Today marks ten years since the anime adaptation of “Walk to Haru (Blue Spring Tour)”, one of the most beloved and remembered romantic stories by fans of the shojo genre. The series, based on the manga of the same name by Io Sakisakafirst aired on July 8, 2014, capturing the hearts of many with its gripping storyline and endearing characters.

“Ao Haru Ride” tells the story of Futaba Yoshioka, a high school student who, after meeting her first love, Kou Mabuchi, decides to change her personality and start over. The manga, known for its deep character development and realistic portrayal of teenage emotions, quickly became a hit in Japan and internationally.

The manga series was serialized in the magazine Kisses Daisy from 2011 to 2015, compiling a total of 13 volumes. The anime adaptation, produced by the studio Production GI and directed by Oh Yoshimuraremained faithful to the aesthetics and spirit of the original work, but unfortunately only managed to adapt the first introductory volumes of the story.

The anime adaptation consists of 12 episodes and an OVAwhich focus mainly on the early story arcs of the manga. Tomoko Konparu was in charge of the script, while Rena Igawa designed the characters, perfectly capturing the essence of Sakisaka's original designs. The soundtrack, composed by Keiko Osaki, Hiroaki Tsutsumi and Shouta Hashimotocomplemented the melancholic and romantic mood of the series.

Despite the anime's popularity, the adaptation did not even reach half of the total volumes of the manga, leaving many fans wanting more. Over these ten years, the Fans have repeatedly expressed their desire to see a sequel that covers the rest of Futaba and Kou's story.. However, so far, there have been no official announcements about a possible second season or a film adaptation that concludes the plot.

The “Ao Haru Ride” anniversary not only marks a decade since the anime’s debut, but also highlights the fans' persistent hope for a sequel. The series, with its combination of romance, drama, and personal growth, left a lasting mark on the anime and manga community, and its legacy lives on in the hearts of its fans.

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