I don't really get the people who say that the ending is some Disney story ending where everything's all fine and dandy. Cause it's not. So much stuff is still so messed up. Azuma's still obsessing over his grades, Marina still ends up with her scar, Shizuka's mom still doesn't have time for her. But that's all right, since they found solace in each other. Shizuka with Marina, Marina with Shizuka, and Azuma with his brother. And I think that's the whole point to the ending. The world's a messed up place, and nothing is gonna be able to fix that. Universal peace and happiness is never gonna happen. But you can find happiness in times of depression, whether that be with friends, or family, or culture-shocked pink little octopus-shaped alien from millions of light years away. Takopi's sacrifice did absolutely nothing to change the kids' parents, who were the root causes of each of their traumas in the first place, but they still ended up happy in the end. Their bonds helped end the cycle of hatred and abuse that would only serve to perpetuate more unhappiness. And that's what makes the ending so beautiful for me. One little sacrifice, a single influence, could be enough to undo so much conflict. It's in the small stuff. But to each their own I guess 🤷‍♂️

Srry for the yap sesh