The Funeral of Hearts

Innocence, once lost, cannot be regained. A look at immature hearts and corrupted desires as the boys are left with the remnants of childhood, and the last bittersweet memories of summer. Anime: Natsu e no Tobira [The Door to Summer] Song: The Funeral of Hearts [by ] For those unfamiliar with the story, the ’Natsu e no Tobira’ OVA is based on the manga by Takemiya Keiko, the mangaka of Kaze to Ki no Uta (Song of the Wind and Trees). ’Natsu’ takes place in much the same time period as the latter, is also set in a French boarding school and nearby town and is similarly concerned with high emotional drama. It focuses on a group of friends at the school, the so-called ’Rational Party’, and in particular their charismatic young leader, whose cold demeanour and rejection of emotional attachments is only a cover for his insecurities. Things come to a head with several of the boys’ realisation of their feelings for the pretty Ledania, the mayor’s daughter, an