Thanks for visiting Anime Rants with 7Mononoke (Mono for short). Today’s post covers the final episodes of several series from Summer 2024. These episodes were released in the week of September 23 to 28th, 2024.

Normally, I would also include an episode review for Tower of God Season 2, which is continuing into the Fall season with its 13th episode. However, I decided to cover that episode in its own short article, which will be ready in the next few days. Now then, please enjoy my recaps and notes.

Article Contents

1. Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf
2. Senpai is an Otokonoko
3. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Season 3
4. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

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Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf

Episode 25: Miracle’s Path and Journey’s Continuation

Episode Rating: 8/10

This episode didn’t feel nearly satisfying enough to be the finale of the whole series. Thankfully, there is already a second season in production. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for it. In the meantime, episode 25 was decent enough as a way to end the first season. It was very straightforward. Elsa and company performed a “miracle” and convinced Bishop Mendez that it wasn’t an act of the Devil. The actual miracle was the super-fast growth of wheat done with Holo’s harvest magic.

In addition to getting her church acknowledged in writing, Elsa also defended the villagers’ ability to keep worshipping Truyeo. She stated that Truyeo was itself a miracle made by the greater Christian God, thus explaining the existence of pagan gods while remaining strong in her faith. I don’t think Elsa is correct, but I admire her courage and perseverance quite a lot. I don’t expect the show to ever outright confirm or deny Elsa’s belief, leaving it up to interpretation.

With the religious matters settled by Elsa and Holo, Lawrence works on helping the villagers with their economic situation. He negotiates with the man who is trying to return the wheat. The price was whittled down until it was reasonable. Then, in order to help the villagers come up with the money they needed, Lawrence proposed a business plan: selling flatbread biscuits served with honey. Holo confirms that the wheat is safe to use, and Lawrence’s plan is carried out to great success.

After a fond farewell to Elsa and Evan, Lawrence and Holo leave the village of Tereo. It’s time to continue their journey. Their next stop is the town of Lenos, where Holo once bit an arrogant man in the distant past. Lawrence also says he has another good business idea, but it’s a bit out of the way. It’s clearly just an excuse to prolong their journey together. Holo is glad for the opportunity. She snuggles up to Lawrence on the cart, and the two companions are happy together. That’s the end of the first season.

There is a brief after-credits scene showing the future, where Lawrence and Holo are living together in a cabin with a daughter. Holo is telling the daughter stories about her journeys with Lawrence back in the day. As Lawrence arrives home after a day of work, the daughter runs to see him, and Holo decides to continue storytelling later. This scene was a cute way to confirm that there is more to the story that can be explored in the second season.

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Senpai is an Otokonoko

Episode 12: The Real Me

Episode Rating: 9/10

Although this was the final episode of Senpai is an Otokonoko, there is already a movie in the works. I’m not certain if it will be a retelling of the anime or the continuing story afterward. Either way, I’ll definitely watch it. As for this last episode, it was excellent. My fears were laid to rest. I really don’t have anything to complain about. It was a decent ending for everyone. Let me recap what happened.

After a brief coincidental encounter with Saki and her mother, Makoto heads to visit their grandparent. At the apartment, they find an introverted but welcoming old AMAB person with long silver hair. As predicted, the “Grandfather” is genderqueer. They work with women’s clothes for a living and sometimes dress as a woman.

When she was a teenager, Makoto’s mom discovered her father crossdressing. She coldly told him never to speak to her again. Shortly afterward, her mother passed away. In order to live freely as a queer person, the older fellow agreed to cut ties with their daughter as she demanded. They respected the boundary and never interfered in Makoto’s life. However, Makoto’s father stayed in contact with the queer grandparent, proving again that he is the best anime dad ever.

Makoto stays with their grandparent for a few days. During their time together, the young queer person feels comfortable and at peace. They even try on some dresses and goof around in the snow with the grandparent. At one point, the grandparent offers to let Makoto move in. Makoto seriously considers the offer, but in the end, declines. This genderqueer person doesn’t want to leave their dear friends behind. In addition, they believe they can change their mother’s mind and avoid cutting ties with her.

Makoto goes home and asks their mother to go on a shopping trip with them. Makoto’s father encourages it, and Makoto’s mother reluctantly agrees. The mother and child spend the afternoon at a mall looking at cute clothes. Makoto is in “girl mode” the entire time. The two bond somewhat, and the mother even recognizes that she’s having fun. But she still isn’t ready to accept Makoto’s choice to live as a genderfluid person.

That night, Makoto’s dad shows his wife a video of Makoto and their friends having fun at the school trip. It’s the final proof that Makoto is happy being themselves and can cope with difficult social situations. The next morning, the mother tells Makoto that they should go shopping together again. Makoto is moved to tears. Finally, their identity is being accepted by their family. This almost made me cry as well.

As for the other two main characters – Ryuuji and Saki – they are doing fine as well. They have both basically agreed not to date Makoto, but to remain best friends and eat lunch together as usual. Saki didn’t love Makoto romantically, but was instead using them to fill the emotional gap left by her mother. Now that her mother is back in her life, Saki is very happy and more honest with herself and others. She loves Makoto as a friend.

Ryuuji really did (and presumably still does) love Makoto in a romantic way. However, since Makoto does not return the feelings, Ryuuji painfully lets go. He seems to be doing alright, all things considered. I did ship Makoto x Ryuuji for most of this series, but I’m actually okay with this ending. Ryuuji learned an important part of growing up: the pain of heartbreak. He was also mature and forgiving enough to keep being friends with his ex. That’s a beautiful thing. The end. 🙂

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That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Season 3

Episode 24: After the Festival

Episode Rating: 7/10

A group of merchants gathered to demand their payment after the festival. When Mjomille tried to pay in a certain currency, they would not accept it, saying that they only trusted Dwarven currency. Rimuru arrived at the scene and provided the Dwarven gold that Elmesia previously gave him. The matter with the merchants was thus settled without any huge issues. This was a disappointment for Lord Muese, a noble who was sent by the Rozzo Family to win Rimuru’s trust and get his country into debt.

Speaking of the Rozzo Family, they are the ones behind the Eastern Merchants. They are secretly against Tempest. Now that she has attended the festival, Maribel Rozzo knows for sure that she wants to destroy Tempest and take all its goods and technology. She calls herself “Greed,” and I suspect she has magical powers related to this trait. But for now, Maribel and her evil grandfather have suffered a defeat. Lord Muese failed his mission.

The Eastern Merchants are only one possible threat to Rimuru and his ideal world. Another threat is Yuuki, who we know has had dealings with Clayman and the Eastern Merchants. Rimuru is finally beginning to suspect Yuuki, but since he has no proof of his schemes or ill intent, all he can do is wait. In the meantime, he holds a meeting and gets feedback from everyone about the festival. It was fun hearing everyone’s input and plans for the future. I especially liked hearing Queen Mjur speak up.

The last part of the episode reveals that Rimuru received a letter from the Western Council which made him realize that there’s another battle ahead. To undertand what he means, we’ll have to wait for season 4. With that, the third season is complete. I enjoyed this episode overall, but it was also slightly boring at times. This is the issue with TenSura in general. Anyway, I’m still glad I watched it.

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Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

Episode 13: Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

Episode Rating: 8/10

After telling the gods about the situation on the island, Sakuna and Kokorowa head out to battle Omizuchi. Each of the humans have kind words and/or gifts to send off Sakuna. Ashigumo joins the goddesses once they reach the mountain. They soon discover a giant branch of the Tree of Life which was sucked dry by Omizuchi. There is a lot of “evil energy” in the air, making it difficult for gods to move swiftly or see clearly.

Kokorowa almost falls to her death, but Ashigumo catches her before the cliff crumbles. Sakuna has no choice but to continue alone, on the other side of the chasm. When Sakuna finally sees Omizuchi, he uses a hypnotic spell to cloud her mind and show her visions of a peaceful life with Kokorowa. However, Sakuna is able to snap out of the delusion just in time to avoid being slashed by the dragon’s claws.

The battle begins for real. I understand it must be hard to adapt a video game boss fight to an anime action sequence, so I’m trying to be merciful. Still, I wasn’t very impressed with this fight. The choreography of the battle was boring, and the G-rating of this show ensured there was no blood. Even if it had been a bloodbath, the feeling of fear and high stakes was not convincing.

All things considered, however, Sakuna’s final move was impressively smart. She summoned the other half of the Blade of Hoshitama out of Omizuchi’s stomach, thus tearing him open and ending his life. Unfortunately, Sakuna took too much damage in the last moments of the battle. She passed out, and her spirit began to descend to the Lowly Realm to be reincarnated. Tama’s spirit was with her, too.

Unlike the fight, the scene that followed was successful in creating the correct emotional atmosphere. Sakuna’s parents appeared before her and offered their souls in exchange for their daughter. Sakuna finally got to talk to her parents, but it was brief and bittersweet, as they gave their spirits up for her to keep living. The spirit of Kaimaru then appeared and guided Sakuna back to her body. Tama’s soul was also revived, so he came back to life along with Sakuna.

The last few scenes show Sakuna returning triumphantly to the farm and embracing Kokorowa. The humans are happy, and Kaimaru continues evolving spiritual abilities. The kappas celebrate too, suggesting that the ecosystem is healthy again. Kokorowa reports the victory to Kamuhitsuki. That wraps up the final episode. Though the battle scene wasn’t great, the ending still made me happy overall. The music was also amazing throughout the episode. I’m so grateful for this cute and pretty anime.

~Thanks for reading~

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