Hana wa Saku, Shura no Gotoku

Since childhood, Hana Haruyama has been enthralled by the art of storytelling. After watching a child her age perform on television with mesmerizing grace, Hana decides to try it herself. She practices by reciting tales to Tonaki Island's children, who are always enthusiastic about her performances. However, growing up in such a small community, Hana remains unaware of the possibilities beyond her world, satisfied with how things are.

Entering Sumomogaoka High School as a first-year student, Hana catches the attention of Mizuki Usurai, the president of the broadcasting club, with her skills. Despite Hana's hesitation and anxiety about the road ahead, Mizuki successfully convinces her to the club, nurture her gift, and perhaps one day reach the top—the nationals of the NHK Broadcasting Competition.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Haruyama, Hana Main

Fujidera, Minori Japanese

Usurai, Mizuki Main

Shimabukuro, Miyuri Japanese

Natsue, An ing

Izumi, Fuuka Japanese

Totonoi, Ryouko ing

Yasuno, Kiyono Japanese

Haruyama, Rie ing

Gotou, Yuuko Japanese

Saionji, Shura ing

Hikasa, Youko Japanese

Botanboko, Pokoko ing

Kakuma, Ai Japanese

Kichijouji, Hiromi ing

Yusa, Kouji Japanese

Akiyama, Matsuyuki ing

Yamashita, Seiichirou Japanese

Touga, Shuudai ing

Chiba, Shouya Japanese

Ootomo, Toshiya Producer

Fujii, Takahiro Producer

Hirahara, Yuito Producer

Ji, Donghui Producer

Reviews

Mar 30, 2025

MysticLyre

Recommended

The combination of beautiful visuals and music used to represent being pulled into characters' readings was very well done. The characters themselves feel genuine and fun, and despite the relatively short run, there is demonstrated growth. I think it's an enjoyable "sports" anime with some serious slice of life vibes.

However, this might be rated higher if a big part of the climax wasn't spent on one character's family drama. Also, the resolution to that drama ultimately felt too convenient, rushed, and unearned to be truly satisfying. It would have been a good character event if it didn't feel like it delayed us from ever getting ... to the competition they've spent most of the season preparing for.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Apr 2, 2025

RomanRonin

Mixed Feelings

Flower and Asura is a perfectly fine show. In fact, for what it is, it is an exceptionally good show. The animation is striking, the voice actors are incredibly talented, and the plot is meaningful and makes complete sense. However, there's something about it that is just a bit...boring.

If I have to put words to it, it's a disconnect between me and the concept. The whole concept of Flower and Asura is a high school broadcasting club striving to compete in the national broadcasting competition. Most of the plot revolves around dramatic readings of various texts. These readings are obviously deeper in their meaning, ... and often pair with the characters' own feelings. They also are artistically adapted to convey the emotion of the reading.

However, there's a problem. The VAs are already so talented that, from the get-go, the readings sound fantastic. In other words, whilst the show is meant to show the progression of these characters, they feel perfect from the very beginning. The MC, who is a likeable "Mary Sue" type character, is depicted as imensely talented but not refined, yet by Episode 12 she shoulds virtually the same as always. Sure, her confidence certainly grows, but her actual readings are about the same. In fact, the only person who's readings I actually resonated with was Mizuki, who had immense power and emotion to her voice. Everyone else felt just like professional VAs reading a script, too perfect for their depicted characters.

Now, this by itself doesn't make the show bad: it's perfectly good! But, if I'm being honest, the premise is already a bit boring, so when 95% of these spoken poems are presented with scant emotion and flawless pronunciation, it makes everything feel so...bland. Strangely enough, despite the medium, I actually feel like this is likely better in the manga, as the written form allows for a little bit more imperfection.

Forgive my rambling, but if I had to boil down my long-winded point, I'd say this show played it way too safe, and while its perfectly fine to play it safe, it also hinders it from its true potential.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Mar 26, 2025

six20

Not Recommended

Hana wa Saku, Shura no Gotoku is a show I'll judge for its recitation and ability to wow me over with it. On that it fails the same way a show about singing would fail if it had great instrumentation and choreography overshadowing the singing. The recitation with a handful of exceptions relies on visual and sound effects to wow the watcher instead of relying the seiyuu's voice work.

The OP and ED are a nice listen to and fit the mood. The characters are unique enough and have decent chemistry. The story is fine and s its recitation/reading/announcing theme. None of it is outstanding, and ... does not counteract the glaring flaw of failing to meet the show's intention.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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