Hyouka - Episode 22

It looks like someone had lots of fun playing with Hue/Saturation.

In terms of having events fitting of a finale, I felt this last episode of Hyouka was slightly underwhelming. It didn't have the Hōtarō x Eru moments I was hoping for, nor was the mystery (if you could call it that) of any significance. And yet, I couldn't help but feel at ease during those 24 minutes, especially during the procession. First off, the artwork of the backgrounds was simply dazzling. Using a saturated pink to highlight the colour of the cherry blossoms effectively emphasized the beauty of the whole scene. Even Hōtarō was mesmerized by his surroundings—and that's saying a lot. Moreover, it could be said that the colours theme from the start of the series also came into play here. The rosy colours and atmosphere depicted the current state of Hōtarō's life, with Eru's important role as a doll representing how big of a role she played in terms of getting him to change. Most impressively, the procession scene itself was over in a matter of minutes, proving how pictures are indeed worth a thousand words.

As for the ending, it's quite open-ended so that's a good indicator that a season two may be possible depending on BD sales, which have been decent so far. Obviously, this is assuming that there's material still left to be animated. But even if that isn't the case, an anime original doesn't seem like a bad idea either. I'd like nothing more than to actually see how the relationships of the two pairings turn out in the end so I'm hoping for a second season, even if it just airs for one cour. Overall, Hyouka was a very entertaining series with lovely artwork. Definitely recommended for almost anyone looking for a decent slice-of-life anime.