Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo - 24 [End]

"Welcome to Sakurasou"

So the kouhai become senpai, and the cycle continues on. You have an endless palette to choose from, so what color would you become?

I'm sure I'm not the only blogger to pull that last line in their analysis of the final episode of Sakurasou, but it's very difficult not to be a little dorky when you're discussing this show. The themes are so obviously meant to be inspirational that it's almost redundant, but there's no denying that, for the most part, these are good life lessons that anyone can take away from. Everyone in Sakurasou became a better person through their experiences with each other and through their own passions and hard work, and in the end those efforts paid off, regardless of whether they were regarded as talented or not. In fact, I'd argue that there's a fallacy in regarding the central theme of the series as "hard work vs. talent". Even Mashiro, the golden one, had to work hard to chase after her dreams, and it's refreshing to note that through new eyes, such as those of the kouhai, people like Nanami and Sorata, who are acting and creating games on their own, probably seem just as talented as Misaki and Jin seemed to Sorata upon arriving at Sakurasou. It wasn't talent that brought him to that point, but genuine hard work and time.

As to the romances, every single box was ticked off except one, and as a member of the MashiroxSorata camp, I have to say I'm slightly disappointed. Not only were things left open enough to allow Nanami a back entrance (regardless of the pro-Mashiro hints, Nanami isn't discouraged, seeing as she never confessed or got shot down), but Sorata and Mashiro both put off their feelings for another day. However, I'm kind of glad they didn't kiss under these particular circumstances, because to me it felt like Sorata was trying to run away from the consequences of his hidden feelings by asking Mashiro if she needed the experience for her manga; it just wouldn't have been as satisfying as it would have been with a proper confession, so I'm more bothered by the fact that such a confession was never openly acknowledged. I understand that this is supposed to be an ending that allows fans to choose what they want to believe happens next, but for me Mashiro and Sorata were always a done deal, and it makes me just a bit sad that it never explicitly happened despite all the signs that it would.

But I digress; this series has never excelled at romances (*cough*JinxMisaki*cough*) and I don't think it was meant to. Like most J.C.Staff series, this adaptation was about friendship and growing up, and it was also about uncovering the perfect stranger within us all. Sorata, Mashiro, and the rest all found themselves and their passions at Sakurasou, and now it's time for the new students to take up the baton and continue on that journey. Everything has to start somewhere, and for the kids at Sakurasou, that somewhere happens to be an old, dilapidated dorm where crazy people are rumored to live; better to be insane and enjoy every second of your life than let it all pass you by and never discover that which makes the world vibrant and wonderful for you. Whether you're pure white, warm orange, or the surreal color of sakura blossoms, paint yourself whatever color you want, because no one else is going to do it for you.