki who complained about omelet rice not being on the menu. I mean, did she seriously HAVE to make such a big deal about it? I mean, so what if her crush likes it? If more people don’t agree with having omelet rice on the menu, then she should’ve accepted the decision and not had to complain about it. She was the one being the brat and not Minko, IMO. Normally I don’t like Minko, but for once I actually agree with her. If they don’t have the proper equipment, then it can’t be helped. That girl shouldn’t have complained about the whole omelet rice thing.

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