Tuesday
Sep232008
Special A 24 - Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 05:56PM
Here we are at the first series wrap up of the season. Looking back, I complained bitterly about the direction of this show, and yet for the last episode, I loved the fact that it fell back onto the ridiculousness that I hadcomplained about in the first half of the series. Almost as if they took away something I didn't know I missed, and when it came back, it was fabulous. But then they TOTALLY ruined the whole thing. Let's start there.
Stupid Special A Ending!
There is a lot I want to praise this episode for, but I need to vent. This starts at 19:21 into the Osu! fansub (more on that later). And that's where it all goes to hell.
Again with the flowers?
So after everything (which I'll also get to (this is seeming like a worse idea then I first thought)) we are still concerned about the stupid challenge? Well, I'm sure Aoi will stop this.
Oh, OK, he's giving up for no apparent reason. Maybe he has a backup plan to make sure the SA can never go back to the school?
So much for that idea. That was...WAY TOO FRIGGIN EASY. For someone who went to the extent Aoi did to get Kei to London, to roll over like a whipped dog seems completely stupid. But stupid ain't got nothing on this.
Big Ben, BTW
Now who's exaggerating. They climbed Big Ben to continue their match? We're stretching the limits of believability, or were, until Hikari confesses to Kei.
Or not
Enough with the damn rival stuff! Is that all Kei is ever going to be? Make up your mind!
No wait, I didn't mean it!
Don't take the easy way out Hikari!
Of course she's after the flowers, and Kei is not about to let her have it.
Do we remember we're several hundred FEET off the ground?
So I guess I missed the point of the whole rival thing, because it seems to mean more than that as we come to the inevitable conclusion despite nothing really changing.
Do we remember we're STILL several hundred FEET off the ground?
The whole floating in mid-air is probably symbolism as well, but WTF? Am I just being too literal? Is there some deep meaning in floating in front of a clock? I suspect not, as they twist the knife these last four minutes have buried in my heart, and come back to Japan and reveal NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
The last 24 episodes were just a dream!
I'll admit, the last bit makes sense, as the whole point was their rivalry was what brought them together, so it only makes sense that it continues after everything that happened. But the end of the episode really feels like they just ran the hell out of time and had to wrap it up.
Luckily, the rest of the episode reminded me of the good times. Still, the crew will need a moment to recover from my scree.
Sorry guys, had to get that out of my system
Given that they end up on Big Ben, you can imagine Hikari's course of action at the start of this episode.
Start walking
Before we leave, a flashback gives us some insight we are going to need later.
The past was black and white
Last bit of business. I mentioned this release was from a completely different fansub group. I suspect they were attempting to beat the original subbers out of the gate, as the quality on this one is less than extraordinary, as seen in this translation of a simple joke.
In what language does that make sense?
I have a few more examples, but only one or two seem to make any impact on the meaning of a line, so for the most part it's passible. And yes, I've become a sub snob.
The problem of transportation is solved by Kei's little brother (remember him) who wants Hikari to bring his brother back.
Even I know that is a short range chopper
She is not going to get off that easily, however.
Aren't you in London?
Aoi thinks he can stay Hikari's hand by threatening the rest of the SA, but they have an answer for that.
You're going to do what to who now?
And away the go to jolly old England!
I think I see a TARDIS down there
The show takes this opportunity to remind me that it is, in fact, just a show, and I've been taking a stupid romance story a tad too seriously. Normally I would be pissed that the show decided to dis me like that, but I guess I was in the mood to reminded to have fun once in awhile, like Akira does below.
What are we hear for again?
Even random sightseeing would make it hard to miss Kei's London palace, er, house.
That's what HE said, HAHAHA....um....
While they are sent away empty handed, Hikari has the wonderful plan of storming the gates. Akira demonstrates why this would be bad using the following visual aid.
Tadashi is a living example for what not to do
This will require some stealth, Akira decides, starting with basic ploy #233, delivery crew sneaks into the party.
That's what SHE sa...OK, I admit I got nothing
From the start, we can tell this is going to turn into your typical "use your party's abilities one by one" kind of quest when we face our first obstacle, a pack of trained killer dogs. Naturally, Ryuu takes this one.
They can't even keep up the pretense that this will be a fight for more than 10 seconds.
You're embarrassing yourself, dog!
Next stop, Lasers!
Akira uses her wit, guile, and charm to overcome this one. That is...
...she uses Tadashi as another distraction.
One Laser he can handle, but we're not dealing with one Laser...
This is how you spell s-c-r-e-w-e-d
This is the second place this episode takes a turn for the awesome, as I realize our Special As are not alone.
It takes a hell of a story twist to make me glad to see this guy!
This takes the remaining team to phase two, the maid phase.
This could work...
...not
After Yahiro's triumphant appearance, we can guess who is coming to the rescue this time.
Not yet, as far as I know...
She pulls out her secret weapon - Jun. Specifically, the cool, inner Jun no one could resist. Especially maids.
Chance to do what?
With companions dropping like flies, the next stop is going to test Megumi's resolve.
And yes, she is talking out loud
But confronting a gang of admitedly cool looking guys in sunglasses is not Megumi's usual performance venue. She's going to need back-up.
Can't believe I'm saying this, but all is forgiven, Yahiro!
Needless to say, it works.
Overkill a little?
In the calm after the storm, Yahiro and Megumi share a moment - but only a moment thanks to Tadashi.
Remember who you're dealing with
It is well known among the people of Japan that a motorbike is the perfect Hikari delivery system.
Banzai!
It's a short path from projectile to Kei's office to Hikari in a bunny suit. Hey, it happens. But the sight of said bunny only brings painful memories to Kei.
Soooo many ways to take that wrong
The thing to break his gloom (and I said this was important) is Hikari's simple minded determination to deliver him a birthday present. And it's pretty cool on top of it.
Yea, puppets!
And that is where I wish we'd wrapped it up, but as we already know, it doesn't end here. But in my mind, we fade out as Kei and Hikari embrace, bunny suit and all, and we live happy ever after. And that's the way it will stay, at least until I get the manga, which everyone says is way better.
Stupid Special A Ending!
There is a lot I want to praise this episode for, but I need to vent. This starts at 19:21 into the Osu! fansub (more on that later). And that's where it all goes to hell.
Again with the flowers?
So after everything (which I'll also get to (this is seeming like a worse idea then I first thought)) we are still concerned about the stupid challenge? Well, I'm sure Aoi will stop this.
Oh, OK, he's giving up for no apparent reason. Maybe he has a backup plan to make sure the SA can never go back to the school?
So much for that idea. That was...WAY TOO FRIGGIN EASY. For someone who went to the extent Aoi did to get Kei to London, to roll over like a whipped dog seems completely stupid. But stupid ain't got nothing on this.
Big Ben, BTW
Now who's exaggerating. They climbed Big Ben to continue their match? We're stretching the limits of believability, or were, until Hikari confesses to Kei.
Or not
Enough with the damn rival stuff! Is that all Kei is ever going to be? Make up your mind!
No wait, I didn't mean it!
Don't take the easy way out Hikari!
Of course she's after the flowers, and Kei is not about to let her have it.
Do we remember we're several hundred FEET off the ground?
So I guess I missed the point of the whole rival thing, because it seems to mean more than that as we come to the inevitable conclusion despite nothing really changing.
Do we remember we're STILL several hundred FEET off the ground?
The whole floating in mid-air is probably symbolism as well, but WTF? Am I just being too literal? Is there some deep meaning in floating in front of a clock? I suspect not, as they twist the knife these last four minutes have buried in my heart, and come back to Japan and reveal NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
The last 24 episodes were just a dream!
I'll admit, the last bit makes sense, as the whole point was their rivalry was what brought them together, so it only makes sense that it continues after everything that happened. But the end of the episode really feels like they just ran the hell out of time and had to wrap it up.
Luckily, the rest of the episode reminded me of the good times. Still, the crew will need a moment to recover from my scree.
Sorry guys, had to get that out of my system
Given that they end up on Big Ben, you can imagine Hikari's course of action at the start of this episode.
Start walking
Before we leave, a flashback gives us some insight we are going to need later.
The past was black and white
Last bit of business. I mentioned this release was from a completely different fansub group. I suspect they were attempting to beat the original subbers out of the gate, as the quality on this one is less than extraordinary, as seen in this translation of a simple joke.
In what language does that make sense?
I have a few more examples, but only one or two seem to make any impact on the meaning of a line, so for the most part it's passible. And yes, I've become a sub snob.
The problem of transportation is solved by Kei's little brother (remember him) who wants Hikari to bring his brother back.
Even I know that is a short range chopper
She is not going to get off that easily, however.
Aren't you in London?
Aoi thinks he can stay Hikari's hand by threatening the rest of the SA, but they have an answer for that.
You're going to do what to who now?
And away the go to jolly old England!
I think I see a TARDIS down there
The show takes this opportunity to remind me that it is, in fact, just a show, and I've been taking a stupid romance story a tad too seriously. Normally I would be pissed that the show decided to dis me like that, but I guess I was in the mood to reminded to have fun once in awhile, like Akira does below.
What are we hear for again?
Even random sightseeing would make it hard to miss Kei's London palace, er, house.
That's what HE said, HAHAHA....um....
While they are sent away empty handed, Hikari has the wonderful plan of storming the gates. Akira demonstrates why this would be bad using the following visual aid.
Tadashi is a living example for what not to do
This will require some stealth, Akira decides, starting with basic ploy #233, delivery crew sneaks into the party.
That's what SHE sa...OK, I admit I got nothing
From the start, we can tell this is going to turn into your typical "use your party's abilities one by one" kind of quest when we face our first obstacle, a pack of trained killer dogs. Naturally, Ryuu takes this one.
They can't even keep up the pretense that this will be a fight for more than 10 seconds.
You're embarrassing yourself, dog!
Next stop, Lasers!
Akira uses her wit, guile, and charm to overcome this one. That is...
...she uses Tadashi as another distraction.
One Laser he can handle, but we're not dealing with one Laser...
This is how you spell s-c-r-e-w-e-d
This is the second place this episode takes a turn for the awesome, as I realize our Special As are not alone.
It takes a hell of a story twist to make me glad to see this guy!
This takes the remaining team to phase two, the maid phase.
This could work...
...not
After Yahiro's triumphant appearance, we can guess who is coming to the rescue this time.
Not yet, as far as I know...
She pulls out her secret weapon - Jun. Specifically, the cool, inner Jun no one could resist. Especially maids.
Chance to do what?
With companions dropping like flies, the next stop is going to test Megumi's resolve.
And yes, she is talking out loud
But confronting a gang of admitedly cool looking guys in sunglasses is not Megumi's usual performance venue. She's going to need back-up.
Can't believe I'm saying this, but all is forgiven, Yahiro!
Needless to say, it works.
Overkill a little?
In the calm after the storm, Yahiro and Megumi share a moment - but only a moment thanks to Tadashi.
Remember who you're dealing with
It is well known among the people of Japan that a motorbike is the perfect Hikari delivery system.
Banzai!
It's a short path from projectile to Kei's office to Hikari in a bunny suit. Hey, it happens. But the sight of said bunny only brings painful memories to Kei.
Soooo many ways to take that wrong
The thing to break his gloom (and I said this was important) is Hikari's simple minded determination to deliver him a birthday present. And it's pretty cool on top of it.
Yea, puppets!
And that is where I wish we'd wrapped it up, but as we already know, it doesn't end here. But in my mind, we fade out as Kei and Hikari embrace, bunny suit and all, and we live happy ever after. And that's the way it will stay, at least until I get the manga, which everyone says is way better.
Reader Comments (2)
I just finished watching this show today......lets just say im on the brink of tears and uterly depressed there isn't more. i think this is gonna last a while -_-'' i don't like romances and this is y! the second i let my gaurd down i get sucked into this girly crap!!!...... i can't say that....i LOVED this show 2 death!!! The only cure 4 me is to get hooked on onother anime! if u know of any other good romance ones email me the name k ^^
Email:
GothicGurl456@gmail.com
Wonderful post, very informative. You must continue your writing and I will be here reading your blog quite a lot in the future. I can’t wait to read your next wonderful post -luxury Armani Polo Shirts .