2014年夏アニメ
アオハライド
Production I.G
青春学園ラブストーリー
2014年7月7日〜9月22日放送（全12話）
Ao Haru Ride is a TV anime produced by Production I.G, based on Io Sakisaka's shoujo manga of the same name, serialized in Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret. The 12-episode series aired starting July 7, 2014, on TOKYO MX, MBS, BS11, and other networks. First-year high schooler Futaba Yoshioka reunites, after three years apart, with her first love Kou Tanaka, who had transferred schools and vanished from her life back in junior high. But Kou now goes by the surname "Mabuchi" and has become a cool, seemingly different person. As Futaba wrestles with complicated feelings toward the boy who left without a word, and tries to piece together what happened during his mysterious three-year absence, the story unfolds into an ensemble drama involving Futaba's circle of classmates. The ending theme, "Blue" by Fujifabric, became a talking point for capturing the bittersweet ache of adolescence in song form.
📝 Highlights
👥 Characters
💫 Foreshadowing & Quotes
❓ FAQ
🌟 Featured Comments
📝 Highlights & Appeal Light spoilers
01① Based on Io Sakisaka's popular shoujo manga
Based on the manga serialized in Bessatsu Margaret, the source material is highly praised for its delicate emotional writing and realistic portrayal of adolescent relationships.
02② A reunion with first love Kou after three years
Futaba unexpectedly reunites with Kou in high school, years after he transferred away without a word in junior high — and finds herself thrown off by how cool and distant he's become.
03③ Complicated feelings toward a Kou who's changed his name and personality
Kou's surname has changed from Tanaka to Mabuchi. Futaba gradually gets closer to uncovering what happened during his mysterious three-year absence.
04④ An ensemble cast of vivid classmates
Futaba's circle of classmates — including Yuuri Makita, Shuko Murao, and Aya Kominato — each carry their own romantic entanglements and struggles, giving the series real ensemble depth.
05⑤ Careful, detailed animation by Production I.G
Production I.G's careful animation expresses the meaning packed into the title "Ao Haru Ride" — racing through the blue, unfinished days of youth.
06⑥ OP theme "Sekai wa Koi ni Ochiteiru" by CHiCO with HoneyWorks
The OP theme is a collaboration between CHiCO, discovered through the "Utakatsu!" audition, and the popular creator unit HoneyWorks, setting the tone for the story's opening.
07⑦ Fujifabric's ED theme "Blue"
The ending theme "Blue," written and composed by guitarist-vocalist Soichiro Yamauchi after reading the original manga, captures the bittersweet ache of youth in song.
08⑧ A popular series later adapted into a live-action film
Following the anime adaptation, the series was also made into a live-action film, further expanding its reach as a popular multimedia franchise.
💡 Key Points & Predictions Some spoilers
Expect the story to gradually reveal what happened during Kou's mysterious three-year absence. Alongside the central question of where Futaba and Kou's relationship is headed, the romantic entanglements and personal struggles of classmates like Yuuri and Shuko unfold in parallel, deepening the series' ensemble portrayal of youth.
🧾 Story So Far Contains spoilers
Now a first-year high schooler, Futaba reunites with her first love Kou, three years after he transferred away without a word during junior high. But Kou's surname has changed from Tanaka to Mabuchi, and he's become a cool, seemingly different person. Confused but determined, Futaba begins piecing together what happened during his mysterious three-year absence.
✅ Recommended Viewing Points
Recommended for anyone who wants to watch a frustrating, bittersweet first love unfold after a three-year reunion. Beyond Futaba and Kou's relationship, the series' broader ensemble portrayal of youth among their classmates is just as rewarding.
👀 Trivia & Fun Facts
Soichiro Yamauchi, guitarist and vocalist of Fujifabric, wrote and composed the ending theme "Blue" after thoroughly reading through the original manga. Ahead of the TV broadcast, a giant original poster was displayed at Shibuya Station, generating considerable buzz at the time.
Futaba Yoshioka (CV: Maaya Uchida)
The story's protagonist, a first-year high schooler who reunites with her first love Kou, three years after he transferred away in junior high, and finds herself wrestling with complicated feelings.
Kou Mabuchi (CV: Yuki Kaji)
Futaba's first love. He went by the surname Tanaka in junior high, but now goes by Mabuchi, and has become a cool, seemingly different person from who he used to be.
Yuuri Makita (CV: Ai Kayano)
One of Futaba's classmates, a central figure within her circle of school friends.
Shuko Murao (CV: Mikako Komatsu)
One of Futaba's classmates, who watches over the friend group from her own distinct point of view.
Aya Kominato (CV: KENN)
A classmate of Futaba's, established as being a quarter French in the story's setting.
Yoichi Tanaka (CV: Daisuke Hirakawa)
Kou's older brother, who appears to know something about the mysterious three years Kou spent away.
Toma Kikuchi (CV: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)
A male classmate of Futaba's, one of the key characters woven into the ensemble drama among the friend group.
Naito (CV: Daiki Yamashita)
One of Futaba's classmates, appearing as part of the group of friends coloring in their school life.
Asumi (CV: Marina Inoue)
A female student connected to Futaba's circle, adding further depth to the series' ensemble portrayal of youth.
Chie (CV: Ryoko Shiraishi)
One of the classmates appearing in Futaba's day-to-day school life.
💫 Unresolved Foreshadowing Contains spoilers
- The family circumstances behind why Kou changed his surname from Tanaka to Mabuchi are gradually revealed.
- Complicated feelings held by Kou's older brother Yoichi regarding his brother's past are also woven in as a subplot.
- The romantic relationships among Futaba's classmates are structured to also influence the course of Futaba and Kou's own relationship.
💌 Predicted Viral Quotes for Next Season
"Just one more millimeter — but it won't reach." — A line used in the show's key visual, symbolizing the frustrating distance between Futaba and Kou.
"It's not just his surname that changed." — Futaba's inner thought as she struggles to process how much Kou has changed since their reunion.
"I want to really understand." — A line expressing Futaba's resolve to face the truth of Kou's missing three years.
What kind of anime is “Ao Haru Ride”?
Ao Haru Ride is a TV anime produced by Production I.G, based on Io Sakisaka's shoujo manga of the same name, serialized in Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret. The 12-episode series aired starting July 7, 2…
What are the theme songs (OP/ED) of “Ao Haru Ride”?
You can find the theme songs of “Ao Haru Ride” ranked by view count in the anime song ranking on the homepage. Each song’s page also shows a chart of its view-count history.
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