Honey and Clover II
Title: Honey and Clover II aka Hachimitsu
to Clover II aka Hachikuro
II
Genre: Drama/Romance
Company: GENCO/J.C.
Staff
Format: 12
episodes
Dates: 29
Jun 2006 – 21 Sep 2006
Synopsis: Life continues for Yuuta Takemoto,
Takumi Mayama and Morita Shinobu. Using strength from their friends, families,
and themselves, they pursue their romantic endeavors as well as their life
ambitions. Takumi continues his ardent chase of Rika, and Morita places the
final touches to his brother’s dream. Takemoto, however, is still stuck in
uncertainty as he approaches the end of his college life. Regardless of what he
or his friends decide, everything must change and nothing will ever be the same
again.
The Highlights
Characters: Some
of the most believable you will ever see.
Romance: Bittersweet
and often poignant.
Animation: Soft,
ephemeral, dreamlike.
A sequel
is often a lackadaisical attempt to cash in on its predecessor’s success. As
such, most spin offs end up being mediocre or straight out terrible. There is
however, a small handful that takes the foundation its progenitor has laid out
and adds another, more polished layer on top. Honey and Clover II may be a
sequel, but it is by no means inferior. In fact, with the characters firmly
established, the show plays out the resolutions to much of the initial
conflicts, creating a product that is actually superior to the original.
Production
values are once again solid with beautiful animation, heartfelt music and
creative cinematography. However, these are merely the uppermost icing on this
exquisite cake. The Honey and Clover franchise has always focused on its
characters, shoving plot to the wayside, and directly making connections with
the audience.
No words
can truly do the complex feelings portrayed in this anime justice; the flood of
raw emotions that is unleashed simply cannot be adequately expressed. The cast
is so diverse, so dynamically human that it is hard not to like. I will
personally testify that Honey and Clover II has some of the most believable and
relatable characters I have ever seen. Anime, live action or otherwise, you
will be hard pressed to find anything more authentic.
The
conflicts the characters face ring with a sharp, down to earth tone that is
hopeful yet poignant. The cast has already put down their cards in the original
Honey and Clover so, in this sequel, the other players begin to respond. The
characters absolutely blossom or silently whither depending on their loved
ones’ acceptance or rejection. However, these individuals hold in their hearts
the fact that tomorrow is another day full of harsh tribulations and renewed
hope. You will laugh with these characters; you will cry with these characters;
you will feel emotions you never thought possible through anime. Rarely have I
seen an anime so viscerally portray life.
If Honey
and Clover was the dramatic herald to first love, Honey and Clover II is surely
the emotional fallout. The characters are dealt a cruel hand as they become
hung up on a one sided love. None of the feelings the cast undergoes is shallow
or facetious. They are confronted with the harsh reality of rejection and the
harrowing continuation of life. If you want a genuinely heartfelt drama, Honey
and Clover II more than fits the bill. It is, without a doubt, one of the best
you can find.
