Final Impressions / First Impressions / Mawaru Penguindrum

Mawaru Penguindrum – 24 (END)

「愛してる」 (Aishiteru)
“I Love You”

If you’ve come here looking for answers to Mawaru Penguindrum’s ending, I’m afraid I don’t have them. The best I can offer is my interpretation of it, which is a bunch of fragmented ideas that revolve around the theme of neglected children and fighting fate.

Update: This isn’t official, but this 2chan chart illustrates one interpretation of how the “fruit of fate” was shared between the Takakuras. It suggests that Himari’s portion “rotted” after the Sarin gas attack.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / THE IDOLM@STER

THE IDOLM@STER – 25 (END)

「みんなと、いっしょに！」 (Minna to, Issho ni!)
“Together With Everyone!”

I was anticipating A-1 Pictures to pull out all the stops for the 765 Pro’s New Year Live, but they really outdid themselves with a fully animated, 2.5-minute special performance of “READY!! & CHANGE!!!!”, followed up by a second insert song, “Itsudemo mo, Dokodemo mo”, before wrapping the series up with one more ending theme. It was just about everything I could’ve asked for in IM@S’ finale.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / Ouran High School Host Club

Ouran High School Host Club (Drama) – 11 (END)

「Last Episode」

Unlike the anime that featured an original ending with Éclair Tonnerre, the drama sticks to the source material where Tamaki decides to quit the Host Club for Haruhi’s sake. Having seen both variations, I have to say that I prefer the manga’s storyline, simply because it directly involves Haruhi.

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu / Final Impressions / First Impressions

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni! – 13 (END)

「バカとテストと召喚獣っ!」 (Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu!)
“Idiots, Tests, and Summoned Beings!”

I’ll admit that I’m going to hold on to this hope that Minami will eventually be the one who will win Akihisa’s heart. However, after watching Himeji suddenly gain the confidence to let her true emotions just flow right out of her, I’m beginning to see why so many of you like her so much.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / Mayo Chiki!

Mayo Chiki! – 13 (END)

「揉んでください!」 (Monde Kudasai!)
“Please Grope Me!”

Even though it would have left a larger impression had the series ended with Jirou and Subaru’s kiss, this last episode was strangely interesting. While I can’t support this statement with any concrete details, this episode felt like it wasn’t troubled with the overarching story since the biggest problem was solved last week. Meaning I could fully enjoy all the randomness!

Final Impressions / First Impressions / Natsume Yuujin-chou

Natsume Yuujin-chou San – 13 (END)

「夏目遊戯帳」 (Natsume Yūgi-Chō)
“Natsume’s Book of Play”

It’s great that season three ended with what I think even the harshest critic would call a superb episode. But it’s as if the gang at Brains Base had a direct line to my brain, because they used a story for the finale that tackled all the issues I’ve been kvetching about all season head-on.