Kanon (2006) - 10: Requiem Atop The Hill

Title:Kanon (2006)
Episode:10: Requiem Atop The Hill
Synopsis
Requiem - a liturgical service of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches; its theme is a prayer for the salvation of the souls of the departed. It is used both at services immediately preceding a burial, and on occasions of more general remembrance.

Makoto's condition worsens to the point to where she can no longer speak or have many human emotions. Akiko-san takes care of her while Yuuichi consults with Amano. He asks her to mmet with Makoto since she understands the situation the most. Yuuichi carefully escorts Makoto to meet Amano. Makoto is apprehensive about approachign Amano, but Amano meets her half way and calms her down, showing Yuuichi how do it in the process. Amano manages to get Makoto to say her name and Yuuichi's name. However, Amano warns that this is only temporary and the she will likely forget again. She advises that whatever Makoto would like to do, he should allow her to do it.

That night, Akiko-san, Nayuki, Yuuichi, and Makoto walk into town. That take her to a nice eating establishment, then Yuuichi decides that they should have their photo taken at the "print booth," since Makoto had always looked longingly at the people who had their pictures taken there. They return home and play with fireworks, but Matoko's fever returns.

Yuuichi stays with her through the night. She wakes up the next morning and Yuuichi decides to read Makoto her favorite manga. Yuuichi remembers that Makoto wanted to get married to him, so he comes downstairs with her. Akiko-san mildly teases him about his missing school and promises a good dinner for them when they return. As they leave, Akiko-san begins to cry.

Waiting for them at the gate is Amano. They walk with her to the school, where Amano tells Yuuichi that they are friends. She asks Makoto to play again sometime before saying goodbye. Nayuki comes out at lunch to play with Makoto in the snow while Yuuichi watches. She too wishes to see Makoto again.

Yuuichi and Makoto head up the snow-covered Monomi Hill. However at the top, the snow is gone and the grass is green. Yuuichi and Makoto share a pork bun as the sit and spend the reast of the afternoon. Yuuichi counldn't buy a wedding dress, but he did buy a veil for Makoto, then takes a wedding vow to Makoto. He wonders if this made her happy and filled her wishes as he thinks about thier time together and that despite everything, he did love her. The wind catches the veil and blows it away. This causes makoto to cry, so Yuuichi tries to comfort her the best way he can.

As night falls, Yuuichi and Makoto play with the bell bracelet. He keeps trying to keep her awake. She eventually falls asleep with a smile on her face. As she does, she disappears leaving only the bell bracelet and suddenly the hill is covered with snow again.

The next day at school, Amano comes to see him. She talks about how kitsune will return in the spring. She tells him that it is possible for half the city are in fact non-human/kitsune. He's surprised, causing her to say that she is joking. However, she states that if all of the kitsune on the hill work their powers together, some amazing miracle could happen. Her dream is for sweets to rain from the sky and she calls him unromantic for his negative response to it. She wonders what kind of miracle he'd ask for. He says he wouldn't have to think of it and we are shown a spring setting with Makoto sleeping on the hill with her cat.

Comments

AstroNerdBoy: 10 December 2006

Yeah, I had tears in my eyes; I admit it. ^_^;;; The conclusion of the Makoto story was slow and sweet, and as DD thought last episode, Amano-san and Yuuichi are now good friends. That only makes sense because they have a shared, painful experience. Amano's remarks about the kitsune, magic, and miracles clearly are to set the stage for the next story (and stories). I wonder how much of a role Amano will play in future stories. She didn't show up in the previews for next week, which doesn't mean anything. However, I'd like for her not to be forgotten and I thought the story must move forward, I REALLY hope that Makoto is not forgotten. That would be a shame for me.

Beyond that, I don't have a lot to say about the episode except that I rather enjoyed it.


[Devil Doll, 2006-12-11]
Watching Mishio open up to Yuuichi and even making a joke in the end was nice to see. In a way Yuuichi helped Mishio solve her problem as well. It would be a pity if she simply vanished from the scene now. And her question about a miracle Yuuichi would ask for... great.
The ending of the Makoto arc was... well, not really thrilling, compared to K2. Makoto died from exhaustion, and the episode gave me the same impression. Makoto's final day in K2 was so much more interesting, with the Minases not understanding the situation. Yes, it was a tear-jerker, with Mishio saying "sayonara" at the school gate and Nayuki wanting to talk with Makoto about many things. But it's high time we finished the Makoto arc. Spending so many episodes with the least interesting girl... sigh.
Yuuichi, you're saying Makoto was a troublemaker? Boy are you clueless. The real troublemaker is right ahead of us in this series.

Stretch:
This episode ends on a note which almost feels like the series as a whole is coming to an end. But that can't be so, because other characters (like Mai) have been developed at length and there must be something in store involving them. Anyway, it would be a real cop-out to just say "Oh yeah, that girl was actually a fox!" and leave it at that. How did Amano know Makoto's secret? A dream? The episode started out kind of frustrating, but became heartwarming with time.

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