Out of the hundreds of anime I've seen over the years, only one of them is consistently able to bring such fond, bittersweet memories to mind every time I watch it. As I see this group of friends struggle to come to grips with the meaning of adulthood and love, inevitably, my mind starts to wander to memories of long-forgotten hopes and desires, and old friends of mine that are now far away... Memories of what it felt like to be in college, with no clear path to the future and no idea where to go next. This is Honey and Clover in a nutshell; it is a show so potently relatable, wise, and nostalgic that you will likely come away from it a better person.
Honey and Clover is based on a manga by Chica Umino, known for other titles like Eden of the East and 3-gatsu no Lion. While 3-gatsu has become very popular lately (for good reason), Honey and Clover is often overlooked, perhaps because of its age. It was released in 2006, but still feels incredibly relevant today. In fact, to me, this show feels more grounded and relatable than 3-gatsu, which often relies on the game of Shogi and the settings surrounding that lifestyle to convey its ideas. Here, we have a group of college students (and adults) trying to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems to lack both at times. That core, fundamental longing is something that every single person can relate to deeply.
Upon first watch, the art style might be the first thing you'll notice (apart from the incredibly weird yet legendary OP). The show is drawn almost like a watercolor painting, with faded colors and a hazy, almost dreamlike feeling to it. This unique style fits the subject matter like a glove, and gives the show a soft, comforting feeling, like coming back to a warm home after being out in the cold all day.
Honey and Clover's sound design is a home run, with an all-star cast of voice actors that deliver on every line, and an OST full of emotionally-moving songs that capture moments in time. These songs will sound objectively good on first listen, but as the show goes on, they come to life, and may even bring you to tears. The OST simply brings out the best of every scene, and I can find no fault with it. Oh, and it also features one of the most underrated ED songs of all time: Waltz by Suneohair.
For any slice-of-life series, the heart of the show usually boils down to its characters, and Honey and Clover nails this like few others. Whether it be the uncertainty of adulthood looming in Takemoto's future, Yamada's unrequited love, or Hanamoto-sensei's lingering memories of youthful days gone by... Almost every single character is shockingly human. This is where Honey and Clover truly shines: it has an almost universal relatability that borders on painful accuracy at times. As a result, once you're hooked, it takes you on an emotional roller-coaster ride. The humorous moments are on-point, and the emotional moments can hit like a truck; few shows can take you from a hearty laugh to the verge of tears as quickly as this one.
Chica Umino undoubtedly has a generational talent for writing characters that feel like real people. Here, she was in top form. The cast of this show is absolutely unforgettable, and the intertwining stories of their lives feel natural and genuine. Each and every episode is filled to the brim with wholesome character interactions that make you feel like you're spending time with old friends, and you'll find yourself wanting to come back to visit with them time and time again, to discover one more anecdote - one more nugget of wisdom.
If there was a weakness to be found here, it would be the story, as there really isn't much of an overarching plot to speak of. The characters' lives are the story, and the show doesn't really need much more than that. However, I would be remiss not to at least mention the rather sudden and highly controversial ending of the series. It's something I've always overlooked due to the sheer quality of the show as a whole, but if you're expecting a satisfying, mind-blowing conclusion to the series, you will probably be disappointed (there is a sequel as well, called Honey and Clover 2, that ends the series; in my mind, I count both as one complete show). Much like life itself, this show is not about the destination, but the journey, and few journeys are as touching and meaningful as this one.
As you can probably tell by now, this show is very special to me. When I first discovered it over 10 years ago, while living on-campus at college, it felt like a revelation. To a young man drifting along without any real aim in life, it provided immense wisdom. It taught me the beauty of a simple, honest life, and how precious everyday moments should never be taken for granted. It showed me that adulthood doesn't mean leaving the things you love behind. Even now, as a grown man in his 30s, I still find value every time I come back to spend time with these characters. I've lost count of how many times I've re-watched it, so, I may be a bit biased, but I truly believe this show is one of the greatest anime ever made, and it is undoubtedly my personal favorite of all time. The worth of this show simply transcends entertainment.
Even though all of this praise is subjective, as all reviews are, I invite you to find out for yourself. Spend some time with this masterpiece. Open your mind, and see where this show takes you. You might just discover something valuable about yourself in the process.