Azumanga Daioh Volume 6: Graduation! - Underland Online

• Media Source:Underland Online
• Reviewed By:Mike
• Review Date:10/27/04
• Read the original review click here

Azumanga Daioh Vol. 6 - Graduation!

Getting a new box of review material from ADV is generally quite a pleasure, and we appreciate everything that they have done for us since we originally began this site. The first week of November in 2004 however would be a time that would forever live in darkness. As I began sorting through the new DVD's, I saw something that I had been dreading for quite a while; the final volume of Azumanga Daioh. As most should know, I absolutely adore this series, probably a little more than what I should, but I haven't really wanted to series to end. I was fine with Noir ending, I had no problems with RahXephon reaching its conclusion, but Azu on the other hand can only mean one thing, and that is a period of mourning.

If you're familiar with that feeling you get when someone you are close to dies, that's about the same feeling that I had while simply taking the packaging off the DVD. There's that sort of emptiness that I could feel deep in the pit of my stomach. There are many anime series that end with the possibility of another series or film at some point in the future, but in the case of Azumanga Daioh, we've been following Chiyo, Osaka, Yomi and everyone else as they've started school and now that they are graduating, there really is no possibility of having another series, and one with a new class would be pointless. This really is the end sad to say, and although there's a part of me that has that feeling that if I don't watch the final episode then the series will never end, that's just not true.

Gotta get it together, get it together.

The disc only has three episodes, and that may not seem like much, but if you're a fan of Azumanga, then you know just how much comedy there can be in one episode, let alone three. Sakaki finally has her dream granted, and we all know what that is; she wants a cat. The little yamamayaa kitten that she found while the group was on vacation has somehow managed to follow her, and she couldn't be more delighted. The problem though is that her mother is allergic to cats and so she's got to find another option since she doesn't want to send him back, and coincidentally, lies to a vet and convinces him that the kitten is a mixed breed. After numerous scratches and bites though, Sakaki finally has the cat she's always wanted.

Graduation though is the real theme here, and the girls are ready for it, if their entrance exams don't kill them first. Everyone is trying to decide what the right career choice is the correct one for each of them, but some may not be quite the right ones. Osaka deciding to be a teacher for example just isn't a good idea, and Yukari doesn't think so either. The final episode does feature their graduation, and there are some legitimately somber and heartfelt moments here, but in typical Azumanga Daioh fashion, there are laughs to help lighten to mood from time to time. But, in the end, don't expect that you're going to see anything like 'See you next time' or anything of that nature show up on the screen. This is the end, and there's really no way to avoid that.

Don't be too depressed however, as there is a little more Azu on the disc. In the extra features you will find the Azumanga Daioh Mini-Movie. It's very short, around 5 minutes in fact, but that's five more minutes that you didn't have before. To go right along with the movie, you will find a collection of character artwork as well as your usual extra material that includes production sketches and clean versions of the open and closing animations. Our final character is looked at here with the extra booklet, and Tomo is the only one who hasn't been the center of attention (for the books at least.) This volume also contains the last of the collectable pins and Mayaa, Sakaki's faithful wildcat, makes your collection complete.

The only thing that I really don't like with the last volume is the ending. But, it isn't a fact that it ends horribly, and in fact, Azumanga Daioh ends just as strong as it began, but it's the fact that the series is over, it's done, there isn't any more episodes left. Well, there is an Internet only Azumanga Daioh feature, but like the movie, it's only five minutes long and only in Japanese (you don't really care though I'm guessing.) Azumanga Daioh really is something special though, and all the fans will agree with that statement. It makes you laugh, it can make you cry, and it can give you those moments where you think, 'ah, how cute.' If I were forced to sell all my anime, but could keep only one series, I really do believe that it would have to be Azumanga Daioh.

Sayonara, girls! We'll all miss you!!

Episode 24 - Yamamayaa

On their way home from school, Sakai and Chiyo encounter a large, and very angry, group of cats, and it seems that there's no one to save them. But, out of nowhere the Yamamayaa cat that Sakai adopted on their school trip shows up from nowhere to save the day. Sakai might have a cat of her own now, but the problem is finding someplace to keep him.

Episode 25 - Onwards, Entrance Exams!

The girls begin studying for their entrance exams and making decisions on what their career choices will be. Graduation is just around the corner, and anything and everything falls into the category of being a good luck charm. But, while all of them will try, expect for Chiyo who is planning on studying abroad, there is one big surprise when one the girls isn't accepted by any of her choices, and it's not who you might think it would be.

Episode 26 - Graduation Ceremony

Three years has already flown by, and now it's finally time for the girls to graduate, but not without some more of their usual brand of comedy to lighten the mood.

Posted on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 (Archive on Saturday, November 27, 2004)