Hanasaku Iroha [ ep26 Ending Theme]

If you've read my post on the finale, you'd know how much I love this track because it fits beautifully in the ending montage. So I'd just like to share it with you all. You can have a listen first and if you like it, you can get it below. Yumeji is the track I'm talking about but I also found other songs by the same band, Nano.Ripe which sounds as awesome. xDD I love this band's music style, the guitar solos are beautiful. If you want the rest of the other opening and ending themes, by all means, head over to animeost.info for more! I recommend these few ^_^

Yumeji

Patricia

細胞キオク

Hanasaku Iroha [ep 26 End]

Why is that it’s the finale that moves me the most? Lolz…well, if you’ve noticed I haven’t been posting the last few episodes for Hanasaku, basically because I don’t feel like it. The previous episodes haven’t been that much interesting or enough to make me compelled to post about but having watched the finale, I know I must somehow put an ending note for the show. 

To recap, Sui is determined to close Kissuiso so matter what the rest of her family or members of Kissuiso say. In fact, I respect her for that kind of tough decision, considering how the inn is practically her dream and watching it heading toward a different direction and losing its initial aim is not what she wants. And her son is still not prepared to take on the huge task, even if all of them put in their all efforts and energy to make it work. If the leader is not ready, then there’s no point. So I see why she insists on closing it down.

Thanks to the finale, I also realize the importance or the significance of having the Bonbori Festival and why Sui herself want them to attend it so much. The festival reminds one of his/her own dreams, whatever they may be. All of them are given plagues and they’ll write their dreams or wishes on it. It’s a good move for Sui to involve all of them for the festival in the midst of the hectic lifestyle back in Kissuiso. It gives them the chance to relax, stop whatever they’re doing, and think of what they really want in life. I was wondering earlier why is it that Sui is being so stubborn about everyone attending the festival. Now I know and appreciate that. Ohana finally knows what she wants – To be Sui Shijima (her grandmother)…it’s simple but it shows that she wants to be like Sui, one who can look up in pride with all of what she has done. It later comes as no surprise that she wishes to return to Kissuiso someday and work again. She also confesses to Ko at the festival lol…it’s about time, Ohana. As for Enishi, he also realizes that he’s not yet ready to take over Sui’s place and decides to close Kissuiso, but only temporary until he is ready to run it again in the future. 

 So they really close down Kissuiso, the heart of the show itself. A place of various memories for all of them and definitely us viewers too. But I don’t see the closing down as the end, it’s more like a new beginning for all of them as they venture to different paths but one day, return to Kissuiso again when it reopens. As for Ohana, she returns to Tokyo with her mother and life is like before but this time, she has a clear mind of what she wants, as opposed to her past-self who is doubtful most of the time. 

Glad to know Tohru isn't being jealous over Ko's visit to Kissuiso


Is that a sushi pillow Minchi is holding? She really takes her dream career very seriously!

Overall:

Wow…this is a long anime, I mean, it’s got 26 episodes! And surprisingly, I watched till the end, with no regrets. Hanasaku may not be delivering consistently plotwise and may be draggy for some, but it’s still a good watch, especially the beautiful graphics. And the finale – great! The ending theme is worth mentioning because it’s one of the main reasons I find the final scenes amazing. The song, Yumeji by Nano.Ripe fits perfectly in the ending - the guitar riffs rock! To sum it all up, I'm satisfied with the show. I'd recommend it to those who likes a relaxing anime, pretty artwork laced with comedy. I really like the message it's trying to get across in the ending.

Overall rating: 9.0/10 - would've gotten 8.5 only if not for the ending theme that adds to the effect, I'm easily influenced by music xD

Hanasaku Iroha [ep 23]

Kissuiso is closing down?!

But not to be afraid! The new-in-law is here to rescue. I wonder why Takako’s getting all hyped. Well, the inn she is hoping to inherit is on the verge of shutting down. Basically, she SHOULD be worried sick because she’s going to lose her source of income and marrying a guy with nothing left. Not even a house to live in!

I shall go to Tokyo and  bring back the money you were cheated from, dear!

Ohana is wondering what to do next if the inn really closes down. She points out that Minchi and Tohru shouldn’t have any problem with their skills. As for Minchi, she has always known what she wanted to be. When Takako tells Okaami she’s going to Tokyo, Okaami suggests that Ohana follows her and meets with her mother to talk things through about her plan. However, she is to come back 2 days later for the Bonbori Festival, the grandest ever in the town. Before leaving, Nako encourages her to see Kou-chan.

Couple cups? HAHA

Ohana’s mother stumbles into Kou-chan by chance at the bookstore and over lunch, they talk about Ohana. Her mother implies that she can’t ignore the fact that her daughter has been dumped by him. Was Ohana dumped by him? When did they even get together as a couple? Last time I checked, Ohana decides on her own to leave him…poor Kou-chan.

During the journey to Tokyo, Ohana and her aunty-in-law (lol…that’s old), have a pretty intimate chat. Takako hits bullseye by pointing out that Ohana first came to Kissuiso to kill time until her mother comes back again. Initially in denial,Ohana nearly bursts into tears. But she knows the words ring true, except Kou-chan isn't her boyfriend.

Ohana finds out later that Takako is actually meeting her mother as she has information about the con-artist aka. producer who cheated their money before. They then went up the tower and sees the producer. Takako chases after him and asks Ohana to watch the elevator.

Watchy...helevator? LMAO...Ohana, you need to brush up your Eigo!~ Funny though...

Give it all up to Takako for saving the day! Where does she get all the strength to flip such a plump man? Ohana's mother doesn't show up when she is supposed to meet them there, instead she brings Kou back to her office. There, they watch the recording tape left from the filming that took place before. Seeing the place Ohana works and how she is doing, makes Kou to believe in their possibilities again. The episode ends with him walking on the cross bridge and he sees Ohana appearing at the opposite end.

Thoughts:

The show is beginning to drag a bit again. Actually I’m expecting them to conclude whether Kissuiso is going to shut down after all by the end of the episode, instead we are given Ohana-Kou’s arc that is still going nowhere. Yes, there’s a glimpse of hope that Ohana will confess to Kou or the other way round this time, but it’s moving too slow! The only saving grace of the episode is Takako’s heroic act. That is amusing at least. That said, I hope we get to know the fate of Kissuiso in the coming episode. Rating: 7.5/10