Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyz
Well, 2 more episodes....or 3 if you're including the DVD only episode
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Actually, just the one left in the TV run. Next week's episode is the last 'till late-March. As for episode 11, it's wrapping things up very nicely.
Spoiler for Episode 11:
I can certainly understand why Mizuki was so bitter; when her mom abandoned her, she must have felt that she literally had nothing left except her voice. That's a pretty heavy cross to bear, and explains why she had a hard time trusting people. It also explains why the LoveDol experience has been the best thing in her life -- despite some minor misunderstandings, the girls (along with Tomohiro) always look out for each other and always stick together without question, just like a loving family. Mai's touching scene at the end really confirmed that point - so perfectly played out (and, inspite of her tough exterior, Mai's such a sweetheart... aww...).
Seeing the walls slowly start to break down between Mizuki and her mother (and of course Mizuki's singing was the trigger) was touching - them slowly getting closer and closer to each other on the pier was sweet. It's not an ending point for those two (they didn't hug or anything), but it's a start.
Having all the girls, including the ones from the first two generations, use their collective PR power was nice (it's amazing how much pull the established idols have compared to the new ones, but that's probably pretty realistic). It's only when everyone pulls together that great things start happening, and in spite of a rocky start, there's no doubt left that the new group can pull it off.
I guess, the sum of it all - this is indeed a story about love, but it's not the heart-pounding romantic love that I expected from the ED. This is about finding a place where you're accepted for who you are, no matter what your past is, and working together to accomplish something that's beyond what you'd ever be able to pull off on your own. Mizuki started the show alone and seeking revenge for her troubled past, and she's ending the show surrounded by close friends and pursuing a bright future. And, of course, it all started with a manager who extended a hand and wouldn't give up (I guess now we know why all the girls love him
).
I have to admit that my impressions of this show have totally gone all over the place over the course of its airing. As I commented before, I really didn't "get it" at first. But now, as we near the end, I find myself liking it more and more. As KenOhki'sRage said, this show really is all about moe~ in the truer/original sense, and because of that I think it'll be forever doomed to be dismissed by the English fan community at large (whose interests in anime, through no fault of their own, generally lie elsewhere).