So I missed out on anime for the most part growing up. In the last 6 months or so I have immersed myself in the medium, mostly because some friends wouldn't shut up about Dungeon Meshi. (They were correct in this action, btw). In that time I have mainlined a bunch of shows, and my life is much richer for it.
I fell in love with Bocchi the Rock and Girls Band Cry, so going back and watching K-On made sense. I think the first two are arguably better shows overall (BTR might be my favorite anime), but late in the second season, K-On might have gotten the most visceral reaction out of me so far. If you've seen the show, you probably know what I'm talking about.
Spoilers for a 15 year old show
In season 2, ep 20, "Yet Another School Festival!", after the show goes well, the girls sit around and decompress. Yui talks about "next time", and they all slowly come to the realization that their time in the club is coming to an end when they graduate, and there will be no "next time". They attempt to keep their composure, but eventually all break down crying. It's very sneaky, the way it's done. They transition from laughter to crying so subtly and naturally. It took me a minute to recognize what was happening and by the time I did, I was already too deep.
I watched this ep last night and I just couldn't handle it. Like full on sobbing, ugly cry. I'm tearing up again just thinking about it.
I'm not 100% sure why this hit me so hard. This season has had this theme in the background throughout. Even though they mostly eat cake and crack jokes, this has been bubbling just beneath the surface, only occasionally showing up with Azusa's concern about the band fucking around instead of practicing, and Yui and Ritsu not having plans. But for like the last 10 episodes, it's been all I can think about. I have been legitimately worried about these moeblobs and their fictional future.
I think the fact that this show doesn't often swing the emotions hammer, as well as the high highs of the episode followed by catharsis for this simmering issue is masterfully done. It's both textual and meta-textual, because the viewer also knows the show will end soon, and we also will not be with our friends anymore. They manage to do this without it feeling emotionally manipulative too. It's clever and bittersweet and so in line with the themes of the show and so incredibly well executed.
Nothing was resolved, nothing materially changed about their world or their characters, and they didn't really learn anything new. But damn if it isn't affecting. I've spent a lot of time with these girls now and I'm invested. I'm not sure if you could do this as effectively in a show with more plot; slice of life shows really let you live with the characters and get to know them.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk I guess. Needed to get some thoughts out. What shows have had the most emotional impact for you?
