This special turned from a one-episode last Harrah (For now) into a one-hit-wonder in my book. From the moment they announced the OVA with a teaser trailer I knew this was going to be a good one. And it was.
Episode 10 of Season 2 basically promised us a return of Chloe, who was the main star of that episode. It is also coincidentally my most memorable episode of the series because it's one of those out-of-the-blue ideas that we didn't know we needed. A successful episode, indeed, warranted a return of this new and likable character. To theme an entire OVA around them was an awesome idea and a gift to everybody who loved that episode, including myself.
Although Chloe was obviously the center of attention in this special, there's no shortage of what makes the series so enjoyed by its fanbase. Moving aside from the controversies over the vibe it gives (COUGH COUGH BIRD APP), this OVA still utilizes the original cast to its fullest potential and nailed the characters and their interactions. In particular, Saikawa meeting Chloe was just about the most wholesome thing to come out of this series, not that it's not wholesome already. Heck, that has been something I've looked forward to ever since the episode aired.
The whole special was just a fun-filled project with a touch of seriousness when it came to the culture shock Chloe experienced. I loved the scene between her and Kobayashi, the vibe was great and the grown-up conveyed just the right amount of information to avoid misunderstanding. Chloe's friendship with Kanna got more development, and I do bet on some sort of tension between Saikawa and Chloe. The potential for these three absolutely guarantees there's more in store.
But of course, the end of the episode and what Kobayashi said to Tohru indicates that there's still more for her and the other Dragons. Season 2 was only the start of KyoAni's genius attempt to tap into the potential of everyone in the cast. This OVA is almost like a message from them that even though the circumstances leading up to this show's sequel season were so dramatic and horrifying, now, they're doing just fine.
With the support from its fanbase, this OVA is like their thank you gift to us, and a heads up that this franchise still has more to come. If a season 3 comes up, you know I'll be back on the hype train.
