It was fitting that I rewatched Kita e - Diamond Dust Drops this week, living in a frozen wasteland and all. When I woke up this morning, my outdoor thermometer was registering -8 degrees F. For those of you living in the civilized world, that’s -22 degrees C. I saw something when I stepped outside, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t diamond dust. I think it was my eyeballs freezing.
Anyway, while watching the final episode last night, I was reminded of how valuable epilogues are in tying together even the most disjointed of shows. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Diamond Dust Drops, the series tells the stories of six different women, unrelated except for the fact they all live in Hokkaido. The only common element tying their stories together, really, is the subject of diamond dust. Well, that and Squid Boy.
In the final episode, however, each heroine descends on the city of Sapporo on the same snowy winter day, only to see a rare display of diamond dust together in the show’s final minutes. All things considered, it’s kind of a corny ending. But it’s a good ending, and it gives the show a sense of purpose that would have otherwise been missing had there been no epilogue at all.
Which brings to mind a conversation I had the same evening with Wonderduck on the subject of Uta Kata. He couldn’t make it through the first episode of the show, and asked, “What am I missing?” I didn’t have a good answer, to be honest. And I pointed to my final comments on the series as evidence that I didn’t have a good answer back when it first aired, either.
But that was before the show’s final OAV episode was released. Even though the television broadcast did an acceptable job wrapping up the show’s story, it wasn’t until I watched the “where are they now” OAV that I felt like I truly understood what that story was all about. It wasn’t a matter of the OAV resolving hanging plot points, however. It was a matter of closure. And with that closure, the skies cleared, the sun shone through, and I was able to see the show for what it was, laid bare and out in the open. All it took was one extra episode.
Unfortunately, many shows never make room for “one extra episode”. Or they relegate the contents of one extra episode to two minutes in the background as the final credits roll. I understand the economics of anime on television, of course; there are only so many episodes to work with. But I wish more production committees would put as much time and effort into closing out a show as they do launching it. Give epilogues their due.
Of course, there’s something to be said for prologues, too. I know I labeled Sola as absolutely forgettable and all, but the special prologue episode on the show’s final DVD volume made me reconsider. Perhaps I should just wish for more DVD only episodes after the fact.
And a week in Tahiti.
So, how long a list of “last episode used for epilogue” -series can we conjure up?
So far the only ones that came to my mind from the top of my head were Planetes, Simoun and Sky Girls (Yeah, surprised me a fair bit that one).
-22 ºC!? Careful, your nose and ears might fall off.
Add me to the supporters of the “one more episode”. They do really help to wrap up the whole experience.
Which is why I hate when DVD only episodes turn out to be just a pointless diversion. Nothing wrong with pointless diversion, but my hopes for an epilogue go sky high when I hear “DVD-only episode”.
Oh, well.
I am curious what element in the prologue episode has made you reconsider SOLA.
The epilogue for Mahoromatic.
Cheers.
For the record: The Librarian and I did get through the first episode of Uta~kata; it was just that I couldn’t get past the eyecatch without beginning to say “I hate this show so very much.”
Want bad epilogue episodes? There is none worse than the OVA for Please Twins…
That’s one of the things I really liked about Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha and it’s sequel, MSLN A’s. Both had full, meaningful epilogue episodes after the final confrontation, and those are both 13 episodes to start with.
I think it’s more important to have that epilogue in a series that’s based around drama or conflict rather than a straight out comedy. A lot of the comedy series don’t really need a postscript.
Maglor, I think it was a matter of the prologue “rounding” out the show for me. The story kicked into high gear fairly quickly in the TV broadcast, so it was nice to get a look at what the characters’ daily lives were before Yorito and Matsuri met and all hell broke loose.
Don’t get me wrong: I think the point at which the TV broadcast began was the proper place to start. The prologue episode was just a nice extra after the fact.
Manabi Straight has an adorable OVA episode, though it’s not an epilogue.
And you know my thoughts on Uta-Kata already. I couldn’t stand the show for some reason at the time.
Infinite Ryvius had an epilogue episode, though truthfully, I didn’t quite like it.
However, I do agree with the fact that epilogue episodes tend to help “round out” the series, giving sometimes a nice way to finish off the series. Since many shows tend to just end, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth and an empty soul for the next few days, epilogue episodes and other bonus blips tend to help alleviate that feeling. Especially for some shows, where the feeling of continuation is important, especially with some having themes along the lines of “Life goes on…”
The epilogue chapter for Kare Kano (manga) comes to mind.
Yikes, I must be the only one who liked Uta~Kata. I even have the figures on my shelf. Maybe it’s cause I saw the show and a month later I happened (coincidentally) to be in Kamakura. I enjoyed the OVA as well, and I agreed, it was a good way to wrap up the show.
Don’t think there are any…
By the way, Jeff, in reference to your e-mail to me of a few days ago, I’m still waiting for the hordes of Uta~kata fans stopping by The Pond to revile me! I’ve not been reviled once!
^^ Well I liked the show, but I wouldn’t say it was a great show, I just liked it for some reason :)
I take it back: I have now been reviled once.
By the way, Jeff? You should have typed “U sux0rs!!111!!1!”, instead of “U suck.”
I’m pushing 30, so go easy on me. I’m not down with the jive lingo the kids use these days.
Oh, and Epi… I really do like Uta Kata, even despite its shortcomings. So, you can count me as a fan as well. And I’m sure Omo will be here soon to call me a perv.
I’m pushing 40, Jeff… don’t gimme that crepe. ;-)
Uta Kata is one of my favourite animes.
It is possible to argue that it has deep philosophical meaning. It is also possible to argue it was just an excuse to draw a young girl in various costumes.
But I think what both of those perspectives miss is the fact that the show was never about magical girls, or existential philosophy, or costumes. It was, from beginning to end, a story about a young girl coming to terms with her own emotions and humanity and recognizing that perfection is a flawed ideal.
The ending, though cryptic, also emphasizes this. It was not, and never will be, about the world. All the power of the gods were used, primarily, for herself and those around her. The masterminds orchestrating this entire thing will continue to be disappointed, because they aren’t asking the proper questions in the first place.
Actually the show was about showing young girls in as many costumes as possible. That much is proven by the director’s next show Gigantic Formula which had 12 mecha all designed by 12 different mecha designer as opposed to 12 magical girl outfits designed by 12 manga-ka.
Hehe, certainly it’s a neat gimmick, tho I would not say it defines the show, especially in the case of Uta Kata, where she is generally barely even in the costume for a single scene.
Related note, how much influence does a director typically have as opposed to the author?
Let’s say in Uta Kata, I assume the basics of the story, names etc. are the author. But would the push for the costumes have come from the Director?