Cross Game 45 (OK, more like Cross Game Chapter 170 (160)) I was so distracted and emotionally caught up in the final chapter of the Cross Game manga today that I hardly got any work done. I read chapter 170(/160/Christ that numbering issue is annoying) about 12 times at work and a few times once I got home for good measure. I suck. But it was perfect. The whole series was perfect. Not many series’ have the power to get inside your head and heart like this one. So I cherish the ones that inspire this level of obsession in me. I’ve known for quite some time that the predictions from my last post were incorrect - that is, the anime will likely conclude with the manga ending quite shortly - but I stand by everything else I said about Adachi’s incredible affinity for understated emotional depth. Although you already knew that from reading Touch and H2 riiiiiiiiight? So obviously I’m throwing myself back into the anime to numb the loss of the manga, and we’re heading into Akane’s hospitalization arc here in episode 45. Which means the end is near. I’m still stunned at the prospect of the anime wrapping up the semi-finals, Akane’s surgery and all of the outstanding character conflicts in another half-dozen episodes, let alone fleshing out the Aoba national women’s team subplot (which remains the only surprise to look forward to, now that the manga has ended). But I think it just might be possible, and I’m sure as hell going to savour every moment of it. Kou & Aoba, Azuma, Akaishi, Akane, Junpei and Ichiyo, Momiji’s twin-tails, hell even Senda… I’m gonna miss them all so much!!!!!!!!!
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