And here we have the ending of one of the top shows of 2012. I mean, back during the Spring season I already was very impressed with Sakamichi no Apollon, but that series had its flaws: it at times tried a little too hard, and as a result the characters forced themselves a bit too much into romance and drama. This series however was just perfect. It made brilliant use of its length and its story was simple, yet so effective. My favorite shows usually are complex series with huge storylines, but this was done so well that it completely won me over.
The ending here was no different. Screw trying too hard, this was just perfect: Atsushi got his time to say goodbye to Rokka properly, pissed off Hazuki one final time with his threat to kill her, and afterwards Rokka and Hazuki officially become a couple. Atsushi really shook up both of them in his attempt to leave a lasting impression, and I love how well the animators captured their emotions at just that moment. Hazuki’s utter surprise and Rokka’s hopelessly sad face were incredibly genuine.
And after that, this series picked a very interesting epilogue. Usually we skip forward to a few years later. This time however, we turn to the point where Hazuki dies, living his life happily. We got to see his daugthter with Rokka all grown up, which really is not something you see often. In fact, I can’t remember any other epilogue that did that. Beyond that, we never see Hazuki or Rokka in the epilogue other than in pictures. Again, a wonderful idea.
At this point I can’t say whether Natsuyuki Rendezvous will be my top pick for 2012. I can however say with quite a bit of certainty that it’s in the top 2 of the year. Its exact placement depentds on how Space Brothers fares in its third quarter, and whether it keeps up the pace it created. Space Brothers has slightly better characters, but on the other hand its pacing and animation just aren’t as good as this series. Nevertheless, these two shows stand miles above anything else this year.
Rating: 6/8 (Awesome)
Hi, the epilogue was very unique indeed. Specially that thing with Atsushi was really surprising. The pacing of the show was great. Characters too. Thank for your reviews.
Oh, but one thing: I think that the epilogue shows their daughter but not with Rokka – the old lady is Atsushi’s sister, Miho. And both Rokka and Hazuki are already dead. But their grandchild was sweet.
Yes that was Miho, not Rokka. Miho said that Rokka died very soon after Hazuki (or vice-versa).
I really enjoyed Natsuyuki Rendezvous. It didn’t hit me in any kind of way emotionaly but I really appreciated it for being a wonderfully crafted story with realistic characters and a poetic script.
Yeah thats what Psgels said. Its just that the way he phrased that sentence is a little weird.
Uhmm really, I enjoy much more Hyouka or also Musou pirates or Sword art, meaby is not the anime for me.
In any case, a very good anime.
ahhh the ending, i kinda expected a little bit more resistance though, it ok but albeit safe route, since pretty much everybody win
About the epiloge, another series that did something like that is Valkyria Chronicles although it was done in the specials that pretty much adds to the ending of the show.
He boasted that he’ll live longer than Rokka.
Kinda have mixed feelings with the epilogue, but it was a beautiful ending nonetheless
He did though, He died after she did. Or is that what you are saying?
The end has some sweet moments, but I can’t stop thinking that Shimao is still there, like in sort of limbo space, IMO it´s cruel. I would rather that he could rest like other people do when they die
Yeah, me too… Other than that, perfect ending (although I do have to say that japanese are too held back in their emotions and it shows in this last episode, but that’s more of a cultural issue).
It was a perfect ending. In our books, the best episode of the best Summer series. Things got a little hairy there, but everything turned out for the best. We especially liked seeing both the photos of a precocious young Yuki (their daughter) and seeing her all grown up – she’s a nice genetic mix of her mom and dad.
As for Atsushi, he’s still floating around, but no longer trapped in the shop. I wonder if the stuff he wants the grandkid to dispose of is his last connection to the living world, or if it’s the shop itself, which is staying in the family.
I had always wondered who that kid was at the end of the OP sequence…so it turned out he’s the grandchild Rokka and Hazuki.
It was especially sweet and touching that he kept his promising of out-living her. Really a great romance show, just my cup of tea – a simple romance story without any harem, monsters fighting, kids.
Actually, psgels, you reviewed an anime that had an epilogue set HUNDREDS of years later – Space Fantasia 2001 Nights. And hell, what an ending that was!
Or Gunbuster/Diebuster. THOUSANDS of years! 😉
Indeed, forgot about that one!