True Tears 13 (finale) – A masterpiece

True tears has to be the anti-thesis of School days. Where the hearts of the SD cast were darkened and eventually overcome by evil, TT is a heartening tale of souls battling for love and finally triumphant against cruel circumstances (read - siscon). It's a beautiful coming of age tale where every major character attain a meaningful milestone in their emotional maturity.

For this striped megurumi, Hiromi is the undisputed star of the show. She garners the most development, far outstripping Noe and Shin in the concluding episodes, to become one of the most endearing bishoujo in anime-dom. Surprisingly, her key charm is her imperfection. Kabitzin says it best in this comment.

Hiromi is not perfect, which is probably her major appeal. Hiromi is able to face her flaws, and I think of her as a major vehicle for the themes of the show. How many of us are so perfect, consistent, and eloquent? Given her extremely awkward situation, I think Hiromi did as well as you could expect anyone to do...

It's also sad how many anime couples stagnate after getting together as if that's the destination when it's the mere start of an even more challenging journey. But True tears break that mold with Hiromi's continual growth even after Shin affirmed his feelings for her. In fact, things started to heat up even more with Hiromi exhibiting signs of insecurity after that where previously she was fatalistic towards forging a relationship with Shin (Ah the sweet siscon plot device!).

Indeed, ep 13 is a powerful ep because it depicts aspects of love that some people will never grasp in their life. Hiromi exhibited one such facet by releasing Shin to wrap up his involvement with Noe, knowing full well that he may never return. Many don't realise that love is knowing when to let go sometimes. I was also glad that Shin was able to make the distinction between inspiration and love since RL folks often confuse that especially if the female involved is Noe-classed bishoujo.

In the end, everyone's a winner. Jun comes out of his closet to cure himself of siscon, Noe overcomes that emotional barrier to regain her tears and Shin/Hiromi grew to become mature lovers, capable of hosting a lasting/wonderful relationship. I can't think of many series that has such complete character closure.

Truly a masterpiece. Awaiting the DVDs.

True Tears 12 – Hiromi, almost Shirakawa Kotori

There are a few absolutes I hold dear and fast in my anime world: Mahoro would always be my favourite maid, Nemu my top imouto and Kotori my eternal bishoujo. Today, one of these uncompromising pillars of faith was shaken. Hiromi came this. very. close. to toppling Kotori as my top bishoujo.

This ep reminded me a lot of DCSS ep 15 where Kotori's heart was trampled upon thoughtlessly by the retarded Junichi. Yes, Kotori was absolutely breathtaking in her yukata too as Hiromi was stunning in her kimono this ep. When I caught True tears raw 2 days ago, my heart shattered. Thanks to my Japanese ineptitude (I only understood 70% of the dialogue), I thought PA Works was going to battle against the story flow for that shocking Noe X Shin ending. Hiromi's strength and maturity in confronting Noe heightened both this pain and my love to the point it ALMOST exceeded my worship for my love-cursed eternal goddess. Thankfully the sub cleared the air. (The 30% set the nuances critical in interpreting Shin and Noe's true motivations.) It's going to be a Hiromi end as Mentar prophesies. (Unless the writers screw up the end which I sincerely doubt.)

While I disapprove of Shin's lie to Hiromi after the Mugiha dance, I respect his desire to right things with Noe, acknowledging that Shin owes his reborn spirit to her. I hope when Shin looks back as a famous illustrator and a blissfully married man (to Hiromi of course), he would give thanks to Noe for his all.

As for Noe, I'm not sure if the pain of broken bones from jumping off a tree would return her tears. I really hope it'd be Jun to return Noe her tears. After all, it would only be a fair trade since Jun has released years of pent-up tears for Noe. If Noe had found Hiromi's tears beautiful, I wonder what she thinks of Onii-chan's tears. It's interesting that though both Jun and Hiromi cried because they finally gave in to their hearts, Hiromi does so out of hope while Jun's tears is a result of his despair from losing the fight to his siscon tendencies. Ah such is the bittersweetness of forbidden love.

Ironically, if Hiromi DOES lose in the finale, she'd surely overthrow Kotori. Ack, the dilemma! A new queen for Stripey's bishoujo charts or a consistently great romance with a fitting end? Why does True Tears torture me so?!

True Tears 11 – Story > Character love = Shin X Hiromi

Shin seemed to be getting a lot of flak for not looking happier with Hiromi's kiss. Speaking from experience, One shouldn't look too elated kissing another when still officially hitched. At least, any man with a shred of integrity shouldn't. I don't blame Shin. He doesn't yet know that he has technically been dumped. Well, maybe freed is closer to the truth. I love Noe for such display of selfless love. Personally, there's no greater showing of love than to release the objection of all your affections for pursuing greater happiness. It's counter-intuitive, altruistic and love at a great cost. Although, I'm not sure if the ordeal has fried a little of Noe's circuits since she was giving me Kaede vibes while marching Jibeta to his imminent kamikaze. I hope Noe doesn't literally go over the edge next ep.

As for lovely lovely Hiromi. Ah, such deft toes. I like girls with dexterous toes. For some reason, they tend to be very pretty but feisty girls. Someone from the Human Genome project should look into the possible correlation. (Imagine the most flattering line you can say to a girl in future to be, "Ah, what nimble toes you have!") I enjoyed that sneaky kiss very much. Hiromi is the Shirakawa Kotori Da Capo fans needed - a little more forceful and selfish. Less perfect surely but a great deal more human and endless drama potential. Several have voiced their mild displeasure about the fanservicey scenes in her room. Frankly the scenes are there to show her newfound freedom and to reinforce her non-squimish nature as she frolicks with her underclothes, nude. And I'm of the opinion uninhibited girls like Hiromi make wonderful lovers. XD

I only have one concern in this ep and that is the critical flashbacks that Shin has of Noe while with Hiromi. Some see this as a glimmer of hope for a Noe end. I hope not. Not because of I don't love Noe or I'm traditionally a Shin X Hiromi supporter. Like Owen S, I belong to the puritanical camp which believes that the well-being of a story takes precedence over character love. It's not so much the character we love most that should snag the guy but the girl whom the TALE has been crafted to support. Credible character charm must be born of a coherent story. To sacrifice story flow and consistency just to pander to greater bishoujo support would be a great disservice to the cast and cheapen the characters, including the bishoujo in question. Currently, there is a strong inertia for a Shin X Hiromi ending. With 2 eps it would be hard to thwart that momentum. Though possible, executing it would take herculean effort and masterful storytelling. I'd rather the writers channel their energies to wrap up the existing storythreads with care and excellence.

As for Jun. Alright, I confess. I'm secretly hoping for a Noe X Jun ending not because I'm a terribly misunderstood siscon but because my support has been typically for the couple that can muster the greatest amount of love. And no one, NO ONE loves Noe more than Jun. Shin? Not. even. close. I think the coolest dude in the series should get a lucky break some time.

Looking forward to Kabitzin's facepalm.

True Tears 10 – Who is Raigomaru?

I agree with Omni. This great ep has the makings of a fine finale for True Tears. With Aiko and Noe bowing out graciously and the climatic restitution of the Shin/Hiromi relationship, I wouldn’t have minded if True Tears ended on this note despite not closing the other storythreads, even Jun’s delicious siscon tale. Stiill having 3 eps to consolidate Shin/Hiromi love and fully resolve the Jun/Noe conundrum, would be a great bonus. I just hope the writers don’t think they can pull off a Canvas2-esque ending as unlike Canvas2, thwarting the powerful Shin/Hiromi inertia would result in a forced ending like Kiminozo. Instead, efforts should be poured into curing Jun of siscon and Noe of her tearless condition.

True Tears 09 – Gracious love

There are few pains in the romantic realm that can rival the searing knowledge that the one you love, hearts another. Noe was admirable this episode. From her astute perception of Shin's true affections to her gentle guidance in leading Shin to Hiromi, Noe has shown herself to be a lady worthy of the highest veneration. I know there's a great deal of sympathy currently for Noe but for those who truly loves her, the sympathy should be matched in magnitude with relief since her fledging relationship with Shin was born of less than honourable intents from the machinations of Jun and immaturity of Shin. Surely our lovely Noe deserves more than that?

Hiromi was awesome too. Her warming of hands via the burning bike is a testament to how unpretentious she is. The lack of the typical Japanese gentle bishoujo's manufactured modesty, which is reinforced by her undressing tactic to drive out the meddling Shin in a later scene, is definitely refreshing. Her magnanimity in the prompt acceptance of Mrs Nakagami's reconciliatory overtures is also praiseworthy.

While this ep appears to reinforce a Hiromi end, it could also well be the eye of a storm given that PA works still have 4 episodes to weave in more intense drama. Until Mrs Nakagami's issue with Mrs Yuasa comes into the clear, I'll never fully absolve Hiromi and Shin of sibling-hood. For all we know, Shin is actually Mrs Nakagami and Mr Yuasa's illicit child which would also explain Mrs Nakagami's excessive emphasis on Shin carrying the Nakagami torch for the dance.

Aiko doesn't appear this ep and I've been wondering since ep 8 what her involvement for the rest of the series would be like. Probably her influence would be exerted through the evolving friendship between Shin and Nobuse. Nobuse is a good man and has won my respect in the recent eps. Aiko would do well to be with him though we know that in matters of the heart, oddly it usually isn't the best man who wins.

I'm still waiting for that Jun confession to Noe.

True Tears 08 – Mix and match

Maybe Jun is short for Junichi after all Hiromi is a less perfect version of Kotori and Noe is almost as cute as Nemu Nemu is almost as cute as Noe... Sadly Jun-nii is not the center of affections of either fantabulous girls but.. wait a min, Shin-nii.... Is this your answer to DCSS, PA works? *Bows down in worship*

The boys of True Tears have managed to shine as brightly as their female counterparts with this ep. Jun forges ahead with siscon rehab, paving the path of happiness for his beloved sister at a heavy cost. Shinichiro, with the integrity of a tanuki, turns down the Aiko buffet and chooses siscon friendship. Miyokichi sets down his male pride and shows us what it means to love. I believe True tears continue to amaze because it doesn't only have a great bishoujo cast but admirable male leads to carry the show. In fact, the girls of the show seem less than perfect when compared to the girls of other series in the same genre which is fine by me since in RL I consider myself somewhat of a chauvinist (for the lack of a better word). I believe the man in the relationship must be the more magnanimous, the emotionally more matured so that you can take the crap of your hime-samas truly care for/protect your love. I suppose this explains why I'm able to love spoiled characters like Louise so much despite the excessive tsuntsun.

Dsong made an interesting comment about falling Hiromi stocks. But for someone who came to love Kaede only after her arc in SHUFFLE, Hiromi also grew on me with this ep. I love my woman kind and gentle but that doesn't mean they need to be doormats and Hiromi has exhibited herself to be very capable to retaliating when push comes to shove. Moreover I admire deeply women who are tenacious about their loves and Hiromi has exhibited such a love with the jealous outbursts this ep. Oh yes, a good jealousy (ie one without possessiveness) is always delicious.

Yet, good times are coming to an end. The Raigomaru story is a foreshadowing of terrible times to come and he literally perches on the precipice of death. The prep for flight has been smooth and uneventful but the cast will realise that chickens are simply not made for flight as some relationships are not meant to be. People asks, "What's wrong with Noe and Shin?" Nothing really, except that Shin and Hiromi feels more RIGHT with them being closer in soul, given Shin's longstanding love for Hiromi (and vice versa).

Can't wait to see if Jun takes the Hiromi cure for siscon next ep.

True Tears 07 – Cruel love

It's going to be a Shin X Hiromi finish and I'm coming from a storyboarding point of view here. Noe and Shin's getting together at this time for all the wrong reasons tells me their relationship is going to end prematurely. Nonetheless, it is a vital checkpoint in the story as their relationship will now be the fulcrum point for all other plot developments. We note that it has already triggered Ai action and in the next ep - a possible Jun and Hiromi relationship. With only 6 eps to go, it'd make sense to devote 2 eps to sort out the Ai mess, another 2 to resolve the Jun/Noe conundrum and the closing 2 eps for a Shin X Hiromi finale. Of course a good storyteller would weave all these storythreads concurrently into a coherent tale and I expect nothing less than an epic tale of a love given how spectacular these 7 eps has been.

It was painful to watch Shin confess to Noe. He must have convinced himself that he was merely responding to the affections of an incredibly cute girl but the audience knows better - the doomed relationship is founded on his love for Hiromi. I have mentioned it before. There is nothing, NOTHING more cruel than proxy love. I hope Jun doesn't make the same mistake with Hiromi. It's fine if Jun seeks Hiromi out as a friend for siscon rehabilitation but anything beyond that, he'd be worse than Makoto-scum.. well almost. That said, I'm also full of sympathy for him. Of those with unreached feelings in this series, he has taken it the farthest and the degree of suppression reflects the extent of the self-inflicted cruelty. The words, ".... (we) cannot not change...." must have been meant for himself.

Well at least one with unreached feelings broke the curse, though communicated in one of the worst ways possible. Man, how are you supposed to react when your best friend's girlfriend makes moves on you? Worse, she's supposedly a good platonic friend too. Myself, I'd kiss back, Ai is too darn cute! Her line, "Onegai, watashi no koto wo mite yo..." has to be the saddest in this episode. Ai continues to be the pioneer in the series, being the first to make the mistake of misappropriating her love, first to realise the cruelty of her ways and attempt a breakup, first to break the taboo and relay her true feelings. Of course I'd expect her to be the first real casualty in the series even though she's the 2nd to shed tears. Much like Suzumiya Akane in Kiminozo, she's not even a contender to Shin's heart. Yeah, I dare you PA works, prove me wrong!

Speaking of tears, I wonder who would Noe shed tears for finally - Shin after he utterly tramples on her heart by revealing his deep love for Hiromi or Jun after realising the immeasurable pain of his siscon. I can't wait to see Noe cry.