The anime for this discussion is: Bokurano.

Bokurano

This post is part of the series of anime discussions with adult themes.
Once again, not erotic content, but content that raises complex questions and has a serious plot which children wouldn’t understand or don’t have enough maturity to understand it fully.

A little different from Serial Experiments Lain, this one doesn’t have a very complex and intricate plot.
Anyone can understand it.

I thought it was a mecha anime (because of some images I saw).. as I’m not a fan of the genre, never tried watching it.
But I became curious after I saw the music of the series included on NikoNiko Compilation, and decided to try watching.

Bokurano

Bokurano tells the story about 14 teenagers and one little girl that, during a summer trip, finds themselves involved with something that looks like a fun and misterious game.
But soon they realise that the game will affect their live far beyond they imagined.

Bokurano

Before going further, a warning: the topic has spoilers that could ruin some surprizes on the anime… so for those who will watch, might be better read this later. But I’ll not say much, so if you still don’t know whether to watch or not, read the post.

Bokurano

Just like, or maybe even more than Neon Genesis Evangelion, mechas play a secondary part.
The anime is in fact about people.
The characters on the anime all have detailed personalities and stories, built to make people reflect on it.

Bokurano

Most of the characters had problems in life, while growing up.
This will play a big part on their on decisions, which they’ll be forced to make in the “game”.

Bokurano

I heard this somewhere: People only reveal their true nature when facing death.
From there comes the strength from the anime. The choices, the tragedies, the human drama, the sudden need for “growing up”, the reaction of the characters on extreme situations.
You can’t avoid thinking: “What would I do in their places?”.

Bokurano

I only don’t know why it’s so unknown around here… I never heard any comments about it.
Still, it shurely is one of those works of art everyone should watch.

Bokurano

So, it’s an essencial anime that talks about human condition, doesn’t follow your average plot, has big surprises and makes you think. I’ll be satisfied if I can convince someone to watch the anime with this topic.

Opening on YouTube:

By the way, yesterday near midnight I thought to myself “Bokurano? Well, let me see how it is, maybe watch a couple of episodes”.
10 hours straight later, I was watching the last episode.
I didn’t mean to, but the anime completely stealed my attention. That’s how good it is.

Trailer:

Been a long time since last I did a marathon like that. Or rather, it’s been sometime I watched anime.
But every now and then, an anime like Bokurano land in my hands to remind me of why I became an anime addict in the first place.
For those who already watched, recommend it to friends… for those who didn’t: What are you waiting for?

UPDATE:
You know those songs that for some reason are part of your life and will follow you forever?
The ones you always get back to on happy and sad days, like an old friend?
Well, this is one of those for me, and part of a series of posts I’m calling my permanent playlist.