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Apr 2, 2008 10:18 AM
#1

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THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
----------------------------------------
Few funny things about this episode: Abelia was just 2 meters away from Shu, and she completely missed the shot, Hamdo's crazy eyes (xD), Shu's stick, which went through hell and survived, was completely destroyed at Hamdo's back/head and Hamdo "swiming" in that place (this one sure made laugh).
Overall, I was quite pleased with this ending, and with the series itself. I thought it was going to be a shounen type anime, but I'm glad I was wrong =)
Going to give it a 9/10, for now =P
May 9, 2008 8:22 PM
#2

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I personally felt that the last few episodes of this series felt really rushed

For me, it was like the writers ran out of ideas. I didn't have enough time to react to anything that happened in the last episode. It was just one event after another after another~ I was disappointed to say the least~ as a result, I couldn't give it more than an 8
May 15, 2008 7:56 PM
#3

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Definitely a 9. Some things in this show (and this particular episode) didn't make sense, but I really stopped caring at some point. And that never actually happens to me in general, so that says quite a lot. The characters in this show were just so great, they kept me engrossed in the story all the way throught to the end.

JeremyC said:
I personally felt that the last few episodes of this series felt really rushed

For me, it was like the writers ran out of ideas. I didn't have enough time to react to anything that happened in the last episode. It was just one event after another after another~ I was disappointed to say the least~ as a result, I couldn't give it more than an 8


I agree a lot happened in the last few episodes, especially compared to the earlier ones, but how is that a bad thing? It was never too much to grab a hold of and it ultimately made for a grand finale.
Jun 2, 2008 1:50 PM
#4

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JeremyC said:
I personally felt that the last few episodes of this series felt really rushed

For me, it was like the writers ran out of ideas. I didn't have enough time to react to anything that happened in the last episode. It was just one event after another after another~ I was disappointed to say the least~ as a result, I couldn't give it more than an 8


Well, maybe they should have made the anime 300 eps?



Jun 20, 2008 11:17 PM
#5
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I felt like something more should've been shown with Shu going back it was just like...hmm well ok time for dinner. Great show
Jun 25, 2008 4:59 PM
#6

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Kazekage said:
JeremyC said:
I personally felt that the last few episodes of this series felt really rushed

For me, it was like the writers ran out of ideas. I didn't have enough time to react to anything that happened in the last episode. It was just one event after another after another~ I was disappointed to say the least~ as a result, I couldn't give it more than an 8


Well, maybe they should have made the anime 300 eps?


I wasn't saying they should have made it longer, episode wise~ it's just that some of these major scenes seemed too short. I think there are ways in which it could have been even better

thatguy said:
I felt like something more should've been shown with Shu going back it was just like...hmm well ok time for dinner. Great show


This was what I was talking about~ they should've shown more of Shu~ we didn't see any response from him to Lalaru's disappearing. He just stood there with a blank look in his face~ there were just little things I think they could have added.

Needless to say, I rank this series in my top 15 favorites~
Jul 29, 2008 11:13 PM
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All in all this anime was perfect for how long it was. This anime is one of those "true classics". There are many good anime out there but this is just like one level above even that. There are so many good things about this anime; the animation, music, characters, etc.

"The superb storytelling is highlighted by the intense emotions it can evoke, the trait for which the series is probably best-known. The most severe content is typically implied rather than shown, which makes watching the series bearable, but even so it can be a very cathartic experience. This is a series which will shock and dismay you, at turns make you angry or uncomfortable or sad, and in a couple of places will quite probably break your heart. So powerful can these reactions be that the gentle, soothing closing number, which on its own is a good song, becomes one of the best-chosen and most effective closing numbers ever because of its ability to calm the viewer back down after watching particularly intense content. One would have to look far and wide to find any series (whether anime or not) more effective at driving its viewers to tears and leaving them emotionally overcome.NTHT is a masterpiece of execution. Its story is a straightforward one that stays firmly focused on where it's going, while depth comes from the conflicting ideologies it portrays.(from the dvd review on ANN)"

its how i feel about the series and ANN put it into better words than i ever could have. And its so true each side of the arguments present in the series each have there own valid points to them. How can you say no to the guy that wants to avenge his little sisters death by killing King Hamdo after his troops left her die in the desert. Then you have Shu who is against killing. He is right in that the killing only brings more killing and greater sadness than before. To me Shu kept true to his ideals a little more so than Vash did, but Vash didn't have a choice in that moment in time when he did kill.

This is a series any true anime fan needs to watch.
Aug 13, 2008 11:35 AM
#8
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Really wonderful series, glad I gave it a shot. 8/10
Sep 22, 2008 9:44 PM
#9

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Was a really good series, this last episode did feel a bit rushed though. So many important issues touched on in this show, I need to go out and find the box set of this if it exists.


#NBHNC
Sep 29, 2008 12:47 PM

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I have to say that watching Hamdo getting beaten the hell out by Shu was comforting. The stick's destiny was fulfilled in that sense when it broke.

Anyway, I agree that the last few episodes did feel rushed but that didn't stop me from enjoying this series. I'm glad Sci-fi aired this~
Sep 30, 2008 12:25 AM

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Mouri said:
I have to say that watching Hamdo getting beaten the hell out by Shu was comforting.


Well said, for some reason the ending felt a little too empty to me :|


Sep 30, 2008 6:01 AM

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Absolutely fantastic series. It pulled no punches in its storytelling. The finale is mildly tragic, but offers a slight glimmer of hope that is becoming harder to obtain withoit sacrifice (think of how many people had to die for Lala-Ru to bring water back). I didn't feel too much of a rush in these last few episodes, everything was resolved nicely. Wonderful finale to a wonderful series.

It gets a 10/10.
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Dec 5, 2008 4:12 PM

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JeremyC said:
This was what I was talking about~ they should've shown more of Shu~ we didn't see any response from him to Lalaru's disappearing. He just stood there with a blank look in his face~ there were just little things I think they could have added.


His response to Lala Ru's fading away was just how I would've imagined it to be. And why stretch it farther than need be? She is gone; he's still here; he picks himself up and moves on. The guy actually takes what he has been preaching to Sara and puts it into action. What else could you be asking for? Want Shu to take a dive in the fresh newly created ocean? :)

JeremyC said:
I wasn't saying they should have made it longer, episode wise~ it's just that some of these major scenes seemed too short.


I agree. The last few episodes had that wrapping up feel to them. For a 13ep series, I thought it was done fairly well.
Now my "preferred" ending would have involved him staying and perhaps helping out Sara and the kids and the reconstruction of everything.
Someone above mentioned about eating the moment he returns. Haha, I could totally see him doing that.
Perhaps a rematch of the fight with Oda or maybe asking that one girl out if he had "won".
Such a broad ending, but I guess some good endings are best leaving you wanting more.

Also, I never that one soldier that most likely knocked up Sara. However, in an instant he goes from a dislike-able character into a fairly decent guy.
kanakaDec 5, 2008 4:16 PM


Dec 7, 2008 7:14 PM

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Well, I picked this one up thinking I'd watch a little here, a little there . . . .

24 hours later(counting interruption a la workshift)...

Yeah, ended up marathoning this one. After the first couple of episodes I couldn't pull myself away. This was a great series. Grittier than I expected, but that was part of what made it good. It didn't sugar-coat the things that were happening to the main characters, even though they were children.

Was extremely satisfied with the ultimate end of Hamdo, king of the crazies. Amazing how well his japanese VA does the crazy megalomaniac voice. He did well on Montague's voice in Romeo x Juliet too.

Was disappointed in what happened to some of the characters in the end(Nabuca, Boo, Soon). I wanted it to turn out better for some of them, but I guess this was the most realistic, practical outcome to the events throughout the series.

In a nutshell...I liked it. This one earned the 9 I'm going to give it.
Feb 3, 2009 4:55 PM

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This is a 9/10 to me. If you look at my list, you'll see how very rare that score is. I'm glad I watched this series. It was tough to watch some of the sequnces, which shows that that writters didn't pull any of the punches.
Feb 3, 2009 6:16 PM
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This is probally my favorite ending to any anime. What an amazing, emotional ride it was. What a dark and cruel, yet powerful story it has to tell. This is truly a masterpeice, one of the best animes ever made. Everything came together at the end, it was a great script and amazingly directed. Everyone on the planet owes it to themselves, and humanity to watch this anime.

10/10 a real masterpeice. Don't try and make a better anime, you can't.
Apr 28, 2009 7:11 AM
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it was okay. pretty fucking miserable as well, but i suppose thats the point
Jun 3, 2009 1:20 AM

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PBz0r said:
Definitely a 9. Some things in this show (and this particular episode) didn't make sense, but I really stopped caring at some point. And that never actually happens to me in general, so that says quite a lot. The characters in this show were just so great, they kept me engrossed in the story all the way throught to the end.

JeremyC said:
I personally felt that the last few episodes of this series felt really rushed

For me, it was like the writers ran out of ideas. I didn't have enough time to react to anything that happened in the last episode. It was just one event after another after another~ I was disappointed to say the least~ as a result, I couldn't give it more than an 8


I agree a lot happened in the last few episodes, especially compared to the earlier ones, but how is that a bad thing? It was never too much to grab a hold of and it ultimately made for a grand finale.
I agree with Jeremy.
It was rushed.
On the long run it got my 10, but this sole episode didn't go as expected.
I mean, sure he beat the bad guy, those who should have died, died, and the good guys made in one piece... But that was way too fast, and way to stupid.
I mean, they left Zimbabue, or something like that, the story went to hell.

MikeAbyss said:
Mouri said:
I have to say that watching Hamdo getting beaten the hell out by Shu was comforting.


Well said, for some reason the ending felt a little too empty to me :|
I wished he had beat that psyco a bit more.
Sure thing that the plot wouldn't allow shu to kill that bastard, but it looked like he was hitting that curly-hitler-guy-something with anything but a "wooden stick".

kanaka said:
Someone above mentioned about eating the moment he returns. Haha, I could totally see him doing that.
Perhaps a rematch of the fight with Oda or maybe asking that one girl out if he had "won".
Yes that would be perfect.
kanaka said:
Such a broad ending, but I guess some good endings are best leaving you wanting more.
No, those are the things you do when you don't know how to finish up the series, so up just insert an open ending.

Well, its not open, but it had much more possibilities.
I mean, so he is back to earth... Will he change his "fighting style"? Will he fing lalaru's look a like (Not sara.)? Will he fight that kendo kid again?

Another extra episode telling the "after story" really wouldn't hurt anyone.
Jun 3, 2009 7:21 PM

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Brilliant series. A masterpiece of both writing and presentation. Sure the last 2 episodes were rushed but nothing is perfect. 10/10. Doubt I'll find something as powerful as this in the short run.

Cheers.
Jun 8, 2009 5:06 AM

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After the horrors these kids went through I think this series ended fairly well. Were the last 2 episodes rushed? Personally I don't think so, jamming a lot of action in at the end is what a successful climax is all about, drawing out the end would have made it more of an anti climax. I do wish Shu had shown some emotion when he got home though, after what he went through, a bit of hysteria would be normal and expected.
Jun 15, 2009 11:08 PM

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WOW - The characters in this show REALLY pissed me off.
HOW DUMB can some of them be?

Firstly, Shu - there's optimism and there's just plain stupidity. And he NEVER learnt, TWICE, by two different people, he got told that he must use strategy and tactics but all he ever does throughout the whole show is rush in with a stick and start hitting, no matter what. His own self righteousness really gets me as well, even a little kid would pick up a gun, what's with him?! - This is war, learn to adapt to your situation FFS.

That woman who aids Hamdo, WHAT THE HELL?! Why would ANYONE put up with that? It's clear that he's unstable, it's clear that she's being used, it's clear that if anyone follows him, it'll only lead to a dead end. Sure, follow him your whole damn life only when enemy defeats him does she betray him. I thought she would have at least done the honourable thing and drowned with him.

RAAAAGE!!!!
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Jun 24, 2009 8:23 PM
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MRLX69: First Shu is very admireable for doing what he did. Not picking up the gun takes a certian type of person. He's a good human being because of it. Why should he have to adapt to the world? He should instead try and change the world...that's the point.

And the women, Lady Abelia , probally was in love with King Hamdo. That would explain a lot. The English Voice actor compared it to women who stay in abuseive relationships, and a weird father like relationshp with him. I'd have to agree with her on both accounts. That would make sense. But yes that is the one question left unanswered by this series, that many wonder about. The most supported and popular theory is that She fell in love with him BEFORE he was insane. She then kept doing what he said, out of love and respect. But by the end,she TRULY relized how freaken NUTS the guy was, and thought it was best for the world if he were to die.
Jun 24, 2009 9:00 PM

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Prede said:
MRLX69: First Shu is very admireable for doing what he did. Not picking up the gun takes a certian type of person. He's a good human being because of it. Why should he have to adapt to the world? He should instead try and change the world...that's the point.

And the women, Lady Abelia , probally was in love with King Hamdo. That would explain a lot. The English Voice actor compared it to women who stay in abuseive relationships, and a weird father like relationshp with him. I'd have to agree with her on both accounts. That would make sense. But yes that is the one question left unanswered by this series, that many wonder about. The most supported and popular theory is that She fell in love with him BEFORE he was insane. She then kept doing what he said, out of love and respect. But by the end,she TRULY relized how freaken NUTS the guy was, and thought it was best for the world if he were to die.


My sentiments exactly. Especially since this isn't Shu's world. It's one thing to believe in nonviolence when you grew up in a time of war' it's another when you are just dropped right in the middle of it. And remember that one should always change the things he/she can never accept. This anime would have been ruined otherwise.

And Abelia was in love, obviously.

Ryushi said:
No, those are the things you do when you don't know how to finish up the series, so up just insert an open ending.

Well, its not open, but it had much more possibilities.
I mean, so he is back to earth... Will he change his "fighting style"? Will he fing lalaru's look a like (Not sara.)? Will he fight that kendo kid again?

Another extra episode telling the "after story" really wouldn't hurt anyone.


An extra episode would actually hurt this story. You're complaining about the possibilities, but in actuality they aren't. Anyone who watched the series would have an answer to your questions (because we know Shu). The ending wasn't open, like you said. And as the person you replied to said before, the best endings always leave you wanting more.

One of the five anime that really suprised me.
fisher_88Jun 24, 2009 9:15 PM
Jun 29, 2009 8:51 AM

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fisher_88 said:
An extra episode would actually hurt this story. You're complaining about the possibilities, but in actuality they aren't. Anyone who watched the series would have an answer to your questions (because we know Shu). The ending wasn't open, like you said. And as the person you replied to said before, the best endings always leave you wanting more.
I already had enough of open endings.
And i must say, that this specific open ending was horrible comparing to the full series.

It ended like nothing had happened at all.
I mean, sure, Shu's objective was to stay they way he was, but acting like nothing had happened is just so unreal and flat that kind of messes up with all that psycology that the series was using as base.
Jul 17, 2009 4:59 AM

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that was really good! it's not the best ending i have ever seen, but it was one of the better one's. i wanted more of when he got home and the effects of the things that transpired when he was in the other world. this was quite good, and la la ru had a very annoying name. but la la and shu were complete opposites. hard to believe that they fell in love. but in the end i give it a 9/10. a great anime.
Jul 29, 2009 3:51 AM

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Pushed a little harder than normal and finished this series in 3 days. This has to be one of the more depressing series I've seen. This last episode did not have as much impact on me compared to some of the previous episodes, although the ending was not too bad. I kind of wish it had a little more closure though, compared to this rather open ending.

I still can't and don't agree with Shu's way of thinking and way of doing things, but still, I guess he stuck to his ideals right till the very end in not shooting other people with a gun. Although his optimism still annoyed me since good things do not necessarily happen to those who continue living.

This series should be at least an 8/10 or 9/10. I'm not sure what more I can wish for in the ending other than a little more closure.
Jul 30, 2009 8:09 PM
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TYSM: More closure? What else do you want? Did you want to see like Shu after everything was over, and he's living a normal life again? That be pointless...

There's nothing left to show, or close up. Shu saved as much people as he could, Hamdo is dead, Lala-Ru disapeared, and Sara was going to take care of the kids. Shu even got back to his time (or world). I thought it was a perfect ending. There's nothing more to show. If they were to show us anymore IMO it would ruin the ending. There is always the threat of making an ending "go to far" past when the conflict is over, and this series avoided that masterfully. Take Gurren Lagann and the Red Garden OVA for two recent examples. Everything is resolved, then they KEEEEEEP going, and ruin everything. Just STOP while your ahead, for the love of god.

Now of course there are anime that give me a feeling not being satisfied. These are the opposite of going to far. They don't go far enough, and there should be more to them, or at least they should have been ended a little differently. They don't close all their plotlines, or they just stop, and are incomplete. Look no further then Kare Kano, Pumpkin Scissors, Shadow Star Narutaru, or Welcome to the NHK.

IMO this anime has one of, if not THE best ending for an anime. Hell it has the best ending period. No book, movie, or other story will probally have a better ending IMO.

Of course your entitled to your opinion. And just in case your wondering, I'm just commenting on what you say. Not bothered by it at all or anything ^^ . Not trying to bother you either, just talk.
PredeJul 30, 2009 8:13 PM
Jul 30, 2009 8:33 PM

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Ryushi said:
I already had enough of open endings.
And i must say, that this specific open ending was horrible comparing to the full series.

It ended like nothing had happened at all.
I mean, sure, Shu's objective was to stay they way he was, but acting like nothing had happened is just so unreal and flat that kind of messes up with all that psycology that the series was using as base.


'like nothing had happened', 'open ending'. Ha! People should get schooled on what open endings are! There are tons of classic literature you should read; better yet, just go and see some reviews on some of the greatest endings in media (choose what you like), understand what endings are and what they are/aren't supposed to accomplish.

Hint: great endings always leave you wanting more.
Aug 4, 2009 7:33 PM

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This gets a 10/10 from me because I couldn't have hoped for something better. Like fisher said, one of the biggest surprises I've seen in anime too.

During the last episode, I also thought it seemed rushed, with the big chance in pace, but mainly I was thinking that it seemed quite exaggerated/stupid (let's not talk about time/place warp, flying towers, water controlled by a girl and a jewel) since it seemed so easy. This could have actually ended much earlier in practically the same way (but of course, it wouldn't have been satisfying). I also thought something else made it impossible, and I figured that out when I had time to re-think quickly once the episode finished (too busy paying attention to the episode, and it could wait).

The reason I believe it couldn't have happened earlier, is because Lala Ru didn't have the same character back then. The character developments played a big part in the show. Even though she had lost trust in humans, thanks to Shu, Soon, Sis, etc, she had the opportunity to feel emotions again. Shu was right in her eyes, the world does have good people, and she gives them the chance to live with her sacrifice.

I didn't mind how Shu was just silent back in his home. Seriously, why would he start jumping around or act surprised? That would have ruined it. I see it as reflecting upon what happened, and how so much has happened, yet in his world he's the only aware. Everything he's lived through recently, everything that meant so much just 5 seconds ago, is entirely gone; only memories and feelings are left. He might even be wondering how everything will continue there, if reuniting with Lala Ru will have to wait until he dies himself, etc. The silence was the best way to express that; if we could hear him asking himself that, it'd just feel out of place, since we've rarely (if not never, I'm not 100% positive about it, although I am quite sure) heard him contemplating out loud what choice to make. We only had his answer in those situations. No answers in this one, no speech. Perfect.

An after story wouldn't be my thing. A psychological anime gets you to think, and an open ending is one of the best ways to really do that. You can imagine too many questions that you can consider will never be answered. I'm glad this one followed that route.

Although I'm very annoyed by Shu's type, loud brat, optimistic 24/7, etc, and I actually disliked him throughout most of the series, that ended up being gone by the time I reached the last episode. How he was still humane at the end was a good thing, and also let the show have optimistic messages and not mainly the bad ones about the effects of war (too many to count, although a lot are already known, I'd still guess people actually realized some things by watching it). He doesn't become a favorite character just for that though, heh.

Big sunsets were pretty epic.

I lol'd @ how Sara just ditched her family back in America.
HakoriaAug 4, 2009 7:38 PM
「Godspeed You! Black Emperor」
Aug 20, 2009 2:44 AM

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This was a spectacular series but, as some people already pointed, the final episode felt really rushed. Mostly due to the fact that they omitted needed scenes for the sake of just ending the thing. Still, despite the emptiness of the episode, I did like the ending. ^_^

9/10
ArcanusAug 20, 2009 2:48 AM
Sep 14, 2009 4:22 AM

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Well, I don't really like Shu's kind of character either. Especially after he leaves Hellywood. I hoped for some kind of riot or else, but it seems Hamda at least did one thing right.
He he managed through fear and else to keep his men from betraying him.(Perhaps with Abelia's help)

The interesting thing was about the characters that they weren't as heroic as usually the anime characters are. They made quite large mistakes acted irreasonable and showed lesser will to change. It's kind of like how most of the people do things. It thus helped to sympatise with the characters more(at least for me).

About the rushed ending. It was only natural if they spend so much time showing the peacefull life of that village.
Anyways it was a good show, but I expected more at the beginning.
8/10
Nov 9, 2009 8:35 PM

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Wow! and I thought Grave of Fireflies was depressing...

So technically in the end nothing happened, except for memories of Shu and one girl from America dissappearing everything is the same....
Anyhow the anime was really great. At many times I felt really angry and sad. Shu beating Hamado with his trusty stick ( which for some reason after suffering through hell broke in the end) was really relieving. The whole Sarah part of the story made me the most worked up. Whether the ending felt rushed or not i dont know I didnt cared but in the end I did feel like What?! over? already!!, I felt like they could have shown more...Before the credits started rollling with the song(the song is amazing i just cant get it out my head, its just there) i was wishing plz dont end ..... show me something, anything...! but.......
o well.....there are hardly any animes that I have watched and given low rating all of them have 6-9/10, but 10/10 is rating I save fore animes like this.
Prede said:

hmm..never thought it like that...

fisher_88 said:


Well I would love a after story. Not something like sequel or something with an all new story, just maybe like a 20 min ep, like I said above....show me something, anything...!!
There is so much more I want to say about this anime...o well..
Jan 14, 2010 10:03 PM

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Hamdo really got on my nerves. I'm glad he died, and moreover, I'm glad Abelia let him die.

Anyway, I really really liked this anime. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started it, but it really turned out to be quite the dramatic journey. Really Good. I must say though, it was quite sad. There were a lot of people who died that I wish hadn't, though that added to the drama which was a good hook for the story.

I really enjoyed this.
"There are four lights!! THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!!!" - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Feb 14, 2010 10:09 PM

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The seiyu for Hamdo did a terrific job. I was delighted when Shu beat the crap out of him with his stick; Hamdo had a fitting dead he drown like rat.Too many sudden dead's to make me care emotionally, but nonetheless a great ending. I'm glad I stumbled into this wonderful series, I wonder why it's rated so low on MAL.

7-8/10

How's the English Dub?, I might show this to my family.
Mar 5, 2010 3:36 PM

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Such a bittersweet ending, with Nabuca and Sis dying...(I think I'm not mistaken when I say no one misses Tabool and personally, I don't miss Lala-Ru.)
What surprised me at first is that Sara didn't go back to America...but thinking about it now, how could she? After all those things she's been through, and with Sis's kids having no one left alive...

...Funny, how I have many things to say while I'm watching the episode, and when the whole series ends, I don't really know what to write about it. I'll try anyway.

Well, after the first few episodes I didn't expect myself to enjoy this as much as I did by the end. What I find unusual, and adding so much to the storytelling's intensity, is that the creators never spared us anything - we just watched a show about children who kill each other, for crying out loud.
Even if the very ending with Shu going back home was a little too quick, it left no bad impression, at least on me.
I'll definitely remember this one for a long time. Glad I picked it up :)

Edit: Ah, and in the end, it was Abelia who killed Hamdo. Way to wake up, darling.
CenedessMar 5, 2010 3:40 PM
- If you believe this place holds you, it is a prison.
If you do not wish to leave, it will become a fortress.


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Mar 7, 2010 12:36 AM
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Well, I started this last weekend, watched a few episodes here and there up to episode 5, and then finished all the rest tonight.

Despite what a lot of people seem to think, I liked the ending. I thought Sara staying behind with Sis's kids was the right thing to do, and then with Shu when he got back and his bag was there at the place, like nothing had happened...I liked that. The reason I liked it I think, is that it's like, what are you supposed to do now? He just went through all that insanely horrible stuff, saw people beaten, war, death, and yet, suddenly he's smack dab right where he was before all of that. If that happened to you, do you really know what you'd do next? Cause I sure don't, and he seemed almost like he felt lost when he was back, and to me, that really fit.

I gave this 9/10.
Apr 28, 2010 4:32 PM

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May 2009
7
I was rather disappointed in the anime as a whole. I mean, almost all of the reviews I had read of it spoke of it's thought provoking look at war and how it was a depressing look at the world, etc. etc. Yet that part of the story rarely affected me like that at all.

As for the ending, I think it was more suited for the opening quote that you saw throughout the entire anime. All of the time he spent in that world, the relationships he built, how easily destroyed they were. Like his stick he had with him. It stuck with him throughout the entire series, and then... just like that... it was gone. I mean, I don't know about anyone else, but I probably felt more attached to that stick than to anyone else in the story. I felt like there was little effort to forge a connection between the watcher and the characters. Sure some of them I felt a twinge towards when they died, but all in all it was just a "oh, looks like they're done for."

All in all, I gave it a 7/10.
"To be ignorant and to be deceived are two different things. To be ignorant is to be a slave of the world. To be deceived is to be the slave of another man. The question will always be: Why, when all men are ignorant, and therefore already slaves, does this latter slavery sting us so?"
~ R. Scott Baker
Jul 21, 2010 2:44 AM
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Dec 2009
58
Well that ended abruptly. Most of the storylines got chopped off at the end and there was no time to reflect on the things that did get resolved. After watching all the terrible thing happening to children I'd expect more from the end.

Also, isn't it ironic that the only way to save the day was to kill the bad guy in the end? Wasn't the point of the show is to tell us that killing is always bad under every possable circumstance? I think the truth is a little more complicated than that so I wish they didn't make everything so darn simplistic for the show.

Despite it's flawed ending, it was at least better than anything that AIC is making these days.
Jul 24, 2010 3:01 PM

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Mar 2010
55833
this is the most epic anime i have watched that was in dubbed version i honestly enjoyed this anime regardless of how long it has been since i watched this

Behold of my awesomeness~
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But my feels.
Oct 6, 2010 3:45 AM
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Jul 2010
18
This is my favourite anime series because the ending was amazing. It was the most brilliant ending I have seen in any anime. I loved the final scene where he is looking back at the sunset, it helped the new perspective on "moving forward" resonate in my head. I mean, Shu's constantly optimistic, forward looking attitude is the focus of the anime and we get the feeling that the writer is trying to tell us to constantly move forward because "good things will come". However, during that final scene he brings us back to the first episode. We realise that Shu will always remember Lala Ru and the alternate world whenever he sees a sunset. We realise that looking back, reflecting on the past, treasuring the memories of things you may never see again, those things are just as important as moving forward in life.

Of course there are the other obvious themes/ideas, but that's what really rung in my head when i watched this anime.

Anyway, obviously 10/10 for me :P
Oct 20, 2010 6:38 PM

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Dec 2008
32
I wish I could kill every single character in this entire series. Not one of them would be spared my godlike wrath, and their torment would be eternal.
But sadly, it's just an anime.

6/10 because I couldn't bring myself to think that even one of the characters were decent. And the only believable character was Sara.
Oct 23, 2010 4:44 AM
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Jul 2010
7
Rushed!!! The anime was suppose to end with Shu defeating his friend in Kempo and learning from the world that he went to! All the characters in the show were of derp status and did extremely stupid things, such as when the terrorist from the earlier episodes could of killed Hamdon but threw a body on the desk instead and missed as though they had Storm-trooper(star wars) aim.That ending was way too rushed for my liking. Overall, 8/10 >_>
zerolv30000Dec 7, 2010 6:04 PM
Nov 22, 2010 7:00 PM
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Jun 2009
151
Sara was the best character in the show by far and the one who had the most development even though she did not have a ton of screen time. Actually, looking back Nabuca was the most developed but he didn't compare to Sara.

I really loved this anime and I am glad I decided to pick it up. The soldier who most likely impregnated Sara turned out to be not that terrible of a person but I find it hard to think of him as a likable character after what he did.

The ending few episodes were a bit rushed but if I was Shu I don't know how I could return home after what I just went through.
XxMalcolmNov 23, 2010 10:39 AM
Dec 4, 2010 5:40 PM

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Nov 2010
5
Awful series, the characters were so one-dimensional and all the drama was completely forced. I love how the character deaths always drawn out and ridiculous like a B action movie. It was often more absurd than a dumb parody of action movies.

Also I don't quite understand why a massive ship which is searching for water would completely falter when it gets drenched or why Sara would accept living because Shu gave a generic speech on how living is better than dying and it will be worth it(?).

I personally think a story without Shu and a story revolving around Nabuca would've been more interesting character-wise.
Dec 9, 2010 9:25 PM

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Aug 2010
472
Closest feeling I can compare the ending of this series to would be TTGL. But TTGL didn't have such absolute gruesome details to it. I suppose I should say TTGL reminds me of this anime instead, although I watched this one after.

This story was amazing, to say the least.

A tragic end, with hope for the future.

Sara obviously couldn't return home. It'd be better for her family to assume she ran away/is dead/etc, than for her to return home pregnant, attempt to explain what happened and have no one believe her for the rest of her life. At least in the "future," as long as she is alive she can help make a difference, and I think Shu helped her realize this (as much as he annoys the hell out of me). I probably felt the most for Sara throughout, but that's likely common for most of you.

As far as the ending being rushed, I agree to an extent. I don't really want to know what Shu did, I think that's already pretty obvious. Something I'm curious about is Lala-ru. The way it happens in the anime it seems like when the water is all dispersed throughout the planet, the girl also disperses.

So at what point did the water decide to dry up and collect into the pendant? If the plant was indeed earth in the future, how long had the water been dried? Was it just because of the world-wide conquest of Hamdo? Lala-ru mentions being alive for so much longer than others, but is that to mean she has been in human form for that long? Or has she always been "alive," even as water?

I guess I'm asking for a lot here, but it didn't really need to be word for word, this is exactly how things are. Even some hints about how she came to be, I guess. But really this is just curiosity, and doesn't affect my enjoyment of the series overall.

In the end a 9/10 from me, fantastic series.
Dec 9, 2010 9:59 PM

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Sep 2007
394
If you want to feel depressed by watching anime then this is it
Dec 29, 2010 7:04 PM

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Jan 2008
562
^ yep, I can stand a lot but rape isn't one of them T_T
Jan 10, 2011 4:42 PM

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Dec 2010
150
Fantastic series. Some pretty horrifying moments (Shu trying to save the assassin in ep 5 comes to mind), but overall it packs a serious punch. Marathoned it in about a day :-D

BTW, the soldier who actually raped Sara is the ugly one who gets about 4 seconds of screen time total. I forget the episode, but she picks him out in a crowd and panics for a few moments. Her reaction to the 'nice' soldier was just the same reaction she gave to any soldier (remember the almost rapist?)

I'ma give it 9/10
"Ah yes, the demon drink...'Nature's Alzheimer's' they call it"
Jan 16, 2011 3:51 AM

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Sep 2008
7062
I think this series really captured a lot of what Japanese youth wish... sans the rape, slavery and killing. In the end, good won out in most everyone's heart and those that did not were killed. Shu got to go home and saving a world is all in a day's work for him.

It certainly was an excruciating story though. Deaths riddled everywhere such as Sis and Soon break my heart.
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Jan 27, 2011 9:49 PM
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Jun 2009
151
teasaveslives said:
Fantastic series. Some pretty horrifying moments (Shu trying to save the assassin in ep 5 comes to mind), but overall it packs a serious punch. Marathoned it in about a day :-D

BTW, the soldier who actually raped Sara is the ugly one who gets about 4 seconds of screen time total. I forget the episode, but she picks him out in a crowd and panics for a few moments. Her reaction to the 'nice' soldier was just the same reaction she gave to any soldier (remember the almost rapist?)

I'ma give it 9/10


she was also raped by him as well.
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