(L) Saraiya Goyou

[idiffer]

Shiroth, have to agree. i had high expectations for a lot of shows this season and house of five leaves wasnt one of them. k-on and durarara and arakawa are meh compared to "five leaves".
i was really amazed that Masa GRADUALLY became part of the group. not like in other anime *cough samurai champloo cough*, where it happens smething like this - "oh, sorry i bumped into you. by the way, do you wanna go dragon hunting with me and some other random guy i'll bump into in the next 20 min?"
and of course the animation (well, the art actually) is amazing. the noses didn't bother me one bit, they actually made the anime better. (i remember ppl have problems with them in some anime)
i've watched 10 eps, and i hope the series ends well. anime has the habit of coping out, so i'm worried.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

I'd thought we'd have plenty of people talking about the last episode.

Spoiler for Episode 12:

Ending does a good job of finishing Yaichi's story, so there's really nothing i can complain about. Scar face is killed by him after finding that the real Yaichi had nothing to do with the kidnapping, which leads our Yaichi to his grave, and tears begin (you'll be happy Bun~). Must say, the scene with Yaichi on Masa's knee was truly something else.

& to end it. Yaichi eats a dango that Masa gives him. What a perfect way to end such a series.

Personally i'd say this show was the best of the spring season. It's not everyday you get a show with solid character development and a slow paced slice of life feel at the same time, and they both work so damn well together.

Spoiler for 12:

I couldn't agree more. That was a great conclusion to Yachi's story, and to the series in general. The scene at the grave was very powerful... especially the part where Yaichi cried on Masa's lap. That took me by surprise.

Jin was killed a bit too fast, but the scene was amazing. I loved the look on Yaichi's face when he learned the truth.

Another great scene was Yaichi and Yagi drinking together. I'm a bit disappointed nothing more happened with Yagi, but since he's shown at the tavern at the end of the episode, I'm sure we'll see more of him if there ever is a second season (I sure am praying for it). Otherwise, there is still the manga. Anyone know where the anime stopped?

And yes, the final scene was brilliant. Masa and Yaichi "switching roles" reminded me a bit of another recent fantastic finale too.

Best show of the season for me as well, followed closely by the Tatami Galaxy. I had high expectations for both of these shows and neither disappointed. Noitamina sure delivered once again.

[Guardian Enzo]

Final thoughts:

Spoiler for 12:

The only quibble I had was with the way Jin was somewhat cavalierly dispatched. I loved the closure of the loop as Yaichi's past finally caught up to him, in ways good and bad. I loved seeing how Masa had both grown in assertiveness and become part of the social network of the Five Leaves. I loved Yagi showing up, and Masa offering Mitarashi Dango to Yaichi.

Best series of the year so far for me.

[Iluvatar]

Amazing anime, really enjoyed this one. Great plot, awesome artwork, realistic and enjoyable characters and really good music. Best of the year for me so far, specially after the disappointment that was Durarara.

[Kirarakim]

That was definitely a great ending. Early on I wouldn't have expected to call this series heartwarming but I sort of feel that is what it was. I loved how you can see Masa is officially part of the group (and I agree it just sort of happened gradually). The final moments between Yaichi and Masa were wonderful (the crying & the dango scene).

Spoiler:

And I am glad to find out that the real Yaichi never betrayed him.

[White Manju Bun]

Brillant. What an ending, the build up the whole time was just amazing. My jaw dropped when Jin attempted servant Yaichi had nothing to do with it, his death was quick but that scene was amazing. Plus he deserved it!

The grave scene was my fave I did love how the first thing Yaichi says to Masa is about the snow stopping, Masa reaction was perfect XD

I think most of what Yaichi has been after since he was kidnapped was finding 1) a place to belong and 2) another person like Yaichi. He formed the Five Leaves to accomplish this but didnt really find his Yaichi til now, I hope Masa does well since no one will ever be able to replace the original. Ending scene was pure win.

[idiffer]

just finished it. wow! that was an unexpectedly good ending. first series in years about which i have nothing to bitch about, without exagerating. aside from wanting MOAR.

[Guardian Enzo]

Did Jin deserve it? I suppose, in that he was planning to kill Yuichi. But it came from his overdeveloped sense of loyalty, and the belief that he'd been betrayed. He spared Yuichi's life in more than one way, and I never saw indication that he was especially cruel or dark-hearted. I thought he deserved a better send-off, at the very least.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Did Jin deserve it? I suppose, in that he was planning to kill Yuichi. But it came from his overdeveloped sense of loyalty, and the belief that he'd been betrayed. He spared Yuichi's life in more than one way, and I never saw indication that he was especially cruel or dark-hearted. I thought he deserved a better send-off, at the very least.

No I don't think he deserved it. I actually think there was more to that stroke than Yaichi just trying to protect himself. Remember Yaichi goes after him right after he told him the truth (and then after he died he said he did it only to protect him).

Maybe what Jin did was wrong but he wasn't evil, he just did what he thought was right. But in some ways the lie Jin told Yaichi is what made Yaichi. Now that Jin is dead and Yaichi learned the truth he can finally begin to really heal.

And I am thinking maybe if Jin had not spoken the truth, Yaichi might not have fought back and he would have been the one to die. So I basically see his death as tragic but inevitable. One of them had to die.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Did Jin deserve it? I suppose, in that he was planning to kill Yuichi. But it came from his overdeveloped sense of loyalty, and the belief that he'd been betrayed. He spared Yuichi's life in more than one way, and I never saw indication that he was especially cruel or dark-hearted. I thought he deserved a better send-off, at the very least.

I agree, it's hard for me to see Jin as a bad guy. He lied only to protect Seinoshin, there was no malicious intent behing it. And I can understand his desire for revenge, as he thought Sei had killed another of his "little brother"; whether he truly did it or not was left unconfirmed, but we know he's capable of it as evidenced by last week's flashback, and he didn't deny it...

At the end of it, I don't think there was any true villain in that story, except maybe Seinoshin's adoptive mother.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Kanon

I agree, it's hard for me to see Jin as a bad guy. He lied only to protect Seinoshin, there was no malicious intent behing it. And I can understand his desire for revenge, as he thought Sei had killed another of his "little brother"; whether he truly did it or not was left unconfirmed, but we know he's capable of it as evidenced by last week's flashback, and he didn't deny it...

I think Yaichi (Sei) probably did kill him. But I think Jin's lie made him the way he was. Even though the lie was told with good intentions it ended up changing Yaichi.

Although I don't read the manga I wonder now that Yaichi knows the truth how he will change exactly. I don't think he can ever be that boy again but maybe something in-between that boy & the old Yaichi.

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Did Jin deserve it? I suppose, in that he was planning to kill Yuichi.

To me he did since like Kim stated, his lie changed Yaichi. Yes he was doing it to protect him but why wait this long to tell him something like this espc when he's out for revenge for his old gang, he was going to kill Yaichi. That being sad I dont see Jin as the bad guy of this series, I agree Sei's adoptive mother takes that role, but in the end like he said, one of them was going to die. Im just glad it wasnt Yaichi

Btw concerning the manga, VizMedia has up to chap 10 posted on their site which is right in the middle of Ume's backstory.

[Kirarakim]

You know another thing I really liked about this series was the red herring with the police officer Masa became friendly with. I really thought he would bring trouble for the House of Five Leaves but he ended up being something quite different entirely.

I am also hoping Funi releases this on DVD. At only 12 episodes it should be a nice one set release which is something I can definitely afford.

Oh and thanks for the info about the manga.

[Joojoobees]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

I am also hoping Funi releases this on DVD. At only 12 episodes it should be a nice one set release which is something I can definitely afford.

Yes, please. I hope they release the whole series as a set, without screwing around with 3 episode discs. The artwork was stunning, so I can't wait to get it on disc. I will buy this as soon as the complete series is released as a set, but I think Funimation has a policy of not releasing the complete series until they have released individual discs.

[karice67]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

I'd thought we'd have plenty of people talking about the last episode.

Perhaps it's because most of us watching it on AS really don't have anything to complain about with this finale? I'm still finding it hard to put together anything constructive for discussion purposes - I mean, "wow" would just go nowhere.

But wrt Jin...

Spoiler for speculation:

I'm not sure his real intention was to kill Sei. Whilst he did move to draw his weapon, why would he have stepped back if he'd wanted to kill for revenge? Might Jin have been trying to provoke Sei to kill him?

Furthermore, going through the flashbacks again, it seemed like he really cared for Sei, in that he wanted him to be more compassionate, more human. That flashback in 11 suggested that Yaichi's 'betrayal' may have hurt Sei more than Jin had foreseen it would - perhaps he regretted it? Then there's the flashback from the start of 10 - whilst I'm not sure, it looks like it may have occurred after the one from 11 - where Jin shows his concern for Sei. I wonder if Jin had felt responsible for making Sei/Yaichi what he became, thus leading to the downfall of the group and the death of his two other sworn brothers, and was trying to make it up by coming clean, and perhaps, letting Yaichi kill him...

p.s. I'm really debating over whether I can commit to buying yet another series... Might just get the manga for the time being...

[Shiroth]

For those interested, soundtrack will be released on the 21st of the month. Going to preorder my copy this week.

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

For those interested, soundtrack will be released on the 21st of the month. Going to preorder my copy this week.

This OST has been on my WANT list ever since it was announced so Ill be getting a copy as well.

If I might nit pick one thing about this series, I really wish we'd seen more of Masa's samurai skills. We know he's good but we never really get to see it. Wonder if he shows more in the manga or are we just left to speculate.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by White Manju Bun

If I might nit pick one thing about this series, I really wish we'd seen more of Masa's samurai skills. We know he's good but we never really get to see it. Wonder if he shows more in the manga or are we just left to speculate.

We're allowed nit picks , i mean mine is wanting to see more of Otake's background. So yeah, hopefully the manga is where we want want to see more.

As for Masa's skills, i actually quite like that we only seen a little bit of it. It was enough to know that he has serious skills.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Joojoobees

Yes, please. I hope they release the whole series as a set, without screwing around with 3 episode discs. The artwork was stunning, so I can't wait to get it on disc. I will buy this as soon as the complete series is released as a set, but I think Funimation has a policy of not releasing the complete series until they have released individual discs.

Most of Funi's releases are now season sets not individual DVDs. So if this is released I imagine it would be in one box set.

[Joojoobees]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

Most of Funi's releases are now season sets not individual DVDs. So if this is released I imagine it would be in one box set.

Well, I hope you are right, but in an interview at ANN, given less than two months ago, Gen Fukunaga, President of Funimation, said:

Originally Posted by Funimation President

One last comment on our release schedule is that we have a very set pattern on how we release titles. We have our initial release, and we try to wait at least a year before we release a complete box set, and so on and so forth. So we do have a pattern that does delay subsequent releases of the exact same brand.