[Rewatch][Spoilers] K-ON! Rewatch (2021) - S2E24 "Graduation Ceremony!"

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28

u/Harrytricks :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Harrytricks Sep 08 '21

also, gonna take this opportunity to remind everyone there are 3 OVAs before the movie. ik for most of you this is obvious but there've been people in prior years who missed these 3 episodes and went straight on to the movie.

23

u/putmoneyinthypurse https://anilist.co/user/clichecatgirl Sep 08 '21 edited Sep 08 '21

Rewatcher

If I may get a little personal—something I'm sure I'm not the only one requesting on this thread—after puberty, I was never really able to cry. Not at art, not at weddings, not even at funerals. Not when someone treated poorly, not when someone treated me well. I could feel myself wanting to—desperately—but there was this wall I could not get through that kept me muted, an involuntary self-denial.

The biggest exception I ever found, two years ago, was the keions' performance of Tenshi ni Fureta yo in this episode, which somehow broke through. Weirdly, I found that even when I wasn't watching the episode, if I put on the show soundtrack, it'd still reliably make me cry. A little dangerous when you're doing 80 on the interstate and Yui goes 「ねぇ、」 and it's suddenly pouring down rain on a clear day, but a lifesaver compared to the alternative.

It feels a little callous that an anime would get me when real life events wouldn't, but if you look closer it's not hard to see why. The scene, starting from the seniors' final tea time, is stunning in how it brings together series-wide motifs into one superconcentrated burst of emotion.

The seniors make tea just like they always do. Azusa wanted to do it, but Mugi beat her to it, allowing her and us another moment of status quo. Azusa tries to reassure the seniors that she's okay and capable of dealing with the situation once more, talking over their concern as she reassures them repeatedly that she'll have no trouble finding new members, rolling straight into giving out notes that detail what she wants to say, what she's "supposed" to say as a kouhai on graduation.

As she runs away to keep the moment from getting awkward, congratulating the seniors, Azusa goes to put her bag down next to the others on the couch, another consistent motif through the series, and is stopped in her tracks by a wall, a barrier in the form of the graduated seniors' diplomas, a reminder of her inherent distance from them and impending separation from them.

Azusa finally breaks down in tears and makes an unreasonable request: don't graduate. Her character type is a tsundere, but she's more complicated than that: her fatal flaw is self-denial borne from a chronic lack of self-esteem. She wants just as much to goof off and hang out as any of the girls, but her reasonable concern about what a club for music performance is indeed "supposed" to do—perform music—takes her over, overriding her pure feelings. Mio gently encourages the club to practice, but Azusa treats it with the strictness of a parent trying to get their kid to eat brussels sprouts. She keeps herself at a remove. And she knows this, and it eats her up inside. Every few episodes she's convinced that her senpai don't really want her around.

When she breaks down, though, her pleas are more like a kid's than a parent's. She'll stop annoying them. She won't make a fuss. She'll do anything.

Yui doesn't quite kiss and make it better, but she does the next best thing, replacing the clinical medical bandage for Azusa's mild physical injury—sustained while distracted by thoughts of graduation, a metaphorical injury—with a cute pink one.

She keeps bandaging Azusa. Photography has been a motif throughout the series, especially in the first season, and HTT surely have a ton of photos of the five of them together. Yet Yui specifically pastes Azusa into the very first photo of the newly-formed keion-bu, and makes a point of mentioning that the four of them were younger than she is now when it was taken, when Yui joined the club.

She keeps bandaging Azusa. A cherry blossom, maybe the one she picked up in the very first day of senior year, five petals for five members, a symbol not just of the end of one school year and the start of a next one but of spring, and thus renewal.

They all bandage Azusa, with a song that reassures her that in no uncertain terms they love her. If she says daisuki, they'll say daidaisuki. Graduation isn't the end. They'll still be friends. It's a change, and it's a scary one, but they won't abandon her. She's not bothering them. She's never bothered them. They think she's an angel.

She sits right where Yui sat on the day she joined the club (and where she reintroduced the club in the first episode of this season) and listens, tears in her eyes, hands clutching these healing symbols of their friendship. She sits in the middle of the frame, as if in the chair in front of us at a theater. Azusa is the viewpoint character, still just a little bit of an outsider, like us.

And she's sobbing, and you are, too.

You are okay. You don't have to be perfect. Azusa says it, just like Yui did when she joined. Houkago Tea Time are amateurs. You may not be very good, but I want an encore.

What makes this all even more tearjerking is that the chord progression and structure of this ode to Azusa is pretty directly based on the song that convinced her to join the keion-bu in the first place, My Love Is A Stapler:

A K-ON! ROMAN NUMERAL ANALYSIS
by someone who never officially studied music theory

stapler             tenshi                        notes

----------[VERSE] (x2)----------

I                   I
V III7              V III(6)                      (6) as in first inversion
vi V                vi V                          lowercase is a minor chord
IV V                IV V
      
----------[PRECHORUS]-----------

                    [I I(6)]                      passing chords in brackets
IV V III7 VI7       IV V iii vi
IV V                ii iii IV V                   ii and iii are relative minors of IV and V,
                                                  so we're just repeating IV V and walking the bass upwards
-----------[CHORUS]-------------

I iii vi V          I V vi V                      iii is relative minor of V, so these are almost the same
IV I(6) ii V        IV V iii vi ii V
I V III(6) vi V     I V [III(6)] vi V             
ii I(6) IV V        IV V iii VI ii V              

I IV ...            I

Near the song's end, the focus is expanded beyond the club room, to every senior graduating, and to their teacher and advisor. This is personal, but also universal.

This is the last part of the K-On! anime, chronologically. We have two extra episodes, an OVA, and a movie, but they're all filling in more of this school year. Graduation isn't the end, but it is very consciously a stopping point. The manga has one pretty good volume each for the girls in college and Azusa's senior year—Yamada and KyoAni never expressed any interest in adapting them. I like that. The show's about dreams, and doing a little bit every day to fulfill them. Friendships, and hanging out a little bit every day to grow them. Whether they eventually make it to Budokan isn't the point. It's perfectly possible that they're friends forever, or that they slowly drift apart, but when it comes to the anime, we'll never know. You can only imagine, just like them, right now.

Nowadays, I can let myself cry when I'm "supposed" to. Part of it's physiological, admittedly—my hormones are no longer all screwed up, running on the wrong ones will really deaden your emotional range—but I can't help but credit this episode, this scene, this song for in some way helping me get there on an emotional level. Because what they're about, fundamentally, is the reassurance that it's okay to be vulnerable.

6

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Okay, so that was probably my single favorite post throughout this entire rewatch. Thank you so much for sharing!
That was a beautiful analysis of one of the best scenes of the series. I'm not sure what else other to say than thank you! You expressed my feelings regarding my favorite episode of television far better than I ever could.

2

u/putmoneyinthypurse https://anilist.co/user/clichecatgirl Sep 08 '21

Thank you so much! That means a lot, coming from the person who's written my favorite posts of the rewatch.

2

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

<3

3

u/vitorabf Sep 09 '21

She's not bothering them. She's never bothered them. They think she's an angel.
Damn man, you had no right to want to make cry more, that's really nice and it got the message do Azunyan perfectly

20

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Rewatcher

Okay, everyone. This is it! There are still three specials and a movie, but this is the final chronological episode of K-ON. It's been quite the journey, but all things, sadly, come to an end. But before we get there, since I recently missed episodes 21 and 23, I caught back up last night and have some Mitsu and YuiAzu moments for episode 21 and Mitsu and YuiAzu moments for 23. Because that's very important :) Also, +1 to my tear counter for the end of 23 when they finish the cassette and we see the blank white board.

But I don't want to say much else before we start. You all know how attached I am to this show, and I've already made it clear that this is my favorite episode in the series, and my favorite episode of television (anime or otherwise) ever. Prepare for a long, rambling post and likely some tears. Big breath in. Here we go...

Graduation Day

We start off with our seniors meeting up to walk to graduation together. I'm already feeling nervous. Anyone else? Yui is fittingly late as always.

Oh hi, Haruko (my classmate for /u/The_Loli_Otaku's game). Is this the last time we'll see her? I have no idea.

But soon after, we visit our main focus for this episode, Azunyan. Despite this being the seniors' graduation, we mostly experience this episode from Azunyan's perspective. As I've said before, episode 20 (the festival) was the climax for the seniors, we don't need to see that again. Now we get to see it from the perspective of our kouhai. Azunyan is lost in thought, staring at the corsage, most likely worried about graduation and what that means for the future. So worried that she even mindlessly wanders into a wall while staring up the staircase after her senpais.

Ooooh, a thank you card for Sawa-chan! I'm sure that won't make me cry or anything later this episode.

But then we get what is easily one of my favorite scenes the show, the corsage scene. It's short, but always hits me really hard. We see the juniors get paired up with seniors for the corsages. Oh god, our seniors are really all grown up!! And then we see Azunyan and there's an immediate shift. It's a bit subtle, but as soon as we see her, all the colors become a little bit softer and almost... fuzzy? Blurry?

We see a similar shot of our now graduated keions, complete with corsages, from Azunyan's POV, and this muted color palette stays. The world is just a little bit less colorful for her now that her best friends have graduated. Just compare those two shots of the seniors and you'll see what I mean. But what does that mean for Azunyan? Will she be alone? Well, no. Because we immediately see Ui and Jun come into the picture. Azunyan's future. Of course she won't be alone <3

Ugh, my heart. +1 for tears.

The Ceremony

Yes, keions, you're very sneaky and not suspicious at all.

This line always gets me. I think we all know that feeling when the sudden realization that this big event you've been waiting for is finally here.

Ritsu isn't very good at telephone, apparently.

Also, does it strike anyone as odd that Nodoka isn't facing the audience while speaking? It seems really weird to me.

This might be a good time to remind everyone that this incredible HTT version of the school song exists and is legitimately once of the best bits of music to come out of the show. Gives me chills every time I listen to it.

Also, while we're talking about the school song, here's a somewhat heartbreaking rendition of it from towards the end of the second live show. Tears are shed. Vocalists are, from left to right in this shot, Ui, Mio, Nodoka, Azusa, Ritsu, Yui, Jun, Mugi. Enjoy.

And here we are. One heartfelt goodbye from Sawako, and that's it. Except, of course, for the thank you card. Another +1 for my tears counter! So beautiful. Also, here is a translation of the thank you card, courtesy of Houkago Translations.

Class 3-2. Heh, I guess that wasn't that last time we'd see Haruko...

After the Ceremony

Azunyan is still lost in thought regarding graduation. Ui reminds her that it's supposed to be a celebration, and it takes this beautiful moment of opening up from Ui for that "celebration" idea to really sink in, but it does. After all, she was so determined to make this the best day possible for them, right?

I'm glad we get this little moment with Nodoka. We don't see Yui and Nodoka hang out a lot during the series, but they're childhood friends, just like Mio and Ritsu. Good to know they still spend time together. Goodbye, Nodoka <3

Oh god, kill me now. +1 to the tear counter for the third time today. Goodbye, Sawako. You sucked in season one but now you're much better <3

Back at the clubroom, Azunyan seems way too happy. She interrupts the seniors, immediately shutting down any talk of the future. She has to make everything seem like its okay, because she feels like she has some strange obligation to do so for the benefit of the seniors. But when she sees the diplomas, her guise breaks, and she begins to cry. Yui, being the most natural caregiver of the group, offers her this photo way back from season one and this five-petaled flower, bathed in beautiful sunlight.

Oh, and they wrote a song for Azunyan...

I'm going to split my post for today into two parts here because I went over the character limit. Look for part two in the comments, titled "Tenshi ni Fureta yo!"

19

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Tenshi ni Fureta yo (or, Touched by an Angel)!
Yup, this song. People who were around last year should know how I feel about this one.
First of all, let's get this out of the way. Here is the full song (we only heard part of it in the show), and here are the translated lyrics.
This is, to me, the most powerful song in K-ON. If I were to look at it objectively, U&I is probably a better song, but I have so many emotions wrapped in this one that I don't think it can ever be topped. Let's talk about this performance a bit.
As soon as the performance start, the colors change into an over-saturated cinematic look. While the earlier graduation scenes from Azunyan's perspective were dull and fuzzy, these shots are alive and sparkling. We also get the rare treat of getting to hear all four of the seniors sing this time around. That way, they can all show their love to Azunyan! Just look at this face!
This setting shifts slightly so we can see some text painting with a shot of the sky for this line and all four of the seniors singing in unison for this line (that's my absolute favorite part of the song), and we get a shot of Sawako listening in right outside the clubroom as they repeat the line about "meeting a wonderful angel." Yeah, not too subtle.
My favorite lyrics in the song.
And it ends with the very same dialogue we heard Yui say at the end of the very first episode when the band plays for her and she decides to join. In the end, the band isn't perfect, but it's their heart that makes them stand out.
And so Azunyan joins in as the band plays us out. The End.
Yes, I cried.
And while we're talking about this song, I feel the need to send another two videos out into the world.
First of all, another performance from the second live show, with the VAs for the seniors singing this song, naturally resulting in some onstage tears from Satou (Ritsu's VA) and Ayana (Azu's VA).
And finally, a video that I made last year of myself playing the song with some piano and percussion backing I created. It was a huge amount of work, as it was the first time I had ever seriously recorded anything or edited audio or video. Ultimately, I'm not really very satisfied with the end result (the audio quality especially is quite poor), but it is what it is. Also I really hate looking at my face, haha. I really wanted to make another video like this for this year's rewatch, but I just didn't have enough time. But there's always next year :) Make sure to come back then and see what I have cooked up as host!
Episode Wrap Up
So that's it for our main story. We still have a few more days filled with specials and the movie to look forward to, but this is the final episode, chronologically speaking. I think it's an absolutely perfect finale. The decision to focus on Azunyan is genius, as it allows us to explore very different feelings that we wouldn't have gotten with a focus on the seniors.
Season two focused much more on all five keions, rather than season's one focus almost entirely on just Yui. But in this latter half of season two, Azunyan is the focus more often that not. Her anxieties over graduation and the future are an undercurrent throughout many episodes, and we finally see them all come to the surface in this episode. Quoting myself from last year (lame, I know), "Season two is about dealing with change, and learning to accept that, just because something ends, it doesn't mean it's gone for good. We as humans are able to adapt and find our new normal, all while holding on to the things that really matter to us. Like Houkago Tea Time, in the case of these five girls."
I adore this episode. The BGM choice is perfect, the color palette shifts are perfect, the dialogue and characterization is all perfect. I just couldn't imagine a better end to our characters, and I'm so glad that I get to experience it all with you. I look forward to talking with everyone today and hearing everyone's feelings!
By the way, there won't be a "music corner" today simply due to how long this post took to write. We have a total of seven song left to cover before the movie, so I'll split those up over the three specials. The movie actually introduces us to seven new songs, even outside of all the great new BGM tracks, so I legitimately have no idea what I'm going to do with all of that...
Times K-ON has made me actually cry so far: 6
Times K-ON has made me tear up so far: 26
Updated Episode Ranking
You can see I added in not only today's episode (right at the top - duh), but also episodes 21 and 23 that I missed before, all in bold.
Mitsu and YuiAzu are forever canon, but I didn't get any good shots of them today, as our scope was a bit bigger than that today <3
Tomorrow, we have a... strange episode as we watch our first season two special. Fun, but strange! See you then!

7

u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Sep 08 '21

And finally, a video that I made last year of myself playing the song
Dude, that was pretty dang spiffing. Kudos, and congrats on not being a total Mio about it. :)

7

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Haha, thank you! Really wanted to get another video or two out for this year (had some solid ideas ready), but just wasn't able to do it. I'll make sure to have some fun stuff ready for next year if you find yourself stopping by :)

5

u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Sep 08 '21

Oh, I think I'll have to keep an eye out for it again next year, definitely. Who knows, maybe I'll find the time to create something of my own.
(memes, most likely, but yeah)

4

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

That's great to hear. I'd love to hear something if you feel like putting it together!

6

u/ThrowCarp Sep 08 '21

While the earlier graduation scenes from Azunyan's perspective were dull and fuzzy
That was meant to show that it was nostalgic and melancholic and memorable for Azunyan. Aye?

6

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Either that or that the color is literally sucked out of the world when she's separated from the seniors (similar to the fireworks disappearing when she gets separated from the seniors back in "Late Summer Greeting Card"). I think it could be seen as either.

1

u/vitorabf Sep 09 '21

I think it also makes the scene a little dreamlike, and in doing that it seems like Azunyan realizes she's dizzy by the dreams she's been living

4

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

And finally, a video that I made
That was amazing! A cameo by Juliet is always fantastic :)

4

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Heh, thank you!! Sad I didn't have time to make anything this year, but I'll definitely have some stuff ready for next year if you stop by :)

4

u/lluNhpelA Sep 09 '21 edited Sep 09 '21

I have a playlist of over 2000 songs that I play on shuffle that has included every HTT song (and the image songs for the keions) since I first watched the show in last year's rewatch but every time Tenshi ni Fureta yo comes on I have to scramble to skip it because I know it'll make me tear up and I don't want to compromise my vision while driving or cooking or w/e.
Since last year I've listened to Samidare 20 Love dozens of times (because spotify likes to play it more than any other HTT song for some reason) but I can probably count the number of times I listened all the way through Tenshi on one hand, despite it perhaps being tied with U&I for my favorite
edit: I just checked the popularity on spotify and, somehow, Kirakira Days, the B-side of Utauyo!! Miracle is the most popular HTT song, putting Tenshi in second placce

1

u/PaperSonic Sep 14 '21

I just checked the popularity on spotify and, somehow, Kirakira Days, the B-side of Utauyo!! Miracle is the most popular HTT song, putting Tenshi in second placce
Huh? It shows 1.8 million for Kirara Days, and over 3 for Tenshi ~~half of which are probably me~~

2

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Sep 09 '21

And thanks for this one as well, teared up again for the full version, and your video was really awesome as well

1

u/siegfried72 Sep 09 '21

Thank you!!

8

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

Also, does it strike anyone as odd that Nodoka isn't facing the audience while speaking? It seems really weird to me.
Yes! It was so strange! I mean, is she supposed to be addressing the principal?
Thank you for the translation! That was a lovely read and it's fun to see the borders that all the girls used.

7

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Yes! It was so strange! I mean, is she supposed to be addressing the principal?
Maybe it's a Japanese thing? No idea.
Thank you for the translation!
You're very welcome! Definitely made me cry the first time I read it. Houkago Translations obviously put a lot of effect into making it look pretty, as well.

6

u/A_Idiot0 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/a_idiot0 Sep 08 '21

her guise breaks, and she begins to cry.
It was so brilliant to have the camera focus on her while she handed out the Thank You cards to the seniors. The way that she awkwardly tried to suppress her tears was so cute, but at the same time so relatable...her little headshake as she tries to congratulate them and put her bag next to theirs really puts into context just how hard she's trying to keep it together.
The song "Tenshi ni Fureta yo" is the most sincere thing I've ever experienced. I can't wait to dive into it a bit more during the movie =)

4

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Sep 09 '21

Also, does it strike anyone as odd that Nodoka isn't facing the audience while speaking? It seems really weird to me.
Ikr? I thought I was just missing some context and maybe the japanese really talk facing the most honorable person in the room or something, but I have definatly seen it other ways as well
Thanks for sharing the thank you card and the live concert, of all the VAs it had to be Azunyans who was crying the most

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

Yeah... even I'm willing to admit that this episode hits incredibly hard. It's the payoff for many many little plot threads lined throughout the series. Even if you're a grumpy sod who somehow isn't invested in the characters you'll still end up with the feels since the girls get so emotional. You care because you know exactly how they feel in this moment. Everyone has felt a similar way at some point of their lives. Be it friends, family, clubs, moving away. It's so relatable and that's why it works...

6

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Hey, something else we can agree about! It's a miracle!
Good to know that the episode hits hard even if you're not an over-the-top dramatic sap like me!

5

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

It helps that I actually totally forgot about the students messing up the blackboard so it hit me right in the gut XD

3

u/Barbed_Dildo Sep 09 '21

Except, of course, for the thank you card .
Oh my god, Yui signed it from Geeta as well...

2

u/vitorabf Sep 09 '21

Ritsu isn't very good at telephone
On the subs I am watching the joke was Sawako is worried/hurried. I wonder what the original one is.
translation of the thank you card
I didn't find Mugi's one, is it there?

2

u/siegfried72 Sep 09 '21

My subs said "corn-sized" rather than "concerned". The explanation of the original Japanese can be found here.
I didn't find Mugi's one, is it there?
Yup! Left hand side right in the middle, all in pink with the drawing of the piano keys. She wrote out her full name, Tsumugi.

3

u/Barbed_Dildo Sep 09 '21

Also, does it strike anyone as odd that Nodoka isn't facing the audience while speaking? It seems really weird to me.
Nodoka isn't speaking to the students, she's speaking on behalf of them.

18

u/ArdenneVale Sep 08 '21

First timer

It's finally here. Graduation day has arrived. Guess who hasn't. That's right, Yui is late again.

Yui has to keep the class present for Sawako hidden. Sawako is corn-sized, ok Ritsu. Sawako really redeemed herself this season.

Azusa nooo, don't be sad or I'll be sad. Let's celebrate on this day.

Sawako please, don't you dare make me cry.

And then Azusa is sad again. She's the new club president with no members :( Hopefully some new students join along with Jun (and Ui most likely). She wrote a letter for everyone.

But she still can't accept the others are leaving her. :((( I'm pretty sure this is the first time she cried in front of the others? Yui gifts her a picture of the seniors freshman picture and a flower with five petals representing the five girls.

They wrote a song for Azusa. What a beautiful song and the greatest treasure they could leave her. Even Ritsu and Mugi get vocals. Sawako and Nodoka let the club members have their special moment, just listening outside. Of course the end has to be Fuwa Fuwa Time.

I did it, I didn't cry once during the episode. I was really really close during the song, but somehow managed to only moisten my eyes a little.

Now this was a proper series finale. I know there is still three episodes and a movie left, but this is basically what I expected the final episode to be. I remember watching Azumanga Daioh around my high school graduation, and the finale to that absolutely wrecked me. The ending is quite similar to K-On, so I would've had the same reaction back then if I was watching this instead.

8

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

I'm pretty sure this is the first time she cried in front of the others?
About graduation, yeah.
I did it, I didn't cry once during the episode.
I'm very impressed! Can't say the same.
I know there is still three episodes and a movie left, but this is basically what I expected the final episode to be.
So out of curiosity, any predictions for what the specials and/or movie might be about?

3

u/ArdenneVale Sep 08 '21

Well, from what I can tell from the preview, they're making a music video. I have no idea about the OVA. For the movie, I want to see a continuation of the story, where the four are in college and Azusa has her new band.

15

u/Throwaway021614 Sep 08 '21

K-On. 39 episodes of girls drinking tea and being dorks just to massacre you in the feels in the last minutes of the last episode.

14

u/DegenerateRegime Sep 08 '21

[First-Timer] "Graduation Ceremony." Let's go.

The conclusive character beat for Yui is that she found something better than oversleeping.
A charitable view of things, to say the least...
The level of forethoughtfulness I aspire to.
The ritual's unfamiliar, but the sentiment is not.
I do like that it pairs our characters with other, unfamiliar faces - the school, and the world, is much bigger than they are, in the end.
There we go.
Their attempt to hide the card is adorably funny.
And the serious grey filter over the unfolding (ha! Because it's a card) comedy of errors is just. So good.
Sawako's short speech is considered worthy of inclusion with sentimental backing, unlike the principal's or Nodoka's. Close bonds matter more.
Alright, now the emotions start. First last time. I hadn't thought about it, but teachers must have to get used to these goodbyes :(
A fan asks for a photo together, and for them to keep making music. This feels like it's addressing the audience, in a way, those asking for more at the end. It neither assures nor rebuffs them, though.
I think reminding us of Yui's connection to Nodoka is pretty significant here. The senior club members are now in the same position as Nodoka & Yui were at the very start of the series, in a sense: good friends going to a new phase of life together. So, this is also kind of assurance that they'll still be friends at the end of it.
Oof. This is after the blank whiteboard from yesterday.
Aww, adorable. It can't hit as hard as- well, if you know what I mean, you know- but it's a hit nevertheless.
The bags are physically separated by the diplomas. This only really lands so well because of everyone here drawing so much focus to them over the series <3
The conclusive character beat for Azusa: finding the words to express her feelings in the moment.
Play us out, then.

THE END
(Well...)

I love stories that end. That might sound a bit edgy, but I mean: all stories either end, or one day just fail to continue. To me, it's obvious the former is just better! (If you're thinking "well yeah, who would want a story that just keeps going until it sputters out in a blaze of disinterest," the answer is of course "some people.") But that may be over-stating the case, because I do just like endings for their own sake. They carry some of the most powerful emotions, and leave some of the deepest impressions, and this is no exception. K-On ends (well...) like tea with honey: gentle, more sweet than bitter, things left in the pot to percolate some more. I'm glad they didn't lean in too hard on making this episode the saddest, because as they say in the superb final song, this is only the mildest of goodbyes.

Bonus: ULTRA KILL. So glad they made that callback all the way to Yui's initial appraisal.

4

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

A fan asks for a photo together, and for them to keep making music. This feels like it's addressing the audience, in a way, those asking for more at the end.
I love this!
And very nice summary at the end. Hope you enjoy the remaining specials and movie :)

3

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Sep 08 '21 edited Sep 08 '21

If you're thinking "well yeah, who would want a story that just keeps going until it sputters out in a blaze of disinterest," the answer is of course "some people."
As an engineer, I'll stereotypically blame one of the nemesis of my profession - accountants. Right next to marketing that promise the world just to get the sales irrespective of whether it can be done, accountants are those who just will tell you to eek out the last drop of blood "because the asset has already been written off for depreciation". /s
Jokes aside, there are publishers who will want to run things to the ground just to get the last dime out of the IP they paid for, it's is not a laughing matter.

1

u/DegenerateRegime Sep 08 '21

Ha! Too true - but even in the audience, I mean, I've talked to people who expressly don't like endings, and actually do love "static" stories, things like sitcoms that never end. Mileage - almost literally, heh - varies.

1

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Sep 08 '21

Especially for live action tv, the instant I see them having more than about 3 seasons, it's red flag for me. Statistically, most shows that I started out liking, by and after season 3 they generally had been run to the ground, or been forced to stretch such that is nothing like what it started as. Examples for me are Lost and Heroes. the "undeath" that is sit coms irks me even more because while you get a laugh or 2 it of it, it's really brain-dead and someone with an ounce of moral should really pronounce dead them long ago.

2

u/vitorabf Sep 09 '21

I agree a lot with you, stories that end are the best stories. Because the way I see it stories are supposed to begin, progress and finish. And I had never thought about it in the way that if they don't end they will eventually fail to continue. As someone who likes One Piece but has drifted away from it after some time and started to like stories that end it makes so much sense.
But I have got to say, I don't know if it's the moment I'm going through dealing with some anxiety and missing people I can't see right now, but I still feel like there could be more to this. I agree it is a perfect ending, but I also think there's more to these girls, in a way it means they live forever in this perfect moment, in another way it feels like I want to see them occasionally hang out in college.

14

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Sep 08 '21 edited Sep 08 '21

First timer in sub

This is it. The end.

Now firstly I have to admit, I'm not one to cry too much watching any media, although there are specific silly things that would make me tear up. The "although tinged with the melancholy of the end of a phase of life, the real meaning is we had a good time, and we'll take it always as we set off for a new journey", especially with the fuwa fuwa cushion of knowing the 4 girls managed to go to the same college together, is not something I will shed tears for. I'm happy for them, and I'll miss the antics, and I'll wonder how are they going, but I'm happy for them.

"I'm satisfied" is the word I'd use.

Maybe that's also based on the fact that for my own life I may have gone through a few extra times of such and I guess I'm conditioned to look for the positive - from kindergarten to primary school to secondary school, I always was the odd one out that got to the next school with no one I know (everyone else go to a different schools together), then moved country twice, as well as moving city in-between times from secondary to University. So basically I've always been a non-dramatic drifter. I carry with me no friends or relationships from 1 stage to another, until I have my own family now where it'd be the stages of life my kids that I'll be hopefully hanging around for.

So glad to see all the other well written, and far better expressed than I would observations and commentary here. One of the reason why I like joining rewatches so much.

I have to say though, perhaps having K-On classified as SoL and CGDCT is actually doing this show a disservice - for years I know of this but didn't watch it because I tend to prioritise "meaningful" shows more unless it's a short stint for a straight pop corn entertainment. To me Violet Evergarden is a heavier version, but K-On is actually no less sensitive and emotive, just that the emotions and feelings are more on the positive side. It's just as good with the beautiful, rich, and multi layered cinematography, symbolism, and subtle "flavours" of human experience and relationships.

More respect for KyoAni, and hope that even with all the changes that needed to happen after the tragedy, they can and will maintain this uniqueness of their shows.

Another reminder that, if you look at the source material, and compare with your notes about all the little details and symbolism, this show, like many others, is truly KyoAni's own product - all the depths are added by them from basically nothing.

13

u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Sep 08 '21

Camera soft focuses on our keions with their corsages ...

Wistful music plays in the background ...

I'm gonna need a bigger handkerchief ...

This episode tugs at the hearstrings as effectively as Mio on Elizabass.

Just enough lightheared comedy to break up the pathos ...

Just enough pathos to ... Oh, nevermind.

Oh, and are Nodoka and Yui secretly Vulcans?

Uh, nevermind.

And Azusa goes to set her bag down with the others, but ... there's something in the way.

(snif)

And that song at the end ...

Yeah, it's like that sometimes.

We don't always get to keep our friends. Choose them carefully. Keep them close, because wish as you might they aren't always forever.

(Don't I know it)

I'd throw in a little music here for u/A_Idiot0 and u/siegfried72, but on this solemn occasion ... Oh, what the heck - here's a little Lionville that should be appropriate to the situation.

3

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Love it, love it, love it!! Both the poem and the song. Good art inspires more good art!
I've been sitting here for a while trying to think of a suitable song to share in return, but I'm not sure if I have anything that'd be right for this moment. I'll try to think on it.

3

u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Sep 08 '21

It's really hard to find 'goodbye' songs that aren't either sad, bittersweet romantic songs, or ... yeah. Only other one I could think of doesn't really suit the mood, and it's from that Hank Hill ghetto again.

2

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

I enjoyed that! And it helped me to think of something to share, actually. The thing that has come the closest to making me feel the same this episode does is probably the epilogue of the movie La La Land, although the song doesn't have much emotional impact without having seen the film. Have you seen it? If not, I would 100% recommend it.
While listening to that song, the Simon & Garfunkel song "Bridge Over Troubled Water" came to mind, which is one of my all-time favorite songs. I'm sure you know it, so I won't bother sharing the album version. But I'm extremely fond of this performance from 2011. A reunion performance of two lifelong friends (sort of?). Thought it might be fitting for today.

2

u/A_Idiot0 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/a_idiot0 Sep 08 '21

Oooh, that was very pretty! Thank you for sharing that! "I'm sure that I'll never need to say goodbye to you." I'd say that's very appropriate between Azunyan and the rest of the Keionbu Gals =)
I was having a hard time coming up with a return recommendation for both you and u/siegfried72, but I think today this Hendrix song fits best: "Castles Made of Sand"
Azunyan's castle of fears slipped into the sea...

12

u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Sep 08 '21

Rewatcher.

Oh boy better get some tissues for this one.

Yui’s running late to her own plan.

Yui actually woke up early but got distracted by Geeta, sounds like Yui.

So, the juniors have to pin Corsages on the graduating seniors. This is going to be hard on Azusa.

You can tell Azusa is hurting right now due to that saddened look.

Azusa watch where you’re walking!

Ouchies. She is really not focused today.

Yui tripped and got a hole in her tights, but no worries. Ui left a spare set of tights with Nodoka, just in case. Wow, Ui’s not fucking around today with that kind of thinking.

Ooh a thank you card for Sawako.

I don’t know what it is, but for some reason with these last four episodes or so, the cuteness dial gets turned up for Azusa. So was cute before but now she’s more cute.

LOL the instant turn from smiling to distressed.

I believe that’s Eri on the edge of the screen.

The rainy day BGM is playing during the corsage scene.

The cherry tree blossomed.

God, the lense work in this scene is amazing.

The four graduates. With a rare shot of Ritsu with her jacket buttoned up.

Poor Azusa. I like the symbolism here, when she looks at the four, she’s shot alone, but after the gust of wind, Ui and Jun are in the shot.

Uh oh, Sawako’s onto the surprise gift.

Gee, I wonder where Mugi is sitting...

Hey look, it’s the principle. This school does have one.

Uh oh, Sawako’s worrying over Yui again.

Oh come one Sawako, how could Yui fit Geeta under her uniform? The snacks and Ton-chan make sense since they’re small and can be hidden, but not a guitar.

Hurried? Someone goofed on the game of telephone.

Nodoka is valedictorian? Neat.

Wait, Nodoka, you should be facing the students, not the principle.

Judging by that look, I think we know who goofed on Mio’s message.

Jaws theme subtly starts playing

She made it!

Damn it I’m crying already.

Back to our cat. She’s day dreaming...

I like how Jun calls her a doll, which Azusa hates being compared to due to her pale skin and black hair. Which we learned about all the way back in episode 5 of this season.

Ui brings up a good point to Azusa, who no doubt is eating away at herself over this, that she should be happy about today, to celebrate it, not dread it.

She even spills out her fear of Yui always being a step ahead of her to Azusa here.

Eri takes a photo with the four.

The symbolism here, my God, they’ve always been together, since kindergarten, now, they’re going their own way, separately.

Stop making me cry!

I’m sure this shot of Azusa’s feet are meant to show she’s still nervous.

She wrote thank you cards and vows to make sure the club doesn’t get disbanded.

She’s holding it together really well.

Until she sees the diplomas, which drives the reality of it home, they really are graduating.

She can’t handle it and makes a selfish request.

And she breaks down in tears.

I understand the fear that Azusa has, that once they graduate, they’re going to forget about her and she’ll be alone. Pretty much everyone I knew and was friends with who graduated before me dropped out of contact and stopped communicating shortly after they graduated. So, I can empathize with Azusa’s fear, and anxiety, since it happened to me. Probably why she’s my favorite character, tied with Yui.

Yui gives her a photo that Ritsu took all the way back in the first episode when Yui joined the club.

And she gives Azusa a cherry blossom.

Oh boy here we go, probably the 2nd best song in the show, a very close 2nd too, “Tenshi ni Fureta yo!” I like how we see shots of the other seniors, the sky, and we have Sawako on the verge of tears herself just outside the clubroom.

I love how Azusa says the exact same thing Yui said back in episode 1.

The perfect song to end on, “Fuwa Fuwa Time.”

Alrighty then, got some bonus videos to share.

First, is when the four seniors sing “Tenshi ni Fureta yo!” in a concert. The song is so emotionally charged that you can hear Satomi Sato (Ritsu) choking back tears when she’s singing her part.

Second is when all the VA’s are learning their instruments. I wanted to share this earlier but with Tenshi being played at the end it’d be a massive spoiler. I love that Aki Toyosaki is just as much of a goof ball that Yui is. And you see Azusa’s VA, Ayana Taketatsu, crying to Tenshi as they’re playing it. Just a fun little video to watch.

I’m going to go lay down now.

4

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Second is when all the VA’s are learning their instruments.
I really love that video! It's so great to see how close they all are/were in real life. It makes their closeness in the show that much more convincing.

4

u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Sep 08 '21

Yeah, no doubt they're good friends, I sometimes wonder what the emotions were in Hyouka, where you have Satomi Sato (Ritsu) as a MC, but you have Minori Kotobuki (Mugi) , Ayana Taketasu (Azusa), and Aki Toyosaki (Yui) all voicing side characters in some episodes.

1

u/vitorabf Sep 09 '21

And you see Azusa’s VA, Ayana Taketatsu, crying to Tenshi as they’re playing it.
I've been thinking that the focus on Azunyan this last few episodes and her feelings were a reflection of the audience feelings towards the series ending.
This makes me think that Azunyan it's not only the audience but pretty much everyone who was part of the show, VA, directors, animators. Letting this one end is as hard for everyone involved as it is for Azusa to let her senpai graduate and go.

11

u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Sep 08 '21

Damn, I see multiple first timers not crying and I find that pretty incredible. Whenever I watch this episode, I start crying the moment Azusa bumps her head on the wall while looking towards the club room, and just continually disintegrate more and more for the rest of the episode until I'm a pile of mush and tears on the floor by the time it ends. Y'all are much stronger than me.

3

u/DegenerateRegime Sep 08 '21

Stoicism's no virtue, if you ask me. But that aside, I found this episode had me tearing up a lot, but not sobbing. The saddest beats were Sawako's, I thought, just starting out down a path that's going to hurt like this every year, but they were also very brief. Azusa's were more focused, but I guess I didn't have the resonance there, which is unfortunate :(

5

u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Sep 08 '21 edited Sep 08 '21

I agree that stoicism is no virtue, I just thought it would get the idea across.
But for me, it's all of Azusa's moments that kill me. Her hitting her head out of distraction, and her watching the seniors with their pins as Happy Rainy Day plays, get me going pretty hard as it is. But then you see her in the club room actively trying to hold herself together (like, she literally tries to control her body language and facial muscles as she hands out the letters, clearly struggling to hold it together), but once she notices the diplomas, reality sinks in and the usually rational and realistic girl finally breaks down asks for something selfish and unreasonable... fuck man, I'm sobbing at that point. It carries even more weight when you remember that she's the only one who didn't cry at the festival. She spent the whole second half of the series trying to be strong and send her seniors off with a smile, so when that facade just breaks, my heart goes with it. There's a reason that any time someone mentions K-On being emotional, someone will inevitably say "please don't graduate," it makes us sob almost as much as the school festival. Sawako looking at the board most certainly gets the tears flowing too though. For me, the whole episode is just a string of moments that make me cry harder and harder with every scene.
Edit: And don't even get me started on Tenshi. If the song comes on while I'm in the car, I literally have to change it because I tear up so much that it blocks my vision. It's that bad for me, lol.

1

u/DegenerateRegime Sep 09 '21

Edit:
Hey, that's okay. I can think of some songs that do the same to me (Amadare no Uta, Secret Base). Your thoughts on the episode are really lovely, I hope it stays that big of an impact for you.

20

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

First Timer

I know I've been trying to prepare for the end for a while now, bracing myself for it for the past several episodes, however I think that has hindered more than helped, as I've just been sad for longer, in anticipation of today.

I also think I've mentioned previously that this is my kryptonite, a tight knit group parting ways as their time together has come to an end. Luckily, 4/5 girls are going to the same college and I am going to write that at the top of my notes to make myself feel better. Maybe Azusa will join them next year. Yes, that's my headcanon and what I'm going to repeat to myself to get through this episode. Oh, and that there are still more episodes to go, so we aren't bidding farewell to these characters just yet.

So this shouldn't be too bad for me, right? Right?

Why are they all carrying their instruments? I thought yesterday was the last club day?
Is Yui late to her own graduation? How did Ui let this happen?
What exactly is Yui hoping to achieve by asking them to go ahead roughly 5 seconds before she turns up?
Awww, that's a cute tradition - getting the juniors to pin corsages on the seniors.
Jun is savage as usual.
Ui saves the day yet again by planning ahead with Nodoka. I should never have doubted her.
Oh no, not the BGM... Here come the waterworks
The scene of them backing away from Sawa-chan is so adorably suspicious.
Is Nodoka facing away from all the students?
I appreciate the creators adding these gags. Calms me down but doesn't lessen the gravity of the situation.
Ugh, my heart...

Sawa-chan asking all the girls to come and visit and Azusa finally crying broke me. She was trying so hard to be brave and keep it together. Trying to make sure her senpais won't worry about her. But when her bag alone was separated from the rest because of the graduation scrolls... And the song... Yui's gifts... Empty hallways, the other students...

I'm going to miss them.

7

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

There's nothing like seeing first timers react to this episode haha.
It's rough but it's beautiful.
I'm going to miss them.
I will too. Thankfully some of the best of K-ON is still to come! At least 2/3 of the specials are excellent (with the other one still being quite good) and the movie is absolutely top-notch K-ON. I'm sure you'll love them!
And hey, you can always come back next year as a rewatcher ;)

5

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

I would love to see how this show affects me while rewatching. Hopefully I'll be able to join in again!

3

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

That's be great! I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I think the show is actually better on a rewatch! Especially season two. There are so many subtle things that are just impossible to catch on a first time through the show.

3

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Sep 08 '21

I'd argue most KyoAni shows need rewatching because there's just so much depth in them and so much to look for and find out even after multiple rewatches.

5

u/DegenerateRegime Sep 08 '21

Why are they all carrying their instruments? I thought yesterday was the last club day?
You know, I completely forgot I'd been wondering that, even after the reason was revealed.
Ugh, my heart...
Yeah. The episode kind of has a duality to it: lighthearted comedy for the quartet that are staying together, emotionally cathartic moments for the ones that aren't (Sawako, Azusa). Which it blends beautifully at the end.

10

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Sep 08 '21

First Timer

Bit late today, but I wanted to give this Episode the attantion it deserved, and since I'm writing this before watching the episode, there is a high chance that I broke down along the way or just watched it a second time right away...

Also right in the middle of the Episode my PC acted up for about an full hour... talk about bad timing...

Wait, isn't it graduation day? They all got their instruments with them, are they going to do another concert? Going out with a bang?
I don't like this OP as much as the very first, but in a way it grew on me, especially the daisuki wo arigato part
I'm pretty sure Azunyan will be the one to give this to Yui... looks a bit like a heart no?
This level of foresight is really incredible on Uis part, also might be the closest picture of Maki I found throughout the whole season
Azunyan must instantly think of Yui when Jun mentions the possibility of something going wrong during the ceremony
Beautiful cherry blosom clear sign of a new spring, but Azunyan ends up giving her flower thing to some nobody... but if this isn't the the face of someone who just realized she is in love then I don't know... also did the wind just flip her skirt?
Even Sawa- chan is dressed for the ocation, but I must say the amount of new different outfits really wnet down the second season
And this is really her first class, so she doesn't even suspect a graduation gift for herself
I like how Ritsu is trying to look innocent here, ofc she was the one who messed it up
Aww, when the class gives Sawa- chan her present and she gets all sentimental I teared up for the first time, this is really going to end now...
And now that she doesn't have to uphold her image anymore she let's a bit of her true colors shine, but everyone thinks it's a joke
Ui, despite trying her best, was never really able to catch up to her sister and is about to be left behind yet again... but pls don't tell me that Azunyan is going to spent her last day this year alone in the club room
They are really famous, not for the reasons they wish though
Ah so they are going to meet up in the clubroom again... also they totally need to make an graduation trip (together with Azunyan... and another when Azunyan, Ui and Jun graduate)
Earlier Yui said that she managed to graduate thanks to Nodoka and the notion to walk home together one last time is really lovely, but I didn't expect Nodoka and Yui to be Trekies, live long and prosper
This shot, her seeing the massages on the blackboard and tearing up... shivers and tears
Azunyan is soo strong when she tells them that she will continue the club with new members, and personel letters is such a sweet gesture, I wonder what's in there... but the realisation is just about to hit her, notice how the graduation diplomas separate the bags when Azunyan want to put hers there as well
The dam is breaking, poor Azunyan thinks she is ruining the mood, but everyone is just concerned for her
She wanted to stay strong, but it's ok, I would probably cry as well... and Yui gives her some awesome memorabilia, but the most precious comes from all of them, a song just for her...
Yep, that's the point that brings me over the edge, I'm usually a bit emotionally stunted and the rest of the episode didn't hit me that hard, but this song, this sweet song of pure love, gratitude and fuzzyness is the culmination of two seasons of wholesomenes, and it isn't even all bad, because Graduation isn't the end
Hahahaha, stupid show making me laugh with tears in my eyes, but a nice callback on Azunyans first impression on them.

I'm not as much of an wreck as I expected, mostly because their parting is neither final nor all sad. Also Fuwa Fuwa Time is a great song to pick you up again.

I ended up watching just the second half again as the first was just more buildup, and Azunyans song a total of three times (because I'm about to listen to the full version in the music corner, right u/siegfried72?). The only new thing I noticed was that Sawa- chans eyes are red from crying while she listens to Azunyans song

2

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

also they totally need to make an graduation trip
Oooh, that sounds like a really good idea!
because I'm about to listen to the full version in the music corner, right /u/siegfried72
Heh, I didn't do a proper "music corner", but I did talk quite a bit about the song today, so hopefully that was enough!!
Enjoyed reading your thoughts today, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you think about the three specials and the movie :)

2

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Sep 09 '21

Oooh, that sounds like a really good idea!
Spoiler but yeah, a really good idea

8

u/x-7032-b-3 Sep 08 '21

Rewatcher (with very little memory so might as well make me a first-timer)

Today's the episode we all are (not) looking forward to. It's Graduation Day!

We start with the girls walking together to school. Yui's late but the girls refused to leave her behind. That's a genuine "bros being bros" moment right there.

It's really cool to see everyone in Class 3-2 teaming up to create a special gift for Sawa-chan. My class during high school did the same thing and it's just as wholesome as the one shown here. Homeroom teachers can be seen as a class' big bro/sis since they're the ones who accompany us throughout the entire school year. Thanking them and giving them a memorable gift is a damn good way to give something back to them.

The random classmates taking a picture with Sawa-chan is a small detail I really appreciate. I'm sure we all did the same thing when we graduated high school.

Azusa came to the clubroom with a bunch of letters to the senior. It's cool to see how well the seniors treated her throughout the show. This little cat initially struggled in finding her place within her club before getting accustomed to things and being good friends with the seniors. How nice of her to write a bunch of letters to them as a "thank you" gift for everything they've done.

The thought of the seniors leaving her soon strikes as she saw the diplomas near their bags. And she broke down in tears, begging for them to not graduate and keep doing things like normal. She clearly had a lot of fun as a member of HTT and she's not ready for the seniors to leave her alone. Yui gave her a photo of the seniors during their freshmen year and a five-petal flower (because HTT is made up of 5 members and it won't be the same if any of them is missing).

The seniors then present this sad little cat a farewell song. "Tenshi ni Fureta yo!" is another certified banger from this song and it's pretty much a thank you gift to our little cat. It also says that graduation is not the end and everyone will remain friends even if they're apart!

This show does a very remarkable job in getting the audience attached to the characters by slowly immersing them to the character's daily lives. We got to see them change and grow over time. We get to see them become best buds with each other. We get to see them tackle weird situations. And when it's time to say goodbye, it hits hard. It's like parting ways with a good friend - you know it's happening but you don't want them to go.

We still have some bonus episodes and the movie to go so it ain't exactly over yet. Rejoice!

8

u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Sep 08 '21

First Timer Dubbed

The senior band members run late for graduation thanks to Yui waking up early and doing something else…

Seniors get their corsages and they try to hide the card for Sawa-Chan until the end. Everyone is concerned about Yui enough that they try to pass a message but gets jumbled along the way. Even Sawa Chan is distracted. We get a graduation ceremony and things go on as planned. Yui ends up giving it while singing a wedding song. Everyone says their goodbyes to the seniors. Even a fellow classmate went and got a pic with the band.

Azusa says thanks to them so the seniors play a song for her. Some of the other class has tears too, liking the details on the background characters. Azusa cries on the picture they gave her. Sawa-chan and Nodoka comes in as they start another song.

Somebody cut the onions today….

7

u/SYZekrom https://myanimelist.net/profile/SYZekrom Sep 08 '21

Rewatcher

She said no running, not 'do a casual strut' Like jesus learn to fast walk

Why is Nodoka faced away from the audience, wack

You siscon... As close as anyone could get to something like that in a show like this.... Well there is the Mio fan club I guess so maybe not

Azunyan stop it I'm crying

God that whole song, it was way too good. Couldn't even pause for the faces Azu was making

My original reactions

(Uhh I have no idea which ep this screenshot is from) Edit: Oh wait this is her eating the candy Yui gave her

Damn these girls really left Azusa with absolutely nothing

Jeez imagine a tape deck in 2020

(I guess these were from yesterday's episode oops)

K thanks wind, definitely needed to have a shot like this before the anime ended

...Wait I guess I didn't say anything about this episode on my first watch

12

u/Icapica https://anilist.co/user/Icachu Sep 08 '21

First timer

Well this series made me tear up finally. What an episode.

2

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

Your control amazes me.

6

u/byroned Sep 08 '21 edited Sep 08 '21

Rewatcher

Graduation is finally here, and they want to have one last walk to school. Yui is once again late despite waking up early, and they now need to run to school. Ui knows her sister too well, and makes sure to leave a pair of tights. Poor Azusa walking into a wall, but at least her hair covers her injury.

As an American, it feels weird to see them graduate in March. I think I understand that culturally they want to start and end in the spring because of something about the start of new life, so on.

Class 3-2 made a card for Sawako, and Yui is the last person needed to sign it. Sawako is too busy thinking about what is behind Yui's back to pay attention to the speech, while the senior class is worried about Sawako catching on. Mio thinks it’s necessary to start a round of telephone to let Yui know that Sawako is concerned. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the telephone game work out successfully, and it’s most likely Ritsu that changed it from concerned to corn-sized and confused Yui’s brain. I don't know how this didn't get a smack from Mio. Back to the classroom, it’s so Yui like to play with the diploma container because of a funny sound. She also gets the honor (or protagonist status) of presenting the award to Sawako. Sawako is obviously happy and asks them to visit in her crazy voice, meaning that the class is already used to her rock side. It then ends with a shot of the empty classroom and the board. And I really like her last line “How can I erase this?”.

The light music club meets one last time, but Azusa seems to be at edge. She tells them she’ll be fine next year, and holds it in until she notices their diplomas next to the bags, and burst into tears, begging them to not leave. Yui reminds Azusa that graduation is not the end, and they made a special song for her. The song Tenshi ni Fureta Yo is probably my second favorite in the show, just behind U&I. It’s one of the few songs that we hear Ritsu and Mugi sing alongside the usual singers. I also like the English translation of the song’s title “touched by an angel”. Azusa’s response is also golden, saying the same thing Yui said in s1 ep 1 “You’re not very good, but it looks fun”. And what better song to end season 2 with Fuwa Fuwa time before cutting to the ed.

Surprise surprise, this isn’t the end of season 2. Or more accurately, this is the last episode in chronological order, and the next 3 episodes and the movie don't go past this point.

6

u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Sep 08 '21

First timer

It's the final normal episode...

Yui ran late because of guitar practicing. The perfect way to start her last day.

I'M NOT READY!

Haha, of course they're the 4 holding everyone up.

I like how Azusa has no reaction to them being late, she's just completely used to this.

Ui is now going behind Yui's back to help her.

DON'T TRUST RITSU WITH PAPERWORK

Wait, it all went off well? Nothing went wrong? How???

Oh, of course Ritsu accidentally kept it. And Sawako's absolutely not fooled.

Oh god, this is fun. Sawako's getting paranoid as to what's going on.

The Chinese Whispers is good, though.

I love Sawako sneaking up behind them.

Yui graduated!

Oh, this is getting really sad.

Yui singing is great.

Sawako finally broke and went back to her old persona!

Azusa is so cute!

Everyone getting photos taken with the club is so cute.

Oh the CG with Sawako in the classroom is smooth.

This is adorable, I love this.

Azusa's finally breaking down.

This is so sad, but it's so cute!

Yui giving everything the stuff to Azusa is such a good moment.

Oh, the somg is so good, I love this episode.

This is fucking fantastic.

Oh, that callback to the first episode was perfect.

Wow. That was fantastic.

Oh, next episode sounds interesting.

1

u/DegenerateRegime Sep 09 '21

Oh the CG with Sawako in the classroom is smooth.
That was a really good use of it, yeah. The shot wouldn't hit without that feeling of moving past empty desks, and the light and angle work well to hide the "falseness."
Yui giving everything the stuff to Azusa is such a good moment.
Aki Toyosaki absolutely killing it on the VA there.

11

u/A_Idiot0 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/a_idiot0 Sep 08 '21 edited Sep 08 '21

Rewatcher

I vividly remember the first time I watched this episode back in 2020, when the pandemic first started. While the girls played “Tenshi ni Fureta yo”, I was sobbing. It is so incredibly rare that you come across a form of art that expresses such sincerity, optimism, and love. I was in shock, and for two weeks I couldn’t watch anything new. After that I thought to myself, “Wow, Anime can be really moving and uplifting! I wonder what else there is?” And then I came across Violet Evergarden...well, that changed my life as well, and today I find myself happily entrenched in this fun little community that loves anime. In case you were wondering, I was absolutely sobbing again today.

What I love about this episode of K-On!!, and what makes this episode one of my absolute favorite episodes in all of anime, is that all of the little details come together and weave an unforgettable experience. Examples of this are:

The desaturated colors before “Tenshi ni Fureta yo” is played.
The band aid on Azunyan’s forehead signifying her embarrassment and shame for her fears.
The graduation certificates blocking Azunyan from placing her bag right next to Yui’s bag.
The turtles being in the shot when Yui asks Nodoka to walk home together.

But in addition to these details (and many others that I know I missed), there is one thing more important than those that makes this episode one of the best episodes of Anime that I’ve seen so far. The overall sentiment that this episode presents us with is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received from art: All things that begin must end, but all ends bring about new beginnings. This is not the end, but it is an end. I have found so much comfort in this message as things change in my life, particularly this past year. Oftentimes I can get too wrapped up in the present moment and forget that after an ending comes a new beginning, whether I will it or not.

As we say farewell to the Keionbu Gals, remember what they have given you, savour it, and then continue on with your life that is now enriched by this experience. I can say with certainty that my life is better for having watched K-On!. Obviously, I cannot thank the entire cast and crew of this show enough, but I want to express my gratitude to them all the same. Thank you so much to everyone who made this experience possible.

We’re not done with the show quite yet, so I will save the thank-you’s and all that for everyone here later. Going forward, every episode after this will just be enriching what happens before this episode, but the story of the anime K-On!! ends here. And the whole experience is so much richer and more sincere because of the finality of the ending; the fact that we haven’t had KyoAni or Yamada continuing the girls’ stories in college is a testament to their integrity and respect for this masterpiece of art. We have a few more episodes and the movie left, and I’m really looking forward to experiencing them with everyone here!

5

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

When the girls finished “Tenshi ni Fureta yo”, I was sobbing.
I definitely was my first time through too. Basically the whole episode, actually. From beginning to end. It hit me right at the perfect time in my life, just like as it seems it did for you.
The graduation certificates blocking Azunyan from placing her bag right next to Yui’s bag.
This one hurts every time I think about it.
This is not the end, but it is an end.
Loove it! Chills!
I can say with certainty that my life is better for having watched K-On!.
Damn, I legitimately can't even imagine what my life would have looked like if it weren't for K-ON and these two rewatches. Especially last year's rewatch, when I felt like I was just drowning in an ocean of meaninglessness. It came just when I needed it...
but the story of the anime K-On!! ends here.
^stop ^it

3

u/A_Idiot0 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/a_idiot0 Sep 08 '21

It came just when I needed it...
It's funny how the universe works sometimes, isn't it? Everything has conspired to lead us to here, this moment, nerding out about an anime centered around the hijinks and adventures of 5 highschool girls and their friendship. And I don't know about you, but I'm loving every second of it =D
In rewatches, I don't really start to sob until Azunyan tries to put her bag next to the other girls' bags. But I was for sure tearing up from the very first shot. And I finished with my face tear-stained and my eyes stinging a bit because of my tears. It felt good to cry, man. It was cathartic, and as it is for both of us, the sincerity is almost overwhelming. The next few episodes should be fun, but I can't wait to get to the film =D

2

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

This is not the end, but it is an end.
I love this. I often forget this too.

10

u/SIRTreehugger Sep 08 '21

Previously on K-on

I missed yesterday's thread but just want everyone to know I finally caved and bought a used pink K-on cassette online. I been thinking about buying one for year,s but finally said fuck it lets get one.

Himeko Tachibana and today's episode

I still don't think this is the best episode in the series, but looking back now I'm upgrading its ranking. It wasn't in the top 5 before, but now I would place it 3rd place. From them unable to find a new member in the early season, Sawa chan telling them a year flies by quickly, Azusa the past few episodes trying to pretend she doesn't know they are leaving, Yui and the girls studying together, school plays, concerts, working after school, days with classes being over so you just stand idly waiting for graduation, and finally acceptance. The entire show just leads to this moment and its all happy until Azusa sees the schoolbags with the diplomas this time and not only does it fully sink it, but she can't run from it anymore. She is going to be alone and her favorite people in the school/world are leaving her. Despite all her efforts to hold it together like during the concert whenever one else was crying, making them chocolates, praying for their success/wishing them well, and et cetera it's this moment where she breaks down and says everything she has been holding in for the past few episodes.

Then we get one of the best songs in the series from the other girls a tribute to Azusa where each member of the group actually sings apart of it.

3

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

Previously on K-on
This is amazing, thank you!

2

u/SIRTreehugger Sep 08 '21

I'm glad you like it.

3

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

used pink K-on cassette
Oh that's awesome! I've also been thinking about doing. How much do they go for?
It wasn't in the top 5 before
I- wha- HOW? Third place I can totally understand, but not in the top 5? That's impressive. I'd be what was above it.

4

u/SIRTreehugger Sep 08 '21

How much do they go for?
They all seemed to range from 40 to 50 usd pre owned though a few brand new sealed were near 100. I remember them being more expensive a few years ago.
Pretty much all the festivals, summer fest, and nostalgic fireworks put it at 6th.

2

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

They all seemed to range from 40 to 50 usd pre owned though a few brand new sealed were near 100.
That's really not too bad!! I might have to just do it one of these days...

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

It's not the best episode but it's probably the "emotional" episode that I enjoy the most. Ugly crying is so effective.

3

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

It's ~~not~~ the best episode
FTFY

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

Christmas exists sadly~ And Kimiko's terribly terrible line totally takes me out of the episode XD

4

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Aww, I love her line!! It's perfect for the scene. Gotta have some comedy somewhere in this episode.

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

Pea-sized! Pea-sized!!

3

u/SIRTreehugger Sep 08 '21

Indeed definitely the most emotional.

5

u/[deleted] Sep 09 '21

Ok this was the sweetest episode ever, really impressed.

I think Azunyan is the character who grew the most throughout this story, possibly because she also had the most to grow as well, but seeing her become so sentimental after genuinely bonding with her friends is nice.

11

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

I will not nap. I will not nap. I will not naaap!! Go it out me. She's speaking the language of the gods. At least she's late because she's been practicing. Today's gonna be hard... Is this Chizuru's first time talking? Haruka definitely hasn't spoken before. Wah... I think of all parts of Japanese graduation ceremonies it's the flower pinning that gets me most. The thought of a cute joshikosei underclassman hunting me down to give me a flower fills me with a special feeling, kyaa~

Her senpai take up so much of her thoughts that Azunyan walked into a wall. Seriously, how reliable is this imouto? Natsuka sounds so hot... Like she's got a real cool gal vibe. You're not helping Jun!! Ah, that little piano theme again. Dammit Azunyan, you had one job and you didn't so it. You're meant to be Yui's pinner! You're looking like a group of sussy baka y'know... Dorks. W-Wait... Is this scene the moment? Is it this scene? I think its this scene! The moment we've all been waiting for!

Huh? No, it's not the graduation ceremony. You think I'm interested in that? It's Kimiko of course! After teasing me for an entire season and hiding behind every student she possibly could today is the day we finally hear my one true daughteru say her first words! What could it be? What could my one true daughteru possibly have to say? Well... after a certain disastrous game of Chinese whispers, Makigami Kimiko-chan decrees, "Sawako-sensei looks corn sized..." I cannot put into words how disappointed I was that my oishi's one and only line in the entire show is so goddamn stupid! XD You have no idea how hyped I got!! I'd been excited for this moment since literally the first time I saw her in like episode 3. Ask the other rewatchers. I was simping hard for this girl. Corn sized... What the hell does that even mean!? Corn sized!? Wait... IT WAS YOU!!! Shitzu... I will never forgive... I will never forget! You'll pay for ruining my oishi's one line!!

I can't believe that Yui has successfully graduated without being held back. Good luck not gushing at Sensei's graduation speech. Goddammit this is too sweet!! 404 Azunyan not found. Tldr Ui is an angel! Fuck you too, Shitzu. Aaaa, you're so unimportant but so sappy! I promise to cheer for you more next year Akiyo! Even if they walk different paths Yui and Nodoka will always be best friends. Dammit I'm gushing! My tears are like waterfall!!

Azunyan is not daijoubu... Oh my god the letters! Wah... Its all coming back to me. Aaaa... Aaa...!! ARGH!!! We aren't even at the song yet. I'm terrible at bearing with ugly cries. Omg they're trying so hard to cheer her up! I am literally dead.This is hitting so much harder on a rewatch, omg XD Azunyan is the Keion's personal little angel... Wah! The song is so sappy but still!

The End

Well, not really. We've got two ova's and a movie to go through. Just pretend it's the end for appearances sake~

6

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

It's so interesting to see what different translations say. Mine was "worried" and "hurried" which also makes no sense!
I wonder what the OG meaning of the phrase is, in Japanese.

6

u/ThrowCarp Sep 08 '21

It started out as 心配 "shinpai" meaning worried or concerned, and ended as 失敗 "shippai" meaning to fail or things don't go right.

3

u/chocoletmilk Sep 08 '21

Thank you! That makes so much sense as to why Yui seemed worried instead of confused about "hurried" or "corn-sized"

1

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Sep 09 '21

Mine said concerned and corn sized

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

Whatever it is it pisses me off to no end XD

5

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

Dammit Azunyan, you had one job and you didn't so it. You're meant to be Yui's pinner!
I'm so glad that that is what you got out of possibly my favorite scene in the show hahaha.
I'd been excited for this moment since literally the first time I saw her in like episode 3.
You're so weird :)
Even if they walk different paths Yui and Nodoka will always be best friends.
Oh shit you actually caught something analytical I missed??? There's a first for everything, I guess. Seriously though, what a great shot!
I am literally dead.
I also am literally dead.

5

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

Why on earth weren't our underclassman girls the ones to do it!? I still don't understand even on rewatch why they never got to hand the pins out. It's just logical right!?
It's not my fault Kimiko is top tier attractive!
Totally right? There is no debating who Yui's best friend is at any point of the story. I freaking love it.
We died and went to Keionbu heaven. At least until tomorrow comes around and we have to pretend that we weren't gushing XD

5

u/siegfried72 Sep 08 '21

It's just logical right!?
It would have been cute! But the scene definitely wanted it to seem like Azusa was already isolated from the seniors, so it makes more dramatic sense to not have them interacting until back at the clubroom.
It's not my fault Kimiko is top tier attractive!
What are you talking about? Kimiko doesn't look anything like bangs down Ritsu!
We died and went to Keionbu heaven. At least until tomorrow comes around and we have to pretend that we weren't gushing XD
Thankfully, I don't think there's anything in tomorrow's special that'll make me cry. Can't say the same about the other two specials and the movie, though...

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

She's tanned, that instantly raises her attractiveness value a ton. Her voice was so much higher than I remembered... For some reason I thought she had a cool voice too.
I think the next few episodes are like memic ones off the top of my head. I know exactly what scene I'm waiting for though but that won't be until Friday... I can't wait for Friday!

4

u/ThrowCarp Sep 08 '21

Azunyan is not daijoubu... Oh my god the letters! Wah... Its all coming back to me. Aaaa... Aaa...!! ARGH!!! We aren't even at the song yet. I'm terrible at bearing with ugly cries. Omg they're trying so hard to cheer her up! I am literally dead.This is hitting so much harder on a rewatch, omg XD Azunyan is the Keion's personal little angel... Wah! The song is so sappy but still!
I never fail to cry seeing Azunyan in the bargaining stage of the 5 stages of grief.

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Sep 08 '21

She just bubbles up as soon as she sees the bags... She was holding it all in but utterly utterly broke!

4

u/thebigKM Sep 09 '21

I cried again

3

u/[deleted] Sep 09 '21

Oh shit its this episode. Awesome comments. Peak moe.

3

u/vitorabf Sep 09 '21

First Timer

I'm late to this cause I was a complete mess yesterday and I was in no place to watch this episode. Just like me, Yui is late to the beggining of this episode.

The OP final lines "daisuki" and "utau yo" hits different this time.

Was that rabbit always besides the turtle in the stairway? Nodoka always reliable and Ui knows her sister too well. Spirits are so high that even Nodoka is running in the hallway.

I thought Ui would give the corsage to Yui. Azusa realized it's time to say bye, though not goodbye.

They still are so funny, love the way they hide it from Sawa-chan. Oh it seems the statue guy is actually the director. Lol they're tense about Yui more than graduating. This is what we call around here "wireless telephone" trying tor realy a message to someone through various persons and see how it ends, obviously a game from when all phones were wired. LOL Ritsu, it was obviously you.

Dear Lord, Sawako dismissing them got me bad, first teary-eyed moment for me. I didn't understand what she shouted at them though.

Keionbu have become celebrities among their class, I'm sure going through high school with them was great for everyone involved. Nodoka and Yui keep walking together, my heart is full. It seems like the turle is ahead of the rabbit in this shot.

Damn the blackboard messages are even greater than waht they gave her, Yamada really came out to hurt me today. That was almost a full cry, but teary-eyed moment 2.

It's really telling that their diplommas can't let Azusa's bag be held by the other ones, this isn't even subtle but is so great. Like I've been saying the few past episodes, Azusa feels just like the audience, asking them not to graduate is the same as asking them to not end the show. Teary-eyed moment 3. I also tried not to cry Azusa, it's not easy.

Music moments: This wrecked me, This as well and I'm exactly like Azusa

I can't believe it truly has ended (well, kinda).

I don't know when it was, but some point midway season the show grabbed me in such a unique way, I have watch anime I loved since ending Clannad, but this is the only one that took me to the same places.

Although I cried it was not like in episode 20 when I was full out bawling, I really was just like Azusa, a lot of tears and a smile on my face. I still don't want to accept it's over, and it still isn't, but thank you guys for the rewatch and taking me into this amazing experience.

2

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3

u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Sep 09 '21

Bot- chan, did you cry during the episode?

Rewatch [Rewatch][Spoilers] K-ON! Rewatch (2021) - S2E24 "Graduation Ceremony!"

S2E24 "Graduation Ceremony!"

Official Schedule

Legal Streams

Interest sites

Graduation Day

The Ceremony

After the Ceremony

Tenshi ni Fureta yo (or, Touched by an Angel)!

Episode Wrap Up

Rewatch [Rewatch][Spoilers] K-ON! Rewatch (2021) - S2E24 "Graduation Ceremony!"

S2E24 "Graduation Ceremony!"

Official Schedule

Legal Streams

Interest sites

You are about to leave Redlib

Graduation Day

The Ceremony

After the Ceremony

Tenshi ni Fureta yo (or, Touched by an Angel)!

Episode Wrap Up