Almost every anime you watch uses the ‘power of friendship’ concept. It has been overdone to the point of it becoming corny. 2014 anime, ‘One Week Friends,’ is a testament to how even an overdone genre can be presented refreshingly.
No, the anime does dramatize, “I will die for my friends!” but it does show the daily lives of two people who want to be friends and gradually become closer by overcoming a painful obstacle.
One Week Friends does not show characters with a burning passion or fierce personalities; instead, it reflects on two teenagers and their feelings for each other. It is heartwarming and relaxing, to say the least.
No superpowers, monsters, explosions, or ecchi elements have been incorporated, as it mostly sticks to realism. This is probably why it is one of the most underrated anime out there. So let’s dive into this lovely story and figure out the basics of One Week Friends.
What Is the Plot of One Week Friends Anime?
The anime begins with Yuuki Hase, a high schooler, asking his crush, Kaori, if she wants to be friends. Kaori admits that she would love to but can’t. Not discouraged by the complicated rejection, Yuuki decides to meet Kaori every day and slowly establish a friendship.
However, Kaori stops him with a tearful reveal of her memory loss that affects her every Monday. She forgets everything that happened in the past week every Monday, thus disabling her from making any friends, as she will inevitably hurt them.
Yuuki suggests Kaori keep a diary, and he never gives up on trying to be friends with her. As weeks pass, Kaori shows improvement despite many failures in between.
How Does One Week Friends Anime End?
Episode 12 of One Week Friends is the last installment of the anime. The final episode shows Yuki running into Kaori at the bridge, and they decide to take a stroll together. Kaori recalls how her life has changed because of him and expresses her thankfulness.
They end up at an old shrine where Kaori confesses that she wants to befriend Yuki. As the next school term begins, Yuki once again approaches Kaori to be friends. However, this time, Kaori asks him too, showing just how much she has improved.
Alternate Ending to One Week Friends
The live-action movie of One Week Friends has an alternate ending where Yuki has a romantic rival and becomes the second male lead. In the film, Kaori remembers Hajime Kujo, her childhood friend.
Yuki realizes that he can never compete with Kujo since Kaori permanently remembers him despite her amnesia. Yuki decides to stop trying to befriend Kaori but still secretly loves her.
On their graduation day, Kaori learns that Yuki has been drawing the contents of their journal inside the dictionary. She finally remembers him and asks to be friends, which he accepts.
Will There Be a Season 2 of One Week Friends Anime?
There is little to no chance of One Week Friends anime getting a second season. Studio Brain’s Base animated the series, and it wasn’t a huge debut like other shonen anime. Since almost a decade has passed since its release, the chance for it to get a boost is minimal.
The original manga also ended years back; thus, a new season will only have a little extra material to adapt. There isn’t enough demand for a second season, given that it had a reasonably positive ending with no cliffhangers.
One Week Friends Anime Watch Order
One Weel Friend has received a 12-episode anime series as well as another mini-series. It is best to watch the 2014 anime and then finish ‘Kaori’s Diary’ mini-series.
Kaori’s Diary is the sequel to the original anime and shows the events from her point of view as she writes about everything she faces on Yuki’s suggestion.
If you are still unsatisfied with the anime, you can watch the live-action movie released in 2017.
Where to Watch One Week Friends Anime?
You can watch the One Week Friends anime on Crunchyroll, as it was obtained by the streaming website to simulcast in North America and other countries. If you are from a country where Crunchyroll does not stream One Week Friends, you can opt for a VPN to access it and watch by surpassing geographical restrictions.
Is the One Week Friends Manga Finished?
Yes, the One Week Friends manga series by Matcha Hazuki ended in January 2015. In March 2021, Gangan Joker magazine revealed that a sequel manga named One Week Friends Afterwards will be serialized in its next issue.
There is not much info on whether the sequel manga is still ongoing or has ended since only a handful of its chapters are available online. New chapters aren’t uploaded, probably due to the manga’s lack of popularity.
All in all, One Week Friends is a slow-burn anime that any slice-of-life fan should binge-watch. The unique amnesia element adds complexity to the story as Kaori begins a new life every Monday.
If you haven’t read or watched it yet, give it a try and, of course, tell us all about your experience with it!
