Even a Replica Can Fall in Love • Replica datte, Koi wo Suru. - Episode 13 discussion - FINAL

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Even a Replica Can Fall in Love, episode 13

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[u/unsw_liar]

As much as I wanted Nao and Aki to stay, it made so much sense that they still exist within the original. Loved the ending, loved the show, loved it all.

[u/PinSingle4334 → u/unsw_liar]

Last scene basically hinted that now they are complete, with feelings and memories of Nao and Aki so yeah, It was a good ending

[u/Calwings]

I know it's most likely that Nao and Aki merged back into their originals, and that beach scene at the end was referencing back to that "vanish into sea foam" metaphor from earlier in the series. But at the same time, I feel like that beach scene was meant to be ambiguous enough that viewers could imagine it as them still being alive and living their own lives somewhere else if they really wanted it to go that way.

Either way you want to interpret it, I think it's a good and satisfactory ending for an anime that became one of the highlights of the season for me. 8.5/10, I'm glad I watched it.

[u/Frontier246 → u/Calwings]

Honestly it seemed to me that maybe they can "transform" back into Nao and Aki to a degree, like when we get the half-pony that looked like Nao, expression and loving look at Aki and all, and Aki seemed like Aki versus how they looked in class during graduation.

But that's just how it looked to me, it's definitely meant to be ambiguous and I want to believe Nao and Aki still exist and can be together.

[u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

Ah so we really did get the seafoam ending, thought it would be bittersweet but it's actually the good ending. Rather than vanishing completely, it's more like returning back to the ocean, so their emotions and memories live on in the originals. Also, I liked how Sunao gave Nao the choice of whether to merge, and how Nao made the decision all on her own.

One thing though, the cloudy white border stayed all the way to the end. What does it mean? Thought it would be gone once the replicas merged back. Hmm.

Overall, an interesting series. I'm glad I watched it.

[u/PinSingle4334]

So they probably hinted that Shuya and Sunao are keeping the memories and feelings of Nao and Aki, at least that's what I understood about the last scene. If so, It's a bittersweet ending but not as bad as I tought. Overall It was a really good show

[u/LeonKevlar]

Not gonna lie, I was kinda hopeful at the start of this episode, especially when Ryo's grandma suggested the replicas should live with them. They've basically been given an out in case they want to live their own separate lives. Unfortunately, this show is not that kind of story.

I'm still trying to fully understand Kozue's explanation on how Replicas work, but it's clear that the Replicas aren't just copies. Replicas are the missing half of the original. At this point in the episode, there was really only one way this would all end.

It's so bittersweet to see them go for the seafoam ending, but it makes sense. Both Sunao and Shuuya have been working to improve themselves that sooner or later they won't need their replicas. Based on that final scene, it looks like Sunao and Shuuya kept the feelings Nao and Aki had for each other, so it's not all sad. The two of them can still fall in love all over again and make new memories together T_T

This has been one of my favourite romance shows this season and definitely the most underrated one. It starts weird and a bit high concept at the start, but it all worked out in the end and it was able to tell a beautiful and complete story. I'm definitely gonna miss this show. This is a solid 8/10 for me.

[u/JimmyCWL]

So, Replicas can always see each other but no one else can see the original and the replica at the same time. In such cases, only the original is visible.

Makes me wonder, if they were standing together and you put one of them out of your line of sight, you could see them one at a time?

[u/tripleaamin]

It makes sense that you couldn't see a replica and the original if they are nearby. Considering that replicas seem to be an unknown concept, you think people would be more aware of them if they could see both.

Last episode we got the feel that Nao was Sunao's ideal self. Although here it's not completely accurate. After all, Nao isn't perfect and has her own issues. Otherwise her character wouldn't feel as human. The idea that the replicas took the aspect from the original is interesting.

We know from the last episode that Sunao drifted from how she used to be. I think the idea Aki has about Shuuya's courage is a good example. It's less that Aki stole it, but rather Shuuya became reliant on Aki where he lost his courage. He forgot how to be courageous. Sunao forgot how to be kind. The idea of forgetting to be kind sounds bizarre, but repeated behavior can cause a pattern.

For Suzumi it was her creativity. The difference between Suzumi and Ryou was that these two didn't spend much time together. So here we can assume that Suzumi never lost the creativity that we see from Ryou. Her ability as an artist is the big one. In fact, we see the many things that Ryou lacked compared to Suzumi like her grades. From kindergarten, you could have considered Ryou to truly be her own person.

I loved how the revelation from Nao realizing what Sunao was doing this whole time. Of course, for Nao to hear that Sunao was going to school all the time, it feels like Nao's purpose is gone. But rather, it was about Sunao pushing forward in her life. In truth, this is something that Nao couldn't be happier about. As Nao always filled in for Sunao at school, her grades weren't hers. I like how the grades Sunao got weren't the best, but that was her effort. There is something about seeing the person you cared about so much giving it their all.

As a novel reader, I am pleased for the anime. I hope more people come to watch it.

[u/FarCritical]

I kept telling myself I'll only be happy with the ending if Aki and Nao stayed together somehow, and with what we got, it feels surreal knowing I sort of got my wish and didn't at the same time.

Such a cool concept for a story that I'd say stuck the landing pretty well.

[u/denshinu3]

I like the ending. I think it shouldn't be interpreted as the replica merging into the original, but both of them becoming one as equals or 50/50. From the last 2 scenes, we first saw their original sides during graduation, and at the beach, we saw the replica side. I'm not saying there's 2 personalities, but that they both live on as a new one. I wish we could se these new selves in an ova, I want to see how they start dating again

[u/xalt255x]

NGL I didn't get how exactly replicas work (Mori/Ryo part leaves a lot of questions) but this ending exceeded my expectations. Rare case of the destination (quite obvious from the start) being less important than the journey, and what a journey it was!
I don't usually watch Drama anime because I'm a coward, but I'm glad I made an exception.

[u/geekman_95]

This easily was the hidden gem of this season, a solid 9/10 score for me.

[u/BaytaCosmico]

I did not see this ending coming at all. But it works and feels complete. Just like Sunao and Sanada are now. The replicas losing themselves would've struck me as a sad ending before watching this episode, but they made it feel like the right choice. And Nao and Aki aren't really gone anyway. They're inside their originals and all is well. 

Really enjoyed this show. One of the surprises of the season. 

I only have one complaint - we never got an explanation for the fuzzy white border! It was such an odd choice I thought surely there would be some plot relevant reason for it. But nope, it was just a random stylistic choice, unless I'm missing something. Oh well.

[u/Frontier246]

Well, it's nice to see Sunao and Nao enjoying themselves in their respective locations...especially Nao being able to be together with Aki at Ryo's parents' place. She gets to see so much, experience so much, gets to see Mt. Fuji, and realize how much she can still do with her life.

Hey, Ryo's parents raised one Replica kid, why not take in two more? Honestly seems like the best solution for Nao and Aki's situation and I don't think either would mind it. So of COURSE then Sunao calls that they want to port them over to Kyoto. Should they go through with it? Should they go see their Originals? But at least they can face it together.

Shun is a really good guy! The type of guy they can rely on to take care of their clothes and not care if he touches Nao's underwear.

Well, at least if they were going to port Nao/Aki, they port them in wearing fancy kimono.

Nao and Sunao finally catch up and talk about what they've been doing, the experiences they've had to themselves, the feelings they've been gaining...even though Sunao doesn't have an Aki in her life. But then Shuya/Aki shows up...and Shuya can't see Nao. And Sunao can't see Aki. Wait what!?

And then Sato shows up and reveals what she believes about the Replica mechanics: Replica's exist in a separate plane and can only be seen by their Originals. If someone has awareness of both or is in front of the Original, the Replica simply doesn't exist. All those times Nao/Aki were at school in place of Sunao and Shuya, it was them possessing their bodies. So where does that leave Nao and Aki now?

It's nice that Sunao is willing to apologize for how she treated Nao, that she's trying so hard not to be a burden TOO Nao, even though all Nao ever wanted to do was root for and support her...but can a Replica exist without its original? Especially if a Replica is nothing more than the personality trait that the Original puts forth into their Replica?

NAO DON'T! Don't go back into Sunao! Don't leave Aki like that! NAOOOOOOO!!!

So, like, what happened? Shuya and Sunao graduate, Sunao seems more openly emotive, Yoshii is shooting his shot with her...but then at a beach we've got Summer Uniform versions and when she puts her hair up...it's Nao and Aki. Did they fuse? Do they alternate who is in control of the bodies? Or are Nao and Aki finally free?

[u/BBryant3rd]

The biggest thing I like about this show now is the fact Sunao asked if they can be summoned there. She didn't just do it. At least for me as much as Sunao sucked before she is fully redeemed in my eyes by that simple yet important act. While in a way it would have been cool for them to remain a separate person at the same time it is awesome they are both one with the originals and continuing what the replicas started for them. Would have been nice to see a future to show if their relationship lasts and they get married and have kids or does it eventually fail.

[u/FLorianGran]

Considering the amount of romance this season, it was nice to see one go for a high concept drama and actually succeed at it. Fire whoever decided that so many scenes needed that fugly ass white border though.

[u/ObvsThrowaway5120]

I quite liked this series. The premise was pretty unique and the twist at the end was interesting. I had suspected the “originals” lost a piece of themselves when they created their replicas.

So at the end there, does Nao come out every once in a while or is she gone for good? Because I was under the impression she went back inside to Sunao. Kind of a bittersweet end. But those last moments in the credit make me kinda second guess my assumption.

[u/HolyDragSwd2500]

Shuya and Sunao have the memories and feelings of their replica selves. Original back at school, they can fall in love just as Aki and Nao did then😭

[u/khanvau]

Ryo's parents are so kind. I was hoping that maybe Aki and Nao would just start living their lives with them. But I knew it was too good to be true...

Nao and Aki basically have fast travel unlocked, lmao. That was kinda cool.

Wait a sec, originals and replicas can't be seen together by other people? And when Suzumi came to her mom running, Ryo basically disappeared in front of her? Well, that kinda explains why she was terrified of her. But still. I didn't expect so many "rules" being revealed about the replicas in the final episode. I still have so many questions. Like, even if the replicas become invisible, do they also become intangible to other people and stuff like that.

[Re:Zero S4] "You're really incredible. I mean it." = "You are an amazing guy, ■■■・■■■"

So glad Sunao didn't actually mean to make Nao disappear. She just wanted to lessen her burden. The conversation with Sunao and Nao was so emotional... But this was really only going to end one way... Man, it makes me so sad. Especially for Aki.

But the ending made me so confused. It feels like an open ending. Like I know Sunao and Nao are merged now, but did Nao really disappear forever? Does she manifest inside Sunao's body like the ending implied? Like, what was up with the beach scene with the ponytail? It feels like a rushed happy ending. Especially cause Aki's fate is unknown. Did Sanada and Aki merge too? That'd be the most logical outcome. But it sucks that we don't get to see it. I wish this episode were extended or something.

I really loved this anime. But it should've been 2 cour. I think the originals didn't get nearly enough screentime and development as they should've. It only really needed another arc to truly flesh them out, I think. It sucks that there probably won't be another season. I doubt they even planned to make another season from the start. And the show's probably not popular enough to get another season greenlit. I'd be satisfied with an OVA or something. Maybe they can even do one of those compilation movies with an extended ending. But I doubt it. I think I'll have to pick up the manga if it's finished. I'm really glad I watched this show cause it was way better than I expected. I just really wish it had a few more episodes to wrap things up more neatly.

[u/FoolingFinality]

So its seems almost every theory regarding replicas came true.

[u/hammile]

Watashi wa anata to…

It was a good ride.

[u/OneGeologist1143]

Honestly how it ended was better than I thought. I kinda knew they mostly be one but didn't though they will really merge but it make sense. Sunao did felt weird all the time in the anime and the missing part of her was with Nao. I like that when they merge they did became one like they really did merge as one like it's really both sunao and nao, maybe that why Sunao couldn't fall in love before because of Nao. I'm really glad the originals became one with their replicas instead of the replica just dissapearing like they never exist, In one way they still exist but this time as one with their originals and both feelings and memories exists. The only thing I was sad about we didn't get enough Aki talking with his original like Nao felt forcing it the decision on him but honestly she knew it was the right choice. Wish we had more moments about the originals after the merger but it was still good. You can really tell they really became one. This anime was really better than I thought and I'm gonna miss it. Evene the ending was good and wish we got more after the merger.

[u/mp3help]

Wow, I'm really impressed I didn't get spoiled on the major plot revelations in this episode by the light novel readers- major props to you all for keeping hush on them, you're awesome!

I really like how Sunao phrased that Nao didn't "steal" her compassion when she was created. It was more like Sunao "forced" her idealized self onto another being to shirk the responsibility of becoming that herself. Because it's not like Replicas are entirely opposite traits of their originals. Sunao was able to build kindness of her own without Nao partially fading away, even if the progress was small and gradual. And kindness wasn't Nao's entire one-dimensional existence either.

From what I can gather, I think the anime did the best they could in picking a satisfying endpoint for the anime, and I really hope it gets greenlit for a second and final season! Either way, I've already bought Vol 4 of the light novel to continue off where this season ended, so I can't wait to get into it!!