Honey and Clover II – ep 12

2006 October 1
by tedfox

what a way to start off the episode. It sure hits very hard to home.

“Is there any meaning to a failed love” ~Takemoto

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(summary will be short this time, more of my own thoughts)

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After the starting credits, the episode starts off with Shuuji explaining to a totally confused yamada regarding him saying he likes Hagu. They are later joined by mayama, and in the end, Shuuji assures them that he’ll survive just fine financially.

Later when alone, Yamada asks Mayama if she did the right thing for telling Morita, for she thought Hagu loved morita, yet things turned out this way.

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Yeah. Love is the reason for some, but not for the other. ~mayama

I never really understoon that statement when I was younger. People around me were just having BGR problems one after another, and it seemed pretty much the focus of everyone. Until i met a girl, who thought otherwise, pretty much putting God as her focal point. Of course, (un)fortunately for me, i ended up liking her. Though unlike hagu, she never did like me back though. haha. That’s another story though

Later, Riku is seen in Shuuji’s office, and they embrace together. Shuuji reflects on having told Tange Sensei earlier about leaving, and Tange sensei had commented about how Shuuji seemed to have 1/2 died and left together with harada. But when Hagu came, he was slowly regaining back his full self.

Riku also commented that she had wanted to come earlier. But mayama had stopped her. Riku had complained that Mayama does not know shuuji, but Mayama rebutted that having known Shuuji for 6 yrs, he knows him as a honorable man, and that they shouldn’t rush back.

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One thing I felt in season 2 was… the series couldn’t cope with the stories of everybody. The series was about leaving, but once people like mayama and riku were in spain, it was tough maintaining a good focus. I almost forgot about Riku already. But hey, i think her appearance was very well timed.

How do you express the feeling…. that everyone’s leaving…. yet from all that they do, you can see how much they know and still care for one another. Damn mayama.

Kaoru is seen using a map to search for their old house, all the while remembering the words that the Floyd Electric president had said when Kaoru took over the company. Reaching there, he realises that the President’s family is staying there now. Those the president is seen apologising to his family about all that happen, his son says that it’s alright, for now they get to be together, with the wife adding that she likes the lifestyle now. Kaoru realises that it’s probably the doing of Morita and Shiroyama.

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Haha. And the President’s (what’s his name) family was a symbol of how everyone got back together. How ironical.

Kaoru gives Shiroyama a call, but does not say anything. But Shiroyama easily guesses who it is, and tells him that everybody misses him.

Back in the office, Morita returns to see Kaoru eating curry, who simply greets him with a “yo”. A touched Shiroyama can’t help but cry.

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Darn. I cried the most at Kaoru’s scene. No matter how screwed up you think you did. There’s always somebody waiting for you. Cried again when shiroyama cried in the second scene too.

In the park, hagu talks about doing clay as rehabilation, and making pigeons for yamada, as well as for her new mom and the new baby. Shuuji assures her that she’ll be able to do it before the baby is born, (the baby is due in spring)

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As expected, Hagu has a new mom. What’s surprising is the love Hagu has for her. Haiz. So big hearted.

Back in the office, at night, Morita reveals that he would like to go and work for Peter Lucas. The work environment there is fun, suits him, and reminds him of the way Dad worked. He also reflects that Hagu is strong, having recognised that Morita was about to run away from everything. As hagu says she’ll be watching over him, Morita wants to create something and stand before her again. Both brothers reflect that they finally understand a little by what Dad meant by the light.

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Ha. What a parody of George Lucas. It does suddenly seem like both brothers suddenly grew up.

Next day, everybody but morita have gathered for a nabe party as a farewell for Takemoto. Morita looks all different and serious, but a moment later, his antics made everyone realise he’s still the same. Hagu looks on longingly at Morita.
A mention of how it’s Takemoto’s last night caused a sudden sombre mood, which shuuji resolved by asking Takemoto and Hagu to go get icecream.

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On the trip, hagu comments that the temple that takemoto repairs will be very nice. Because Takemoto is never shoddy and is always whole hearted. Hagu also talks about how she cannot give shuuji back anything, but Takemoto assures her that Shuuji is the kind of person who must find what he is looking for himself, and that he can defintely do it.

Finally leaving the next day, Takemoto finds the bullet train absolutely empty, but finds Hagu searching for him outside. Hagu hands him a present, which Takemoto opens while inside the train. He finds a stack of sandwiches, each with a layer of honey and a clover. Takemoto believes that there’s a meaning to a failed love, and reflects that’s he is happy to have fallen in love with Hagu.

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I don’t know if I agree with Takemoto, about there being meaning behind a failed love. Although I guess I do have the same sentiments. I don’t regret, and I want to keep watching her. The many clovers really represented Hagu’s love for takemoto, just that it’s not one of romance kind. (it’s close to impossible searching for one clover, let alone so many)

I’m kinda disappointed that the yamada ending wasn’t shown, since er. surprisingly, i connect most with Yamada. But well.. it’s alright. The ending was still done very beautifully.

I wished the series would have gone on and on though. It felt as though I could catch a glimpse of how my life would be, from what happens in the anime. That’s how much I connected with the series.

I think in addition to all things, I got a reminder that Love ain’t just about the romance kind. I should keep that in mind.

Must. Get. DVD.

5 Responses leave one →
  1. 2006 October 1
    panic-jo- permalink

    Great review on the last episode. I agree they should have shown more of
    ayu-chan but they already did quite a few episodes of her beforehand so not
    too dissapointed there, i love the way they made it so that morita still has a
    chance with hagu.
    There have been alot of comments on the net about shuji and hagu’s
    relationship being “wrong” but they just dont understand that it is
    not the romantic kind but more of the fatherly kind.

    Honey and clover was a great anime and i recommend it to anyone.

    on the other-hand those still wanting more will be (if they dont know already)
    glad to know that a HONEY AND CLOVER film is coming!!!! and it looks good
    judging by the trailer:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=0zKCkw89FdU

    or

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=D5JwPT59TEc

  2. 2006 October 1
    tedfox permalink

    The movie came out in Japan in the middle of July. I wonder when it’ll come out on DVD. I know the movie itself won’t be screening in My country.

    The movie is just the entire manga in a movie, it doesn’t really add anything new.

    Oh yeah, forgot to comment on Hagu and Shuuji. But I did in my review for ep 11.

    Very good anime series indeed.

  3. 2006 October 16
    matt permalink

    umm.. i think your analysis of the ending was wrong. i think the clovers more represent the events that happened over the past few years, suspended in the sweet honey (possibly symbolizing the time they spent together) which glues together the 6 slices of bread. also, it was put pretty clearly that hagu chose her art over morita. she did say that she had feelings for him but her reason for living is still art. there are other things that don’t exactly match but i dun wanna put u down. so i’ll just end it now that i’ve said the most important points.

    btw nice screenshots

  4. 2006 October 16
    tedfox permalink

    Haha. no fears about putting me down. All opinions are welcomed, this is why I blog right? haha

    I think unless we got the author to explain explicitly, we’ll never know… but…

    I think I wasn’t too clear in explaining. Keeping in mind that it’s close to impossible to find 4-leaf clovers, I think having gotten so many clovers, expressed Hagu’s concern for Takemoto and the effort she’s willing to put in for him, though it’s not romatic love. It depends on what you see clovers as I guess.

    I agree with you about Hagu choosing Art even though the series hinted at her love for morita. Although on a personal basis, I find that a pity.

  5. 2009 October 10
    Daymorn permalink

    Thanks for the overview!

    On a personal note… I’ve never found four leaf clovers to be that hard to find :P

    The emotions in this series really caught me off guard. Right until the end. Even with Rika and Shuuji; I know right off they bat Shuuji commented that their relationship wasn’t one of love but more like “family”, but every embrace with covered faces looks like a kiss XD

    Anyways, so from my perspective I saw it as Hagu had the capacity to romantically love any of the three; but she had to choose one. Since… well… monogamous relationships reign supreme!

    I find the insight into the “clover sandwich” symbolism interesting, I thought they spelled it out for us. Hagu’s love for Shuuji had her looking for a four leaf clover to send him off with. She felt like she had to find it as if the clover itself was an expression of her affection; and then Takemoto see’s how she given him not one but five 4 leaf clovers. Her affection for him is undeniable.

    How should I put it… I don’t see it as there being only one romantic relationship preordained. It was more like each guy had a place in her heart which made it possible for any of them to play the romance role; but in the end she chose the one that was best suited; but each of them will always have a place in her heart. And that’s why Takemoto didn’t regret, because he realized that.

    *ahem* sorry if this post is way out of date for the blog. I like watching series late since I don’t have to wait for eps to be released :D

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