Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora, subtitled looking up at the half-moon and also known as Hantsuki, is a Japanese romance light novel series written by Tsumugu Hashimoto and illustrated by Keiji Yamamoto centering on two hospitalized seventeen year olds and the love they begin to share. The series was originally serialized in MediaWorks' now-defunct light novel magazine Dengeki hp and spanned eight volumes released between October 2003 and August 2006. An anime was adapted from the novels and aired in Japan on the WOWOWtelevision network between January 12 and February 23, 2006 with six episodes. A manga series by B.Tarō was serialized in MediaWorks' shōnen manga magazine Dengeki Comic Gao! between August 2005 and November 2006; two volumes were released. A set of five drama CDs were produced between October 2006 and August 2007 by Wayuta. A live action drama of the series was aired on TV Tokyo between October and December 2006, and a live action film premiered in Japanese theaters in April 2010.
Plot
The story of Hantsuki focuses on the budding relationship between the seventeen year old Yūichi Ezaki and Rika Akiba. They are hospitalized in Yūichi's home town for their conditions. Yūichi has hepatitis A, while Rika has problems with a weak heart valve. These teens then fall in love while they spend time with one another. The story is based in Ise, Mie prefecture. In the end, the couple have a successful relationship, but not much more is revealed. In the anime, a scene shows Yūichi and Rika kissing for the first time on Mt. Houdai. There are also pictures of Yūichi and Rika shown during the credits and a picture of the two getting married.
The series began as a light novel series written by Tsumugu Takahashi with illustrations by Keiji Yamamoto that was first serialized in the Japanese light novel magazine Dengeki hp. There were eight volumes released between October 10, 2003, and August 10, 2006. The novels were published by MediaWorks under their Dengeki Bunko light novel label.
Manga
A manga illustrated by B. Tarō based on the novel was serialized in the Japanese manga magazineDengeki Comic Gao! between August 27, 2005 and November 27, 2006, published by MediaWorks. Two bound volumes were later released, the first on February 27, 2006, and the second on December 16, 2006. The volumes are published by MediaWorks under their Dengeki Comics label.
Anime
A short anime adaptation aired in Japan between January 12 and February 23, 2006; there were six episodes. The anime was produced by the Japanese animation studioGroup TAC and was aired on the WOWOW television network. Three DVDs were originally released, each containing two episodes, between April 19 and June 21, 2006. The premium DVD box set containing the six episodes was released on January 16, 2008. The anime has been licensed by Japanese-based company Bost Digital Entertainment for distribution through their video streaming website Bost TV. The episodes are available only to Australia and New Zealand for the price of US$1.99 per episode. Crimson Star Media licensed the anime for a North American release in September 2013, however, the release was canceled following the prison sentence of Corey Maddox, who was in charge of the company. The series was later re-licensed by Lucky Penny, a division of Right Stuf Inc.
Episodes
Music and audio CDs
The anime's opening theme was "Aoi Kōfuku" and the ending theme was "Kioku no Kakera"; both songs were sung by Nobuko and written and composed by Macado. The maxi single containing the opening and ending themes was released on February 15, 2006. The Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora Original Soundtrack for the anime version was released on March 15, 2006. The live action drama's opening theme was "Endless Loop", sung by Sacra, and the ending theme was "Sunshine Of Your Love" by I-lulu. A set of five drama CDs based on the series were released between October 4, 2006 and August 24, 2007, produced by Wayuta.
TV drama
A live action television drama adaptation ran on TV Tokyo from October 3 to December 26, 2006, containing thirteen episodes. A DVD boxset was later released on February 23, 2007. Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora was the first novel series under Dengeki Bunko to receive a TV drama adaptation.
Film
A live action film was released on April 3, 2010. Directed by Yoshihiro Fukagawa, the film starred Sosuke Ikematsu and Shiori Kutsuna. It was shot on location in places in Mie Prefecture. The theme song is "15 no Kotoba" by singer-songwriter Mao Abe.
