Yasuna’s condition suddenly and rapidly deteriorates and she is unable to see females. Even pictures and memories of Hazumu have become blurred. As a result, everyone is in a funk. Hazumu worries about Yasuna and pushes Tomari away as a result.
Ayuki plays a major role in pushing the plot forward by confronting Hazumu and convincing her to choose between Tomari and Yasuna. Using a botanical analogy, she effectively demolishes Hazumu’s arguments: i.e. Can’t we all be happy? Prolonging the situation only hurts both more deeply. And that Hazumu is actually being self-centred - her sadness is not for the plants that didn’t do well but her losing out on the plant’s blossoming.
I’ve previously mentioned the Love Alliance parallel to Onegai Twins and this episode reminded me of Karen’s last date with Maiku before revealing her discovery of the proof of the true relationships between Maiku, Miina and herself.
Also interesting to note that this is the second time in as many eps that Ayuki has embraced Tomari. Previously when Ayuki said that she was not getting onto the stage (and admiring Hazumu’s butterfly form), I assumed that she was also interested in Hazumu but in the wake of these two episodes, I’m not so sure anymore. She seems to care a lot for Tomari - Ayuki was seriously pissed off by how upset Hazumu had made Tomari in Ep 11 and even cries on Tomari’s behalf in this following episode.
I can’t fault Hazumu choosing Yasuna. I doubt very much that this was pity, even though Yasuna’s condition did give added urgency to her choice. It just seems that things have come full circle from the beginning when male Hazumu already had romantic intentions towards Yasuna and was thus so hurt by her rejection. Also Hazumu x Yasuna allows the group to continue on as it was, relegating Tomari back to Childhood Friend status. Still, I really did enjoy how Tomari struggled with her attraction to Hazumu and the good fight she put up. (Most of the funniest SD moments were also Tomari-centred.)
Overall, an enjoyable short series with a WTF premise, so-so animation but good characters and pleasant music. Sooo glad that Hazumu didn’t turn back into a boy. Huge sigh of relief. Also the anime has wrapped up much more strongly than the manga which seems to have lost its direction deep into Lameland in Vol.3. And hopefully the Ep 13 OVA will also sort of the ambiguous Yasuna to Hazumu and Hazumu to Tomari "ano ne"s.
Really enjoyed the conclusion of this myself, it was sweet, happy and “just right” for what the show was a light hearted romance with moments of angst thrown in here and there. So glad Hazumu didn’t turn back into a guy and that nobody was left heartbroken (except Namiko I suppose). It was a fun and enjoyable little anime, glad you enjoyed it too.
Poor Yasuna got so little love in this blog.
Too little.
But this might be me as I am a Yasuna fan.
But you must admit, there is a luck of Yasuna in there.
But I loved the Tomari/Ayuki subtexts VERY MUCHLY.
And I agree that the ending shouldn’t have been that shockin. Hazumu loved Yasuna from the beginning and seeing how Hazumu was as a guy before, for him to ACTUALLY confess took guts of someone REALLY in love.
Mangaminx, looks like this was a fairly popular series - in terms of number of blogs that followed it and number of subbers who’ve worked on it. I wonder if it’ll be judged as popular enough to get licensed though.
Demon Eyes, well, I’m a Tomarin fanboy after all. :P Nonetheless I’m glad that the anime used Yasuna’s condition and Sora’s research in a much more fruitful way from the manga. In the latter, the sheer way Yasuna’s condition was handled felt very much like omake. Ending-wise, in term of fan dynamics, a Tomari x Hazumu ending would have removed Yasuna completely from the scene and alienated all her fanboys too. Not particularly helpful marketing-wise.
when yasuna was chosen instead of tomari…i was thinking “it’s so obvious” but i did enjoyed the show.especially eps 12.throughout the episode i was thinking “did hazumu just turned into a pervert O_O” ” XD
mmmm… i think hazumuxyasuna relationship is not final yet…. ‘coz there’s an ova coming up…. even tomari ‘back off’ for the fight on hazumu in the last episode… deep in her heart she can’t avoid the pain.. and in the very last minute of the last episode hazumu said something… i think ‘tomari chan anone…. anone (do you know what…) ‘ well …. can’t wait for the ova…. i’m personally a big fan of tomarin…. ‘cos she always defends hazumu…. tomari chan fightooo!!!!!
I’m pretty sure, these “ano ne”-transition towards the 13th episode means Hazumu and Yasuna taking care of Tomari by pushing Ayuki “on the stage”… ;P
Seriously, the hints about Ayuki were there from the first episodes on - but who knows, maybe this character will be kept as a wildcard forever.
(But then again, in Ep12 at 22:42, Ayuki is much too much interested in Tomari’s pose. *runs*)
“ano-ne” means “you know”. I think it seriously stuffed up the ending. I think that Yasuna said this to Hazumu, and then asked to break up. Hazumu then runs across the river while Tomari is watching, and says “you know, you could be my bride” reinstating the childhood promise. I think it would have been better if it was Hazumu and Tomari. Tomari is hotter.
Anyway, does anyone know when the second season is coming out? I really want to see it. Cheers!