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ローゼンメイデン 
December 8, 2007 | 
18 Comments
I'm sorry for this super-late review. I had a really rough week lately and wasn't in the mood to do anything. It takes me a while to actually create this post too. These two episodes are okay. I think I would have like it better had it been more conclusive. However, at the end of this episode, I wasn't sure whether I was happy or sad or confused about the ending. I guess in general I understand the sentiment that Tomoya and Nagisa feel. However, since I'm not too fond of Fuko, I wasn't really sad about the final outcome. Oh well, the next episode seems to focus on Noto Mamiko's character so let's see if she fares better than Fuko. Personally, the only girls that I find interesting in the series are Tomoyo and Kyou.
At school, Tomoya and Nagisa realise that more and more people start to ignore Fuko's offer. In addition to this, they don't seem to notice her either. When Tomoyo comes by, she admits that she forgot about the present she received from Fuko. She felt embarrassed about this but can't understand why she forgot about it. People like Mitsui, on the other hand, can't even remember that she received the sculpture. She actually can't even see Fuko. That night, Nagisa ends up crying because she feels sorry for Fuko. She's also afraid that one day she and Tomoya will forget about Fuko. Tomoya assures her that they won't forget about Fuko. That night, Sunohara reveals that he's done investigation on Ibuki Fuko and he believes that Isogai Fuko is just a fake name. He also asks Tomoya if he can visit Ibuki Fuko in the hospital but Tomoya asks him not to because he fears that Sunohara will also forget about Fuko if he sees Fuko's real face.
The next day, Sunohara reveals that he suddenly finds himself near a hospital but can't understand why he was there in the first place. Sunohara is not the only one who forgets about Fuko. Soon, Ryou and Kyou also realise that while they've seen Fuko before, they can't remember anything about her. A few days later, however, Sunohara gets into an argument with Tomoya and in the heat of the argument, he accidentally asks Fuko to back him up. Sunohara is startled to hear himself saying Fuko's name but he still can't remember Fuko even after Fuko gives him another sculpture. Having said that, he tells Tomoya and Nagisa that he never disliked Fuko. Things become worse that night because despite their attempt not to forget about Fuko, Akio and Sanae can't see Fuko anymore. Sanae, however, tells Fuko that even though she can't see her, Fuko can stay with them. Despite this, Tomoya and Nagisa decide to take Fuko back to school upon her request.
Once the three arrive at the school, Tomoya wonders if Nagisa's parents will worry about her daughter's whereabouts. Nagisa, however, assures him that she has told her parents that she will be with Fuko. Because of this, the three settle down at an empty class and Fuko encourages Tomoya and Nagisa to call each other using their first name. Later on that night, they decide to celebrate Fuko's sister wedding a little bit earlier. That night, the three decide to sleep next to one another so they won't feel cold. The next morning, however, Tomoya and Nagisa wake up on their own. They no longer remember about Fuko or why they stayed at the school last night. They, however, feel that something important will happen tomorrow. When they see Koumura-sensei painting a banner for wedding, they ask him who the banner is for. Koumura-sensei reminds them the banner if for Ibuki-sensei. This causes both Tomoya and Nagisa to remember Fuko.
The next day at the wedding, Nagisa and Tomoya are disappointed because none of the other students come to the wedding. Despite this, Fuko is happy that they are there with her. Much to everyone's surprise, however, the students eventually gathered for the wedding. Fuko is happy to see that her hardwork finally come to fruition. Because of this, she bids goodbye to both Tomoya and Nagisa. Tomoya and Nagisa cry just in time for Ibuki-sensei to see them. Tomoya explains that they've been Fuko's friends all of these times. They ask her to be happy in her marriage because that's what Fuko would want. All of a sudden Ibuki-sensei is able to see Fuko. Fuko hugs her sister and congratulates her on the wedding before disappear into thin air. In the aftermath, the students only vaguely recall Fuko. Tomoya, however, has a dream where Fuko comes to him with the starfish, asking him if he would like to be her friend.
Impression:
To be honest, I don't really understand what happened to Fuko. Did she just disappear after her sister's wedding and everyone except Tomoya lose their memory about her? In that case, is the real Fuko still alive albeit laying unconscious in the hospital? Or is that scene where the flower petal flies suggests that she's passed away for good? If she's just unconscious, how come only Tomoya still remembers her? After all, between him and Nagisa, I'd think that Nagisa likes Fuko better. Therefore, it doesn't make sense that she no longer remember about her friend. All in all, I don't think that the ending feels complete. I'm looking forward to more answer on the next episode but it seems the series already moves on to the next character.
The last sequence of ep. 9 is just Tomoya's dream of Fuuko, based on small fragments of her left in his mind. At the end, he didn't remember her, either. Note that there's a little of Fuuko left in anyone, still. (the rumor, the starfish, etc.)
As for whether Fuuko is alive or dead, nothing is particular mentioned about that, so I guess it's left to your imagination, for now. Her disappearance is just that there is no reason for her to manifest anymore, once her wish is fulfilled.
"To be honest, I don't really understand what happened to Fuko."
I don't understand either.
If she is unconcious, and the school Fuko is a spirit, why can't her sister see her in the first place, if Nagisa and co can? Also, is she a solid? Otherwise, people will bump into this "thing' when they can't see her. Also, if she is solid, she can just touch her sister to let her sister know that she's there. She has to be solid, because she can hold objects, like wooden starfish. And the more unconscious she gets, the more people'll forget about her? And why does Fuko think that her sister will only be happy when she has her wedding in the high school? Is that even allowed? And what does the starfish have to do with anything? She handed the starfish to her sister at the end, right? So she did meet her sister right? Does that mean that all unconscious people will have spirits? And, hypothetically, if the real Fuko wakes up, will she contain these memories she had in school? They'll just "transfer?" When Fuko says things, no one who has forgotten her can hear her? But before Fuko met those two, no one knew her, right? Then why can people see her in the first place? Because if she's not know, she's technically forgotten. How did she get into school anyway? - if she's technically in a coma, wouldn't the attendance office suspect that? Does she just roam the school all the time? Where did she live before she went to Nagisa's house?
About Fuko, I think her "spirit" existence is just like Ayu in Kanon. It is Fuko's dream to see her sister happy. And some miraculous power let the others see her dream in the reality.
However, when this miracle power fading away along with the condition of her real body, all the others will start to forget about Fuko's dream and everything about the "spirit" Fuko will disappear in their reality.
By the way, it seems that if someone saw Fuko's real body in coma before, he or she can never see Fuko's "spirit" again. This applies well for Sumohara, Sanae, and Fuko's sister.
About the final state of Fuko's real body, I believe the answer will be given near the end of the series.
ZOMG! Maybe Fuko can astral project into a physical form or something!??!
Garten,
You seem quite stressed lately. Is everything alright? Have things been hectic? Remember to make some time for yourself everyday, and just hang in there!
I hope you feel better soon...
You will find out later on >.> The best arcs would be from main girls Nagisa, Tomoyo and Kotomi. Side characters have better routes than some main ones.
To eveyone's questions most of them are answered in the show. People see her because they never knew about her being in the hospital When they did know they knew she couldn't be there, they couldn't see her.
It's just all in there....
The fuko arc kinda pissed me off.
The way they talked about fuko at the end of episode nine was really strange , almost stupid. They kept on talking about somebody they forgot and how that person was nice and all. The way they talk and think was so illogical that it became painful to listen for me.
Plus i hated the fact that peoples keep on knowing her , forget her , remember her, forget her but still the feeling that they forgot something...
Argh , are we supposed to believe and be moved by that?
And all those gags about stars and how she reacts when she sees somthing alike werent that funny at all.
I know that peoples that doesnt like an anime shouldnt watch it , but i kinda liked kanon,air and most of kyonani's productions beside lucky star ,so i thought that clannad would be enjoyable too.
The begining was promising ( but i was expecting a better opening) , the hero seems to have a dark and uncommon past (at least in anime) and the main girl seems to hide some deep mysteries behind her innocent look.
Some of the other girls looked interresting too but the fuko part was just too long and boring( for me).
The reason why i'm going to keep on watching this anime is that im almost convinced that things can't be gayier than this arc!? The problem is that kyonani are getting pretty good at making not funny or not understandable jokes, so good that it's almost scary sometimes.
By the way I'm sure that the anime is gonna be way more enjoyable starting from episode 10.
PS: the headmaster of the school , i think he has some super power or something , cause he is the only one that remembered about fuko. He was the only one that wasn't brainwashed by fuko's power.
But there is also the possibility that she spared him....
You seem quite stressed lately. Is everything alright? Have things been hectic? Remember to make some time for yourself everyday, and just hang in there!
Hi Eva, thx for the concern. Yeah, I admit I'm really stressed out lately. It's just a combination of many things not working out. I think it comes to the point where it's just becoming ridiculous. I am hoping next year will be better...somehow. Thank you again for the concern, it's really appreciated.
As for the Fuko arc, one thing that I don't appreciate is the inconsistencies. Sometimes everyone can remember her and other times, no one can remember her. Except for that teacher/headmaster.
But really at this point, criticising an anime is the least of my worry.....
I guess most of the complains are directed at the weakness of the original script itself? After all, all this are in the game itself
I think the ending for Fuko is not that complete. Not at all. Is she dead OR is she still unconsious in the hospital? It's quite sad that everyone except Tomoya-kun forgot her. This ep was so sad that I cried & felt my heart break into pieces!
"But really at this point, criticising an anime is the least of my worry...."
Maybe you are right , at some points we should just disconnect our consiousness and let our unconsiousness wander in this sea of human made meaninglessness.
"I think the ending for Fuko is not that complete. Not at all. Is she dead OR is she still unconsious in the hospital? .....This ep was so sad that I cried & felt my heart break into pieces!"
You right!! Even if i didnt understand anything at all , i also felt all the pain and sadness the director or writters were trying to feed me! It almost brought tears to my eyes , but my consiousness unfortunately prevented me to do so. T_T
Sorry Garten , i just realised that it may not be the place to post unconstructive reactions.
Just wanted to know if you were enjoying this anime as much as i do.
@grooven
I disagree on one thing: Tomoyo's arc, much like Kyou/Ryou route, pales in comparison to Kotomi, Fuuko, and Nagisa+After story arcs. I'm not saying they're bad, but they're a bit too shallow compared to what the other three arcs have on its sleeve. Plus their arcs are the ones that are least related to the main theme of this anime.
@Garten
To clear up the confusion: the old guy is not the headmaster. He's just a senior teacher who is respected by the headmasters and several other teachers. Hence, the reason he was able to get permission to arrange the marriage at school, along with the fact that Kouko was quite popular among teachers.
Also, the old teacher (Koumura) already knew Kouko when Kouko was a teacher three years ago, and he already knew about Kouko's sister a long time ago (This is not apparent on the anime but it's on the game and the official side stories). Hence the reason why he knows about Fuuko and is not affected like those who never 'truly' met Fuuko in the first place.
Also, the time where people starts forgetting about her is when her condition got worse and the doctor declaring that she might not wake up ever again. Hence, why people are starting to unable to see her or remember her. Not sure why, but since she was somewhat a spirit being (ala Ayu) to begin with, they never truly met her and know her real condition. Notice how Sunohara, Akio, and Sanae were in the verge of forgetting Fuuko when they checked on how Fuuko really is at the hospital.
We would never know how and why Fuuko appeared in a spiritual form in the first place. Just think of it as one of those Japanese mysteries that we might never understand. But when she saw that her wish has been fulfilled, it's probable that she decides to rest, seeing now that her job is done. This doesn't mean she's dead or anything since she's still in a coma state, and the anime never mentioned that she's dead. Who knows, she might reappear again (wink, wink) The hint is actually on the OP sequence if you're curious.
@ solgae
I found Tomoyo's to be better than ryou and kyou so IMO what is left for better arcs is Kotomi, Nagisa and Tomoyo. I just hope side characters won't get shafted they IMO are better than most of Kotomi and Tomoyo's.
i've been reading your anime blog for some time and really appreciate your analysis. I feel the same way about how there isn't really much anime out there that is exciting. I think you should try blogging about japanese drama's like what you did with nodame cantabile. But from reading your blog I see that you have been really busy and haven't been able to update as much. Just a suggestion
"It's just a combination of many things not working out. "
What do YOU want to do, do not listen to what anyone else tells you to do, just do what YOU want to do, the things that make you most happy.
Personally, I believe that this arc lacked the "charm" of a harem genre. Fuko and Tomoya's relationship never seemed to romantic. They seemed to be more like friends, especially with Nagisa in the mix. Maybe it's beacuase I expected too much, comparing it to its predecessor Kanon.
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