Barakamon – 12 [END]
…in which we bid farewell…
So, yeah. I’ve been putting this off for several reasons. The chief one being, much like the Tenth Doctor….I don’t want to go.
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“It’s best when there’s nothing special”
TV Tokyo or Telemundo?
Well, a great deal of my time during the day is taken up by writing. I’m a couple of weeks into this new work (a novel? a novella? a set of short stories? YA?…….), and after quite a few times starting over, questioning details, revising on the go, and general creative tomfoolery, I know how Handa-sensei ultimately feels. I’m still trying to find out what this story wants to say. Or, in much better words, I’m trying to wrap my head around what I’m supposed to say. A blank word doc is an intimidating beast, and has felled much better than I! And even when it drives me batty, I know the process is the most important aspect of what I do. Destination without prior discovery is a rather empty place. Or at least it feels that way to me.
Dogs or Fleas?
But if there is one sure thing I’ve figured out is that you take not one new discovery for granted. Sometimes, this takes people. I was quite taken by Space Dandy’s Kawafuji’s outlook on whether or not Handa should stay home, or return “home”. Seeing him as a shut in, the art dealer sides with his own bias that Handa is best in Tokyo, and not on Fukue. At most, in this question of where to go, Father is much more apt to allow that thou his son has matured, there is still room for growth, and by his own personal experience, the island can encourage that in it’s own way. As a Tokyo shut-in, he was impulsive, and both clueless and perhaps dangerous. But, if his mother’s record of his life is anything to go by, that’s been what his whole experience has lead up to. Doing little but one thing, without much opportunity to go in other directions….well, you get what you get. On the island, even though not self-sufficient in total, he at least had to face the idea that challenges do arise.
“…what is important to me right now”
Oh yeah, there was that Mijikamon thing…
It was a forgone conclusion that Sensei would return to Fukue, and not at all surprising that he came to think of it as home. I loved the moment, especially after so many moments of ball o’ violence (almost) displayed by Mother, when she realized that he truly did put down roots on the island; he became something of a teacher, and that was something that he took a great deal of pride in. And it passed on to his students in so many ways. Which is just one of many examples of what this series was capable of doing. It did indulge in it’s fair share of tropey narrative and character devices, but that was always a section that was built on top of a very good base. Natural storytelling. Just let these people do what they do, or must, or need to do in any given situation, and follow along, something interesting is going to happen one way or another.
Yay!
One of my favorite subjects in fiction is the idea of a created family. This isn’t the one that you are born into, but one that you’ve found that you’ve grown into in a certain place or a certain time. This could be a group of fast friends that you share more than the good or bad times with, or it could be the community around you, a place that you found built and one you build in your own time, and in your own way. I think Handa found a bit of both on Fukue.
…a bit more from Yoshino Satsuki…
It has been an absolute pleasure writing for this show for the past three months. I’m a pretty big fan of the Slice of Life genre, so once I heard of this show coming out for this Summer’s schedule, I dove into all the manga I could find and fell in love with Yoshino’s gifted pen. This was an awesome adaptation, which is something that I don’t normally pay too much attention to. I like anime to tell the story on it can tell, and manga to do the same; medium matters. I’m glad to see it’s time in the sun, and am somewhat sad to see it go. I’ve said so much about it in the posts I’ve done, that I’m afraid of repeating myself. I found this to be a perfect way to spend my time, both in watching multiple multiple times, and in thinking about how to best say what I wanted to say every week here.
Joy. So much joy. I forgot that it would end, like all good things do and must. It was a story about growth, and it was a story about change. But for me the best of it was a story about how we create, about how we tell stories to each other. Some of the best stories end, and the best of those end properly. And even if we never get another series, I know that these characters will spend more time in the sun. But don’t you wish you could see that?
Moments to savour….
Thanks for Watching!
About skylion
All around nerd that enjoys just about any anime genre. I love history, politics, public policy, the sciences, literature, arts...pretty much anything can make me geeky...except sports. Follow me @theskylion
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Quote: “I like to loli loli.” (sung to I like to move it move it)
Are those… traps hiding lolis behind them?
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Whaooo, your love is like a Bad LOLI, Bad LOLi is what I need!
::blushes and hides::
I know no traps….
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 27 comments
Very heartwarming indeed. There was a real sense of progression and genuine honesty about this series. Like you, this is why I watch anime to have relaxing time in slice of life. For me, any slice of life rarely disappoints me. It was the same for this series. Really the highlight for me is when Handa interacts with people from the island.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
For this Summer Season, I had some Stomp on the skylion Saturday’s at my pub; insane busy.
This show was just what the doctor ordered. I dl’ed the latest episode to my tablet, and enjoyed the bus ride home.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
A very satisfying ending to a marvelous series.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…my satisfaction is blunted by thee fact that I want more…but I agree with you, more or less…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
I want more, too, but this was a satisfying ending to a first season. It didn’t leave you hanging and it got Handa back on the island ready for more shenanigans with the locals in the future. We also got more Naru!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
It was a sight to see Handa almost grown up (being able to accept that fifth position), unlike that Kaji character moping about. And I seriously loved Handa’s dad, he has A LOT of patience, bearing all those punches from his wife, even if she had good intentions somewhere. I’d still like to know, why he had such a killer expression here? I think Handa DOES get his mean eyes from him.
Anyways, I liked how this brought so much sunshine into our lives. Loved it till the end and Naru is indeed one of the best chibis of anime! It was hard to let go in the end but just seeing everyone smiling happily was enough.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Why is he so grumpy?
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
My question exactly. There needs to be a caption contest for this.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
Eeeewww! Somebody’s diaper needs changing!
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Yeah…is he not a baby person? Maybe he was nervous holding a newborn and it manifests itself as a grumbling frown?
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I’m pretty sure that the point of that was to show us how Seimei had had the same personality issues when he was younger. He didn’t have all that patience, perspective, and serenity when he was younger. And if he sees those qualities changing in Seishuu after he’s gone to the island, then all the better.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
Nico Nico users rated this the best anime of summer. I think this is the first time I agree with their choice for #1.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Here’s the list of ranked anime for the Summer.
1. Barakamon
2. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun
3. Akame ga KILL!
4. Futsū no Joshikōsei ga Locodol Yattemita
5. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders
6. Tokyo Ghoul
7. Aldnoah.Zero
8. The irregular at magic high school
9. Survival Game Club!
10. Hanayamata
11. Psycho-Pass Extended Edition
12. Invaders of the Rokujyōma!?
13. Sword Art Online II
14. Magimoji Rurumo
15. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 2wei!
16. La Bonne Vie
17. Space Dandy Season 2
18. Nobunaga Concerto
19. Love Stage!!
20. Terror in Resonance
21. Black Butler: Book of Circus
22. Free! Eternal Summer
23. Blue Spring Ride
24. Persona 4 the Golden Animation
25. Momo Kyun Sword
26. Re:␣Hamatora
27. Bladedance of Elementalers
28. Shirogane no Ishi Argevollen
29. Rail Wars!
30. Captain Earth
31. Tokyo ESP
32. Bakumatsu Rock
33. M3 the dark metal
34. Shōnen Hollywood – Holly Stage for 49
35. DRAMAtical Murder
36. GLASSLIP
37. Sengoku Basara: Judge End
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
What??! SAO not #1!?? A travesty! -NOT-
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I’m sure people can handle the disappointment.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Typical list, considering they put the best show second from the bottom.
Philistines.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Guess we’re opposites here, as I don’t share the same sentiments. I, however, agree with the list 75% seeing that 3 of my 4 main Summer series made the top half. More specifically, the top 10.
Akame ga Kill! getting 3rd place is sitting well with me. Tokyo Ghoul turned out to be more favored than I thought possible in spite of the complaining from those who’ve read the manga but color me surprised that it managed to top my other favorite Aldnoah.Zero. But a real shame an intelligent and original anime like Terror in Resonance got dragged down to the double digits. That one certainly deserves a lot more recognition.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
The shows I liked from the season are almost uniformly distributed through that list, as are shows I didn’t care for. All it indicates is the preferences of a self-selected user group (which also tends to drive away people with other opinions).
My suggestion, as always, is accept what you like. You don’t need other people’s validation. 🙂
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
I loved this series so much. I checked it out on a whim and I am so glad I did. I loved every moment with the humor and depth that this show so lightheartedly gives. Handa and his parents were hilarious. I loved the island cast as much as the Tokyo cast.
However, you have to give honor where it is due, and Naru takes the cake and is the very heart of this show. That little girl stole my heart and her advice, pure and unfiltered through the eyes of a child, was beautiful and inspiring. Her relationship with Handa and how she helped him to grow really touched me.
I have to give this series a 9.4/10. I’m going to miss it.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Nothing but good things should come from such whims! I’m glad you enjoyed the show.
Naru is such a little stinker…