The setting of a hospital. The scent of death lingers in the area, waiting to swallow anyone that no longer has the vitality to carry on. Some are carried away by the death maker with tons of regrets while some die peacefully. The half-moon continues to hang in the balance, as the people from the hospital look at it, hoping that one day, it will shine its rays of light onto them.

The dream feels so far, yet so near. Will you risk your life for happiness? Will you continue moving forward on something that will not last? Is dying really that painful? How do you change when you realise that you are going to die and a glimpse of hope starts to appear when you are resigned to your fate?

These are the questions that will linger in your heart after you finish this series….

I have my reservations for the show, as I had read various uncomplimentary comments about the series being rather medicore. However, after watching it, what I got was a rather beautiful romance story that does well in its own context, even though it is not top-notch enough to touch the heart. The characters are usually the strong point in a romance series and I must say that the usage of imperfect leads is good for the story.

The undecided hearts, the confused minds of 17 year olds is captured in this episode and the fact that death and hope are a lingering point in this anime is a good addition to a simple story.

To add here before I start with touching the plot and characters of this series, I truly like the OP and ED of this series. For some reason, even though the amount of BG for the series is quite low, the OP is pretty touching and the flowing pictures of Rika gives a really nice setting for the start of Hanbun.

The ED as well has nice, beautiful scenes, with the climax of a fictional picture of Rika and Yuichi getting married. Whether it happens, I do not know and this is for you to find out when you get to watch it since my reviews are not meant to spoil others. There will be a minimal amount of spoilers and story detail, as you already know, if you read my other reviews.

Onwards!

Plot

This is how this story develops, with Ezaki Yuichi, a normal 17 year old high school student that is staying in the hospital as he is suffering from Hepatitis A. He has stayed in the hospital for a few months and is close to recovery. He is seen escaping the hospital but is caught by the tyrannic and violent nurse, Tanizaki Akiko. Akiko then trapped Yuichi in his room and placed a bench at his door to prevent him from moving out.

Akiko then mentioned to Yuichi that she could get rid of the bench, as long as he do something for her. It was to interact with the girl that just came from the east wing. Her name is Akiba Rika and she is in the East wing where critical patients stay. It was then that Yuichi realise that Rika has heart complications and she has not much time to live.

The story goes on, with the interactions of the two. They first become friends. Will this fledging relationship blossom or will the spirit of death capture Rika away before anything can happen? The introduction of various other characters, most importantly the antagonist in the view of Rika’s specialist doctor, Natsume Goro. He seemed to have a hidden agenda against Yuichi and often causes unneeded trouble and violence toward Yuichi.

Will they be together in the end like the ED? Or is it a fleeting memory that will go away with the passing of time?

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Characters

Akiba Rika

Rika is the main female lead of this series. She is at first glance, a timid and shy girl that seems to be apprehensive with Yuichi. However, we soon saw her wilful side, as she starts to have her fits on Yuichi bringing back the wrong book. She is in fact a girl who has never opened up to anyone and is awfully unpredictable. She can be happy for a moment, yet turn totally vicious and jealous by the next second.

Rika suffers from heart complications and she already is resigned to the fate that she is waiting for death. However, with the entrance of Yuichi, she starts to find the will to live and is trying hard to carry on with her life by going for the operation that will extend her life. We also know later that Rika’s father died from similiar ways when she was young.

Ezaki Yuichi

Yuichi is the main male lead of this series. He is a very normal man, with nothing really particular about him. However, during the first episode, we can see that he is in fact a pretty responsible person and cares for Rika in various stages of the series. He is also weak emotionally and hates school.

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Graphics and thoughts

I personally found the graphics sharp and decent for a 2006 anime. The details were there, without being exceptionally spectatular. I was dutifully impressed by the pacing of the story. I have interacted with various people about the length, as they have mentioned that six episodes is a bit too rushed. I personally found that 6 episodes was just nice as a 13 episode dealing will have a bit of filler that will not make this as good as it is now.

The story development of the two from strangers to lovers, in my humble opinion is a little too fast but I found the premise and particularly the ending to be satsifying. I really like the sweetness between the interaction of the two. Some also mentioned that they do not like the flawed character of the two main leads. I find that the flawed character makes it logical.

I mean seriously, you have a girl who is waiting for death. How much path physically and psychologically will a person suffer from forcing herself to accept it? I find that the flawed character makes a more realistic story and the setting of a hospital is a nice touch of reminding about the feeling of death. The second episode about the old man dying when he is still in a very happy mood the day before, was yet another reminder of death as a scenario.

It makes you start to think that the two leads will die, or at least one of them in the end. Will they? I leave you to find out.

I find this series pretty refreshing on the romance genre and since it is only six episodes, you really cannot hurt yourself from watching an above average series. Recommended for those that like romance with a good dosage of sweetness involved.

Screenshots

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