TV-Series
Description
"Looking Up At The Half-Moon" is a six-episode anime adaptation of the light novel series by Tsumugu Hashimoto. The story centers on Yuichi Ezaki, a high school student hospitalized due to a liver condition, and Rika Akiba, a girl staying in the same hospital. Yuichi, frustrated by his confinement, frequently sneaks out of the hospital to explore the outside world. During one of these excursions, he encounters Rika, who is also a patient but is confined to the hospital due to a terminal heart condition. Despite their contrasting personalities—Yuichi’s rebelliousness and Rika’s sharp-tongued demeanor—they form a bond.

Rika, who has resigned herself to her fate, initially resists forming connections with others, including Yuichi. However, as they spend more time together, their relationship deepens. Yuichi learns about Rika’s love for writing and her dream of becoming a novelist, while Rika begins to open up about her fears and regrets. Their interactions are marked by moments of humor, vulnerability, and emotional intensity, as they navigate the challenges of their illnesses and the limited time they have together.

The narrative explores themes of mortality, love, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of adversity. Yuichi’s determination to live life to the fullest contrasts with Rika’s acceptance of her condition, creating a dynamic that drives the emotional core of the story. Supporting characters, such as the hospital staff and Yuichi’s friend Natsume, provide additional context and depth to the central relationship.

The series balances lighthearted moments with poignant reflections on life and death, culminating in a bittersweet resolution that underscores the fragility of human existence. The anime’s concise runtime ensures a focused narrative, emphasizing the emotional journey of its protagonists without unnecessary detours. Through its exploration of love and loss, "Looking Up At The Half-Moon" offers a heartfelt portrayal of two individuals finding solace and meaning in each other’s company amidst their shared struggles.
Information
Looking Up At The Half-Moon
半分の月がのぼる空 - looking up at the half-moon
Type: TV-Series
Anime Episodes: 6
Movie/Episode length: 30 min.
Date: 01/12/2006 – 02/23/2006
Categories
Genre
DramaRomance
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Staff
  • Director · Yukihiro Matsushita
  • Series Composition · Katsuhiko Takayama
  • Script · Katsuhiko Takayama
  • Storyboard · Nobuyuki Takeuchi
  • Storyboard · Yukihiro Matsushita
  • Storyboard · Kouichi Takada
  • Episode Director · Katsuyoshi Yatabe
  • Episode Director · Nobuyuki Takeuchi
  • Episode Director · Yutaka Hirata
  • Episode Director · Masayuki Iimura
  • Music · Shinkichi Mitsumune
  • Original creator · Tsumugu Hashimoto
  • Character Design · Mitsuru Ohara
  • Art Director · Takashi Nakamura
  • Chief Animation Director · Mitsuru Ohara
  • Animation Director · Noritomo Hattori
  • Animation Director · Takuji Yoshimoto
  • Animation Director · Mitsuru Ohara
  • Sound Director · Takahiro Enomoto
  • Director of Photography · Youichirou Satou
  • Producer · Tatsuya Ishiguro
Production
  • Production · Pony Canyon
  • Animation Production · Group TAC