5-toubun no Hanayome*

The Quintessential Quintuplets are back, and I couldn’t be happier!

Unlike other specials that have been released before, this one doesn’t feel like a mere attempt to “fill gaps” in the story; this time, we’re given something that, while not strictly necessary, adds so much depth to the series: the outcome of the characters’ development.

I’ve always firmly believed that if Negi Haruba, the creator of the series, excels at one thing, it’s writing characters; this was proven in the original work and is reinforced in this special. I loved seeing how the girls have grown mentally; beyond the physical changes that reflect their maturity, what truly ... excites me is how they overcame their personal struggles to achieve what they always wanted.

Fuutarou doesn’t fall behind either; seeing how his tendency to genuinely care for others wasn’t just a passing trait but has now become a core part of his personality gives him significant personal growth that’s incredibly satisfying to watch.

As for the animation, Bibury Studios did a good job; while it doesn’t quite reach the visual quality that SHAFT Studios brought to the previous specials, it’s not a disappointment either. It’s a solid effort worthy of the franchise.

The music department is another strong point; as always, both the opening and ending are carefully crafted to represent the characters in their current stage. The internal soundtrack also holds its own; I was thrilled by the inclusion of references to themes used in the first season, animated by Tezuka Studios, which were not reused in the second season or the movie. This was such a nostalgic detail that made me reflect on how much time has passed since then; who would have thought it’s been over five years already?

In conclusion, while this special might not be the pinnacle of the franchise, it delivers and doesn’t disappoint; something I deeply appreciate as a fan. I don’t know if there will be more animated works related to The Quintessential Quintuplets in the future; but if there are, I’d welcome them with open arms. And if this were the definitive ending, I wouldn’t complain either; it feels like the story that needed to be told has been told.

I highly recommend this special, especially to those who enjoy seeing character development that’s consistent and not fleeting; it’s a reminder that The Quintessential Quintuplets remains a series that knows how to connect with its fans.

Going into the 'Honeymoon Arc,' I was excited to finally see Yotsuba and Futaro's relationship take centre stage after the events of the main story (two seasons and the movie). I anticipated a focus on their newlywed life, exploring their dynamic and deepening their bond. Sadly, these two episodes largely abandoned the main couple to focus on a completely irrelevant subplot involving a random NPC. This felt like a huge missed opportunity to develop Yotsuba and Futaro's relationship further. Instead of intimate moments or meaningful interactions, we were given a generic and unengaging side story that detracted from the core romance. While I appreciate the ... attempt to add some lightheartedness, it ultimately felt like unnecessary filler that squandered the arc's potential. It's a real shame, especially considering the potential this arc had.

On a more positive note, there were moments where the quintuplets displayed their usual fun antics, reminiscent of previous instalments. Additionally, the opening and ending songs were enjoyable.

Okay, here we go for the thirty-fifth time:

Characters:
-Main: Everything remains the same, which in this case is not good. (4/7)
-Secondary: Lily was the only new addition. Fuutarou's father-in-law behaved very strangely towards him. (1/3)

Logic:
Many things are wrong; it doesn't even seem like a honeymoon. (5/10)

Entertainment (Personal):
... It kept me entertained the whole time, but that's not surprising. (6/10)

The basics in an anime:
-Animation: I felt the first episode was of poor quality, but the second episode was a little better. (1/2)
-Music: Generic for the Quintuplets. (1/2)
-Addictiveness: There's no need to watch this again. (0/2)
-Tag development (genres, themes, etc.): There's no “Romance” or ‘Harem’ and not enough “Comedy” as promised. (-1/2)
-Ending: It adds nothing. (0/2)

Plot development (or initial premise):
It only revealed a little more about the Quintuplets' lives and then presented a situation with Lily, nothing more. I can't even consider that a honeymoon trip. (2/10)

Personal reflection (clearly personal):
I can't make sense of any of this. (0/10)

Comments:
Disappointing ending for a good story (I say this because I enjoyed the manga more than the anime).
My recommendation is that you don't watch this if you're expecting to see a honeymoon because that doesn't really happen.

Final score: 5.9.


(Note: Since I'm very tolerant of anime, my minimum score for all of them is currently 4).