And everything was working out all so well…

——

That was a heavy blow. In spite of having a majority of the episode in an upbeat tempo, the doom that had been hinted finally dawned upon Konatsu and friends… and the entire school. Bringing in real life problems and applying it to anime is nothing new but damn, it has to suck to have the one thing students look forward to most getting canceled. I know for sure that Wien really wanted to see the white rhino. In fact, I still want to see it. A school anime without a festival is just sacrilegious. Unheard of! 

I really enjoyed the optimistic air in this episode. Even with the cancellation of the festival, the fact that Konatsu, Sawa, Wakana, Taichi and Wien still devote themselves to singing the originally written song is inspiring and courageous. They could have stopped and felt bad for not performing together at the festival, let alone merely hang out together outside the classroom. But they decided not to let the community’s problem — society’s problem — hinder them from doing what they are passionate about. But these kids have been through all sorts of adversities, challenged by life to overcome losses, weaknesses and doubts. It’s about time they showed everyone else how to overcome this new obstacle that is dawning upon them. Damn the rich for having things their way. Not a single parent or teacher looked pleased. 

Sans the expected bad news, it’s a very uplifting episode. I feel like it’s been some time since it felt this good to watch an episode of Tari Tari. It sounds like I’m trying to minimize the school and the community’s new problem, but I’m really not, mainly because it’s about this group of five students who have gone through plenty in this short time. I poked fun at it earlier, saying that they may try to find some miracles in life that will enlighten them, encourage them and find answers that most of us still try to seek. I think they’re getting there and part of it includes some of their naivety. But that’s good here because they don’t need to think about it. They just go up on stage and do what they do best, and I think is all that matters in this case. 

GO Rating: 4/5

Haunted by her past, wanting to preserve her past, what will the VP do to save those memories?