Spring 2011 anime first impressions and recently completed Winter 2011 anime reviews by Kia (Some rights reserved)
The New (Slice of Lifers)
Hanasaku Iroha
Hanasaku Iroha © P.A Works, Masahiro Ando, Square Enix, and Staffers
Short Summary
Sixteen-year-old Ohana Matsumae struggles to find herself amidst the ups and downs of teenage life. Raised by a single parent, Ohana holds an odd view regarding childbirth. In fact, she's still questioning her own existence. With a mother she can't look up to, who comes saddled with an irresponsible boyfriend, Ohana doesn't expect life to turn 180 degrees when her mother suddenly goes on a moonlight flit and sends Ohana to a hot springs inn belonging to Ohana's grandmother. Without any options, Ohana spends her remaining high school life living and working at the inn.