Ep 3. Menma Search Party
- TV-PG
- July 11, 2012
- 23 min
-
(329)
As the third episode of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day begins, Jinta's friends are starting to take notice of his strange behavior. One of his closest friends, Poppo, suggests that they try to find Menma's diary in order to help Jinta move on from her death. Menma was a close friend of the group who died tragically when they were children, and Jinta has been haunted by her ghost ever since.
The group decides to split up to search for the diary in different locations where Menma might have hidden it. Yukiatsu and Tsuruko go to Menma's old house, while Poppo and Anaru search the local playground where they used to play as children. Jinta and Menma's younger brother, Satoshi, head to the temple where Menma's family keeps her ashes.
As the groups search for the diary, they are all confronted with memories of Menma and their childhood together. Tsuruko remembers how jealous she was of Menma's close relationship with Jinta, while Anaru is forced to confront her own feelings for Jinta. Yukiatsu reveals that he has been keeping Menma's hair ribbon since her death, a fact that disturbs the other members of the group.
As Jinta and Satoshi search the temple, they are unable to find the diary. Jinta becomes frustrated and starts to argue with Satoshi, who reveals that he blames Jinta for Menma's death. He accuses Jinta of not being able to save her, and says that he believes Jinta wants to keep Menma's ghost around because it makes him feel less guilty.
The argument between Jinta and Satoshi reaches a fever pitch, and Menma's ghost suddenly appears. She scolds the boys for fighting and reminds them that they're all supposed to be searching for her diary. Her sudden appearance startles Satoshi, who runs away in fear. Jinta is left alone with Menma and finally breaks down in tears.
Meanwhile, the other members of the group have also run into difficulties in their search. Anaru and Poppo have accidentally set off a fire alarm at the playground, while Tsuruko is forced to confront the fact that she never truly understood Menma when she was alive.
As the episode comes to a close, the group reconvenes back at Jinta's house empty-handed. Jinta apologizes for getting angry and reiterates his desire to find Menma's diary. As the group starts to disperse, Menma's ghost appears to Jinta once more. She takes his hand and leads him outside, where she shows him a patch of flowers that have bloomed overnight. Jinta realizes that they are the same flowers that Menma had tried to show him earlier, and he finally understands what she has been trying to tell him.
Overall, this episode of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a poignant exploration of grief, guilt, and the power of memory. The characters are all fleshed out and complex, and their interactions with one another feel real and emotionally resonant. Menma's ghost is a mysterious and intriguing presence, and her interactions with Jinta in particular provide some of the most moving moments of the episode. Fans of the show will be eagerly anticipating the next installment as the group continues its search for Menma's diary.