Subculture Anime Blog

The bear that flies through space…into Kana’s face!

Summary:

While under the kotatsu with Haruka, Kana wonders when Chiaki had stopped believing in Santa. Haruka suggests that it was a couple years ago, when she saw their uncle putting on a beard. Not wanting Chiaki’s dreams to be destroyed, Kana comes up with a plan. Takeru has also arrived at the Minami apartment, but he worries when he sees Fujioka arrive. After calling Haruka, Takeru decides to come on another day. Meanwhile, Kana has Fujioka dress up as Santa. Fujioka places a present next to a sleeping Chiaki later, creating an amazing sight for her. When Chiaki runs out of her room afterwards, her two sisters act as if they did not see Santa anywhere. Afterwards, the two look at Chiaki while she has a wonderful dream.

The Minami brothers ignore Touma’s presence as usual at home, while they decide what to get her for xmas. It is mentioned that she had already asked for new soccer things, but the eldest brother refuses to settle for that. He brings out a letter from Santa that he created, but the two other brothers do not think as highly of it. The discussion switches to girlish charms, as the brothers bring their own experiences to the table. Trying to remember past xmas experiences with Touma, the brothers begin looking through a photo album. However, Touma wakes after a nap to knock them all down for this.

Fujioka has prepared a present for Kana, as he thinks of her usual habits. When he arrives at the Minami household, however, he finds Takeru waiting outside. He learns that the sisters are not there at the moment, looking up to see the snow start to fall. The sisters have all went out to eat at a restaurant for the xmas occasion. While Kana and Chiaki begin to have their usual arguments, Haruka can’t help but believe that she has forgotten about something. Covered in snow, Takeru and Fujioka decide to head home.

When Touma visits the Minami household as usual, Kana brings up her brother relation to Chiaki and her usual relationship with her own brothers at home. Touma explains her situation in reply, and states that it was them that put the labels on her in the first place. Kana wonders if she should try something different as well, but the conversation becomes related to food. Touma worries about her always eating at the sisters’ home, but Haruka arrives to assure her that this isn’t a problem. Kana sees an angel in Haruka before everyone begins eating cake, but she is even angered at Keiko’s situation after giving her a call.

Fujioka worries about his lost chances to give Kana her gift when he sees her in town. He tries to get her attention, but Kana is too preoccupied with making it to a grocery sale. When Kana gets home, she notices how close Chiaki has gotten to the stuffed animal Fujioka gave her. When Kana begins asking about this bear, Chiaki responds by attacking Kana with it. Chiaki insists that this is the bear’s will, and that she is certainly treasuring it. When Kana asks about its name, Chiaki requests that Kana decide. The first thing that comes to mind is Fujioka, so it is decided that this would be the bear’s name. When Kana meets Fujioka later, she suggests to him that he must think about the person he is giving gifts to. With this, Fujioka finally gives Kana a gift….of ham.

Preview: The finale!

Impression:

Did you like my poetry? I dunno, this just wasn’t as strong as the past two episodes were. It was still pretty funny though, and had more of a nice family theme to it. If anything, the atmosphere was certainly fitting for the upcoming holiday. The best part of this episode had to be Chiaki’s receiving of her bear from Fujioka, which was perfectly tied in to the different parts of the episode. Fujioka (the bear) was like the equivalent of “Otosan” from Azumanga. Chiaki’s interaction with it was totally reminiscent of my own adventures with stuffed animals. I mean, don’t even front.You were like that too! Stuffed animals are everyone’s buddies….especially Kana’s. It was nice to see Fujioka and Touma’s family again too, but again, it just wasn’t as funny as before. I can’t help but wonder if it is because I missed some cultural jokes though. Kana’s angel vision of Haruka was pretty hilarious though, and seeing Kana in ribbons was pretty cute. The next ep is the last until Okawari. Here’s wishing for the first series to go out with a bang, leaving more fun for later!