I really do marvel at SUNRISE's amazing juggle of the huge cast and the intricate plot. The last few eps had indeed weaved the many story threads together, giving shape to a potent plot. These same eps also hosted tremendous character development as none of the HiMEs (save for Midori) are who they were 3 eps ago. Despite Sunrise excellent track record in MH, I can't help but feel apprehensive about its impending conclusion. There's still a great deal of ground to cover in merely 4 eps and having just seen Vision of Escaflowne (a 1996 Sunrise production) just weeks ago, I'm mortally afraid that they would squander the fantastic plot and characters they have painstaking built/nurtured with a half-baked finale. Given the popularity of MH, a less-than-satisfactory ending would almost certainly guarantee Sunrise animators' death by wet towel flogging* (cr: Mentar) Of course, if they managed to pull off a good finish, Mai HiME would no doubt be ushered into the hall of venerated anime series. Anime heaven or hell. We find out in 4 eps.

*Wet towel flogging: An ancient torture applied only to offenders of the severest of crimes towards humanity (for example not regularly updating your blog or producing the anime series, Ikkitousen).