Todome no Kiss finale short review

Here is my short review of the finale episode of Todome no Kiss which aired last 11 March 2018.

Summary:

After Saiko is killed, Eito realizes that he loves her and goes back 3 months in the past using Harumi’s power which is similar to Saiko’s. This brings him back to New Year’s Eve, during the party at the horse riding club. This time, he destroys the tape the uncle has with him to save Takauji, reveals Mikoto’s marriage partner to be a womanizer, and convinces Takauji and Mikoto to be honest with each other. Eito finds Saiko who saves the young boy from being killed. He reveals he knows what she’s trying to do. Saiko doesn’t recognize him and backs away, Eito is hurt as he sees she can’t remember any of the events that happened for the past 3 months. This time, he tells her not to be involved with someone like him who will use her power, if she finds someone she likes to not be afraid and go for it. He tells her to be happy and says goodbye to her.

Eito fakes his death to make Kazuma believe he succeeded in killing him. Hasebe has started working in the same place as Saiko; Eito watches from afar. In the final scene, he and Harumi are hanging out.

Thoughts:

The finale episode went according to my predictions in most ways, except for one.

I was correct that Harumi has the same power, however, I think the 3 months’ time leap is arbitrary. It’s quite convenient that it’s around the same amount of time that the series takes place. Harumi points out if Eito kisses him, he’s going back to a time where he and Saiko don’t know each other, undoing all that happened.

I was also right in predicting that by saving Takauji, he prevents everything from happening. He leaves Takauji and Mikoto to confess their feelings to each other and what happens to the Namiki group is no longer his concern.

Eito chooses to go back anyway, knowing the consequences. Doing it to save Saiko, he chooses to stay out of her life this time.

I’m glad they showed how Eito recalled memories with Saiko to realize his feelings for her. I wasn’t completely convinced of his feelings until the ninth episode. The finale essentially showed that Eito changed. He started out as someone who only thought of himself and ended it as being selfless and choosing to make Saiko happy. I find this to be the natural, expected ending to the series. However, I’m not entirely convinced that Eito parting ways with Saiko was the best ending.

I personally think Eito could have gone back to the past and pursue a normal relationship with Saiko. After all, this time he doesn’t’ have a motive to use her powers. Instead, he chose to say goodbye to her, content that she’s alive and has a chance to be happy.

That is my only complaint for this final episode. It’s a sad ending and it was expected. It’s sad enough Saiko can’t remember anything but saying goodbye to her was even sadder.

In the end, the events over three months was a chance for Eito to change himself.

I ended up watching the last parallel episode, which I think has the proper ending we needed. Unfortunately, the finale episode wasn’t extended, otherwise, I think the events in the parallel episode could have been accommodated.

Long story short: one year later, Saiko comes to see Eito who is now working as a detective. He talks about what happened pretending it was all a dream. Although he tries to send her away, she says she want to hear more. It ends with Eito offering her lunch and telling her how the beef stroganoff she made in his dream tasted good.

Now this is at least the proper ending I hoped for. If Eito chose to still be a part of Saiko’s life, I didn’t need to see how he does it. The only thing I wanted was a chance for them to meet again. And I’m grateful that the finale parallel episode did that. That’s really all I needed.

Overall, the finale was very good, but it will disappoint many people if they don’t watch the parallel episode as well.

Note: I’m currently writing a review of the entire series and will post a longer review of the finale as part of it.