Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta 11-13 [END]
What do you mean I have to say goodbye to this adorable cast ꒰⌯͒•̩̩̩́ ˑ̫ •̩̩̩̀⌯͒꒱
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I always like to convince myself that if I don’t watch the last episode of a series, it will go on forever. As you can expect, it doesn’t go very well www. So I finally brought up the courage to watch the final episode of Yozakura, which I’ll definitely miss in my weekly schedule :’) |
These three episodes are part of Lila’s arc, and I really appreciate getting to know more about Juri because she’s always been a really interesting character. She’s one of the only humans in Hime’s circle helping to better the town, and it’s really nice how she’s learnt how to deal with both humans and youkai (and everything in between) in her time that she’s been the nurse of the town. I thought a lot of the drama could’ve been avoided if she had just explained why she didn’t want to say “I missed you” right from the beginning, but I guess that would’ve meant a lot less action and EMOTIONAL IMPACT. All Lila wanted was to make Juri happy I guess, although that eventually spiralled into an obsession that backfired and did the thing that she wanted the least – scare her sister off. I think we’re all still puzzled as to how she died and came back alive if she hadn’t been struck, and how she does all those magical things. Well, I guess it’ll remain a secret forever. …I still think she’s kind of creepy though.
Throughout the series, I really like how YQ has stuck through to its theme of centering around relationships. Even centered in a world that features youkai and different dimensions, the relationship between the characters always feels relatable. Of course, my personal favorite is Akina and Hime’s relationship, and although they are the childhood-friends-who-probably-like-each-other-but-don’t-admit-it, YQ makes their relationship feel really real to me. They’ve always had each other to rely on, and although Hime’s the mayor, she’s also a teenage girl. She has times when she’s sensitive and delicate, and we got to see this side of her when she thought she couldn’t do anything for Akina to help him when he overused his tuning powers. This makes her so human (the irony) and I really think she’s become one of my favorite female leads in anime. And it’s also sweet how Akina knows how to deal with both sides of her, able to make her feel happier with a simple action that he knew she would appreciate. God I can’t even get around to how much I love these two, really.
And it’s not only them, it’s also Kyosuke’s brotherly love, Kotoha’s and Ao’s concern for Hime, the people’s admiration and respect for Hime and the office that really makes this show so lovely to watch every single week, and I think I’ve grown an attachment to all the characters. One good thing about this show is that we get to really know not only the main characters, but also many side characters and their stories and relationships, and that really draws you into their world. I wanna live in Sakura Shinmachi too xD
And I keep saying this, but the most beautiful part of YQ is the variety of genre and the most natural transitions between them. I mean, they managed to make the part where Hime was stuck in the box, about to be impaled by this gargantuan sword summoned by Lila dangerously funny (sorry I had to do it), and then right after beautifully slow into a touching reunion between Juri and Lila. YQ makes me hold my breath in anticipation, giggle at the character’s silly antics, cry during touching scenes and dawwww at adorable moments almost in every episode, and that’s what really made me enjoy this show.
Yes, it’s annoying that it ended in the middle of nowhere, with only two youkai hunters introduced. Akina caught a glimpse of the other dimension, and judging by his reaction it was probably pretty horrible, but we don’t know yet if Enjin is just trolling him. I’m also really, really curious as to where Gin’s soul is residing if he got kicked out of his body, and whether if when the dimensions merge, he will somehow find his way back to Ao and the rest again. He kind of became a thought in the back of our heads after awhile, and I wonder if he’s going to play a major role in the future.
I’ve always thought that YQ would be better off as a two-cour show, but I guess I’d rather wait for another season with good plot and directing rather than have the production studio sloppily complete it just so that they can have a longer air-time. I mean, they are going to make another season, right? Because if not I’m going to kill somebody. Thanks for sticking by with me throughout this series even despite my irregular posting (I’m still really sorry :c), and I really must say that I thoroughly enjoyed blogging YQ! I’d like to hear your thoughts about the series too, especially people who have watched something in the series prior to this. Did it live up to your expectations? I’m looking forward to reading your comments!
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: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I really enjoyed the series, but thought that the ending was kind of a let-down. “We’re gonna have a big fight, but now I don’t really wanna, I’ll just quit for a while.” I mean, it’s set up well for a continuation series, which is good, but it makes this one seem like it wasn’t really thought out about how to make it a good ending.
I’m not a huge fan of fighting or superpowers (as I discussed with Fosh yesterday) but the way it was handled by YQ was so different and refreshing that it was truly exciting. Nobody was overpowered (except maybe Enjin), and everyone fought with what they could. Overall, Kotoha was definitely my favorite character, and my favorite part was Zakuro and Kotoha trying to keep all the knives from getting away. And let me say that it REALLY helped taking a break from Hana no Uta to watch Hoshi no Umi in the middle. But the collaborative nature of the whole show is what made this one special for me.
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
In regards to Lila, Im pretty sure (even though this series wants to keep her nature a secret, i think the writer(s) have kinda given hints as to what the deal is behind her situation). When she saw the star (aka the falling strike) she made a wish to have true magical powers. So, in following the myths about making a wish on a shooting star, her desire was so strong and her proximity so close, that the falling strike actually granted her wish, imbuing her with powers without the need to possess her. This is why Lila can do what she can do without actually being a half demon. At least from what i can tell, that’s what im pretty sure happened.
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
oh and Hime and Akina’s relationship is handled so well and so adorably…that begs mentioning.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Too bad Akina’s totally two-timing Hime and Touka…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Haganai Syndrome…
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
We all know where his heart lies tho : D
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Well, it’s his dirty little secret.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I love loved loved the show. It was my favorite of the season and quite possibly of the year and I’m so happy you chose to cover it, Miyu. I even enjoyed trolling the trollers at Cthuko.rich
A very rich background with a very compelling set of characters is always tops in my book. Add a very snappy OST, and it spells a property I will miss right along with you.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Has the manga elaborated yet on what actually is going on in the parallel tuned dimension?
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I’ve gotten 52 out of 72 chapters in the story, and besides a trip to the past with the Ward Mayor and Yae, they’ve animated up to that point, and it looks like the new OVA’s are starting at the point I am at.
So…I can’t say, I don’t want to read ahead!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yozakura Quartet was a good series and I had a lot of fun watching it. In my opinion, Hana no Uta did better than the previous version in 2008 and I hear Hana no Uta is closer to the source material. So each side of the Hiizumi families are able to use the same powers but it’s that one’s power is stronger than the other. I hope there’s a follow to see what happens next.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I really loved this show (finished it last night)! Interesting characters and a lot of variety that is not grating on your nerves (so unlike Flamenco), so even if the cast is large, I was able to keep up with all.
I hope we get another season but they definitely need to get their timelines correct because the previous OVAs were actually an arc in the middle of this series, while the recently released OVAs are much later to this season.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
So, can I take that as a confirmation that you’ve dropped that hopeless train wreck? It’s really gone south to the point no one knows what to call it.