Meiko "Menma" Honma died at age 10 in an accidental drowning after slipping and falling into a river while chasing her friend Jinta Yadomi, who had impulsively called her "ugly" when asked if he liked her. This event, occurring five years before the main story, fractured their childhood friend group, the Super Peace Busters. Following her death, she reappeared as a spirit visible and audible only to Jinta. She could physically interact with her surroundings—opening doors, handling objects, eating, and writing. Others sometimes sensed her presence through sudden heaviness, unexplained scents, or goosebumps. Manifesting as she might have looked at approximately 15 years old, she stood 147 cm tall, weighed 36 kg, and had long silver hair, light blue eyes, and pale skin. She wore the same white dress with a blue ribbon from her death day but remained barefoot after losing her sandals in the river. Her appearance reflected her friends' imaginings of her as a teenager, though she retained childlike speech and mannerisms. Her personality stayed cheerful, kind-hearted, and somewhat air-headed, often prioritizing others' well-being, especially Jinta's. She frequently expressed loneliness, particularly over her inability to comfort her grieving family or fully communicate with friends. Despite her circumstances, she showed positivity and energy but cried easily when others were hurt or upset. She held no resentment for her death and desired reincarnation to rejoin their world. Jinta initially dismissed her as a stress-induced hallucination, calling her "the beast of the summer." Her return was driven by an unfulfilled wish she couldn't recall, later revealed to be intertwined with Jinta's mother's desire for him to "learn how to smile again." This prompted Jinta to reunite their friends. Menma's interactions helped them confront hidden guilt, unresolved feelings, and mutual blame for her death. She harbored romantic feelings for Jinta, explicitly stated in a note wishing to marry him—a sentiment she reaffirmed before departing. In the anime film sequel set one year later, she wrote final letters to each friend while they searched for her. A later stage reading drama, set ten years after the main events, depicted her in a dream as reincarnated, symbolizing her enduring presence. Her role catalyzed the group's reconciliation and emotional healing, allowing them to move forward while preserving their bond. Her final words, "You found... me," acknowledged their collective closure before her spirit moved on.