Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! – 12 [END]
And after all this time, they’ve found what they’ve always been looking for – the Ethereal Horizon
 |
Hello guys. So chu2koi ended. What am I going to do with my life now? Also, I found out from Danny Choo’s site that the official English title is “Regardless of My Adolescent Delusions of Grandeur, I Want a Date!” …what even. |
So, the episode started off pretty scarily. Although I can’t deny that riajuu Dekomori was absolutely lovely to look at, the thing that’s made her stand out as a character all this while was her crazy cuteness and pigtails! Chuuni Kumin on the other hand was really surprising, and funnily, her chuunibyou was so well-executed I think she could compete with chuuni Rikka xD I’d like to think that she only “caught” chuunibyou and the Wicked Eye because she wanted to push Yuuta to do something to help Rikka though. The juxtaposition of riajuu Dekomori and chuuni Kumin was horrifying and although it was funny, it was also horribly wrong at the same time. I like how even though the first few scenes had a more light-hearted, comedic premise, it was also ominous, seemingly hinting to us that something really depressing is about to come up. …And it did.
…wait who again?!
I can only try to imagine what Yuuta must’ve felt when he found out that Rikka’s already moved away. Even though he’s tried to be the responsible one and help Rikka move on, ultimately he’s realized that it’s inherently his fault that she’s moved away and lost that little light in her eyes, and it’s hard to admit that he’s made all the wrong decisions. Luckily for him, he’s the glorious main character and we all know that main characters always have Lady Luck shining on them. It just so happened that the letter he sent to himself years ago was conveniently delivered on the day itself, and you thought it couldn’t get any cheesier than this. Some people thought that this was cleverly done, but in my opinion it was too contrived and unbelievable. Too many coincidences can ruin an episode’s build-up, and I thought that they could’ve done without this scene. Nevertheless, that gave him the motivation to chase after Rikka… and then Kumin dealt another blow to his heart: Rikka’s chuunibyou actually stemmed from his own chuunibyou itself. Yuuta was the one who saved Rikka with his chuunibyou, but he was also the one who shot it down.
I still don’t know how she thought this guy was cool
Now, onto how KyoAni wrapped up the entire series, let’s start with what I liked. I loved how all the other supporting characters came to help out – Shinka, Dekomori, Kumin and Isshiki all gave Yuuta and Rikka the little pushes that they had needed, and it was nice seeing the whole crew gathered up again after the club was disbanded and they went their separate ways for awhile. Also, the scene at the Ethereal Horizon, where Rikka said goodbye to her father really worked for me. By “worked for me” I mean I was sobbing along with Rikka and making my family members stare at me. I thought that it was a simple and moving roundup to Rikka’s feelings, and when the build-up of emotions really reached its peak when she cried that last sayounara, I thought that was a really nice wrap-up to the entire issue with the acceptance of her father’s death. She’s said what she didn’t get to say, and now it’s finally time to move on.
And ever since that day she was swallowed by sparkles, Rikka was never seen again…
Strangely, if you asked me what I loved the most about this episode, I’d probably say the last scene. It gave me a wave of déjà vu – the setting was exactly the same as that of when they first officially talked on Yuuta’s balcony, and even though Rikka’s actions and words remained the same, there was really something different between them after all that they’ve been through. Such a simple act it was, really, but to them, it probably meant more than we would ever know. No bewilderedness, no anonymity – just pure understanding, and a newfound affection for one another. Although I suppose now Yuuta would want to see more than her eye.
The only complaint I have, perhaps, is that with regards to the matter of striking a balance between growing up and having fun, they gave us a conclusion in words, but not in actions. While the narrator’s monologue tackled the words part, the scene with them riding into the sunrise together was confusing. What did Rikka putting her eyepatch back on mean? That she’s back into her chuunibyou, or that she’s accepted it as a part of herself that’s there because it’s fun and it’s what she loves doing? Perhaps what KyoAni had intended for was for us to find our own balance and make our own decision in a way. Anyway, I don’t think that this episode disappointed me at all. I wouldn’t call it the best ending that chu2koi could’ve gotten, but it was a good one nonetheless.
I actually enjoyed that little speech the boomy-voiced narrator made, because although it’s cheesy, it is sincere and it really hits home. Ultimately, there will always be a part of us that will want to find a refuge from daily life that can sometimes be mundane or cruel – that part is silly and downright embarrassing, but it is still there, and it makes us who we are. What does it mean to “grow up”, in the end? Is it to really face reality head-on and accept things the way they are, and to give up on the things we love just because they’re not practical? Perhaps reality and imagination aren’t mutually exclusive. Imagination can brighten up reality instead of change it or mask it, and you don’t have to lose that imagination even when you’re an adult. That’s why no one ever really grows out of a chuunibyou – it just changes and shifts as the years go by, some may choose to hide it while others will flaunt it openly, but it is always there.
This anime juggled between a few genres – slice-of-life at its core, and then comedy, family, drama and romance. Perhaps the drama fell flat at times and didn’t deliver the mighty punch that it was supposed to, or perhaps the back story wasn’t that well thought-out, and even less thoughtfully executed. But there is something for everybody, and I can say that I enjoyed every single episode of it. Maybe it’s because I really don’t have my critical goggles on when I watch anime, but there was not one episode that didn’t make me smile. I’m not particularly a fan of slice-of-life (I can’t really handle an entire series of cute girls/boys doing cute things and nothing else), but chu2koi kept me engaged every single episode, and I have to say that the romance, although not very well-developed at all, was sweet and enjoyable. Chu2koi’s a simple anime – should I say that it’s a jack of all trades, but a master of none? But simply because it’s touched on so many different genres, it’s proved to be different from your normal slice-of-life and it stands out that way.
I’ve had a lot of fun watching and blogging (albeit not very well) chu2koi this season, and I’m always thankful for the opportunity to write and share my thoughts and feelings with you guys on Metanorn. So thank you for sticking around with me even though I might be really long-winded and nonsensical at times! 😀 I hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as I have. Miyu signing off with the last chu2koi post ever (gah I’ll miss this), see you again soon >D
About Miyu
A stressed-out jyoushi kousei doubling as Metanorn's loli with a soft spot for sappy romance animanga. She will watch anything with bishies in it. :3
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
As always, Miyu, you have quite a way with words. This was a very well thought out review. I’m happy to have been with you thru all of it. Just a few points:
It just so happened that the letter he sent to himself years ago was conveniently delivered on the day itself
Yeah, weird coincidence, and all. There is something about the “letter to myself” which I cannot look away from. I felt the scene flowed very well, and it made a great deal of sense. Also, a day later, and he would have missed his chance, a day earlier and it would not have had impact? Sometimes we see opportunities that come to a good full conclusion, and we say, how luck we are. But we have tons of them silly things every day that we never realize, much less exploit. Plus, kudos to the staff for having it come out the day before that nonsensical Mayan Prophecy stuff. Glad that is over.
This show struck a chord with me. It is, without a doubt, my favorite of the season, and of the year. I was moaning for most of ’12, that I never had an experience like I had with Penguindrum last year. But, after seeing this show to it’s conclusion, I can safely say that I have had it again. I felt the exact same sense of anticipation for the next episode, at the exact same time…right when the ED begins. I had the exact same feelings of thoughtfulness about a great many things after if finished. And that same drive to clear out my schedule that night to watch it as soon as possible (props to GG and UTW for such great delivery).
About the ending narration. Self-awareness cannot exist in a vacuum, it requires us to have feedback from others to give it, not purpose, but the opportunities to shine, to be questioned, to grow stronger, or weaker if need be. We all have an individual agenda to push. Sometimes people want to make us “grow up”. But as the full quote from C.S. Lewis goes,
“Critics who treat adult as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
I am chuunibyou. And I very happy to be so.
I cannot give any sort of closure to Rikka resuming the mantle of her cherished character. Other than to say, “It looks good on you kid”.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ and Vocaloid Fangirl with 363 comments
Daww, thank you for sticking around with me and always being quick to comment and share your thoughts c:
Ah, I’ve yet to find another anime that left me as much as penguindrum did last year I should think, although chu2koi has been a really enjoyable series in 2012. I love that quote, especially that part about putting away the desire to be grown up. Frankly I’m still in the process of growing up (aha, who am I kidding, I’m as immature as a 5 year old) and society already demands so much from teenagers and adults nowadays, sometimes it gets suffocating.
In that way, I guess my chuuni would be this side of me. The side that loves to go online and watch and review anime, to discuss about deeeep topics with others, and to share the passion for what others may call childish in a way. But I love what I do, and that is enough. c:
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
A five year old? You got me beat by a couple of years, Miyu. Older I get, the more I’m like a toddler in the perpetual need of a nap. My father informs me that this is very typical behavior for a maturing male, and recommends me to continue as needed, or else I will not be properly trained to get even grumpier. I think I’ll just take a nap.
Suffocating? Oh, yes. And then it’s time for drinks. S’why it’s so popular, I think.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Just gave Spammy another chew toy….
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That’s just a temporary distraction. He’ll get bored eventually.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Curse you Spammy. Why must you take my long posts. Must I feed you in tiny little bite sized pieces?
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Sorry about that! Spammy has been a little cranky ever since Chuuni ended.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
One of my hypotheses is that the longer you’re on the page, the more likely there is to be a hiccup in the spam heuristics. I also think there’s a two-pronged spam filter, and one is more tolerant than the other (this from talking to wiill on IRC).
It’s hard to prove this, but it feels like people are more likely to have long posts nabbed than short posts.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Never mind, I guess Spammy…..regurgitated?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Another good anime produced by KyoAni since Hyouka. I was worried Dekomori had totally given up her eighth grade syndrome but it turned out she was hiding it and she did it well. Though Kumin’s impression of Rikka didn’t work out well. It’s just not her style.
What I loved most was the show’s light-hearted, comedic premise: Rikka and Dekomori with their eighth grade syndrome at the same time with Yuuta and Shinka doing everything they can to forget their past selves and the bond between Yuuta and Rikka.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ and Vocaloid Fangirl with 363 comments
Me too, I was so shocked when I saw bishoujo!Dekomori haha. She’s pretty like that, but much more adorable with her chuunibyou. I thought Kumin was hilarious, but rather obviously only for show, to get Yuuta moving.
Mm, it was like a weekly dose of fluffy moe antics that draw you away from everyday life. It’s been really fun! c:
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I think she is equally adorable in both guises. She still loves to wind Yuuta up no matter what face she wears. So, essentially, she is the same.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 304 comments
Before this, the only anime that I’ve really liked from Kyoani was Hyouka and Key stuff. I almost didn’t watch this and I hate myself for it. This was a treat to watch! Although it wasn’t particularly mind-blowing or spectacular, it never tried to be more than what it is and it never failed to put a smile on my face. I don’t think there was an episode that I didn’t enjoy. It’s easily relateable and has a cute little message to go along with it. I’m really gonna miss Chuunibyou!
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ and Vocaloid Fangirl with 363 comments
Hyouka was a really good number, and so is chu2koi, but in very different ways. Ah I love how you put it, indeed, it has stuck through to it’s silly premise and lovable characters, and it’s made us laugh all the way through.
Me too ;w; but now we know that there’s always a chuunibyou that exists in us even as we grow up hehe *cheesy*
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 175 comments
overall series worth the watch from slice of life, fun, drama, emotion, & etc all truly a wonderful series to watch look forward if ever dub come out with besides there always a chuunibyou within ourselves.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ and Vocaloid Fangirl with 363 comments
I’m not too sure about dubs, because I feel that they can sometimes ruin the original meaning/atmosphere of the show xD But yes, a good show this series indeed. ♥
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I’ve watched this episode 3 times now, and each time I’ve been more emotionally affected than the last time (to be honest, the first time wasn’t that much). The more I think about it, the more I like the way it got reframed by the ending narration. It’s not that having aspects of chuunibyou is childish, it’s that the development of a self-conscious response and embarrassment is more ‘adult’. Everyone wants to do things like that all their lives. The reason they don’t isn’t because it’s childish, or silly, or stupid, but because they tell themselves it is.
Overall, I was feeling a little bit disappointed by the finale. I guess I had raised my expectations a little too high, or maybe just had what I thought they would do in my mind. On repeated viewings, like I mentioned, I’ve enjoyed it more, but I still think it could have done with a little more punch. I thought that Kumin’s exposition was a little bit much, because I am trying to figure out when she learned all this. Why would Kumin have been Rikka’s confidant? And did Rikka set that up with Kumin to inspire Yuuta? I think that’s the main problem I had with the whole thing.