思い出は時の彼方なの。。。 Memories that Lies Beyond Time...
Monday, June 04, 2007
Nanoha Episode 13: Call My Name (END)
As expected, the final episode is mostly a denoument, with bits of humour thrown throughout. It does, nevertheless, have plenty of touching scenes, making for a memorable end to the series.
So without further ado, I suppose I should wrap this up, ne?
Of note here is that the episode title for episode 12 were characters on a black background, while for this episode, they're characters on a white background. I'm feeling cheery already.
As the Garden of Time explodes, Nanoha-chan grabs Fayt-chan, again with a white background. Nanoha-chan presumably guides Fayt-chan out safely, as next we see them the action is over and everyone's on the Asura.
Nanoha is suitably rewarded for her efforts - a scrap of paper she'll never be able to show anyone at home (well, not and have them believe her). Still, of course, it's the intangible benefits that count, right?
They have one final meal together, discussing Precia's fate. Interestingly, everyone seems very intent on dismissing both her, and Alhazred, denying to themselves that anything will come of it. They were adamant enough that I almost expected Precia to show up right then and there - but I suppose they're saving that for the sequel :).
Nanoha-chan beams home (Yuuno-kun in tow) in a scene reminiscent of old-school `Star Trek', after a suitable good-bye, and a promise to meet again. Fayt-chan (and Arf by proxy) are awaiting trial but Chrono assures Nanoha-chan they'll get off. After all, she was only doing what she was required to do as Precia's mother (giri). A subtle hint, perhaps, that one should do what the group demands, and then things will work out in the end.
Of course Nanoha-chan's homecoming is full of happiness and such. Everyone's thrilled to see her back. Bonds are revisted yet again.
Then Nanoha-chan gets the news that Fayt-chan is being transferred for her trial, but she gets one chance to see her before she goes. Notably this is the first time in the series that Fayt-chan smiles (that I recall, anyway). She asks to be friends, officially. How does one do that? Simply call each other by name, Nanoha-chan replies.
Well, that was easy enough.
Arf comments on how much Fayt-chan is smiling. Yuuno-kun puts his hand on her cheek. Very cute. :)
The two exchange hair ribbons. Notably they're the only two main characters to wear hair ribbons - everyone else just lets their hair out. Thus, the ribbons are a sense of each character's identities, and by exchanging them, they're exchanging a unique part of themselves (The ED credits show them each wearing the others', in tribute).
Fayt-chan waves goodbye to Nanoha-chan, but the theme of this whole episode is on beginnings. Part of this is to set up the sequel, I'm sure, but it's also part of the cycle of life. Even endings, Nanoha comments in the intro, are really beginnings.
And so the series is over at last. Those last few episodes went by pretty quick.
Overall, it was a nice series. It's got a nice theme - I'd not be afraid to label it `wholesome', and is a nice intro piece for the mahou shoujo genre. The plot may be a little simple for some folks - I found it wrapped up a little too neatly, overall. There were a couple places where I anticipated plot twists, but there were none, so in that respect I'm a little disappointed :).
As well, at thirteen episodes the series is a little short to empathize too much with the characters. Not that I didn't, but it can't match the longevity-induced empathy found in [[Card Captor Sakura]], for example.
That said, no one should shy away from the series (unless they're allergic to mahou shoujo in general). It does the genre proud, and is worth a few hours of your time, if for nothing more than to ponder the bonds in your own life. The people you depend on, the people who depend on you - they all make up a complex network we know of as society.
And, as we see here, each bond in that society is precious.
Labels: Nanoha
