This anime season, Busu ni Hanataba wo—aka April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers—is the under-the-radar romance that’s quietly stealing hearts. Created by Roku Sakura, it might sound like your classic shy girl meets popular guy story, but don’t be fooled. This one’s packed with real emotions, relatable struggles, and a slow-burn love that feels way more authentic than your average rom-com.
The Mob Character and the Popular Guy
Tabata tries to give Ueno a letter—and no, it’s not a love letter!
The story centers around Hana Tabata, a first-year high schooler who’s convinced she’s ugly. Like, really convinced. She even states that she’s like a mob character at best. She’s quiet, super humble, and pretty much always apologizing for existing, which is something a lot of us can probably relate to at some point. Hana doesn’t have a huge friend group or crazy popularity. Instead, she finds a little peace in her own small ritual—showing up early to school every day just so she can change the flowers in the classroom’s vase. It’s this tiny thing that makes her feel like she belongs.
Then there’s Yousuke Ueno. He’s the classic golden boy—handsome, popular, athletic, and basically the kind of guy everyone notices. He’s a good guy, sure, but he doesn’t really get how complicated feelings and romance can be, and he can be incredibly and innocently dense oftentimes. When Ueno stumbles on Hana’s secret flower duty, their worlds kind of collide. And what starts as a simple friendship slowly turns into something way more awkward, sweet, and totally genuine.
Yeah, It’s Kinda Like Kimi ni Todoke—But Not Really
Ueno pulls Tabata to give her his umbrella.
If Busu ni Hanataba wo reminds you of Kimi ni Todoke, you’re not wrong—they both center on a quiet, somewhat awkward heroine and a friendly, well-liked male lead who changes her life. But once you get past the surface, the two couldn’t be more different.
In Kimi ni Todoke, Sawako might have an eerie aura that scares people at first glance, but she’s been gorgeous all along. The whole “misunderstood beauty” angle is built into her character, and Kazehaya? He already liked her before the first chapter even started. Their story is about Sawako slowly realizing that she’s lovable just as she is, and everyone else finally catching up to what Kazehaya saw from the beginning.
Tabata isn’t your typical heroine–she isn’t cute nor petite, and her looks are average at most.
Busuhana takes a completely different route. It’s a seinen series, which already sets the tone apart from the dreamy, sparkly shoujo style. Tabata isn’t “secretly beautiful” in disguise—she’s genuinely portrayed as plain-looking and a little chubby, and the art doesn’t shy away from showing it. There’s no camera trick to soften her features, no magical lighting to hint that she’s secretly a stunner. She’s just… Tabata. And Ueno? His initial friendliness isn’t fueled by some hidden crush. He’s the type who’s kind to everyone—popular, outgoing, and almost comically clueless about romance. The feelings he develops for her come much later, after they’ve built a real connection.
No Fairy Tale Makeovers, Just Real Growth
Ueno and Tabata, as seen in the manga.
Here’s where Busuhana really shines—it completely sidesteps the tired “ugly girl gets hot” trope. There’s no dramatic haircut scene, no moment where she takes off her glasses and suddenly becomes conventionally attractive. Instead, Tabata grows in ways that matter more: she gains confidence, makes genuine friends, and learns to feel at home in her own skin. She starts dressing a little better and even halfheartedly tries to exercise, but these changes are gradual and—more importantly—not the reason Ueno falls for her.
Much to Tabata’s surprise, she definitely gets a lot of romantic tension with Ueno throughout the series.
And that’s the heart of the story. Ueno doesn’t fall for a “better version” of Tabata—he falls for the person she’s always been. There’s something deeply refreshing about watching a romance that’s built on mutual respect and genuine affection instead of surface-level attraction. Even when they decide to keep their relationship under wraps, Ueno never acts ashamed or hesitant about his feelings. In his eyes, Tabata has always been the “cutest,” and he never tolerates anyone who dares to call her ugly—a lesson Akabane, Ueno’s co-worker and Tabata’s former classmate, learned the hard way.
One of the most unexpectedly sweet touches is how Ueno handles Tabata’s father. When Tabata’s dad tells him to practice “moderation,” Ueno takes it to heart. He takes that advice so seriously that he makes Tabata’s dad his phone lock screen. Not as a joke, but as a daily reminder to stay sincere, respectful, and committed. It’s bizarre, funny, and incredibly heartwarming all at once.
Real Feelings, No Over-the-Top Soap Opera
The main characters of the series.
The series doesn’t lean on over-the-top drama or ridiculous misunderstandings to keep you hooked. Most of the tension comes from Hana’s own self-doubt and Ueno’s cluelessness when it comes to romance, which feels incredibly relatable if you’ve ever been shy or uncertain in relationships. There’s jealousy and a bit of awkwardness, of course, but it all unfolds naturally without feeling forced.
Normally, someone as cute as Uguisudani would be the one snagging the guy—but Tabata somehow wins Ueno’s heart with zero effort and barely notices it!
The supporting cast really shines, too. Sumire Uguisudani starts off scheming to get Ueno as her boyfriend, but she isn’t immune to Hana’s kindness, and after being rejected, she genuinely becomes her friend. Then there’s Tsutomu Shimbashi, who may have been a bit lame before, trying hard to make his “high school debut”—but he’s still a genuinely nice guy, and his well-meaning antics bring a lot of humor to the series. Sayaka Otsuka and Tetsuo Gotanda are your ever-reliable friends in the group, and they get plenty of screen time in the middle of the story, helping to round out the dynamic and make the cast feel like a real group of friends navigating life and love.
Funny, Heartfelt, and Totally Relatable
Ueno and Tabata light the fireworks together.
Busuhana is full of heart and humor. The comedy never feels forced or silly—it lands perfectly, whether it’s Ueno completely missing obvious romantic cues, Shinbashi’s over-the-top advice, or Hana’s dry, witty inner thoughts reacting to it all. The series even has a playful self-awareness, like when Hana consults shoujo manga for love tips only to realize real life doesn’t follow a script.
The art is clean and expressive, making it easy to connect with the characters’ emotions. Though it’s published in a seinen magazine, the style leans toward shoujo, highlighting subtle expressions and emotional moments. And those recurring flowers? They’re more than just a pretty motif—they reflect Hana’s kindness and the quiet, lasting impact she has on everyone around her.
Why You Should Give It a Try
Ueno unknowingly rizzes up Tabata—a common occurrence throughout the series.
What makes Busu ni Hanataba wo stand out isn’t just the quiet girl-popular boy setup—it’s how the story handles their connection with empathy, humor, and realism. The romance grows naturally through shared moments, small acts of kindness, and mutual understanding, without relying on dramatic makeovers or fairy-tale transformations.
The series shines in its portrayal of everyday moments that make relationships feel real—awkward laughs, tiny gestures, and honest support. Sweet, thoughtful, and genuinely relatable, Busu ni Hanataba wo is a heartwarming romance that’s perfect to catch up on now, especially with the anime already having aired.
TVアニメ『ブスに花束を。』ティザーPV｜2025年07月放送開始
TVアニメ『ブスに花束を。』本PV｜2025年7月4日（金）放送開始
TVアニメ『ブスに花束を。』ノンクレジットオープニング映像｜TWS「BLOOM (feat. Ayumu Imazu)」
What do you think?
Will Ueno and Tabata’s relationship ever be made public?
Will Tabata’s self-confidence continue to grow as their relationship develops?
How will Ueno handle it if someone else starts showing interest in Tabata?
Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on social media: X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook! We’d love to hear from you!
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You can watch Busu ni Hanataba wo on Bilibili and Prime Video.
About the Writer
Cristy is a freelance artist and writer who has been obsessed with anime and manga since childhood. Her love for these imaginative worlds fuels her creative endeavors, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
