This episode was a rather strange one for a Ghost Hound-episode. It’s probably one of the quietest ones of the entire series, which is very strange with just one episode to go, and it ended with plans to dress Tarou as a girl. I’m seriously wondering what the creators have in store for us for the final episode, especially now that Tarou is going to cross-dress on such a short-notice. As much as I’d love to see Tarou in a dress, will that episode be more than just “beat Noriko save Miyako”? Well, that’ll all depend on what the side-characters will be doing.
I wonder whether this series will answer all the questions it left behind, though. Two particular ones that I’m still waiting for are why Makoto’s father committed suicide, and how Hirata’s visions of Tarou’s dreams have affected him. I’d love to see a lot of this guy in the aftermath, because his development still feels rather incomplete.
There were also a lot of hormones in this episode. So in the end, while Tarou is into younger girls, Masayuki fancies grown-up women. Ah well, at least it’s different from the usual high-school girls. I don’t know who found it a good idea to not include any girl between the ages of 13 and 17 in this series, but this guy should be praised.
Here’s also a surprising discovery: Makoto can’t have out-of-body experiences anymore. Now that he mentioned himself, he’s indeed right. The last thing we saw of Makoto’s Ghost Hound-form is somewhere around ten episodes ago. You’d think he’d go more and more out of control, but for the past two episodes, he’s been calmer and laid-back than ever. After what happened to his mother, and meeting Tarou really saved this guy, and for the past few episodes, I think that he just needed some time for himself.
We also learn that Makoto’s father used to play guitar, just like Makoto did. As it turns out, he left his guitar in the possession of Tarou’s father, which makes for quite a nice scene.
About half of the shows this season have ended now, and I’m quite surprised at how some series significantly improved in quality for their final episodes (Mokke, Clannad, Spice and Wolf all had excellent final episodes. Ironically, all three of them are slow ones), others just closed off their series nicely without any bad feelings (Shion no Ou, Shigofumi, Hakaba Kitarou), others went out with a fizz (Kimikiss, Kekkaishi, Dragonaut, Wellber), and there is of course Suteki Tantei Labyrinth, where the final episode was at the same time one of the cheesiest ones.
Still, I haven’t really been able to find what I’m really looking for in an ending: originality, and series that try to be different. I’ve seen a lot of great final episodes this season, but no real outstanding endings. If there’s one series left this season that still can deliver such an ending, it’s this series. I’m not putting up my hopes too high, but in the next episode, it’s really time for the creators to make all the building-up of the previous 21 episodes come together.
I have not been able to find this raw.
Anywhere.
Silently seething at you in jealousy, but there are way too many things distracting me after reading this.
Taro in a dress, you say?
FUCKWIN! MOST MOE MALE CHARACTER IN THE HISTORY OF ANIME!
More importantly. If you’re looking for originality, try Princess Tutu. Don’t be scared off by the name, it’s not nearly as loved as it should be. You don’t seem to have seen Serial Experiments Lain, either. It’s by the same director as Ghost Hound, and Ghost Hound definitely has a strong Lain feel to it.
And yeah, this season kind of sucks. Haruhi s2 might change that, if they really stick to the events of the fourth novel.
haha tarou wearing a dress, I have to see that!! I can’t believe this serie is going to finish, there are still a lot of questions that haven’t been answered. There should be a 2nd season. It would be awesome.
I have another doubt: where did Masayuki´s mother go? On the other hand, I dislike Masayuki´s new interest in older women, specially “that” woman. And, what happen with Miyako´s friend? That girl is helping Noriko with the ritual. The only good thing is Makoto´s recovering, he´s so much calmer now but I don´t want him to get all sentimental, he was rude but a good kid at the end. Final chapter? They rescue Miyako but I don´t know if I´ll get all the answers.
Today the subs for episode 18 and 19 came out. I am so happy!
You asked why Makoto’s father committed suicide, I believe they explained it in episode 18/19.
(Spoilers for that episode) It seems that a group, involved in illegal organ trade, kidnapped Makoto when he was young.His grandmother made a deal with them to release Mokoto and instead take the daughter of the rich main family(Tarou’s sister). When Mokoto’s dad found out that his mother was involved in the kidnapping, he committed suicide.
He just couldn’t bear that burden and killed himself.
I seriously hope that this series will be sort of “extended” to at least 24 episodes, because according to your reviews, psgels, it doesn’t seem to have the time to answer ALL the questions in just a single episode. But yeah, the spring lineup is pretty much complete and the time slot seems to be already taken. Maybe OVAs ?
(Also, I haven’t seen this 21st episode, but I didn’t feel that Masayuki fancies older women. I know he sort of tried to rape Reika, but I think it was nothing but sexual frustration. His father basically dumped his own mother for this woman : he just wanted to know “what the fuck is so great about her anyway ?”.)
Windspirit: oh, just wait till you see this episode. I originally didn’t believe it either, but that episode showed enough evidence.
And thanks, pgal, for pointing out that bit of information I missed.
It’s pretty clear this blogger doesn’t understand nearly enough japanese to be watching without subtitles!