It was a good ending, but it could have been better and less cheesy...It is curious how they altered or skipped many important things during the entire series and at the end, they preserved almost the same ending as the game. If the series was more than 26 episodes, zero rush and allowed to develop more each of the characters, like Touka or Benawi, the ending could have a much more strong impact. Maybe thats why the ED was a little bit above average. Of course, many people will find the ED very good. I agree with that, but still I think something was missing...
It ended this way, and it was a good ride. I dont have any regrets watching this series as I enjoyed playing the game as well....
They didn't really get everyone terribly worked up about Hakuoro leaving them as they did in the game. There wasn't really much "impact" per se. :/ Converting Witsarunemitea's dying figure into an image of Hakuoro made it kind of cheesy, and we didn't even get the mask falling scene, which I thought was fantastic in the game. I guess the term is happy-go-lucky?
I've decided to forgo putting my synopsis on my website front page and paste it here instead. You've seen the screenshots, and there's plenty of links to go around too. But nobody has the audacity to spend 6 hours translating and coming up with a synopsis of the episode besides me lol.
Well, that and the fact that all my recordings are in WMV9 format. VirtualDub, the program I use to open and take screenshots with, can't read that file type. I swear, this was done on purpose!
Well, the below spoiler is the summery. Again, my Japanese is not perfect. This is an extrapolation based on what I know from the game and what I was able to translate from the show...but it's not like I made up stuff. Don't click it unless you really wanna know what happens word for word.You have been warned.
Spoiler for Series Finale:
Prelude
Before I continue with the synopsis of episode 26, there are clarifications of episode 25 that need elaborating that I missed last week.
The conversation that the protagonist and antagonist had was exactly as I thought, but when I had written it, it was totally vague. What you must understand now is that (according to Dii) Dii and Hakuoro have been struggling for the same thing - to achieve essentially worship status. It is their drive - whether they knew it or not. Both of them achieve this in different ways, but the means are always bloody.
Dii gives his supporters/believers the means to conquer the weak nations, thus he gains the acceptance and praise of his “children”. He calls the people who are weak and/or don’t agree with his godlike nature an inevitability that must be weeded out, but it is so few compared to those who will eventually worship him that the method becomes legitimate.
Compare that to Hakuoro, who is literally willing to appear before them (notice how Dii is usually in hiding?) and teach his “children” agriculture, crafts, and warfare. And these acts essentially gets him the praise that he unconsciously wants - to the point that he becomes a ruler. Thus, there is nothing wrong with their actions according to Dii. Sometimes, both of them will grant wishes and requests to further their agendas (Dii to Genjimaru, Hakuoro to Eruruu). This is the point where Dii was pointing his finger at Aruruu and Eruruu…before Eruruu speaks out that her actions were of her own choice, not by contract.
Dii expected their two philosophies to clash in the end. And so they did at the end of episode 25. Which brings us to episode 26…
Teaser
Urutorii explains to everyone that the Onkami are fighting each other. The outcome of this battle will decide mankind’s fate...essentially. Everyone, even Mutsumi, watches silently, captivated by the two colossuses as they rip each other apart.
Act One
Dii continues to provoke Hakuoro into fighting with his words. Hakuoro, realizing that their existence has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent victims, fights Dii to end their being. At one point, after tearing one of Hakuoro’s arms off, Dii pins his opponent to the ground, questioning Hakuoro to recall the memories of a more peaceful existence - before the here and now, before they had awakened. This sparks a vision of such a moment:
Iceman returns home from foraging. Mikoto is there waiting for him; their baby lies sleeping in her arms. Iceman puts a necklace he made around the baby. It consists of a piece of brown string with a ring-like amulet tied around it. The amulet is from Mikoto’s father (Mizushima) and though it isn’t a necessary item to them anymore, it is still an important one to her father and they believe it will bring the child fortune. But just then, a group of soldiers in environmental suits ambush their location and tranquilize Iceman. Before passing out, he can hear the baby crying and Mikoto restrained and screaming for help.
Coming around, Iceman finds himself in the underground facility, bound, and greeted by a scientist who puts on a mask like the one he has. It carries the power to enhance metabolism and immunity, allowing humans to live above ground again. Iceman inquires about Mikoto, and the scientist replies by saying she’s been “dismantled”, that her womb and other important bodily parts are being stored and studied. Then he jokes with him, saying they can create as many copies of her as he wants, which ticks Iceman off to the point that his ethereal form unravels.
The entity grants the humans’ wish of having strong bodies and immortality by turning every last one of them into red slimes. The entity is utterly amused, but a part of Iceman (within the entity) calls out to anyone who can stop him. Suddenly, he finds himself in contact with Mutsumi telepathically, saying she can grant his wish. She adds that his wish is her wish and says good-bye. With that, Mutsumi activates a device in orbit and obliterates the facility. Unfortunately, Mutsumi’s effort caused a secondary effect to occur, splitting the two personalities apart just before they were sealed.
Which brings us to the present: it appears as if Hakuoro is losing, but in a last desperate move, he mends the two together like an infection, catching Dii off guard, and cuts off his head. The aura released from Dii’s body is absorbed into Hakuoro and he becomes his whole self again - the evil locked within.
Act Two
In the evening after the battle concludes, Hakuoro tells Eruruu that she has witnessed the truth. Aruruu doesn’t want him to go, calling daddy a liar for saying they’d be together. The rest of the group approaches, and Urutorii is asked to seal him. Urutorii fears that doing such a thing to Witsuarumetia would be a sin. Mutsumi flies down and says they’ll bear the sin together (if her father is going to disappear, so should she), and on that word she departs from Kamyu’s body. After a short reunion, the spell is cast. As it is done, the evil half rises and attempts to free itself, so Hakuoro gives them the go ahead to cut him down. The group advances, strikes, and in blinding light, the entity vanishes.
But the light does not end just yet. The group sees Hakuoro’s “soul” before them, his face happy and content, and with last minute favors and requests. He implores:
- Urutorii to continue her peacekeeping ways
- Kamyu to keep being Kamyu
- Karura to do as she wishes (although she admits that she’s always been doing that)
- Touka to use her powers to stop violence and help the weak (like Genjimaru)
- Oboro to take care of Yuzuha and lead the country into its new era (with Dorii and Guraa to assist)
- Benawi to care for the people in the palace and country
- Kurou to continue to support everyone
Aruruu wants to go with daddy, but Hakuoro asks her if she did, what would become of her sister, her friends, and all the people who care for her if she went with him. Aruruu understands, but she weeps at the fact that she won’t have a father figure anymore. Turning to Eruruu, they enter a place in private…
Eruruu asks if he’s really going, and Hakuoro says yes, that he’s going to slumber for some time. Eruruu says that everything will be okay in their care and not to worry. Hakuoro understands and smiles, but as he walks away, Eruruu lets her true feelings out and says she doesn’t want him to go. She asks how long is “some time”? He had told her that they were a family and they would be together. Hakuoro believes those are the forced feelings of their contract, but Eruruu tells him he’s wrong. Everybody knew that he wasn’t human, but it didn’t matter. He took care of Aruruu; he was there for everyone when people felt down. This Hakuoro, Eruruu loves, and it’s nothing to do with the contract at all. Hakuoro tells her thank you, and Eruruu says that he’s being unfair.
Turning away from Eruruu, Hakuoro tells Eruruu that just now, he saw Mikoto in her. Eruruu takes a few steps calling his name, but Hakuoro shouts at her not to come any closer - that it’s not good to be near him. Eruruu is silent, but approaches anyway. Hearing her footsteps, Hakuoro turns. Eruruu leaps into his arms, kissing him. Hakuoro is startled at first, but gives in to her passion and embraces Eruruu. Hakuoro says that without a doubt he’ll come see her again. And Eruruu whispers quietly, “Without a doubt…”
Epilogue
Oboro places Yuzuha’s favorite bell next to her grave and bids her farewell. Benawi and Kurou ask if he really is going, and Oboro tells them yes. Dorii and Guraa asks to accompany him, but Oboro insists that they don’t have to be bound to him anymore. They persist until Oboro says it’s ok as long as it’s their choosing.
Karura and Touka are fleeing from An Kuam soldiers. Touka agreed to be a samurai assistant to Karura because the latter was feeling bored. But now she’s gotten involved with obtaining sake without cash and is regretting every minute of it.
Munto approaches Urutorii and says that Kamyu is missing, but she assures him that everything is fine.
In a bed of flowers, Sakuya is babysitting Kuuya as she picks them. Suddenly, Kuuya jumps up in the air and reaches for something in the sky. A small wind blows petals above her.
Kamyu and Aruruu are eating beehives and honey. Kamyu asks if she’s alright with running the risk of being stung, but Aruruu says that the harder they come, the more delicious it tastes. Then Aruruu’s ears ruffle. Looking ahead, a similar-blowing wind swirls in front of them.
Eruruu is now a physician, and she’s being greeted and welcomed by the locals of the village that she’s moved into…as well as being inundated with patients. But she is happy…almost happy. Eruruu looks up in the sky, and thinks to herself, “Hakuoro-san, I am here. Aruruu is here with me. We’ll be here…for a long, long time…here…until you…”
The wind blows, and she turns around. Her face flushes and she smiles.
I'll give my full opinion of the show within the next 24 hours. But I must say this for now:
Spoiler for oh yes:
You go, Eruruu. Don't hide your feelings anymore. Being in love is the most wonderful thing in the cosmos. My heart is satisfied.
Mmmmh...just read Zaris' post with translations and such.
I'm a bit surprised that
Spoiler:
they left Hakuoro to be a mere ethereal presence, almost like a spirit watching over them than a living person coming back to greet those he had left behind.
In the game, it is hinted that Hakuoro comes back but no longer as a god or its avatar (reincarnation/vessel of a god) - there are multiple instances supporting that; three if I'm not wrong.
- When Kuuya is playing around, she does more than babbling and giggling. She can talk and speak with people although her mindset is still as childish. At a certain moment, she says, 'it's coming' - to which Sakuya asks 'what?' only to be answered by, 'the smell of soil'.
That said smell is a reference to Kuuya's observation about how Hakuoro smelled (a statement she made when she first met him) - like soil. It's probable that this fragrance was caused by his long sojourn under earth. Here, as one can see, it's the first hint that Hakuoro is coming back.
- Eruruu and Kamyuu playing together. At one point I believe Mukkuru lets a low growl and Kamyuu looks up and sees someone in the background. She then says, 'is that oji-san?'
I think the said person would have had to be pretty solid instead of a benevolent breeze for Kamyuu to identify the said person. Unless, of course, there is a form of empathy specific to the Onkamiyaryuu that allows them to recognize ethereal presences floated by.
- Then, of course, there's Eruruu who turns around to greet someone apparently coming to meet her. Problem is, we don't see anything because that's when the game ends and the credits roll down.
What's written above might not even have been considered by the staff - as a matter of fact, as I've said, I think they'll let Hakuoro sealed along with Uitsuarunemitea. In the game,
Spoiler:
An explanation for Hakuoro's return, complemented and more or less confirmed by his mask falling into Eruruu's hands, is that Uitsuarunemitea is once again whole and Hakuoro is no longer needed as a mortal vessel to carry the great god's soul. As such, he's free to go while Uitsuarunemitea remains sealed.
Nevertheless, it seems that the two halves did not completely fuse together as seen when the party tried to seal them. So it might mean that Hakuoro's nature as an avatar is maintained because Dii doesn't want to fuse with him, leaving Uitsu's good side inside Hakuoro. I don't know if Dii's rebellion was stunted by the sealing spell and the two essences were forced-meshed together but it might be a credible way for Hakuoro to discard his second nature and come back as a mere mortal.
[offtopic]
BTW, Zaris, you should try CCCP (Combined Community Codec Pack) for taking screenshots.
well it was to be expected that hakuoro was gona leave is some form...but i have no complaints seen as it was done so well
aruruu crying made me shed a tear or two and the sight of seening eruruu kiss hakuoro made me cheer...you go girl!
overall i really loved this series and the producers didnt screw up the end...thankfully...would be a shame if they did...
now i want that song that they played at the end!
Thosee... thoseee... BASTARDSSS...
They killed poor Yuzuha in the last minutes :'(
Why... WHY!!!... couldn't they just cure her through devine intervention...
Damn as$holes...
Seing Yuzuha all happy in the end is the only thing I wanted from the series...
I was disappointed with the end. Basically another anime where everyone loses in the end. And yes I mean lose. He lost his self.. Eruru lost him.. Aruru lost him.. Oboro lost Yuzuha.. Kamyuu still has not started to regain any mentality beyond a child. Man I'm tired of being drawn into bad ending anime's.
Anyway, i've gotta admit.. i pretty much loved the last episode - true they left out a few things that would have pushed into over the top & made it even better, but i like how it is - the lil' ending showing the characters future was also a great touch. All thats needed now is the anime's ost at the end of October~
Oboro acting all so cool in his last scene.. i can't laugh at him anymore, but still, he's a great legend.
Never got to see Benawi at his fullest.. though just thinking how good that would be makes it all better.
Touka & Karura need there own TV series. :3
Yuzuha.. of course i'm not happy about her death, but i'm glad they didn't leave it hanging.
Thosee... thoseee... BASTARDSSS...
They killed poor Yuzuha in the last minutes :'(
Why... WHY!!!... couldn't they just cure her through devine intervention...
Damn as$holes...
Seing Yuzuha all happy in the end is the only thing I wanted from the series...
imo it contributes to the impact of "everyone loses" but it comes across in a good way would have been nice to see the interval when yuzuha dies...i think seeing oboro cry would get me pretty emotional...
does anyone have a picture of Hakuoro where his mask falls of? any screen shots or whatever of the game where I could see that ending D:
personally, I liked the ending - although one thing was slightly confusing....
Was it Dii's essence that was absorbed by Hakuoro, or was it simply the other entity? Waitsuarumitea (sp?)... I mean, it's a little hard to understand.
Why, after he cut Onkami-dii's head, did it seem like he was trying to escape again? I thought that Dii's will would've been destroyed after Hakuoro destroyed it.
But yeah, I thought it was a good episode. the music at the end was touching, and I've always liked Hakuoro's VA's voice to be pleasant. I hope I get to hear him in other anime.
The whole damn episode had me at the edge of my seat as I saw the fight, and I kept trying to fight back tears as I saw Hakuoro say his farewell to everyone.
I like Hakuoro a lot as a character because even though he was Waitsuarumitea (or is it Onkami? D: ), he earned everyone's respect as Hakuoro, the man, and not the god. I don't think that he had a subconsious desire to be praised as Hakuoro - he simply did what he had because he wanted to share it, not because he wanted anything in return - I dunno...
but I have to say, the most touching part of this episode was definately seeing Aruru cry - it was such a barely contained sob... she really seemed like she didn't want to cry but she just couldn't hold it - it was such an honest kind of crying, it moved my heart. Her voice actress did such an amazing job.
sigh, it's sad knowing I don't have my Utawarerumono to look foward to from now on....
Some reason was they hurried through it all. That missed about 7 or 8 'tear jerker' moments. Im not sure how much time passed after Hakuoro left and Oboro lost Yuzuha as well as time it took him to recover and move on to the part we saw at the end.
Maybe they wanted it to all sink in later after we think about it and read some more.
I am glad some of their world exisitance, past and present got explained somewhat.
I don't know how you could say that Eruru loving Hakuoro was incestual since if she was related to his child in some way that would have been probably thousands of years in the past and would be like saying everyone is related to each other since at the beginning of humanity there were far fewer people and a large part of humanity is related to those people and from that related to each other.
I really loved the whole series and place it very high on my all time most favorite anime list but I think it would have been much better if it was 52 episodes instead of 26 episodes.
I would have liked it if somehow Eruruu lingered in "heaven" for a while with Hakuoro and everyone assumes she was abducted by aliens, only to find her back in town with tattered garments and not walking properly.
Oboro actually looks cool (or at least less stupid) with his "minimalist ninja" outfit last seen in ep. 4. Now that he is cool again, he knows his place. In other words, who can out perform GOD as Emperor of Tusukuru?
The twins "will be corrupted without" Oboro? Uh, I think episode 17 shows that the two are beyond redemption. ^_-
I know I have the grim reputation of making fun of Yuzuha for saying that she can't see shit. Well, now she can't taste, smell, hear or feel shit either. It's good to see that there's still at least a spoiled little sister's duo.
Very good ED but not inspiring enough for me...
Don't click it unless you really wanna know what happens word for word. You have been warned.
Graphic Designer
would have been nice to see the interval when yuzuha dies...i think seeing oboro cry would get me pretty emotional...
