Despite the shortness of the stories, I had fun watching this series. For just two episodes per girls’ story (except Suomi), I really shouldn’t complain. Sure, more episodes might have helped but the fact is that there was only this many yet the character development was still impressive.

This series told some great stories with one flowing theme and it didn’t feel disjointed. Saving one episode to really close things off, as well as forming potentially new relationships, really made a difference.

In the end, the best part of this series was the diversity of it’s characters. They had girls from all walks of life. They had varying personalities and situations with definitive age differences. The youngest was around 14 while the oldest could’ve been 27 or so. Each girl was unique and that allowed each story to feel fresh.

Overall series score: 8.6 out of 10

That was a magical episode. That’s not sarcasm, I’m being quite literal.

If people were looking for closure for this series, I don’t think it can get any more closed than with this episode. I enjoyed seeing the girls again living on with their new directions in life and also how some of them were able to meet, especially Karin and Suomi. Heh, there was some nice chemistry between them.

Some of the stories closed off well, others were just happier endings to already decently ended stories, and one was too random and convenient.

Atsuko’s story was great. In the end she found her true love but it wasn’t Kurata. Even to the very end, they made me believe it was him but it wasn’t. Hell, even at the *very* end, they almost made me think it was the other guy but they cut out to him briefly to show that it wasn’t. She found someone else. That was a nice touch and made things more believable.

Karin is healthy. She was running around and enjoying her youth the way a young girl should. That’s about it, really. I did like them cutting to show the doctor and nurse still together. If you’re gonna provide closure, you might as well leave nothing unanswered, right?

Kyoko’s epilogue was the random one. It was nice to see her cracking down that bossy attitude a bit but Yuu came out of nowhere. He just… appeared. Sure, I wanted things to be squared away with her relationship but there was no setup for it. He just… popped up. It’s like they couldn’t think of a great way to bring him back so they just did it with no background.

Suomi’s story didn’t need much. It was already presumed that she set things right with Hanna so there wasn’t much else to close off. It’s nice they showed that she and Haruto were still friends and it was an extra nice touch having her wish for the same thing she did when she was a child but for Haruto and his friend.

Shouko’s was the best. I already enjoyed her story the most and even her epilogue had the nicest touch. Granted, it wasn’t the absolute “happiest” ending for Shouko since she lost Takeda (which is OK cuz he’s a bastard) and she never found anyone else. But, she’s found a new appreciation for what she’s doing. She now knows there are many people who enjoy listening to her show and are very much affected by it. I loved the scene where that random couple hooks up. It was all due to Shouko that the girl was able to find the courage to be with that guy (which is great cuz he kept getting screwed in most of the stories, hehe). Not only was Shouko’s story the best, her epilogue was the best also. I loved it!

Lastly is Akari. There wasn’t much else to her story but if anything, her story represents the beginning of things to come. Her life with her father had ended but her own life had begun. I suppose they couldn’t make every single little thing be completely closed off so I’d say Akari’s epilogue is the one that keeps things open. It’s not for certain how things will progress between Akari and Kurokawa but at least they both have a dream that they will keep on following.

A bit long for just one episode but I had to pick apart each girl’s endings, heh.

Damn. They saved the saddest story for last… but I suppose it’s better this way. This story doesn’t linger as long since the last episode is next.

Though it was sadder than the rest, it was only so due to its subject material. Overall, the emotional impact of this one wasn’t as strong as previous stories. At least Akari was one of the more entertaining MCs. On the outside, she seemed so together and responsible since she was working so hard and practically taking care of her father, but in reality, she was quite clumsy. Her silly antics of mixing up phrases was a riot.

The way episode 10 started off, I thought Akari’s story would’ve been more intertwined with Kurokawa but his story ended up being more of a side story.

Well, now to finally see these girls’ epilogue with the final episode (hopefully it’s what I think it is).

There’s still one more story after this one but I might have to jump the gun and say this is my favorite story.

Shouko was trapped in a a forbidden love. It’s apparent she really wanted to be with Takeda but it could never happen. She knew it but couldn’t stop her feelings. From the very start of this story, the tone of it was melodramatic. The ominous atmosphere created by a potential stalker only made things worse. I really felt for Shouko. Had this story been expanded with more episodes, I might’ve actually become depressed during it.

This, too, had a bittersweet ending but it’s great that the focus of the story wasn’t only on her relationship with Takeda. As saddening as it was, what with her being strung around like that only to be thrown away, it had a true happy ending. I’m glad Radio Boy wasn’t a stalker but just a mildly obsessed fan. I was afraid it might bring about fake drama by turning him into something crazy.

If anything, this series has not failed to surprise me. Given how easily I jump to conclusions (wrong one’s, usually), it’s great that they implement things that evade my self-induced assumptions of another cliche’d story.

Hmmm, then again, I suppose it’s easier to be surprised when I always guess wrong. Hehehe….

A short one episode story that felt kinda rushed but I liked it.

I can’t say that the characters nor the story were fleshed out deeply but I still enjoyed the episode. The story played out nicely. It did feel like it was short (which it was) but it provided just enough information to be thorough. Suomi’s past and “problem” was simple and using Haruto’s current problem as a comparison made it even easier to grasp. There were no confusing moments, excessive drama, or any sort of incredible situations here. Just a rather simple story done well.

Heh, for a while, I kept thinking it was a two-parter and wondered when the incredible cliffhanger would kick in. I thought, at any moment, something was gonna go down and turn this light-hearted episode into another serious one. Silly me. I should pay more attention during the title screen since it never said “part 1″ for this episode (I didn’t notice that until I checked after watching the ep).