Legions and legions of tartan supporters! If this is not true fandom then I don't know what is! Scotland be proud; even the Japanese are mad about you. I still await the day when Scotland becomes an independent nation and then the celebration will be complete. Heck, I might even create Manabi posters for that occasion.Lost My Music There is no doubt that the highlight of episode 11 was the Manabi led concert. A true milestone in its own right, the event reminded me of one of the most memorable events in recent anime memory; the concert of Suzumiya Haruhi in episode 12 of the show (original TV order).Now I have to say that Suzumiya Haruhi was an annoying and lame show in general but I did enjoy 4 of the episodes; episodes 1, 2, 11 and 12 (or episodes 11, 1, 13 and 12 according to chronological order). Why did I enjoy those of all the 14 episodes? Simply because they were focused on comedy instead of trying to be serious. Episode 12 featured one of the best anime concert performances that I have ever seen and surprisingly enough, it was led by the cold queen herself. That episode was the only time throughout the entire show when I though that Haruhi was a decent if not likable character (unfortunately, she returned to her annoying self after that episodes). Her performance and that of her band was incredible indeed and I have to admit that the song was more exciting than Manabi's song. That is not to say that Manabi's performance was bad. On the contrary, she performed like a real pro. She started out on a slow tone in order to give the instrument players a chance to adapt and pick up the rhythm and the animators actually show that the instrument players have indeed picked up the required rhythm at the last few seconds of Manabi's solo part (bonus points go for that part alone). Manabi then launches into the fast rhythm version of the song accompanied by the rest of the band and we get a performance of a lifetime. Furthermore, the Manabi concert marked and celebrated the completion of critical stage in the show timeline (the school festival) while the Haruhi concert was a one off event that didn't any marks later on. It's also obvious from simple comparison that Haruhi was tense during her performance while Manabi was relaxed and was smiling all the time. Needless to say, if I was asked to choose between the Manabi or the Haruhi concert, I would choose the Manabi concert with my eyes (and ears) closed. Incidentally, in case you don't know, the voice actress for Haruhi is Hirano Aya who also did the voice of Etoh Mei. It make me wonder what would have been the result if Mei was forced to sing instead of Manabi?! The Little House on the Prairie It's amazing how relationship between the members of the student council has developed throughout the course of the series from this... to this... When I was young, one of our teachers at school used to tell us that we spend more time during the school year with our classmates than what we spend with our own families. As a result, he said, we should at least treat our classmates in the same manner as we treat our family members. In other words; your classmates and teachers are your second family. It may not be as romantic as he put it but you have to admit that he makes a valid point to some extent. At times, some students find that school is their only sanctuary especially if things at home aren't working well.Manabi and her friends have been spending long times (and sometimes staying for the night) in their own little house on the prairie (the old student council office overlooking the grass field on top of the school building) and that has increased and strengthened their mutual bonding.Deja VuIn a beautiful scene, Manabi reiterates what she said in the first scene of the series but this time from the top of the school building with all her mates standing next to her. It is the start indeed.The Cat Returns We get to see Mikan chan (also known as the Cat) practice her feline talents at eating some freshly made Yakisoba. (^o^) Parodies We also get to see Mutsuki do her best Ichijo Karen impression while saving a girl who oddly enough resembles Suzuki Nana from Seven of Nana (or is it one of her alter egos?!). Next stop...the finale
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