Gakkougurashi! Episode 12 Discussion

Fafette said:
Well, this wasn't a bad ending, though quite cliché, and I would've liked it better if it had a more bittersweet feel but well, can't please everyone.
I give this show a 6/10, it wasn't at all a bad show but it could've been way better. Too much wasted potential.
I liked Yuki, though her personality was still a bit annoying. Her character development is pretty good, I like how she clearly matured, and it's very noticeable at times, but she didn't lose what makes up her identity. I just found her speech to the zombies very cliché, I didn't appreciate it as much as I wanted because of that, but it was still good regarding Yuki's growth. (However, I felt like her PTSD was ultimately handled pretty badly.)
I liked Miki too, at first I wasn't at all interested in her but she proved herself to be a good character, probably the most solid from the show. I am surprised she wasn't the MC though. This story really felt like hers before anyone else's.
Megumi was also a very good character, I just wish we got to spend more time with her. Her zombie arc felt a bit rushed. But her scenes definitely were my favorites, from the beginning to the end.
Yuuri was quite good too, but I was expecting a bit more from her. The way she was portrayed as a morally ambiguous character from time to time was interesting, but she totally lost that to become nothing but the typical big sister figure who actually puts on a facade and is just as vulnerable as the rest. But she played this role pretty well, so I won't complain too much.
Kurumi surprisingly is my least favorite, surprisingly because I really expected her to become my favorite. I felt like she has so much potential, but none of this has been developed correctly after episode 3. It's too bad, because I really lost interest in her character at times. At the end, the only reason I cared about what would happen to her was because of the others' reaction. I really didn't feel any real attachment towards her because she just felt like the typical cool action girl. She really could've been more.
And of course, she had to survive. I didn't want her to die but come on, it was way too easy. I was hoping they didn't spoil (at this point it isn't just foreshadowing) the end with Miki's book, but they totally did.
Also, it saddened me to see Kei as a zombie. I really liked her, I of course knew she didn't make it but seeing her like that, under Miki's eyes, was pretty hard to watch. Now she'll just go to school all alone ? Poor thing, she didn't deserve that at all. She was such a sweet girl.
This leads me to say that I have some issues with the show's message. Using a mental disorder as a way to tell us that we have to accept that all good things have an end is something that rubs me the wrong way.
And I really didn't like how they just left Kei go to school alone, with Miki moving on. I know it once again follows the message, but I don't know, at least show some compassion, it has been demonstrated the zombies still have a little glimpse of consciousness, leaving her like that is awful... They should've killed her instead of ignoring her.

Darkdaxter said:


I agree with a lot of this. I think a major difference between people who like and dislike this show is just how much they can empathize with the current situation. As you say, a lot of the things I expected to find annoying became a lot more endearing when put into context.

I also think it's important to note that her experience with trauma isn't going to look like a lot of real life examples. First off, everyone is different. Second her trauma was late in life, and she was able to reconcile it rather quickly. Getting into therapy asap helps prevent disorders from completely manifesting. I don't necessarily see it as a reflection of PTSD, and I don't think they were trying to make a statement on it in real people.

The biggest problem with Kurumi was that she consistently took me out of the narrative and clashed heavily with the theming. Typical zombie fare sure, but it's hard to reconcile 1 badass with a group of lost and terrified teenage girls. In the interest of survival it makes no sense for there to be only one fighter in the group. Plus the sheer amount of plot armor she has is pretty crazy. You can get away with that in a schlocky zombie flick, but it doesn't really work if you're trying to go for something more.

I liked the ending, but I would have preferred something much darker and more tragic.

syncrogazer said:
Usually not a fan of 'cute girl anime with a tweeeeeeest' (or just zombie stuff in general) but this was very well done. Not cheesy at all, and it never felt like the violence was there for shock value or spectacle since the focus always seemed to be on the girl's emotional reaction to it. Hell, every event in the series relates back to the sadness that permeates their experience surviving in the school. Yuki's innocence throughout the show is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. A pretty ingenious use of 'moe' aesthetics if you ask me. Seen more than one person complain about 'tonal shifts.' Yeah....that's the whole point.

Not sure why I needed to see Kei infected as the gang was escaping. Almost seemed like some kinda 'take that.' More than sad, that's shitty.

A very pleasant surprise. I enjoyed this a lot. An emotional little journey.

They weren't being very subtle about it, but I guess it also wants to talk about people using anime as a way of reliving their school life. Or just in general, not knowing how to move on from those (in Japan at least) good years. You know, like how a walking corpse overstays their welcome.

Spicelit said:
What you see above you is a shitter (who has no heart)

Spicelit said:
that does not appreciate the happy ending.

Verty_ said:
I just came here to say that I'm angry. Not at the show. At you. No wonder people talk smack about MAL all the time. One of the best shows ever made has a 7 rating. Because it's not Naruto or One Piece, right?