AnoHana - Episode 11 (END) Discussion / Poll

[Guardian Enzo]

Spoiler for 11:

I had a suspicion that this ending wouldn't please everyone - what ending does, really - but it did please me.

What I liked? Well, a lot. For one, Poppo's reveal was wonderfully played and incredibly powerful. What was obvious to me was finally admitted by him - that he was trapped between running away from his childhood and being stuck in it. The reason was new - his tragic (though blameless) role in the events of the day Menma died. But the impact was already clear. Always seemingly the odd one out among the Busters, he was also the purest in his desire to help Menma - though even his was selfish in the sense of trying to assuage his own guilt. And his conclusion was very satisfying - going back to school (growing up).

I also liked the fact that the episode turned, as I suspected, on the selfishness of the living Busters. As I said after #10, each of them was selfish in their thinking about Menma primarily in terms of what her death, return and possible ascension meant to them. What was critical was not to deny that, but to admit it - to accept that they were frail and flawed and that grief is inherently selfish and that's OK. That was the point of the shrine scene, which I would argue was intentionally written by Okada and staged by Nagai as theatrical. It was the eruption of a lava flow of repressed emotion of literally more than half the lifetimes of the Busters, so it's only natural that it be so. In a way, they each returned to their child selves in that moment - and the absurdity of the situation was intentionally highlighted and deflated by Anaru's eyelash fiasco.

If that scene was the false conclusion, the true conclusion was the Hide-and-Seek game, and the diary. That was brought off beautifully, I thought, thanks to some outstanding work by both Okada and the cast, especially Miyu Irinu. I appreciated the lack of false closure, both for Menma and the others. I don't need to know if she was reincarnated as a field of forget-me-nots - it's enough to that her existence (like everyone's) is a mystery. It's enough to know that her love for the others brought her back and that she wanted to stay with them in some form.

Most of all, I like the fact that Okada made no attempt to "go big". There were no extended explanations of Menma's existence, no analysis - which would only have been counter-productive. Instead Menma was basically presented in simple, elegiac form. Her promise to Jintan's Mum was a child's promise, but she kept it. She couldn't bring anyone happiness, but her return did allow them the opportunity to accept the past and try to move on. Her "wish" about the firework was actually important - to her family. Her presence allowed everyone in the group to bare their souls to each other and get their trauma out in the open. It allowed Jintan to cry. They still have to do the hard work of trying to be happy, because living is hard work. But by existing Menma allowed them (especially Jintan) to see that they at least want to be happy - and that he (and all of them) aren't alone. Jintan and the Busters have each other, Satoshi and his parents have a new awareness of each other. Everyone in the Busters knows how the others feel, including romantically. It isn't all magically going to work out, but in a sense Menma was able to give them all a fresh start. That was enough of a reason for her to return.

[Irenicus]

I'm going to let it sink in a bit...I think this is the kind of episode that needs to be watched in a certain mood to get the most out of it. It's not an episode that will survive a cynical or embarrassed mood -- you'll be too bothered by many of the scenes -- but will touch the heart when you are sensitive and receptive to it.


I will note though that in all the waterworks Menma cried the least, and only once -- at the very end. Jintan, 2nd. But then, he has always holed it up inside (the wish!).

Anaru was practically beaten by Tsuruko though! That's many years' worth of tears right there, the poor girl. Poppo, too, exploded. Yukiatsu simply substituted his usual guarded hostility for honest tears, and became a much more pleasant person in a heartbeat.

[deadite]

I hope no one tramples the blooming forget-me-not by the tree.

[Riou17]

I. Cried. A. Lot.

This is the only slice-of-life anime that made me cry so much. I even have to pause the video after the shrine scene because I can't stop crying. So...here are my thoughts after watching the last episode:

Spoiler:

- The ending is a bit unique to me. This is mostly because I'm used with reincarnation or the 'some years later' type of ending. In this one, they went back to their normal routine with their burdens gone. It didn't show the love pairs ending as real love pairs but a possible hint that they may be in the future. I like how they didn't show Menma again after she passed on.
- It was a bit melodramatic. I can handle lots of waterworks but the excessive shouting is too much. It was nice that they still added a bit of comedy in it.
- Props to the seiyuus especially Anaru, Tsuruko and Poppo's. They handled the scenes very well especially at the shrine scene.
- Menma's wish is simple and sweet. I thought her wish was just hers but instead it was for Jintan's mom. Though I laughed a bit when I thought she's going to literally make Jintan cry.

Overall, it was an excellent episode though I'm still bothered by the shouting near the end. It didn't leave any plot holes unanswered, the characters' stories ended well (no one tried to commit suicide or anything), and it didn't have the sugar sweet ending. Though I still feel that there's something missing or they left something.

I give the ending a 9/10.

P.S. that slow-mo scene at the river was just a red herring, huh?

[pagan poor]

Not a surprising ending at all. But well executed. The crying was a bit overdone, but understandable in the context of them finally venting about the events of those years ago, missing Menma, and then rediscovering her as a full on vision to say goodbye at the end. Great show overall.

Also, Poppo carrying that memory of seeing Menma go like that must have been torturing him for years. I could see how he dropped out and went his own way for the longest time.

[Deconstructor]

This is the first time I've cried in about one year. However I'm not going to count the time one of my friends took a particularly large onion and held it to my face. Emotional tears only.

When Poppo stated his selfish reasons for passing Menma to heaven, I was moved and surprised. Everyone else was ruled guilty before they even started crying at the verdict. But Poppo... this is the guy who hasn't cried all season. Finally, Poppo's motivation for all of his actions becomes clear. Poppo was trapped inside the secret base because he couldn't forgive himself for Menma's death.

On top of Poppo there's Tsuruko, who also decides to break out the inner feelings. This is a girl who's accepted her inferiority as a character, but thinks accepting her role makes her better than someone who tries resisting the natural order. No way. If you're hurting deep inside, friends are there so you don't have to suffer alone. Tsuruko is jealous of Anaru, because Anaru has the courage to confess to someone she knows doesn't even like her.

After episode 5 I predicted Yukiatsu and Anaru would become a couple by the end of the show; I am very pleased my prediction turned false. True friendship and true love don't have to be the same thing. Jinta doesn't have to love Anaru to be her friend, nor does Yukiatsu have to love Tsuruko. And they're not friends simply because they're romantically attracted to each other. They're friends because they have fun together.

Was the ending rushed? I'd say there's way too much happening to stuff all into one episode. When everyone could finally see Menma for the last time, I knew at least some of the viewers would accuse the writer of changing the rules so blatantly to suit the occasion. I think the Super Peace Busters deserved to see Menma one last time. Sure the scene could have been introduced better with something leading up to Menma's visibility, but I'll take what is given.

There was certainly a lot of crying. Many posters have stated the constant stream of tears wears off after the first episode or so... for me the emotional effect builds upward, because I can't help but feel more and more sympathy for the characters as they reveal more and more of their true feelings. One sad story after another, and now the final tale finally gets laid to rest.

Episode 11 Rating: Truthfully it's 9/10, but since this episode made me cry like a baby, it gets a one-point bonus to 10/10.

PS. I don't understand why people say the ending was predictable... the ending is certainly unsurprising (except for Poppo's confession) but I doubt I could have stated with even marginal accuracy what was to happen. I had no idea the show would end with the line "Menma!!! We found you!!!"

[farios]

That hairpin Tsuruko wearing...that's not the hairpin Yukiatsu gave(well try to) to Mema years ago right? So does that mean Yukiatsu give the new one to Tsuruko? I hope so

[DragoonKain3]

Was crying most of the time. Sure, there was the entire cast crying at the temple that made we want to laugh, but otherwise, was pretty darn emotional.

But Tsuruko... her frigging SMILE behind that textbook. I !#%!ing died!

Originally Posted by farios

That hairpin Tsuruko wearing...that's not the hairpin Yukiatsu gave(well try to) to Mema years ago right? So does that mean Yukiatsu give the new one to Tsuruko? I hope so

It's most probably the new hairpin back during the crossdressing fiasco. So while JintanXAnaru is still quite ambiguous, Yukiatsu giving away such an important and significant item (in comparison to say, Jintan giving back the kerchief) such as that makes me consider them a couple now.

[Riou17]

I watched the episode again, but this time I'm composed. Though I'm going to admit I still cried.

The shouting scene doesn't bother me anymore. In fact, I think it's appropriate in that scene.

[Master Chibi]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Spoiler for 11:

I had a suspicion that this ending wouldn't please everyone - what ending does, really - but it did please me.

What I liked? Well, a lot. For one, Poppo's reveal was wonderfully played and incredibly powerful. What was obvious to me was finally admitted by him - that he was trapped between running away from his childhood and being stuck in it. The reason was new - his tragic (though blameless) role in the events of the day Menma died. But the impact was already clear. Always seemingly the odd one out among the Busters, he was also the purest in his desire to help Menma - though even his was selfish in the sense of trying to assuage his own guilt. And his conclusion was very satisfying - going back to school (growing up).

I also liked the fact that the episode turned, as I suspected, on the selfishness of the living Busters. As I said after #10, each of them was selfish in their thinking about Menma primarily in terms of what her death, return and possible ascension meant to them. What was critical was not to deny that, but to admit it - to accept that they were frail and flawed and that grief is inherently selfish and that's OK. That was the point of the shrine scene, which I would argue was intentionally written by Okada and staged by Nagai as theatrical. It was the eruption of a lava flow of repressed emotion of literally more than half the lifetimes of the Busters, so it's only natural that it be so. In a way, they each returned to their child selves in that moment - and the absurdity of the situation was intentionally highlighted and deflated by Anaru's eyelash fiasco.

If that scene was the false conclusion, the true conclusion was the Hide-and-Seek game, and the diary. That was brought off beautifully, I thought, thanks to some outstanding work by both Okada and the cast, especially Miyu Irinu. I appreciated the lack of false closure, both for Menma and the others. I don't need to know if she was reincarnated as a field of forget-me-nots - it's enough to that her existence (like everyone's) is a mystery. It's enough to know that her love for the others brought her back and that she wanted to stay with them in some form.

Most of all, I like the fact that Okada made no attempt to "go big". There were no extended explanations of Menma's existence, no analysis - which would only have been counter-productive. Instead Menma was basically presented in simple, elegiac form. Her promise to Jintan's Mum was a child's promise, but she kept it. She couldn't bring anyone happiness, but her return did allow them the opportunity to accept the past and try to move on. Her "wish" about the firework was actually important - to her family. Her presence allowed everyone in the group to bare their souls to each other and get their trauma out in the open. It allowed Jintan to cry. They still have to do the hard work of trying to be happy, because living is hard work. But by existing Menma allowed them (especially Jintan) to see that they at least want to be happy - and that he (and all of them) aren't alone. Jintan and the Busters have each other, Satoshi and his parents have a new awareness of each other. Everyone in the Busters knows how the others feel, including romantically. It isn't all magically going to work out, but in a sense Menma was able to give them all a fresh start. That was enough of a reason for her to return.

Honestly I can't put it any better than this.

In fact I wasn't bothered at all that they didn't show her reincarnation, I thought they went way beyond the call of duty to be honest. Way, way, beyond it.

So yeah, this series was fucking amazing.

Another notch on that list of shows that makes me proud to be a fucking otaku.

[ahelo]

REVIEW

This is how slice of life/dramas should be made. The way this series ended, this episode, is very satisfying.

[deadite]

Her reincarnation is kind of implied though. I mean they focus on a blooming Forget-me-not growing by the tree where she finally passed on. Also, I kind of wish that flashback of Poppo was voiced. I would like to have heard Aki Toyosaki handle that scene.

[Solace]

Originally Posted by deadite

Her reincarnation is kind of implied though. I mean they focus on a blooming Forget-me-not growing by the tree where she finally passed on.

I guess you could interpret it like that. I saw it as symbolism more than anything (since it is referenced in the show and the title itself). They'll never forget about Menma.

I have to admit, it got to me. I choked up and cried a bit. I don't look forward to endings in anime, not just because the show is over, but because they tend to rush things and don't end well. This on the other hand was really well done and couldn't have ended better.

This for me was a really cathartic series. There is a loss of innocence as you grow into an adult, and the nostalgic/sentimental chords struck all the right places. I know some won't understand what I mean, because we all grow up differently. Some might even find the ending "silly" because of the "over acting"....but to me it hit home.

I don't think this is the kind of show you can enjoy by dissecting it in an analytical manner. You have to enjoy it because it hits the right places in your heart.

[Kyuu]

I read some of the spoilers. I've yet to get the episode.. waiting on UTW. And... nice to know some things to look forward to.

:3

[Guardian Enzo]

Finale and Series review:

I'm kind of glad Denpa Onna was off this week, because there honestly isn't enough room in my psyche for anything else tonight - I'm putting off the finale of "C" till tomorrow as is, because there's no way I could give it a real chance after this.

I hope folks who didn't care for the end, especially the temple scene, will give it another chance. Really think that scene came off exactly as intended - right down to the symbolism of the Busters finally returning to calling each other by their Busters names.

[VentAileron]

I agree with the people that the ending is a pretty generic and predictable one. The general execution has been great though. I only have a few complaints...

I kind of just rolled my eyes when Poppo revealed his tidbit. It was too sudden, too late and a too desperate attempt to give him a story to tell too. Everyone going 'Wahh!' after that was just as ridiculous.

Menma disappearing and thus, unable to move much on her own is a bit of a cliched 'suspense by time pressure' premise. It's barely used as a plot-device though, so it's forgivable.

In my opinion, the epilogue was a bit too short. The thing I've missed the most in the epilogue was that Menma's familiy didn't show up even once; it's all about the Super Peace Busters. It would've been appropriate to give them a few seconds, since Menma's mother needs to move on too.

[-Sho-]

Watched ep 10 then 11.

I didn't cried but i felt something at my stomach lol , last time i cried for an anime , it was for Clannad.
That was a good show , we don't often saw this kind of show so it was a big surprise this year.
Good ending with all the last explanations. And i agree for Poppo , it was so sudden but well.

9/10. More anime like this are welcome.

[SoFarGone]

So Menma fell and just drowned. I thought it was going to be more serious but its all good. It would've been nice if Poppo had more development since the highlight of his character is this episode.

[User68604]

manly tears have been shed

[Kanon]

Oh man, what a bawfest. Even I almost cried. How ironic that Menma's true wish was to make Jinta cry

A shame this finale was tainted by an insane amount of over acting. It was very hard not to laugh during some scenes, particularly in the first half. Thankfully, the finale scene (which we successfully predicted after the first episode) was masterfully well executed, so I can overlook the over dramatic melodrama of the first half.

One thing that didn't sit well with me about this ending however, is that everyone suddenly becoming BFF again (why do I say again? They were never even all truly friends) wasn't very believable, particularly when it comes to Yukiatsu. It was just way too fast.