Akebi’s Sailor Uniform‘s finale has aired, showcasing the thrilling end of the show’s academics festival arc, delivering a glorious conclusion to the show’s first season. It’s an ending that caps off this wonderful show on a joyous, happy note, fully encapsulating what makes Akebi’s Sailor Uniform so damn good. Let’s talk about what went down in the finale in a spoiler-filled discussion!
Akebi’s riveting performance
A bold choice was made in Akebi’s Sailor Uniform‘s finale, and that was to start the episode off at the end of the athletics festival. All of the events are done, bar one, and viewers start off the episode not knowing what had happened. Akebi then takes the stage, ready to start her dance performance.
To her surprise, Erika takes to the stage alongside her, ready to play the piano accompaniment for the song she is to perform. It’s only when the performance starts that the events of the athletics festival begin to unfold. The people in the audience notice that Akebi’s moves are heavily inspired by what went on in the athletics festival, and the story is told through there.
But what a performance it is on Akebi’s part though. Her dance moves are cute, charming, and well choreographed all the way through. This, coupled with Erika’s accompaniment, which also turns out to be a labor of love on her part (along with Usagihara’s to an extent), makes for an absolutely riveting show. When Erika busts out that violin in the performance, the amount of emotion and hype in that moment shoots up through the roof. That’s without even mentioning just how beautifully animated the entire sequence is. It’s a riveting performance worthy of being the show’s finale.
A day of sports
The goings on in the athletics festival are the subtext of Akebi’s performance in the Akebi’s Sailor Uniform finale. There were both triumphs and defeats to go around. There’s important moments that went on in the many events of the festival.
For example, Hotaru ends up losing the badminton event in the festival. But buoyed by Akebi’s cheers, she aids in the success of the basketball event. Akebi also contributes to the swim team in the swimming event, while also getting to compete in the volleyball event. This volleyball event in particular is a real highlight of the festival. Akebi truly gives this match her all, putting her body on the line for her team in dramatic fashion, and getting the opportunity to hit a spike to win her team the game.
What makes these moments so heartwarming to see is the fact that we’ve gotten time to get to know every girl that shows up in these events. We as viewers feel like we have gotten close to all of these interesting and unique personalities, so seeing them all competing to succeed feels much more easy to get invested in. Plus, seeing all of these girls in the end come together to support Akebi’s performance makes the journey we’e watched her go on feel all the more meaningful and weighty.
The more things change…
The Akebi’s Sailor Uniform finale ends on a note similar to how the first episode began. Akebi prepares for school, donning her iconic uniform. She runs across the fields, admiring the beautiful quaintness of her home. Arriving at a nearly empty Roubei Academy, she opens the classroom door to find Erika there. The two lock eyes, the bond between them strengthened by the thrilling year they’ve been through. Akebi expresses how much fun she had, and wonders aloud whether or not they can have fun like that again. Erika reassures her that they will.
The classroom door then opens again, with more classmates coming in. Akebi beams widely, greeting them like the cheerful soul she’s always been.
It’s on that note that Akebi’s Sailor Uniform comes to a close. What a ride it’s been. Akebi’s Sailor Uniform has been such a heartwarming, cheerful show that was always a joy to come back to, week to week. So much of it has ridden on the charismatically magnetic Akebi herself, but as was shown in this finale, the show’s biggest strength is how it seamlessly strings together the relationships between so many girls in the show, making each of the members of this vast cast feel unique and interesting on their own, and exploring their relationships with Akebi. It’s been such a wonderful show through and through, and it’s rather bittersweet to see it come to an end here.
This glorious ending to the show’s first season wraps up its story on a cathartic and satisfying note, but viewers will surely be hoping for some announcement for a second season sooner rather than later. Hopefully Akebi’s story will continue to be told in this animated format, but whatever happens, we’ll always have this wonderful first season that was a joy to watch all the way through.
You can watch Akebi’s Sailor Uniform on Funimation and Crunchyroll.
© Hiroshi/Shueisha, “Akebi’s Sailor Uniform” Production Committee
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