Everyone knows everyone dies. Yes, this is going to be an existential reflection. For the sentimental ponderers this faintly lit ambiguity that occasionally bursts into a large glimpse of "the place past the veil" is an acquaintance they have long awaited for more interactions with. The heart truly seeks what can wrap one up warmly with the mysteries of life; the stories that are yet to be lived, inhibited by a shortage of liberated breaths, are keenly sought after. To be sensitive is to be imprisoned in indolence for the exploration of emotions in-depth and letting sentimentality dictate the nature of movement. Still, it's reasonable to get tired of being reminded of our fleeting stay on this land from all the pseudo-intellectual posts littered about and simply because of the sheer quantity of reminders. Instead of ruminating many can simply seize the day (carpe diem, that's the goal after all). As I learn to crawl towards actually living (and being allowed to do so), I'll have my shelf be in bulk with unspoken writings in the meantime.

Hanada Shounen-shi offers itself up for that purpose. The straightforward simplicity is the key to the anime's profound character as any perplexity that may distract the viewer from being showered by purity is shed away. With Ichiro being aged nine and all, it became more advantageous to reveal the wonders of conscious life in that manner, and through it we come to possess the eyes of a child and the weary soul of an older person both. As a result, Hanada Shounen-shi slithers its way through our tender affections more successfully, propped up by the rough, active beauty of the countryside.

What powers do children hold to be painted as light, proprietors of potential, beacons of hope, most precious among all? If thought about as little seedlings that are certain to become much like the great people of every present, or as the reason why the species can attain its instinct to be eternal, a portion of understanding is unlocked. One can view their innocence and feel a budding glow in the chest, or experience plaintive nostalgia as well, in being bridged to an animated past. I assume that the latter is more suitable within this show's environment, as it deals with the dead's final wishes, which stem from regret. These conditions immediately place Ichiro in a promising spot as a great medium to tell the story through his eyes.

It is the norm to write the protagonist to be the heart of one's creation, yet it is amusing that Ichiro is nowhere near the kind of kid that could start up the passion within, at the outset at least. His devilish misbehavior is wildly misplaced from the solemnity of my reflections. But that is especially why, that he remains an academic and household misfit even by the end despite the immense maturity of his empathy (which I'm glad to have been effected in an episodic anime) that Ichiro never lacks of charm and color, for if he were to become a completely new person within the span of a year then entertaining realism would kick itself out the door. He is so profoundly hard-headed that of course a (specifically) head injury from a vehicle accident couldn't crack his skull; him screaming agonizingly, "I hate you Mom!" after being separated from Rinko was undoubtedly distasteful at first, considering the whole point of his first love's arc (the longest of all), but as the days unfold I've come to understand more why it was met by a loving reply from Hisae to her child's curse. That is how her child operates, and the author intended to keep it that way, to keep Ichiro's trademark outward tarnish that shows his flaws and makes inconspicuous the care he has for his boisterous family.

Being the kid he is, Ichiro is undoubtedly yet to always end up thinking things through, so not all his actions are meant to be agreeable. Hanada Shounen-shi is definitely not child-friendly because of that. Additionally, around the wholesomeness, there are perverted elements (which, thank the Heavens, are not conducted by the nine-year-old protagonist) related to teenage lust and infidelity, which found no judgment from the narrative's jury. Someone with more life experience can consume the plot properly and find that those aspects may just be (understandably odious) comedy and a way to outline Ichiro's innocence to the temptations of the flesh. They were personally harmless and not too huge of a detractor. In the end, they contribute to the different kinds of wishes the departed have, in this case, absurd ones.

But where do those wishes come from? To reiterate, they originate from a place of deep regret, enough for people to stay in the realm of the living as ghosts. More often than not, these wishes spark profoundly tender stories that can hit you right in the heart, imparting the viewer with a renewed grasp on our ephemeral nature. There may be those who believe that the afterlife materializes in such a way that allows the peaceless dead to have a chance to be fulfilled, but for people like me who follow no such ideology, impermanence can be such a harrowing subject. The looming finality hovers like a shadowy cloud, ubiquitously felt yet undetectable. And consciousness after passing away does not turn microscopic the relevance of death, for Hanada Shounen-shi also shows the fiery drive of one close to visiting the other side.

Episodes 11 and 12 were the monumental arc. I don't even know where to begin with this. Haruhiko's story had the quintessential power of art surging through like tidal waves, moving me mind, body, and soul, not only because of what I'm about to yap on below, but also because it is here the author evinces Ichiro's extreme will to live through the hellish pain of a hospitalized body.

Love, and freedom. The marriage of both entities can manifest as countless equations, and all possess the celestial control to stir up the primal emotions humans are equipped with. I think, to be imprisoned from one's ultimate needs and wants is severely damaging, perhaps irreparably in the worst cases. Life stops becoming what it's supposed to be when that happens. Everybody dies, and how much despair is inflicted when thinking about a life that's not lived? To be able to pursue a love that's free to me is the greatest privilege, and having it is the greatest feeling. When it reaches the creation of a child (and it does not need to go so far), life becomes so much more than what it initially is. That is why Haruhiko's regret of being submissive to his parents and leaving Kana and their child after being so sheltered all throughout his brief lifetime was colossal, and a phenomenal cause for an utterly liberating sensation.

Introducing the body-switch mechanics at this point was also genius. There is so much thematic relevance in Haruhiko using Ichiro's body to interact with Kana and Natsu. For one, Ichiro lives every day to the fullest, a child that really refuses to be pinned down by external forces. A direct contrast to Haruhiko lights up. However, a child's body can only do so much, as shown when it struggles to carry the little Natsu. This directly points to Haruhiko being a young adult and the power he has to shoulder the burden, but most of all, to carry one of life's greatest blessings. This simple image of a physically and spiritually recovered Haruhiko carrying with him Natsu and the gifts he promised to give to her, saying oft-repeated "You only live once" quote, and following it with a vow to live his life fully not only for himself, but also for the beloved people he found within his lifetime, is an indescribable masterpiece.

Again, the simplicity sells it so well. The staff, under the direction of Kojima Masayuki (Made in Abyss, Monster), are fully aware of where the line stands. A clear vision of the appropriate approaches to take makes Hanada Shounen-shi a consistent piece of wholesome art that houses creative tales concentrated on the value of life, such as showcasing what it means to grieve the loss of a child, a father, or a stray cat, give marriage a second chance, keep promises, and take complete control of one's life. Though the series may present itself with noble depth, nevertheless Hanada Shounen-shi left with a shiny trail towards introspective contemplation.