Futakoi 13 (END)

  
  

Miyabi-san comes back to find Nozomu in front of the Futagozuka and they have a talk. Nozomu tries to blame his trouble on the curse, but Miyabi won't have any of it. His trying to be nice was only to keep himself from being hurt, not the others, she says. After finally realizing that he's just been running away from things, Nozomu thinks of something that he can do and rushes off to Kira and Yura's house on his bike. Keisuke, Kaoruko, and Sumireko see Nozomu speed by and follow as well.

But as he gets there, Kenmochi drives out with Kira and Yura on their way to finish the transfer process. He races after them, trying to get Kenmochi to stop, uphill and downhill and offroad until his bike finally gives and he goes flying off the side. Kenmochi stops and Kira and Yura get out to check on Nozomu, but Nozomu's fine. He begs Kenmochi to not make Kira and Yura transfer to another school. Kaoruko and Sumireko aren't far behind and ask the same. Then classmates of Kira and Yura's come and ask. Kenmochi finally takes a paper out and explains... Kira and Yura have passed their father's last "trial" -- making lots of friends -- with flying colors. So there's no need for them to transfer anymore.

So everyone studies for the upcoming high school entrance exams and everyone (even Keisuke) passes so they have a big party. The Ichijou and Sakurazuki twins are getting along fine, though now they're rivals for Nozomu's affections. Rocket man Yuuya is there -- he ain't gonna give up on getting Kaoruko just yet. The meganekko twins show up as well and... Souju and Sara come, too! (yay!) Everyone gathers for a picture. Nozomu's glad he came back to this town and can live here with everyone...

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So it turns out to be not A nor B, but rather C, none of the above for now. Should have figured that they didn't want to emotionally scar some of these kids by pulling a KimiNozo thing here, actually having Nozomu choose one over the other ;) But still, the open ending is somewhat disappointing, I suppose, given the amount of tension that was built up over the last few episodes. But I can't complain all that much.. that appearance by Souju and Sara at the party made me happy ;)

It's too bad Futakoi started off so slowly. Besides being cute for a bit at first it was pretty much mediocre stuff for the first 4 episodes. I was at the point of dropping it when I heard about the "change of tone" that was going to take place in episode 5, and when it delivered I had my faith renewed. It hasn't disappointed since then, building up Kaoruko and Sumireko's character, introducing my favorite twins Sara and Souju, and even giving Kira and Yura some separate character towards the end. And with enough angst to bring it up to KimiNozo-like levels. Though Nozomu turns out to be a decent guy in the end, I guess. I was a bit too hard on him, I suppose, lol. I can't hate him like I do Takayuki :P

Now on to the final rankings:

1. Souju
2. Kaoruko & Sumireko
3. Sara
4. Kira & Yura
5. Lulu & Lala

And the other twins weren't in the show enough :P

Everybody that's watching the subs, please stick with it 'til the end. Episode 5 should pick up your interest a bit after you watch it. The show's at least worth watching once.

Anyways, I'll have the next Futakoi -- yes, double the fun ;) -- by ufotable in the spring. The Shirogane sisters, Sara & Souju, are the main characters in that one so I can't wait! Hopefully it'll get off to a better start than this Futakoi, and the twins will have a bit more individual personality at the start as well.

Thanks to Stripey for blogging on Futakoi along with me :) moyism is blogging the subs so y'all go visit him as well.

And for the Japanese capable out there, Nanami has the last episode and also the rest of the series as well. We seem to be pretty much in agreement about things, including Souju ;)