Wake Up, Girls! Episode 12 (Finale)
EmperorBrandon: Dang, those Yoshino facial expressions… It was pretty obvious she wasn’t going to keep that hidden for long. The other girls were noticing something was up even before the rehearsal, and then it became perfectly clear there. The pairing of Yoppi and Mayushi was particularly wonderful this episode. Like the girls sticking with her to the point of dropping out altogether if she couldn’t go on. Interesting seeing Shiho’s reaction to overhearing the situation, and seeing her try to get Yoppi patched up.
Happy that things go pretty well with the performance. I couldn’t have expected it to go perfectly with Yoppi’s condition, and there is one time she slips up but it doesn’t lead to disaster. She hung in there really well, and got the fans fired up, and not just the small group of passionate ones. Wonderful to see that, and being so emotional after they had finished. At that point, I was really satisfied regardless of whether they “won” or not, and of course they didn’t (much to Hayasaka’s frustration, thought the girls themselves take it very sportsmanlike). A pretty satisfying ending to things, seeing how far they’ve come with their hard work and close friendship.
Jun Kuga: Part of me is glad they didn’t win, no matter how much I hoped they would. This way it leaves a somewhat sour taste – it was somewhat clear that Shiraki’s “They won” comment wasn’t aimed at the winning group, but rather WUG. Did he pull strings to stop them from winning, or were those strings pulled beforehand? Did they ever have a chance, or was it actually fair and the other idols really did win? They didn’t answer it, but it’s not a question that needs answering. Regardless we’re left with unanswered questions and a dish that was satisfying but not yet complete.
Sequel? Yes please.
Nork22: In a way, I’m happy that they didn’t win (after all if you have someone injured and if they were to miraculously win the competition, I’ll be slapping Yamakan for it), but it’s enough for us to know that I-1 and Shiraki do recognised them as their true rivals. It’s like Love Live really. Kinda nice to see the 7 Girls War dance routine animated, and looking not too bad despite the obvious “lack of funding”.
Still, second season please Yamakan?
Hitsugi Amachi: A nice ending, with the girls putting up a spirited fight despite the odds. And all of us know who really won the competition. Shiraki said it himself. He had a personal flashback to when Mayu was the center of I-1. That was curious, in that I wonder what exactly that meant. Was he thinking that he made a mistake in driving her out? Was he just in admiration of her talents and the talents of WUG, reminding him of I-1 in those days when they were in the ascent, not at the top of the heap? A slight mystery. Enough of one to demand a second season.
Sensuifu: Couldn’t have asked for a better ending than that. Win or loss, the performance showed that WUG was capable of standing out in their true form. And much to the audience’s surprise, they excelled above everyone’s expectations, including I-1.
And wow, that sprain..if that was focused on for any longer, it might’ve been unbearable to watch. And lol to Tange’s problem. I knew that would happen, but it was a good thing the call from Avex eased some of that shock.
Some interesting things behind the scenes, whether they were influential to the results, who knows… hopefully this hints to a sequel. WUG deserves it.
bctaris: I did indeed like how that was all strongly hinted but ultimately unresolved. And then how Shiraki, if not feeling a pang of guilt, felt at least a longing for something purer that Mayu now personifies.
And, ha, how I love those core WUG fans. And the visual of their small group chanting literally in the corner of the audience (he was right, though–good seats).
And, budget allowing, they animated as much of the performance as they could–with an extended cut to Tange and Matsuda–that was fun to watch closely for at least one reason: to see how they animate the real life routine (as discussed more in depth here). (There were the cartwheels!)
Well, this was the feel good series this season. I genuinely liked it because I oddly felt more invested in it, with the story of the production itself playing such a large role in how it was executed, marketed, and enjoyed. Again, I’ll take a sequel, too, but even another movie would suit me.
