Oh my god… you just can’t help but feeling sad, shocked and angry along with the characters. Something aweful happened in the past of La’Cryma, which probably involved Haruka sacrificed herself for something inevitable. All of the friends she had in the past are having trouble with seeing Haruka again. This effect is only strengthened if you know that she (having the Dragon Torque, and all) must be sacrificed again, in order to protect La’Cryma.
The visuals are amazing as ever. From the character design, to the special effects and to the huge monsters, everything looks amazing, but I really have to give muchas kudos to the artists for drawing the characters while shocked, sad and angry. You really can’t help but feeling along with them.
It’s just a bit annoying to see this awesome tension being broken when peaceful world comes into picture again. It isn’t as bad with Yuu, as I just love seeing him broken like that (call me sadistic, but the effect works really well), but rather when the others are in the image. I don’t know, but somehow, it doesn’t really fit.
Again, I agree with you, one thing though, I would have preferred a longer scence at La’Cryma.