For everything that happened in Star Driver’s hectic finale, the episode pretty much focused on two tried and true anime themes, youth and friendship, and in that order. Though there were a few things that made me question how the series was written, the copious amounts of action, the levels of character growth, not to mention the background music made the conclusion to Star Driver a satisfying one that clearly does NOT need a sequel.

Least Important Part of This Episode

First, the plot. Couldn’t say that I was a fan of the revelation that Keito was so childish in the last episode (though I mean, that Karaoke segment several episodes back made it pretty clear), but I thought all of that  really helped make the differentiation between all of the different sets of characters and their emotional state. I mean, by this time, you would have had to be blind not to see what, in general, Head was after, and thus the revelation that he wanted to end time and relive the past over and over again really wasn’t all that out of place with his character, even if it was just thrown in. And again, it would have been hard not see that Takuto was meant to be the complete opposite of his father, as he blindly ventured into the King’s Pillar to save Wako.

While that was all interesting I suppose, I thought that the real soul of the episode was the scene with all of the member of the Glittering Crux regaining their marks. Yeah, it was an interesting fight, but I thought that Simone’s monologue about how they were all too early in trying to move forward by defeating Takuto was really well done. What’s more, I loved how only certain characters were able to regain their marks (though I have to question where Mami is), and how others didn’t. Looking back on the series as a whole, it seems like almost all the other Glittering Crux Brigade members tried to defeat Takuto on several different occasions (see Vanishing Age). Perhaps, this end of series revelation was some sort of reward to those who realized that they had to wait to grow and become their true selves, before they could face the challenges ahead (by the way, totally called it back in Episode 2).

In a way the same thing happened to the main trio, but with the added friendship element thrown in. Ever since the play episode, it seemed like we had been waiting to see what, if anything, Sugata would do to change his situation, and in the end he wasn’t really going to do anything, just like Ryousuke. So when there was that moment between Wako and Takuto , who eventually then broke Wako’s seal, you could really see the difference between Sugata and Ryousuke; the differing strength of their friendships. What made that scene even more impactful, even putting aside the fact that the souls libidos of everyone at earth were at stake, was the huge shift in the dynamic between the three. I mean, you pretty much had Takuto making a move at Wako, which finally caused Sugata to do something. Though Sugata was eventually defeated, I thought that that last line or two by Takuto in which he mentioned that this would be the last time they would see this beautiful sky, but that they would one day see another even more beautiful suggests to me that both are ready to get rid of their masks/become their true selves (I’ve been watching Kare Kano recently, so…).

They really do mention Masks too often in anime. Still, if it works.

That in mind, some might lament not being able to see some sort of epilogue. Now while there may eventually be one, I don’t think it is really needed, nor do we want to see it. Clearly, Wako is one of the most indecisive people on the face of the earth, so Takuto and Sugata are probably going to pull out all of the tricks needed to win her heart, which will eventually cause rifts in their friendship. Though you know they would eventually all work it out and see an even more beautiful sky, we really wouldn’t want to watch that show, especially without Cybodies. Further, how the hell would the world react to the Cybodies, or more to the point, how would Takuto and Sugata get back to Earth.

Let the Real Game Begin

Still, this episode didn’t redeem the series completely. The biggest complaint I had was that Ryousuke really didn’t do anything in this or any episode. Was his purpose only to comment and observe the goings on of Takuto and Sugata, and to provide some sort of anchor to compare against other characters? There seems like there was a lot that could have been expanded upon in regards to his character.  There was also the aliens, things that might have or might not have happened in the past, or events elsewhere in the world, but I suppose that really never mattered (like LOST), plus I have to save some stuff for my series review (next week).

Overall, it was quite the finale that really used the emotional build up of its characters quite well, even if it took a bit too long, but somewhat failed to deliver on the larger main story that had been the focus of many of the questions out there. Though I guess what we thought was the main story really never was.

Last week on Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu, Classes F and A fought for supremacy.  In the end, Yuuko administered the finishing blow amidst the distracting destruction of the school.  Class F has scraped all the way through the bottom of the barrel, but one character just won’t stand for that ending.  Thus, the 13^th and final episode of BakaTest season one begins.

Go ChibiYuuko! Use Bad End!

Class F gets downgraded from crates to simple art boards for their study materials.  Again, Yoshii hates the state of the classroom and wants Himeji to have better.  Upon returning home, his sister assures him he did the best he could, and now he must set his sights on further goals.  He decides to come to the principal with a rematch proposal, and with Shouko and Yuuko’s consent, she approves.  Yoshii and Shouko face off in a series of sudden death questions, where the first wrong answer loses.  She ends up throwing the competition on question 32, the same question she missed in episode 2.  In return for victory, he asks that Himeji have another chance at the placement exam.  She takes it and gets every question right, but decides to erase her name to fail the exam.  Yoshii storms into the principal’s office and berates her for allowing the exam to fail.  Everyone appears to reinforce that despite everything, he just doesn’t understand things and he’s still an idiot.

Obviously, this is what happens when you scrape straight through the bottom of the barrel.

That's an... interesting problem to have. Or not have, in Minami's case.

Wow Yoshii, even continuity manages to bite you in the rear.

I'm... pretty sure that's not the new goal he had in mind. Creeeeepy.

Oh please, everyone in the cast wants you to get together anyway.

Well, it was nice knowing you Yoshii. I'll say a few nice words about you at the funeral.

BAM! Continuity!

As this episode makes blatant, the overarching premise of this series, and the battle system, is the importance of teamwork.  One person alone might not amount too much, but a group working together can accomplish so much more.  This first becomes evident in episode 7, where everyone works together to push Yuuji and Shouko together.  They then apply it to the school setting with episode 8, and push it into the battle strategies of episodes 11 and 12.  The battle doesn’t rely so much on brute force as it does the overall strategy.  A well-orchestrated team effort can trump a seemingly overwhelming opposition.  Of course, teammates look out for each other, as Yoshii does by constantly pushing for Himeji’s acceptance into class A.  The mark of a genuinely kind person is one who puts others ahead of himself.  On the other hand, success means nothing if you cannot share it with anyone.  When faced with the opportunity to make it into the class where she “belongs”, she decides her friends are more important and that they should succeed together.

For clarity, she forgot to NOT put her name on the exam. Strange girl, that Himeji.

Overall, I thought BakaTest was a decent entry in the winter season.  I’m not a massive fan of it like many viewers are, but enjoyed much of the ride.  I think my biggest problem is the lack of clear direction for about half the series.  It felt like the premise ping-ponged around too much.  It had high and low points in the comedy department, though in many ways this is as much about my personal preference for humor as it is the constant recycling of jokes that chip away at the series.  In the end though, it pulled together, went back to its roots, and delivered a conclusion that makes way for a second season.  I also liked how it pulled the chief aspect of the previous episodes together to form the finale.  I give it a 7/10 and remain cautiously optimistic about season two.

But you're our Baka! Until we meet again, Class F.