Quote:
Originally Posted by relentlessflame
I can't really agree with this point specifically. Much of the character development (fleshing out of the personality, motivations, and inner-workings of the characters) in episodes 13 and 14 was pointing back to Kirino and her importance to Kyousuke and the other members of the cast. (Kyousuke admitting he missed her and was originally trying to replace her, Kuroneko admitting that she gained a valuable perspective from her and it inspired her to try harder, etc.) I think part of the point, in terms of character development, was a bit of a "you don't know what you had 'till it's gone" sort of thing. So having her come back here actually completes and addresses these developments and closes the circle on them (and on the rest of the show).
Now what it does do is throw a potential wrench in some of the relationship developments, and means that things can't as-easily continue along the path they might have been trending if Kirino had stayed in America. But in a sense, because of the aforementioned character development, this only forces to the surface something that was already there behind-the-scenes anyway. Kirino was always going to come back eventually, and it was clear (over all these past few episodes) that Kyousuke could not wipe her out of his mind. But the relationship development with Kuroneko in the meantime has -- if you want to look at it this way -- helped her even the playing field in terms of the closeness she has to Kyousuke. So I suppose you could say that the "battle" can now begin (again, if you want to look at it that way).
At the end of the day, a story where the titular heroine gets written out of the show and the protagonist ends up with someone else might be satisfying at some level, but at least to me it feels like a bit of a "cheat" and unsatisfying (like winning on a technicality?). If Kuroneko is eventually going to win Kyousuke's affection, I'd rather she does it when all parties are present; it seems more satisfying and has more potential to make the story feel well-rounded and complete -- at least to me.
|
There was a fundamental paradox standing in the way of this finale's success, and I wasn't sure if the anime staff were going to be able to figure out how to solve it - and they didn't, as it turns out. There was no question in my mind Kirino had to return for the finale. Even though Kyousuke is the main character, she's the pivot point - the nexus around which everyone else revolves. All of the characters change and evolve largely in response to Kirino, most especially Kyou.
I didn't think much of Kyousuke in this episode altogether. I thought his reaction to Kuroneko's confession was first clueless, then insensitive. She pours out her heart to you (though it should already have been obvious) and your response is "I'm off to see Kirino - thanks!" It turns out, I guess, that Kyousuke was the pathetic siscon Kirino would have had us believe all along. I didn't want to think that about him and that's not the Kyouske we saw for the DVD-only eps (and indeed much of the TV ones) but based on his behavior here, she was right all along. There's no other way to explain his pathetic performance in humiliating himself by begging her to come home because he was lonely. I want to believe he put that out there as an act, knowing she wouldn't come home for any other reason - but the evidence doesn't back that up.
Here's another problem. Any reasonable person would, in Kyou's place, certainly prefer to be with Kuroneko over Kirino. It's not bloody
incest, for one. Plus, Kurnoeko treats him far better. She's a nicer, more understanding person. She's simply a better character - the vast majority of the fanbase sees it this way, and it's a somewhat difficult reality for the series to deal with. Only a pretty pathetic guy would choose to lust after his abusive little sister rather than stay with Kuroneko - or even Manami. So what choice does that leave us in deciding what we think of Kyou, based on the last episode? Again, it's as if all the character development we've seen is flushed away - Kirino is back to playing eroge and treating him like crap, and he's back to craving it. And we're left with the very likely conclusion that he's an actual siscon for a bonus. That's kind of a depressing end, isn't it?
One could argue, I suppose, that Kirino showed the tiniest bit of character growth. She did thank Kyousuke, at least. She did at least realize that she was dependent on her sexual fantasy life to an unhealthy degree, even if she didn't end up following through on that belief in the end. But in the end, I hated to see everyone fall right back into their old roles - only worse in Kyousuke's case, because in addition to being a beaten dog it now looks like he really is a siscon as well. Again, I foresaw this problem - Kirino had to come back, no doubt about it - but couldn't foresee what the solution would be. Turned out, there wasn't one - at least not one we were treated to in this episode.
This certainly looks better as a season finale than a series finale - maybe we get some additional context for Kyousuke's pathetic backsliding. Maybe the battle really is joined, now - though why there should even
be a battle is another question. As great as the BD/DVD sales have been and as much is still happening with the property it's hard to imagine there won't be another season, or at least OVAs. I sure hope so - I really love the show, and I'd like it to end on a better note.