Subculture Anime Blog

Still too late for xmas.

Summary:

While preparing decorations at school, Ryuji and Taiga run into Yuri in the halls. Yuri expresses her worry about the students because of their recent parties, particularly Koji, but the two assure her that they are still doing their best with studies. Ryuji wonders if Yuri would be attending their party as well, but because of her pride, she kindly denies the offer. Ryuji and Taiga run into Minorin while she is practicing afterwards, but she leaves them before answering to Ryuji’s hope that she would make it to the upcoming party. When Ryuji and Taiga meet Ami and the other regulars in the gym locker afterwards, the boys quickly have Yusaku leave with Taiga again. Maya and Nanako exit as well, leaving Ryuji alone with Ami.

Ryuji expresses his distaste in his friends’ actions, not because he is really concerned about Taiga and Yusaku’s relationship, but more because he dislikes how everyone has their hands in it. This makes Ami guess that Ryuji is feeling something like a father, unable to let go of the daughter he has been caring for. Ami suggests that Ryuji let go of Taiga, and even that it may have even been a mistake for him to get involved with her in the first place, before muttering that he should let her inside his heart as well. Ryuji does not hear this statement, seemingly to the relief of Ami as she decides to leave as well.

After their final tests, classes are finally released for the break. After one more disappointing talk with Minori, Taiga states that she will be going to the post office. To avoid an invitation from Maya and Nanako, Ryuji claims that he will be going with her. When Ryuji reaches Taiga’s home though, he is surprised to see presents addressed to her father among others. Taiga denies her trying to make up with him, before going on to reveal how she came to have faith in believing that someone was watching over her. To her, this was Santa. After visiting the post office, Taiga even states that she saw Santa in the past. Though this might have been a dream, this gave her hope to continue believing in something.

Everyone does their best in finally putting up a large xmas tree at school. While observing Taiga taking a big role in this, Ryuji thinks to himself that she is certainly not alone. After the tree is finished, the students’ joy is cast aside when a stray ball breaks into the gym to knock it down. At the very end, the star that Taiga had given Yusaku to attach had been shattered. Minori is devastated upon entering to see what had happened due to her faulty action, then refusing any help as she tries desperately to fix the broken star. Ryuji still offers to help though, and when Minorin claims that this should be her responsibility, Ryuji convinces her by stating that he would help for his own sake.

The star actually starts to come back together, but while Ryuji observes this, Minori can only wonder if it would truly return to the way it was before. Ryuji assures her that it would, and when it is finished, it seems to shine even brighter than before. Minori leaves everyone else after the tree is put up a second time, but Ryuji again asks her to attend the party. Minori refuses, but Ryuji claims that he will be waiting despite this.

Preview: Fancy pantsy dress up time.

Impression:

I was about to facepalm when they actually showed Santa, but Taiga’s saying it was a dream probably saved that situation. Consistent with the previous arcs in the series, this episode was fairly slow while building up to the climax. What would have been Taiga’s inner dialog (except it was to Ryuji) was strong, as it appealed to those who need to cling to a belief even though it may be something imaginary. I’ve always appreciated Asia’s way of representing such themes when compared to the ridiculously forced equivalents we get here in the states. Ami’s noticing of Ryuji’s role as a “father” was just as great, since it was one of those things that everyone notices passively until one mentions it.

One of the major focuses of the arc, Minori, obviously had a lot of time in this episode as well. Though I appreciated the episode on its own overall, the ending definitely made it for me. Can you say, “Ayumi?” Minori’s repeating Ryuji’s name gave me reminiscent feelings of Honey and Clover – 06 (Yes, I remember the episode number. It was just that good.), and the conversation about things that cannot return to the way they were before was such great metaphor despite how cliched it was. Yea, you could say I’m comparing this show too much with the other popular JCStaff series, but I’ve already discussed the reason why there isn’t any reason why I shouldn’t.