Saishuu Heiki Kanojo Vol.5

Created/Updated 2003-04-05



Animephile Rating: D (6.0)


Comments:

One word. Terrible!

They totally messed up this wonderful work. I've only reread upto volume 4, so it's possible that I missed it, but Chise never tried to save anyone but Shuuji. There was no attempt, or even thoughts of protecting the village from the "end." It was simply an "end." There was nothing to protect it from.

The anime ending is ridiculous. It hides the realism of the "end," and is therefore completely devoid of what made the manga ending so wonderfully painful. Chise has worked hard --and that's a monumental understatement-- to save Shuuji. She's become a ship. The image of the fallen earth seen as the "ship" leaves the planet is missing in the anime.

And the final conversation between Chise and Shuuji, which is meant to provoke the feeling of joy (as two are together finally) and an overwhelming pain at the same time, is also missing. As they leave the planet, little conversations between the two about Shuuji being hungry and Chise forgetting about the fact that he needs food to survive; and Chise saying, "Don't worry. I'll take care of it." is missing. It is meant to be an open-ended ending that remains realistic.

Oh and on a slightly lighter(?) note, one of my favorite scenes in the manga is missing from the anime. When they elope, they get a ride from the military transport. I really loved that scene because it was very funny. Shuuji was worried that the troop might recognize Chise, Chise thought they wouldn't, and all the soldiers were scared to death of Chise. They obviously knew it was Chise, but were in absolute belief that if they spoke out, Chise would kill them all.

Anyway, this officially marks the end of my GONZO purchases. Unless they clean up their act big time, my simple rule will be (Produced by GONZO == I don't buy).

Note that Volume.5 comes with set of 5 postcards as limited edition item.


Back to Saishuu Heiki Kanojo Index Page
Back to Animephile Homepage