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「劇場版 あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない」 (Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai)
"We Still Don't Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day: The Movie"
There's great comfort in knowing some things never change.
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「あの夏に咲く花」 (Ano Natsu ni Saku Hana)
"The Flower Blooming on That Summer"
Two weeks ago, I dreamt up Anohana's finale. It was completely random and unexpected. Sadly, I also completely forgot about it, and I wish I hadn't. Partly because it would've been hilarious to write about here, and interesting to compare it to the finale we've come to today. Such a storm of tears with the emotional weight of a freight train has inevitably left me battered, like the stillness you experience when your mind is still processing a shock, and it takes a little while just to take it all in. But you know what? They pulled it off. They really did.
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「花火」 (Hanabi)
"Fireworks"
And so the question evolves into, "for whom is it harder to accept the consequences of letting Menma move on? Jinta, or his friends?" The turmoil drove most of the episode, with each character still reprising their respective agendas, and led to some unexpectedly incredible scenes.
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「みんなとめんま」 (Minna to Menma)
"Menma and Company"
Roses are red, violets are blue, why does everyone like Menma, even you?
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「I wonder」
Everything went simpler than expected. I realized I've been thinking "too big" for the plot, and it backfired on me hard this episode. With only three episodes remaining, this was much like a turning point, with scenes of tears back to back from characters.
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(Honto no Onegai)
"The Real Wish"
Rather than going directly to the date of her death, Jinta flips through the pages of the diary and lands on the first idea that seemed plausible as a wish. Flying a rocket to God. Ah, youth.
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(Wasurete Wasurenaide)
"Forget It, Don't Forget"
Though less tension filled than its previous episodes, Menma still manages to tear up at the end. It doesn't seem like we'll be getting off that easy.
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(Tonneru)
"Tunnel"
Even a ghost can procrastinate when she's having too much fun.
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(Shiroi Ribon no Wanpsu)
"White Ribbon Dress"
Yukiatsu... why don't you have a seat over there?
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(Menma o Sagasou no Kai)
"Menma's Search Party"
It's always a funny surprise to see a plot device be acknowledged by the show, considering that Jinta remarks to Menma that using wishes as motivation is starting to feel like an excuse. It doesn't really matter though, as the reason is not so clear cut this time around. Besides, Poppo's the real plot driver here.
