Honey and Clover II
Although originally I was hesitant with Honey and Clover having a second season (since I was so happy with the first) I have to say the second season was equally good if not better than the first.
The episode started out a little slow and it was hard for me to get used to Takemoto's new seiyuu (although he did do a good job considering the circumstances) but from the part with the Morita Brothers I think it really picked up. In the first season I would never have thought the reason for Morita raising money was to get his father's company back. I was expecting something bigger but you know I am happy it was something simple because it was something I could easily relate to. And that is why I love Honey and Clover so much. The characters and their circumstances are realistic that you can easily empathize with them all. And although we didn't know Kaoru as well as his younger brother Shinobu I think in these last few episodes I grew to love him just as much as the younger Morita brother.
As for Hagu's story I wasn't entirely pleased with Shuuji falling in love with her I was happy with how the story ended for both Hagu/Morita and Hagu/Takemoto. For Morita, Hagu made it so he wouldn't waste away his talent. Morita would continue to create things and Hagu would get better and also create things so they could one day show their creations to each other.
For Takemoto the scene with him finding the 4th leaf clovers on all the pieces of bread was just as powerful as it was in the manga. No Hagu doesn't love Takemoto romantically but the fact that she searched and found all those 4 leaf clover shows just how much he means to her and that he will always be in her heart. It is also one of my favorite anime/manga scenes ever.
I have to praise Honey and Clover for not taking the familiar route and showing ways to make a story have a beautiful ending without the guy getting the girl.
Speaking of Hagu although she really annoyed me when she was first introduced I did grow to like her in the second season. I still don't like how she was represented in the first season but I like how she matured throughout the story. And although it might be hard to see she did have a sort of quiet strength. I believe that Hagu will not give up until she can get better.
Finally the epilogue at the end was a nice touch. All the characters are moving forward. And although they cut the Nomiya/Ayumi scene from the manga they made up for it for showing them together in the epilogue. They are probably the only romantic couple that I actually want to get together in the story.
I know I keep saying it but this series needs to be licensed.
Edit: Hopes Souten no Koumori will be out soon.
The episode started out a little slow and it was hard for me to get used to Takemoto's new seiyuu (although he did do a good job considering the circumstances) but from the part with the Morita Brothers I think it really picked up. In the first season I would never have thought the reason for Morita raising money was to get his father's company back. I was expecting something bigger but you know I am happy it was something simple because it was something I could easily relate to. And that is why I love Honey and Clover so much. The characters and their circumstances are realistic that you can easily empathize with them all. And although we didn't know Kaoru as well as his younger brother Shinobu I think in these last few episodes I grew to love him just as much as the younger Morita brother.
As for Hagu's story I wasn't entirely pleased with Shuuji falling in love with her I was happy with how the story ended for both Hagu/Morita and Hagu/Takemoto. For Morita, Hagu made it so he wouldn't waste away his talent. Morita would continue to create things and Hagu would get better and also create things so they could one day show their creations to each other.
For Takemoto the scene with him finding the 4th leaf clovers on all the pieces of bread was just as powerful as it was in the manga. No Hagu doesn't love Takemoto romantically but the fact that she searched and found all those 4 leaf clover shows just how much he means to her and that he will always be in her heart. It is also one of my favorite anime/manga scenes ever.
I have to praise Honey and Clover for not taking the familiar route and showing ways to make a story have a beautiful ending without the guy getting the girl.
Speaking of Hagu although she really annoyed me when she was first introduced I did grow to like her in the second season. I still don't like how she was represented in the first season but I like how she matured throughout the story. And although it might be hard to see she did have a sort of quiet strength. I believe that Hagu will not give up until she can get better.
Finally the epilogue at the end was a nice touch. All the characters are moving forward. And although they cut the Nomiya/Ayumi scene from the manga they made up for it for showing them together in the epilogue. They are probably the only romantic couple that I actually want to get together in the story.
I know I keep saying it but this series needs to be licensed.
Edit: Hopes Souten no Koumori will be out soon.