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ローゼンメイデン 
First thing first, the official site confirms that the detective's name is indeed Meshiai Seiichi. It's nice to know that Wikipedia got it right from time to time. Well, I knew this was going to be harrowing but I didn't expected it to be frustrating as well. As usual, there is some kind of injustice happening within the story and it annoyed me a little bit. There are also some unanswered question. I know I should get used to it since this is typical of anime's narrative style, leaving a few unanswered details behind so people can talk about it. Overall, I thought the series ended okay but not exactly satisfying. It's just that this show's idea of justice doesn't match well with my idea of justice and I think a lot of decent characters in this series got unfair treatment.
Continuing from last week's episode, Takuma begs Hotaru not to do it but Hotaru already pressed the submit button and send the two of them to the sunset world. Ai asks Hotaru if this is okay and Hotaru tells her that as long as Takuma exists, then things will never end. Ai asks Hotaru if she thinks this is all Takuma's fault and Hotaru confirms this, causing Ai to remember how her fellow villagers accused her of the same things. Hotaru tells Ai that if Takuma stops existing then the chain of hatred will stop. Ai seems hesitate about this but Hotaru demands the straw doll. Because of this Ai asks Ren to turn into one and she gives him the glare when he asks her if it's okay to do it to Takuma. Ai starts giving out the drill but before she can finishes her words, Hotaru tells her that she understands even if Ai doesn't say it: she'll go to Hell as well. Hotaru then tells Takuma that she'll join him soon before pulling the string.
Ai suddenly disappears while Hotaru is transported back to the empty road where she left the laptop. Inside the boat to Hell, Takuma cries in sadness while Kikuri tries to offer him candy. When Ai tells Kikuri to stop it, Kikuri tells her how pitiful Takuma is since he didn't do anything. She tells Ai that the situation is similar to what happened before, referring to Ai being killed by the villagers. As Takuma begs Ai to save him, Ai remembers how the villagers killed and buried her and her family. Eventually she stops rowing the boat and weakly protests the idea. Back in the real world, Hotaru looks crazed and tells 'Takuma' that she's going now. Meanwhile, Hone-Onna wonders if this whole thing is 'fate' but Ren thinks if that's the case, it's far too cruel. When Wanyuudou mentions that right now Takuma is probably....Kikuri interrupts him by saying that Takuma wasn't sent to Hell. The three are shocked and wonders what she meant.
Kikuri tells them that Ai reversed the boat's course but she claims that doesn't know about Ai's whereabouts now. Meanwhile, Takuma regains his consciousness and finds himself laying in a riverbank not far from Ai. When he tries to help her to stand, Ai refuses and instead points Takuma to a direction and tells him to go there. Takuma hesitates but Ai tells him not to worry about her. At first Takuma is not sure what he's looking for until he sees the briefcase containing the laptop. He immediately screams for Hotaru and finds her on the other side of the riverbank. While Takuma tries to awake Hotaru, Ai walks towards the two of them. Meanwhile, Wanyuudou is holding Kikuri up in the air, trying to force the brat to tell them Ai's location. Kikuri insists that she doesn't know despite the three's insistance that she tells them. All of a sudden, her body goes limp and then a third eye opens on her forehead.
The voice that comes out of Kikuri's mouth is now a combination of her voice and a deeper, more intimidating voice. The voice asks the three if it should tell them. Kikuri's body then floats into the air and spider web suddenly appears around the area, suspending Kikuri's body in it. Ai's helpers finally realise that they are talking to the Lord of Hell. The Lord of Hell tells them that Ai has taken Kurebayashi Takuma back into the world. That means the sould of Ai and her loved ones will forever be in trapped in Hell's darkness. Ai's helpers start to protest, telling the Lord of Hell that to give Ai's a pass with Takuma's case. Ren argues that Ai has worked continuously for the past 400 years. Wanyuudou points out that this grudge is unreasonable while Hone-Onna argues that Ai has been doing her best no matter how long and hard it was for her. Wanyuudou finally snaps and asks how many more grudge needs to be dispelled before Ai can be freed.
When Ren insists that the Lord of Hell free Ai, the former tells them that her job as Jigoku Shoujo is over and she has now been returned to the world. Ren and Hone-Onna are happy to hear this but Wanyuudou tells them that can't be it. Wanyuudou explains that Ai has been returned to the world in the same condition as she was 400 years ago, which presumably was close to near-death state. Ren is angry to hear this and tries to attack the Hell Lord but the Hell Lord manages to defeat him by using a flash from its eye. Despite this, the Lord of Hell tells them to watch over Ai before disappearing along with Kikuri's body. A few seconds later, Kikuri's body can be seen unconscious near a tree while on top of the tree, the Hell Spider is hanging from one of the branches. Not long after this, Tsuyuki and the rest of the town vigilantes arrive on the spot. Upon seeing the detective's car, they drop two people to look for Takuma and Hotaru.
After the two men left the area, the 3 helpers materialise again, realising that the whole deal is not over. Meanwhile, Takuma is in the middle of crying for Hotaru while Ai watches over the two of them. All of a sudden, however, Takuma becomes determined and starts walking away from the area. When Ai asks her where he is going, Takuma tells her that he's always bear it and tried not to hate others because his father told him this. However, he refuses to bear this any longer and runs away from the area. Ai tries to stop him but ends up falling. As Takuma leaves the area, one of the two people sent to look for him spot him so they report to Tsuyoki about this. Tsuyuki orders them to follow the boy discreetly and after ending the phone call, she tells the woman that it seems Takuma is heading towards his own house. Inside the car, Hasue is seen scratching his Hell mark, trying to get rid of it. Meanwhile, Ai walks along the road trying to find Takuma.
Eventually Wanyuudou and the others find her but Ai simply asks them to move aside and continues to walk past them. Hone-Onna is confused about this but Wanyuudou understands that Ai no longer remembers them. The Hell string that connects them had been cut off and as a result, all they can do is watch over her. At the same time, Takuma is busy spreading gasoline all over a house. When Tsuyuki and the others confront him, Takuma also spreads the gasoline on them and threatens to burn them with his lighter. The woman asks Takuma if he understands what will happen if he drops the lighter. Takuma tells her he understands that they all will go to Hell. They immediately accuse Takuma of being a Devil's child but Takuma bites back and tells them that they are devils too. Tsuyuki pretends that they regret their action while one of his colleagues grabs Takuma. Takuma struggles against the guy and ends up dropping the lighter.
The fire immediately sets the house ablaze, causing the vigilantes to become mad. They start slapping Takuma around and are about to beat him up using the stick when Ai appears and asks them to stop. The group is horrified upon seeing her and wonders if someone had requested her. Ai tells them that they can't kill Takuma and asks them to open their eyes. While this happens, the three helpers can only watch. Hone-Onna can't bear to see it but Wanyuudou tells her to be stronger and watch over Ai. Meanwhile, Ai takes Takuma's hand and slowly leads him away from the group. All of a sudden, however, Hasue goes berserk and hits Ai with a shovel. He then says that he doesn't want to go to Hell. Maybe he should have thought about that before taking the doll. Loser. The others then look as if they are possessed and start beating Ai as well. Ren and Hone-Onna want to help out but Wanyuudou stops them, pointing at Ai's smiling face.
Wanyuudou believes that Ai right now is about to give her answer. At the same time, Takuma yells at the losers and asks them to stop. For some reason this startled them enough and they stop. Takuma then asks them how they can do such cruel thing. With her last breath, Ai tells Takuma that this is the end and this is fine by her. Ai then closes her eyes and passed away. All of a sudden, her body glows, transforms into Sakura, and disappears into the air. Kikuri who sees this from afar cries quietly. Later on, Kikuri is seen on top of the boat which heads to Hell. The boat, however, is now manned by a jellyfish. Nearby, the grudge that is holding the corpse of Ai's parents break apart. The corpse then turns into lights and flies up from the area while the rest of the grudge goes to Hell. Kikuri then speaks to a small cherry, telling it that it's all over now. She thinks that this is the answer that Ai has chosen and thanks Ai for her hard work.
Wanyuudou explains that in the aftermath, the recording that Seiichi made was released to the mass media and Takuma's innocence was proven. However, according to Hone-Onna, those who accused him managed to get away and leave the town. Meanwhile, Ai's helpers return to the sunset world but find out that her Mac is not switched on anymore although her her grandma is still spinning the spindle as usual. Before they left, however, the grandma tells them that Ai asked her to give them her gratitude. The grandma then says "Thank You" one more time and the three are transported into the middle of the city. After reflecting on what Ai said, the three bid goodbye to each other. A few weeks/months later, Takuma can be seen approaching his now healthy father, who waits for him at a park. The two then go to visit the still-in-coma Hotaru before leaving the hospital. The episode ends with a girl receiving a Jigoku Shoujo confirmation in her mobile phone.
Impression:
Meshiai Hotaru
Hotaru was portrayed badly in this episode. She looks like she was borderline mad in this episode. First she blames Takuma for what happens to the town even though she knows very well that is not his fault. Then she sends him to Hell with the promise that she'll join him soon. If I look back at her action, however, I think she knows very well what she wanted. It's not so much that she wants to punish Takuma but rather it's the only way for her to join her brother. It doesn't make her any better as a character but it's understandable that she felt lost after her brother was sent to Hell. There was no other way for her to join her brother unless she sends Takuma to Hell then kills herself so she'll join him and his brother in Hell. The ending, where she ends up in a coma is probably best for her for now.
The Townfolks
They deserve to go to the bottom, most vile pit of Hell for their actions. Look, it's not like most of us are angels either but these people have gone beyond the point of no return. The things that they do in this episode sickened me and the fact that they didn't feel any kind of remorse for their action simply makes me loathe them even more. It's really disturbing that they survive at the end of this episode but I take comfort in the knowledge that sooner or later humans will die. In their case, I hope it's sooner rather than later. Hopefully Kikuri will arrange something.
Kikuri
Kikuri remains as an enigma right to the end. I don't think she's the lord of Hell because she clearly could be controlled quite easily. She also showed genuine sadness when Ai passed away and was instrumental in getting Takuma acquitted from Hell. I can't help but wonder though if she wants to take over Ai's role and this is why she planned this entire situation. I'm also still not sure about her relationship to the spider, the mysterious grandma inside Ai's house, etc. I assume that the phone call towards the end came from her. Unlike Ai, however, she won't have as much problem sending people to Hell.
Ren, Hone-Onna, Wanyuudou, and other Hell entities
The three straw dolls get the good ending in this one but they also didn't have much to do. It's clear, however, that their loyalty lies with Ai and once she's finished her job as Jigoku Shoujo, they refuse to stay around to do the job. I did think that they should have played a more active role in stopping those vile townfolks. It still annoys me to no end that they can't interfere although they have the power to do so. On another note, we still don't know much about the grandma behind the paper door. I kind of wish that we'll get to see her. Is she going to continue sewing there even though Ai is not around anymore? Also, I was amused to see a jellyfish rowing the boat in that last scene. I guess Kikuri is too small to do any kind of rowing without falling into the lake.
Kurebayashi Takuma
Takuma gets the best ending of them all and really deserved it. He was mostly untainted despite all of the craziness that happened around him. Even when he was threatening to burn the house, it was the idiot townfolks who mostly caused the incident. I kind of wish that he had accidentally lit them as well though. If there was one thing that annoyed me about him was his decision to go back to town. But then again, if he didn't go there, the two people who were looking for him would have found him near the riverbank. It's nice to see that the writers still remember that Takuma's father is just in a coma not dead so it makes perfect sense that Takuma gets to rebuild his life again with his father. Hopefully it'll be far, far away from that crazy town.
Enma Ai
I guess this is it for Enma Ai. In the end she decided to sacrifice herself to save Takuma. I think she did it as a penance for what she did earlier in her life. One thing that I'm not sure is her fate afterwards. I think she successfully setting her parents souls from the clutches of Hell though. You can clearly see her parents soul leaving the Hell area while what I assume to be the rest of the villagers (the green light) go to Hell. Ai, however, is a lot more difficult. All we see at the end of the episode is Kikuri carrying a small cherry into Hell. Are we supposed to think that the Cherry is a representation of Ai's sins? Does it mean Ai herself is not going to Hell? Well, I guess this is the part where the audiences are supposed to discuss and debate. I personally like the idea that she was somehow redeemed for her selfless act towards Takuma.
Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori
Overall, I think that the second season did a better job in the stand-alone episodes. They are a lot more creative and feel less repetitive in comparison to the first season. They also did a rather good job of establishing the main supporting characters and I think Takuma and Seiichi (the detective) were as sympathetic as Hajime and Tsugumi. The only annoying thing about the second season was Kikuri and part of that annoyance is not knowing what she is or her true intention. I feel that the revelation of the three straw dolls' past were pretty disappointing except for Hone-Onna's story. Having said that, it was interesting to know that both Ren and Wanyuudou were once an object which came to life thanks to Ai. Anyway, thank you for discussing the series here so far. And before I forget, if someone take that last toilet paper at your local supermarket, please don't send them to Hell. Trip their leg and grab the toilet paper. J/K
i watched it today . and you're right ! the ending isnt satisfying , it was just an OK , so many unanswered questions .... Will there be an OVA that coveres the questions ?
i don't think there will be any OVA. I mean Ai is no longer Jigoku Shoujo. The 3 helpers have gone on to live their own life.
the ending wasn't as satisfying as I hoped for (I, too, was hoping for the entire village to burn), but it still manage to put a smile on my face (Ai is finally free...Takuma has a happy ending...Ren, Hone-Onna and Wanyuudou got another try with life...Kikuri doing her dream job...)
I'm gonna miss this show
At least someone got a happy ending... and this seems to be an extension of her defianc of the Lord of Hell from last season (when she indulged a grudge towards Hajime's bloodline and remembered her past), but with her taking the path of forgivess rather than vengeance in a situation that paralle the one that got her the job in the first place. It builds on her remembering what she was, and how she's changed.
Of course, her main reason for doing the job was to keep her folks out of Hell for her own sins. I suspect she didn't go back to Hell, but as long as her parents were freed, she would probably have chosen a course that would have sent her there anyway. The way she died, without using her powers, may have earned her way out, to judge the Lord of Hell's admonishing comment towards the trio near the end.
Two questions remain: what will the trio do but that they're free and no longer have to serve ojou-sama (which probably means the service will be less compasionate than it was), and am I the only one who found human Ai to be extremely cute? :)
One more question - would Ai have accepted a solution that DIDN'T end in her own death? I fear she wouldn't have, given her motivations (freeing her parents' souls from torment), if it risked an outcome that would have kept them there. If Takuma had walked away, she may well have gone right back.
You are free to discuss and debate my comments at the AnimeSuki forums for Futakomori's last episode.
http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=894709&postcount=186
IMO, Ai did went to Heaven along with her parents. She forgave everyone, including the people of her former village.
The cherry I think is a memento from Ai to Kikuri, so that hell brat will remember her. That's all.
I have evidence to conclude that the townsfolk did not escape scot-free. I am sure they came to their senses and realized what they did to Ai, and regret will haunt them all for the rest of their lives and even after going to hell.
Ai =( but I guess what else can u expect from the Hell lord it was nice watching this series its on a category of its on and enjoyable for tat mere fact...thanks for blogging it.
And wait a minute, in the ending, the conclusion states that jigoku shoujo does still exist after Ai's redemption??
better free: Yes. It apparently was there before she got there, although she took the role of the Jigoku Tsuushin (the agency). Even though Enma Ai and her helpers are free of their duties, the agency remains - as witnessed by the person who text-messaged their way into Hell. It looks like Hell is moving onto the next popular communications method, now that Ai's retired her Apple (anyone else here amused by the fact that Apple computers are apparently favored of the denizens of Hell?)
We don't know if Ai's gone to Heaven... but at least she isn't stuck doing the same job, which has to be SOMETHING to her, and she got what she wanted initially - her folks' release. Beyond that, it's a question left for the viewer to answer themselves; I suspect she's at least moved on from this life, if nothing else, through her own actions.
sad ending!!
It was a sad ending but I'm glad that Ai managed to redeem herself after 400 years in the job.
But since Jigoku Tsuushin is still around, will the series be extended to another season...or this is The End...?
Two questions remain: what will the trio do but that they're free and no longer have to serve ojou-sama (which probably means the service will be less compasionate than it was), and am I the only one who found human Ai to be extremely cute? :)
The trio are free. I doubt they'll be hanging around in the sunset world now that Ai is not there anymore. They weren't tied to Hell in the first place. Their association was only with Ai.
One more question - would Ai have accepted a solution that DIDN'T end in her own death?
Not if the show wants to emphasise the importance of sacrifice to end bad blood. Ai was meant to die when she was bludgeoned to death by the villagers. In a way, she finally died the way she meant to. As opposed to rising back and wreck vengeance on them.
And wait a minute, in the ending, the conclusion states that jigoku shoujo does still exist after Ai's redemption?
Yes, I assume Kikuri takes over.
Garten: I meant 'what will they do now they're free - Hone-Onna has the ability to get new friends fairly easily, and a friend to save. Ren and Wanyoudo, on the other hand... who knows? Ren has someone to watch over, from a few eps back.
I'll miss her, though. She was a very cute human.
I'm not totally convinced that it will be Kikiru who will be sending people to hell(unless you have proof that she is doing it). It might be possible that Hotaru or even Tsugumi could be doing that job.
I have a feeling that the Spider/Jellyfish knew this was going to happen. That's why Kikuri showed up. They created someone they could control easily and perhaps it was the one who spurred Ai into taking Takuma's place. To show her how to end her long years of service and send her parents to heaven.
guys, do "Indigo Dye" or "Aizome" means to give up or to passed something to another.
what i mean is Ai passed her duty to Kikuri.
anyway. aizome means what?
haha. sorry i was really confused.
if i was takuma i will burned all The Townfolks "HATE THEM!!!!!"
why ai must die and being hited by townfolks
why ren and honne-onna don't save her
i don't undestand wanyuudo action
it is so sad to see ai died like that
glad to see takuma happy with his father
After reading your blog I changed my mind
I didn't pay enough attention and had thought Ai and her parents went to hell
But now, I think the opposite
It seemed like Ai went through some kind of test from the spider and got approved :)
She and her parents went to Heaven and the village folks, to hell
At first I thought it would be absurd because of what she did to the village, even though that was a deserved revenge to some, but she already went through Hell, but on Earth, and managed to pass the last test: Lovely Hills.
So, Happy Ending for her, in a way
About Kikuri, I think she was not the same being as the spider, but just a kind of spy for him (even if it is unconscious) after what Ai did in the first season. To the Jigoku Tsuushin crew, she was just a new member sent by hell, a trainee :)
About grandma, I think there's not much about her (but it would be good if there was) either. Just another employee of hell to help Ai or even the Webmaster of the Jigoku Tsuushin :)
I liked the ending. It was not a bang, but it is OK.
And without Ai I think that a 3rd season would be too much out of focus. No Ai, no Wanyuudo, Ren, Hone-Onna... (I doubt they'd help Kikuri)
Man, it's sad..... Why does Ai have to die that way... But she's cute when she smiles to Takuma before she got beaten up (you didn't screen cap that!) But then, she's always been cute, human, or emotionless Hell Girl... :P
Anyway, true, the ending was a bit off.... Something missing, like the last season... I don't mind the enigma, it's the animators' way of telling the story...
I think that Kikuri is Hell's spy to keep an eye on Ai after she blew a gasket on the Shibatas. Grandma Spider is her Godparent or something :P
For the Helpers, I like Hone and Wanyoudou's story, I don't see entertainment value in the piece of metal's episode...
Answer to your cherry question.
cherries are usually seen in pairs.
the writers used that as a representation.
thus the two cages are no more.
"I kind of wish that he had accidentally lit them as well though"
i'm so hoping for that too =_='
though i'm quite relieved for Takuma, as Garten san said, he really did deserved all the best...
anyway, thanks for reviewing Jigoku Shoujo till the end, i always love reading it
Hmm, I was quite unhappy with the ending... I agree that among the 3 dolls history, Hone-onna's the most interesting.. I really did not expected Ai to actually die like that.. But it does make sense in the end.. *still im unhappy*
This was in my mind after seeing Kikuri like that.. Was that, maybe Kikuri was that ugly 3-eyed-spider... Since it was the spider that all 3 dolls are afraid, and in the end it was another 3-eye thingy that stopped them...
Great efforts and thank you to Garten for posting such great post on Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori! Thanks!~~
*i think i noe why im unhappy about it, because they killed Ai, they left alot of question that i dun think i will have fun figuring out, i will miss the whole seasons for a long time..*
thank u again!~
Heh, well we never know there might be a third season. I mean the ending seems like a cliffhanger to me. I'm actual slightly suprised that the sepeculation about Ai being replaced was true. Until episode 25 I though it was just another completely off speculation.
Thanks for your hard work. I am really glad that Takuma was good until the end and got a good ending. For a little boy, easily impressionable, he did hold his ground for 4 episodes, despite all the hatred around him.God bless the boy! You know, I was beginning to think they would make him Jigoku shounen or something as a successor to Jigoku shoujo. as pure as a child he is. Seichi got extremely unlucky and I will miss the trio helpers-Hone, Ren and Wanyuudo...I really always have disliked Kikuri and hope she didnt end up to be hell gal at the end, please no...well, finally, well done to you
I cried at the end of this episode, I couldn't help it. When Ai was getting murdered, it felt like my heart was being ripped out.
That being said, it was a good ending to the series. I hope that there is another one, just to show who the new Jikoku Shoujo is.
Hey Garten ! what version of WinNy do you use ? I downloaded the english but have no clue on how to use it >( .............. I wanted to download Claymore before it hitted youtube but it was to late ......
There is no guide on the english version ....I guess I should have taken the jp 1 ......awwww
Kaze, it's 2b66. It's the Japanese one.
Hey Garten sorry to bother you again but yeah ...I downloaded the japanese version ...But I don't have the noderef list ! Do you know where I can get a list ?
Your initial comment about "...this show's idea of justice doesn't match well with my idea of justice..." is, I believe, exactly the point of this show.
Justice as portrayed in each story is really the main character and plots and characters of this show are really the 2ndry cast used to facilitate "Justice's" development.
Without being aware of the direction the writers take the 2nd half of this season, it seems that what this show is really about is thin slicing justice and asking each of us some basic questions such as "Did the punishment fit the crime?" But in addition to that obvious question, I think this show is really good at asking far more interesting and slippery questions... not about whether you thought the end result was right or wrong... rather, who's justice are we seeing here?
Lets assume for a minute that justice is not an absolute constant that can be relied upon like a dictionary but is instead a variable that changes depending on the situation. We can agree that assualt and robbery is bad but 1000 years ago, you could lose a hand for thieving whereas today you get counciling and community service. What about psychological pain? Is that or is that not equal to or even greater than physical pain? Who judges the crime in that situation? Can a psychologist determine the level of mental anguish you experienced and recommend a punishment to a judge? Or, is it more fair to let the victim decide what the punishment should be? Before you retort with arguments about how society can function only when common...blah, blah, blah, read on.
Consider the two extreme reactions that the audience can register for each story:
1. Every antagonist deserved punishment.
2. No antagonist deserved punisment.
We are most of us lying somewhere in the middle but I would be shocked if on that scale, we all sat at the exact same spot. If you and your friend had to judge each other for the same crime, would your punishments be the same? Even as a society functioning under a uniform justice system, there remains great variety to what we think is the "right" punishment for a given crime.
Death Girl's punishment was "a one size fits all retribution making it an inflexible blunt instrument" one can argue but the victim is always given a choice not to pull the string and even when they pull the string, I think it's all too easily forgotten that the victim has sent themselves to hell (in due time) as well. Ask yourself, what if you were a God or perhaps the biblical Solomon? From a God's viewpoint, the fact that two graves are dug, may in the end, provide all the justification I need to declare that the "books" are in balance and that all that is "owed" has been paid.
My final thought is this: assume that each story represents an alternate universe where the punishment perfectly fits the crime. Sounds like you'd have to warp your mind pretty hard to "see" the justice right? Now ask yourself whether everyone would see it the way you do.
why did ai have to die? its so sad. But at least she reunited with her parents.
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so no more jigoku shoujo...waaahh...
A good and sad ending...can someone tell me where to download Jigoku Shoujo episodes in WMV format???
Unfortunately, I think that Ai went to hell. Her parents were freed, but I'm guessing her sins weren't completely forgiven. Which would make sense that Kikuri was talking to that small cherry. Also, I think it would make sense that she would mention about Ai's "choice" or "decision". What I think happened was she made a decision, and now, instead of sending people to hell, she'd be going to hell herself, in exchange for the freedom of her parents.
Hi Kaze, it's been a while since I got my noderef so I can't exactly remember its location. However, I sent my noderef to you if you want to use it.
Yeah. It has a sad ending. Im positivie that Kikuri-chan is going to take Ai-sama's place as Jigoku Shoujo. +_+
My heart feels empty. because of what happened to Ai.
.......
If she isn't going to be JS and there will be an OVA series or sequel, I wouldn't watch it.
well, Tsugumi appeared out of nowhere, then vanished in thin air, only to show us that she's in contact with Kikuri somehow... she even said "did you call me?"...
so, what happened to Hajime? did he die?? and why does Tsugumi have the "I appear in the right moment to deliver the right words" kind of powers?
I wouldn't think they'd do a third season of JS, I think the theme was tried and well worn out... but if they do, I'd bet they'd use Tsugumi in there somehow in order to connect the plotholes we've seen...
Tsugumi as the new Jigoku Shoujo?? I wouldn't discard it...
Did anyone notice that we never actually see Tsugumi and Kikuri together, only through the use of mirrors. The camera pans up from Tsugumi to the mirrors and pans back down to the same spot and now its Kikuri standing there.
That going along with Tsugumi just appearing with all the answers raises some strange questions about what happened to her (dead?) and what she is up to now.
The posibility that Kikuri is really Tsugumi but with her heart sealed off like Ai is within the range of possible.
As for how this could possibly happen. We do know Tsugumi had a strange connection to Ai from season 1 and her father made some sort of deal with the Grandmother that we never hear. Maybe a "give me your first born child" deal?
I don't know there are too many holes to know anything for sure. Probably never know. I kind of doubt there will be a 3rd season, despite how much I want there to be one, the story is kind of run down. I doubt they could pull off another season without it being a big disappointment.
Maybe the manga, if its still running or any good, fills in the gaps.
I had a feeling that Ai was sent to hell as well in the form of the cherry, while her parents were freed, as there were two lots of lights, one white and one green? Or perhaps, Ai had a chance to be reborn?
Ai's death was her freedom from her own hell, which was being the Jigoku Shoujo. She was naturally kind and innocent, and probably had regrets from burning down her villiage. The parallel-like situation with Takuma is probably a 2nd chance for her to fix things up. She wouldn't have been able to continue on as she did anyway, in a near-death body. She was in so much pain.
Tsugumi and Kikuri did seem to be connected, like they were the same person. As they only talked to each other through mirrored reflections. Also, Tsugumi's appearance and disappearance seems to be spritual.
Tsugumi is related to Ai also by the fact that her ancestor is the cousin of Ai. So there are blood ties, as much there can be over 400 years. Though, we're assuming that the Tsugumi we saw is still alive and not dead earlier.
Kikuri seems to be like a semi-puppet of the spider's, but, I doubt that she is the spider herself. She is far "too human", at least, she cared for Ai. However, at the end with the scene with her and the cherry, it seems like she was older than what she appears to be. Or at least, more mature than what she's generally portrayed to be. She even thanks Ai for her hard work.
I think Wanyuudou was originally human, but I will have to watch the episode again. He was the driver of a princess' courage that fell. However, his spirit then possessed a wheel.
As to a 3rd season, Ai has already said that it was 'The End' before her death. Well, these are just all my own speculations. I'm curious as to how the manga will try and answer the questions, if at all, since it's an adaptation of the anime.
Curious about kikuri.. if it has to be continue.. wish it something related to her..
is tsugumi and hajime dead?
there's still some question that are unanswered....
well, is there anybody of you know where caan i download the jigoku shoujo manga?
well, I thought it was clear that the favor Grandma asked Hajime to do, was writing a book about Enma Ai (which is the book the detective in Futakomori used to figure things out)... maybe I got that bit wrong... and actually, doesn't Tsugumi tell the detective "that book was written just for you"???
and Wanyuudo was indeed the driver of the carriage.. he felt he failed the princess for not being a good driver, which resulted in the princess' death, therefore his grief turned him into that wheel spirit that constantly was doing the same route all over again...
as for the white and green beams... I felt the white beam were her parents being freed, then the green ones were Ai's hatred and grudge towards the townspeople who killed her parents... so, Enma Ai released her grudge by letting the "modern" townspeople kill her and forgiving them afterwards... she killed her own grudge, which freed her parents...
as for the cherry going to hell... it wouldn't have been that hard to have the actual Enma Ai in the boat being ferried eith Kikuri... the reason it was only the cherry it's because, I feel, was just a symbol of her... let's just say the cherry was the Jigoku Shoujo essence (remember Enma Ai is not her real name, that was her name as JS, but as a human she had another name)...
it would make a bit of sense, as the Jigoku Shoujo essence is going back to hell to be used by someone else, the new person in charge of the Hotline to hell..
just my thoughts...
For a while, I also thought that Hajime's favour to Grandma was to write the book -- but I suspect now that the favour may have been something far more sinister, given Hajime's run-down look during his guest appearance. As for "that book was written for you" comment, I think that's just an enigmatic way of saying that the detective was "fated" to find Hajime's book. If you recall from Season One, the doomed artist also said something similar to Hajime, that the article he wrote about Enma Ai was meant for Hajime.
I am of the opinion that Kikuri IS the Hell Spider, or more accurately, a manifestation of the Hell Spider. I am also of the opinion that the entire season had been an elaborate trap for Ai. That's why Kikuri is constantly meddling in the background -- she's deliberately making things difficult for Ai. The intention, it appears, was to FORCE Ai into a situation where she is forced to disobey her orders once again, and thus make it possible for the Hell Spider to take direct action against her. (This could, perhaps, be the Ai's long overdue punishment for her first rebellion at the end of Season 1.)
I also get the feeling that Ai knew Kikuri's true identity and purpose from the start. She might have known that her time of reckoning was just around the corner, but chose to meet her fate nonetheless.
I agree with Sui in that Ai was finally released from her duties as the Jigoku Shoujo because of her final act of matyrdom. Her second death was an eerie echo of her first death, but the crucial difference is that she willingly endures the cruelty this time round, instead of cursing the townsfolk, like she did to the villagers 400 years ago. If you think about it, this could be her karma -- in a way, it's almost as though the dead villagers were exacting their revenge upon Enma Ai through the crazed townsfolk of Lovely Hills (I wonder if that name is a sly reference to Silent Hill?).
In any case, everything comes full circle with Ai's second death. By releasing her grudge, and by saving Takuma from a similar fate, Ai finally broke the vicious cycle of karmic vengeance, and thus freed herself from her duties as the Jigoku Shoujo. If you see it from this perspective, it's not really such a sad ending after all, is it? What you are left with however, is a tremendous feeling of loss and injustice because of the way Ai died the second time round. In my mind, that's a good thing. It reminds us that for every gain, there is always a loss, a sacrifice. That is what it means to be human. That's why I feel that a bittersweet ending is a fitting conclusion to this series. A happy ending would have left me feeling cheated instead! ^^;
What happens to Ai's helpers? Do they become mortal? Cuz it seemed to me as if they didn't get a happy ending, and I liked them a lot.
Jigoku Shoujo just isn't the same without Ai... who else can pull off that quite voice and the catch phrase "Ippen shinde miru?" at the end?
But I am glad that she saved Takuma from the same fate that she suffered. It's almost like she was saying sorry to Sentarou and forgiving him.. almost.
I also sense a 3rd season; why else would they have that cellphone scene in the hospital? It'll probably be a new girl, with a new set of servants. But I hope it's not Kikuri, cuz she's so creepy and WEIRD... and she's just plain evil.
I rally think that there would be a 3rd season or an OVA. I think there's a new Hell Girl but she will probably summon Enma Ai or something for help. Tsugumi or Kikuri would be a good replacement as Jigoku SHoujo
Just finished watching Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori.. my opinion is that they won't come up with a 3rd season. they just cannot go on with the story without making it seem ridiculous. but, me too, cannot figure out what this ending could mean... the message that was sent to the cellphone of this girl... and another thing.. what about the grandmother? when the sister of that detective got to hell and screamed cause she saw her.. i mean, they cannot let it end like that??
i think tsugumi as the new jigoku shoujo would not fit.. kikuri as well. ai is dead, her three helpers have got the chance to start a new life.. the anime just has to end here. but well, maybe the manga will clear everything.
and one thing, to comment on this sentence: ".this show's idea of justice doesn't match well with my idea of justice"
i guess as a quite normal person without really (!) hating anybody we cannot comprehend why all the protagonists give theire lives just to send somebody to hell. just being bereft of your girl- or boyfriend, or the very expensive cellphone you just got to your birthday won't do, of course... but ask a child, whichs parents were traversed by a drunk right in front of its eyes, or parents which child was raped and killed. i guess theire hatred is so very deep that they do not care about theire own life anymore, because it does not make sense like that anyway. they cannot go on living with this burden. the only thing they care about, is to avenge and cause that person as much pain as possible. and what else would do than eternal agony in hell? i think the majority of the different storys told in these 52 episodes fit to that thought... killed dogs, cats, parents or friendship.. beings and things that are most valued by humans.
to come to an end: i really love jigoku shoujo and its one of the rare best anime ive ever seen.. im not really totally satisfied, but i think this has something of the neon genesis feeling: everybody has to find a proper ending himself, everything is open, everything is possible... ;-)
and with that... greets from germany
i like the ending. I think i understand why her death was like that.
For me, i think that when she turned into cherryblossoms then into snow, it depicted the image of death and melancholy. She left memories in the form of a cherry which Kikuri carried with her. Also, i'm definitely sure that there will be a third season of this anime coz it would be very stupid to leave that thing(the message from hell girl) without giving a specific reason why, which only means that the director wanted to tell us that it's not yet over...
more power from Girl From hell and i'm looking forward to the third season if there will be, which i hope there will...
-Ai Enma
It has a sad ending but--------------I think that it all worked out for the best.......
Actually, Wannuyudo also used to be human right? He was the driver and then he turned into the fiery wheel thing. If you look closely at the driver it's a young version of him. So it's only Ren who used to be a non-human thing.
And...about Tsugumi and her father...I thought they were let off by Ai!! The whole "i have no clue where Hajime is now" is freaky!!! And the daughter looking sad?! Argh!
Also I'm not sure if it's the subtitles that are wrong here but at the last scene with the three helpers, the subtitle then said "shopping in hell huh? how ironic" after Honne-Onna said she would go out to town...er. This isn't a "wolf's rain" thing with Earth being Hell itself...right?
Thanks for blogging this, I resorted to reading it here for episode 25 because it was just too painful to watch.
Hey, the last episode was cool.Iliked Enma a lot.She was so lovely
i love this show so much, both season 1 and 2 and i love Ai she's so cute and adorable and we have the same name .....
We saw hell in the last episode...
Actually if you guys take notice of the ending, the city which the 3 helpers split off is actually hell. Because when Hone Onna said that she wants to go shopping, Ren said "Shopping in hell, how ironic", this indicates that they're actually in hell already. Also if you notice the sky in that city, it is overcast, and no one taking shelter(another weak indicator that this world is not likely to be a human world)
Looks like hell is not that bad after all(just like earth), but for those who thought that earth is hell, after they go to hell, it is still hell for them.
I'm definitely really late here, but for those who are confused about the Grandmother and why Hotaru screamed when she saw her, wasn't it shown in the first season that the Grandmother is actually a big spider and the silhouette through the paper wall is just an illusion? I sure as heck would scream if I found out that I'd been talking to a spider.
Actually, there is Jigoku Shoujo Season 3. Maybe, because, look, Ai died but there is still grudges. Just look at the phone! Oh well, if you guys can't wait, watch the live action series.
I finish the whole thing and did Ai just turn into takuma's mom or what. In the third to last picture, she looks extremely like Ai. I guess she died and her next life would be Takuma's mom.
the ending was really sad. i cried when ai died. they talk about an "answer" but i think i missed the question. and i'm not really sure what the cherry means.
i don't think there will be a third season. yes, the girl received a message from jigoku shoujo, but i think this is only to show that there are still people who want to send somebody to hell.
Do u still remember the first ep of this Futakomori when the spider said to Ai that her revenge "has given birth to the new resentment" so that as long as the "resentment" still exist,she has to do this duty as a punishment.
Ai exacted her revenge because of the grudge she holds toward the villagers, the unwilling to die and she even blamed those who did cruels thing at her "it's not my fault" though she's the one who seems like accept her fate at the beginning,thus,she hold "Grudge" in herself and created "Sin" by her actions. Even when became a Jigoku Shoujo,she has never let go of her "Grudge".
As in the 1st ending,she opened her heart and release her grudge trying to eliminate others in order to not let them kill her once again,she again unwilling to die, in the 2nd ending when she opened her heart again but willing to give herself sacrifice for others . As long as she keep her heart close and endure the "grugde" inside,her sin still exist. Ai finally realized it,realize she is her own hell and let go of her hatred,she wasn't affected as in the 1st ending but it's her own choice,Ai's answer.
i think the cherry represents emma ai..... maybe ai turns into a cherry....
hei i think jigoku tsuushin still exist without enma ai.maybe the girl that received a haunted message is from a new hellgirl.i think jigoku tsuushin exist with handphone.they dont have to use computer but handphone.i think the new hellgirl is Tsugumi.if you watch this anime on animax ,did you hear 'i will deliver this vengeance'the voice seem like Tsugumi's.
People...
In Japan season 3 is Out.
No kidding. Friend took a pic.
And remember in the beggining of the show Wanyudo says something about "trapped on opposite sides of the mirror to deliver your vengeance'? I think that's what happened with Tsugumi and Kikuri (the mirror part).
And another thing,
Did the straw dolls become HUMAN? somebody answer!
I'll be going to Japan soon, so if there's anything you guys will be the first ta know, and i might be giving spoilers, since i could read write and speak =)
So... Maybe, it could be a two person thing, running the hell business.
oh i need to know something reallly badly..
can somebody please please tell me what actually happened to Enma 400 years back? Her history i mean.
I tried finding everywhere. Crappy @.@.
Thanks. Honto ni onegai shimasu.
I just watched the final episode on Animax last night and there's this one question regarding the last scene which was totally weird.
In the scene where Takuma visited the sleeping Hotaru (only confirmed that it is her after reading this review) - was that he called her 'mom'. Was it a translation error??
Lol. Who else can confirm that this actually happened? (It was the dubbed version)
i was not really satisfied with the ending..
i hate it because enma ai died..
who will be the next hellgirl..
is it kikuri.?
and who is the one that send the message to a girl in the last part..
and what will happen to the trio..
are they going to live forever..
and who really is kikuri..
so many unanswered questions..
i hope that there will be a season 3 of this anime..
Takuma and Enma, kawaii
Uhuh..quiet not satisfied..where will ai go?n i truly can't accept other hell girl besides ai..where will ren go??are the three of them stay alive like that??but i truly admired ai..its a good ending for takumi but not for the whole story..
I guess the worst kind of situation we can get for Jigoku shoujo 3 is Kikuri as the new Jigoku shoujo...and three new straw dolls...If this happens then i will look at episode 1 first and then decide if its acceptable or not...But i dont really think they would do that since all the fans are really used to Enma Ai, Hone Onma, Wanyuudou and Ichimoku Ren (on Veoh its especially Ren!!)
There's a season 3 coming so hopefully it'll answer some of the questions.
that has got to be the saddest ending ive seen in all animes! yet at the same time im happy for ai...
this whole series is just a tragedy...really for depressed people! but the ending does leaving everyone hanging....but an excellent series overall
I do believe Ai will return in season 3. Maybe not as a Jigoku Shoujo but a counter one. Or she will do her job again. But she will return. Btw, after many things happen in last episode, even if she still be a Jigoku Shoujo she won't keep her attitude in season 1 and 2. I'm looking forward to seeing her attitude in season 3.
I heard a rumor that the new jigoku shoujo is kikuri...is it true???
i have a good news to all! i have heard what people's talking about season 3 of the girl from hell futakumori it will be aired around this october! i hope this is true but there is a strong demand that ai will be back again in this season 3!.
Yes, its confirmed. Ai is back with whole gang with an additonal one boy whose straw doll color is yellow. "Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae" will start on October 4.
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