Hana-Kimi Episode 1 Review anime adaptation 1990s 2000s manga

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It took nearly 30 years to bring the anime adaptation of Hana-Kimi to life. The original manga, created by Hisaya Nakajo, was first published in 1996 and quickly became a fan favorite. Its popularity led to a live-action TV drama in 2007. With such a strong history, the new anime series from Aniplex and Signal.MD had a lot to live up to.

Signal.MD, known for their work on Platinum End, continues a trend of visually unremarkable anime with the first episode of Hana-Kimi. The art style is generic and relies heavily on noticeable CGI backgrounds, which are particularly distracting during important scenes. This episode also misses the mark in terms of tone, feeling overly dramatic instead of capturing the lighthearted romantic comedy spirit that made the original series so beloved.

Signal.MD’s Distracting CGI Undermines Hana-Kimi’s Anime Debut

Computer-generated imagery (CGI) in anime can be good or bad. It often falls flat when studios use it as a shortcut instead of fully developing the backgrounds. A good example is in the first episode of Hana-Kimi, where the 3D backgrounds don’t quite fit with the 2D characters. This is especially noticeable during the chase scene at the end – the shiny, 3D hallways look like a separate layer the characters are simply placed on top of, which is distracting.

The show also includes odd, quick cuts to 3D-rendered classroom decorations, which feels jarring when the characters themselves are 2D. This contributes to a slideshow-like feel throughout the series, as seen when a soccer scene is presented as two static images instead of actual gameplay. While CGI can be effective, in Hana-Kimi, it feels like an afterthought and doesn’t quite fit.

High schools are frequently used as settings in anime, so it’s important for studios to make them visually interesting. Kamisama Kiss did a great job with this in its second episode, featuring an exciting chase scene with Tomoe pursuing Kurama through the school using fox fire. While Hana-Kimi doesn’t involve supernatural powers, the animation could have been more playful, similar to other anime, during Ashiya’s chase scene. The first episode of Hana-Kimi didn’t quite succeed because it was unclear whether the show was meant to be serious or funny.

To heighten the tension in Signal.MD’s chase scene, they could have played with the lighting, similar to how shows like Fruits Basket and Kimi Ni Todoke often create mood. For example, the Valentine’s Day episode of Kimi Ni Todoke, where the main character struggles with giving chocolates, used a lot of grey tones to emphasize her anxiety and loneliness. Maintaining this consistent, subdued atmosphere leaves the audience feeling uncertain and adds to the emotional impact. A beloved manga like Hana-Kimi deserves a more carefully crafted adaptation, and hopefully the series will improve after the first episode.

Hana-Kimi’s Animation Art Style Is Devoid Of The ’90s Manga’s Comedic Spirit

The animation style in Hana-Kimi feels too refined for a romantic comedy, particularly when compared to the original manga. Many other shojo anime, like the 2019 version of Fruits Basket and Lovely Complex, use over-the-top, funny facial expressions that match their manga origins – something the Hana-Kimi manga has a lot of. For example, when Ashiya reacts to Sano quitting track, the scene feels stiff and doesn’t convey much emotion, even though the voice actress is shouting. It’s hard to understand what the scene is supposed to show because the camera quickly moves away from Ashiya’s face.

The story of Hana-Kimi lends itself to a lighthearted and over-the-top visual style. It’s hard not to compare it to Ouran High School Host Club, which also playfully explores gender roles. Ouran‘s anime adaptation worked so well because it was fast-paced and used exaggerated visuals. While Hana-Kimi wasn’t quite as quick with its jokes, the original manga’s artwork didn’t take itself as seriously as the anime adaptation by Signal.MD did.

There’s a certain charm to anime from the 2000s and early 2010s that feels missing in newer shows. In the first episode of Signal.MD’s Hana-Kimi, the overly smooth animation and subdued colors actually hurt the series. Many popular romantic comedies depend on quick changes in tone, clumsy moments, and over-the-top expressions for their humor, and Hana-Kimi’s premiere seems to lack all of that energy.

Some of the jokes in Hana-Kimi don’t quite hit the mark. What used to be typical, lighthearted humor for shojo manga of that time now feels awkward. This is likely because the show’s updated art style focuses on these moments instead of embracing the over-the-top, silly energy they originally had.

Some of the jokes feel dated for modern audiences, but it’s good that Signal.MD didn’t change them. Still, the show could have emphasized the humor a little more. Also, the show’s straightforward style makes it easy to misinterpret why Ashiya transfers to the all-boys school – her interest in Sano isn’t as clear as it could be.

Hana-Kimi’s Cast Makes a Strong First Impression

Although the first episode of Hana-Kimi had some visual issues, the actors are engaging. The main character, Ashiya, could easily be overshadowed by the supporting cast. Because the episode didn’t clearly explain why she transferred to an all-boys school or her interest in Izumi, their connection might feel unnatural if the adaptation doesn’t develop it carefully.

Nakatsu is poised to become a beloved character as the series unfolds. He’s naturally charming and quickly captures the audience’s attention. Think of him as a more down-to-earth version of Tamaki Suoh from Ouran High School Host Club. His comedic delivery is perfect, and he immediately seems to connect with Ashiya even more than Sano does. Even when his jokes are a little awkward, they work because he comes across as genuinely unaware, rather than deliberately trying to be funny.

Minami immediately captures the hearts of viewers. He makes a strong first impression in the first episode of Hana-Kimi, exuding both charisma and self-assurance. The way he appears is similar to Kurama from Kamisama Kiss, though less dramatic – there are no flashy effects, just a powerful presence. This entrance shows that the creators of Hana-Kimi were working to create a specific atmosphere from the beginning, even though the artwork initially feels quite serious.

Hokuto Umeda makes a strong impression from the moment he appears, earning him the nickname “Dr. Sadistic” from Nakatsu. He’s clearly intelligent and a bit scary, fully deserving of the title. When he directly questions Ashiya about her gender in the first episode of Hana-Kimi, it’s obvious he’s someone who can keep a secret. He’s a lot like Kyoya Ootori from Ouran High School Host Club – a character who’s calculating and keeps things close to the vest.

Even though the first episode of Hana-Kimi had a bit of a rough start, the series still feels promising for the Winter 2026 season. This isn’t a typical, easily forgettable romance or slice-of-life anime; it’s a story that fans have been hoping to see adapted into anime for a long time.

Bringing back Hana-Kimi after almost 30 years shows how much Hisaya Nakajo’s manga still resonates with people, and suggests the anime industry is starting to focus more on shojo stories. If the new anime adaptation by Signal.MD can capture the fun, lightheartedness, and warmth of the original manga, it has the potential to please existing fans and attract a new audience to this classic shojo title.

Hana-Kimi Episodes 1 & 2 streaming now on , weekly on Sundays.

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2026-01-07 05:40