 The curse of GAINAX endings strikes again. Sigh. With this final disc (bar the upcoming Summer Special), you get one last look at the characters that have made Mahoromatic such an enjoyable show - before they all get shown the door for the final episode. Watch at your own risk...
10 - Things I Like
Seems Management have been using Minawa to gather information on
Mahoro's capabilties. When they realise that the information they've
been getting isn't going to be of much use, they change their plans,
deciding instead get their information directly - by capturing Mahoro.
Minawa's new orders: lure Mahoro out by kidnapping Suguru. Cue Mahoro
to the rescue...
11 - A Wish, the Colour of Cherry Blossoms
Having made their escape from Management's clutches (with a bit of help
from Slash & Ryuga), Mahoro, Minawa & Suguru return home to
normal life (after a short stay on a Vesper battleship, while Mahoro
& Minawa recover). Some R&R is needed, and what better way to
get it than by heading for the onsen? In reality, it's one last chance
for fanservice and friendship before Management catch up with Suguru
& Mahoro again...
12 - Annunciation
Management begin to really flex their muscles, first when they
transport a battleship into the vicinity of Saint's mothership (easily
dealt with by Saint, but an indication of the technology Management
have available), followed by the assassination of the US President.
Their control over Earth allows them to shift the blame onto Vesper,
and the backlash takes Vesper out of the equation. Suguru's links with
Vesper, through Mahoro and his father, mean he's a target now, too.
Under the orders of Vesper's current leader (Suguru's grandfather),
Mahoro takes Suguru & runs...
13 - End of a Dream
With Suguru & Mahoro on the run, Suguru's grandfather has plans for
taking care of Management - but there's a price to be paid. Saint
realise that, thanks to Management, humans are developing beyond their
ability to keep control. Meanwhile, it's time for Mahoro's final
showdown with Feldrance & her last opportunity to defend Suguru -
and for Suguru to realise that nothing lasts forever.
14 - Na-Geanna
A little bit of advice, purely in my (humble) opinion: you may want to
ignore this episode, as it changes the dynamic of the show quite
dramatically. You have been warned...
Forward to the future, for a look at how Suguru has dealt with his
separation from Mahoro and his status as a fugitive from what's left of
Management. Also, it's time for Saint to leave Earth & move on to
other things. They're aware of what's become of Suguru & their role
in that, and feel the need to leave him a gift of sorts...
Just like at the end of season 1, ~Something More Beautiful~
makes the stylistic 180 from fluffy fanservice comedy to serious action
flick - and if they'd ended it at episode 13, you would have had an
ending that was bittersweet but worthwhile. GAINAX isn't like that,
however, and feels the need to ruin the ending of yet another series by
flashing forward to the future & showing us how things have turned
out - except that while the characters are there, the personalities are
not, and for me it made for a very unsatisfying finish. And yes, I
suppose I'm a bit bitter about it.
Over the course of the 5 episodes there's plenty of good - Minawa's
redemption, Mahoro's final fight to protect the person she loves (even
though she's a machine), and confessions on the part of both Mahoro
(her role in the death of Suguru's father) and Suguru (his feelings for
Mahoro, despite what she's done). Unfortunately, it's all undone by the
bad - and even before the final episode there are things that are
handled poorly (the last scenes involving Suguru's classmates, for a
start).
But such is life. I'm aware opinion is divided on the merits of Na-Geanna, and these are just my thoughts. I've thoroughly enjoyed Mahoromatic, apart from the final episode.
The series ends conclusively without it and it can, IMO, be safely
ignored - it's up to you really - but despite that one huge
reservation, I can still recommend the series. The characters have been
a joy to watch & it has had a good mix of fluff & action - if
you can handle some fanservice, go for it. |
