Hanasaku Iroha: A Healing Masterpiece with Lasting Impact
I was deeply moved the first time I watched Hanasaku Iroha.
Even though it's a 2011 anime, it still holds up beautifully today. P.A. Works truly brought the wind, light, and mist of the hot spring town to life; every frame looks like a scenic postcard. The morning mist in the mountains, the steam from the hot springs, falling cherry blossoms, the night festival, the slope at sunset—it doesn't feel dated at all. It's gentle and high-quality, and after finishing it, I really want to visit Yuwaku Onsen in Kanazawa.
The story follows an ordinary girl, Ohana Matsumae, who suddenly moves to the countryside to live and work at her grandmother's hot spring inn, Kissuiso, where she grows up. There's no over-the-top drama or overpowered protagonists; it's just a realistic journey of stumbling through life, feeling wronged or frustrated, and experiencing those moments of being slowly healed and becoming stronger.
The romance also really struck a chord with me. The innocent, restrained, and slow-burning connection between Ohana and Koichi is so heart-fluttering. It’s not loud, but the emotional impact is powerful—gentle and pure.
What I can't seem to move on from is the music. I've been looping the playlist over and over:
- Hazy
- Gekkou to Swing (Moonlight and Swing)
- Patricia
- Saibou no Kioku (Memory of Cells)
Whenever the music starts, I feel both warm and empty inside, carrying a hint of faint sadness. It’s an anime from many years ago, yet it still manages to heal me today.
Does anyone else love this show? Any recommendations for similar healing anime?
Even though it's a 2011 anime, it still holds up beautifully today. P.A. Works truly brought the wind, light, and mist of the hot spring town to life; every frame looks like a scenic postcard. The morning mist in the mountains, the steam from the hot springs, falling cherry blossoms, the night festival, the slope at sunset—it doesn't feel dated at all. It's gentle and high-quality, and after finishing it, I really want to visit Yuwaku Onsen in Kanazawa.
The story follows an ordinary girl, Ohana Matsumae, who suddenly moves to the countryside to live and work at her grandmother's hot spring inn, Kissuiso, where she grows up. There's no over-the-top drama or overpowered protagonists; it's just a realistic journey of stumbling through life, feeling wronged or frustrated, and experiencing those moments of being slowly healed and becoming stronger.
The romance also really struck a chord with me. The innocent, restrained, and slow-burning connection between Ohana and Koichi is so heart-fluttering. It’s not loud, but the emotional impact is powerful—gentle and pure.
What I can't seem to move on from is the music. I've been looping the playlist over and over:
- Hazy
- Gekkou to Swing (Moonlight and Swing)
- Patricia
- Saibou no Kioku (Memory of Cells)
Whenever the music starts, I feel both warm and empty inside, carrying a hint of faint sadness. It’s an anime from many years ago, yet it still manages to heal me today.
Does anyone else love this show? Any recommendations for similar healing anime?