What a wonderful ending. The creators did a wonderful job at adding in some final character development, while the epilogue at the end that showed where everyone ended up at was exactly what I was hoping for. This was really heart-warming, and out of the slice of life endings this season (Usagi Drop, Croisee), this was my favourite.
The stars of this episode were Sui and Ohana. Ohana’s wish-tag, where she claimed to want to be like her grandmother was wonderful. Sui meanwhile, saying goodbye to her memories of the Kissuiso and wanting to pick up being a waitress again. those two things made this ending really worth it. My only criticism: the Kou storyline was cut off. Anime, let’s face it: running into two characters as they are about to romantically confess is a dead horse. Stop beating it!
In the end, I think that the biggest problem with this series is its first two episodes. And don’t get me wrong, they were two wonderful and amazing episodes, but they also caused me to sit with an annoyed face at the subsequent eight episodes. The big reason for that is Ano Hana: the first two episodes gave off too much of an impression that this show would be similar. Anohana was meant to be a romantic tear jerker. Something which it did really well, however during its airtime, Hana-Saku Iroha just couldn’t get out of its shadow. Only now, in the summer season it really was able to show ts worth, and stand out on its own.
I mean, the first half of this series did have its share of charming episodes, but the second half is superior because of how the cast grew. The cast growing together was done wonderfully and gave this series a wonderful closure, even though there were enough points that were rather annoying. PA Works, I applaud you.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
I’d agree. I thought the first 2 episodes set the wrong tone for the series. Like you expected a more serious sort of coming of age series from Hanasaku. Instead it took on a more light hearted slice of life oriented series with elements of coming of age.
Personally, I think the first part of your last paragraph is backwards. I thought the second half was terrible until episodes 23-26.
Wonderful end to the show. I’m glad that they did have the guts to shot down the Kissuiso. It made for a much better ending.
Also .. the animation was simply stunning. There was one shot near the end where they had a fixed camera that rotated from the front entrance to the welcome desk. I have no idea how they managed to animate that so stunningly. Wonders of CG I guess.
I think that they will save the Kou’s story for… OVA?
Or second season? I hope not for the latter,though.
Anyway ,PA Works never did a second season…