This episode is essentially the recall on all of my feelings of relief. All of the happiness from two episodes is gone and in a much more vindictive form. I can believe this series might end next episode and you know why that is? Most of this episode’s heart wrenching and soul shattering events were things I cannot be prepared for: they were not in the manga. The things we are seeing now are merely allusions in the manga and we have been waiting for what this episode finally showed: Yuki has to face the truth.
![[HorribleSubs] Gakkou Gurashi! - 11 [720p].mkv_20150918_220631](https://i0.wp.com/angryanimebitches.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/HorribleSubs-Gakkou-Gurashi-11-720p.mkv_20150918_220631-1024x576.jpg?resize=720%2C405)
When I got into Gakkou Gurashi I basically believed ‘wow, this is a surprisingly pleasant story’ and tried to get passed my initial bias of being like ‘wow moe no thanks’. One thing I constantly forget in anime is that we watch it because it appeals to the one thing we believe in: no matter how it looks it can tell any story. Higurashi was cutesy style and told us a murderous destruction tale. We have shows like Zetsubou Sensei which are dark and suicidal- and eventually become blatant comedies despite their still dark artistic tones. Anime can surprise you and School-Live is a great example: this cutesy moe girl show has more feeling than many of it’s darker themed counterparts. I am sold on moe anime and I never expected to be.
![[HorribleSubs] Gakkou Gurashi! - 11 [720p].mkv_20150918_220523](https://i0.wp.com/angryanimebitches.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/HorribleSubs-Gakkou-Gurashi-11-720p.mkv_20150918_220523-1024x576.jpg?resize=720%2C405)
The real changes this episode is that Miki has to get the cure for Kurumi: but instead of having essentially a clear shot what does she go through? An entire horde of zombies. Yes, all those zombies breaking in was not there originally. Now Mii-chan is in danger, Kurumi is becoming a zombie, Yuri is going insane trying to decide to kill her or not: so who is left? There is only Yuki. Yuki knows inside of herself if she remains the way she is everyone around her is going to die. The jokes and smiles are no longer enough to keep everyone safe. If the club is going to live Yuki must move passed everything.
![[HorribleSubs] Gakkou Gurashi! - 11 [720p].mkv_20150918_220418](https://i0.wp.com/angryanimebitches.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/HorribleSubs-Gakkou-Gurashi-11-720p.mkv_20150918_220418-1024x576.jpg?resize=720%2C405)
So we get to the heart of the trauma: Yuki’s true pain is how Megu-nee died. She can’t move passed any of her issues until she accepts how Megu-nee died. We take a trip down her memories and see how she could be a genuine teacher, how she cared for them, how Yuki begged to save her. We hear Megu-nee’s voice as it guides Yuki where she needs to go. The phantom that is Megu-nee speaks to Yuki and Yuki eventually bursts through the door to see the truth: an empty hall. Megu-nee is gone, her body is walking but who she was is dead. On the floor where Megu-nee was hunched. . .is a blood splatter. Yuki cries as she realizes Megu-nee is really gone and confronts the truth of what her life is now.
![[HorribleSubs] Gakkou Gurashi! - 11 [720p].mkv_20150918_233532](https://i0.wp.com/angryanimebitches.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/HorribleSubs-Gakkou-Gurashi-11-720p.mkv_20150918_233532-1024x576.jpg?resize=720%2C405)
But Yuki is their only hope. . .and she has to fight passed the tears or the club will die along with the memory of Megu-nee. Can Yuki, the one who has been perpetually saved. . .finally save her friends?
Oki
“When I got into Gakkou Gurashi I basically believed ‘wow, this is a surprisingly pleasant story’ and tried to get passed my initial bias of being like ‘wow moe no thanks’. One thing I constantly forget in anime is that we watch it because it appeals to the one thing we believe in: no matter how it looks it can tell any story. Higurashi was cutesy style and told us a murderous destruction tale. We have shows like Zetsubou Sensei which are dark and suicidal- and eventually become blatant comedies despite their still dark artistic tones. Anime can surprise you and School-Live is a great example: this cutesy moe girl show has more feeling than many of it’s darker themed counterparts. I am sold on moe anime and I never expected to be.”
That entire paragraph… Right. There. *slow lengthy applause* :’) Bravo!
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Admittedly, I still saw some people being thrown off by the OP even up to now, but I think that’s fair enough. I also think that it was entirely necessary along with the upbeat preview music for those who felt Yuki. Yuuri. Kurumi. Miki. Who felt their tearful cries… their lonely desperate steps… the hollow clattering of their belongings. All of it. Reverberate deeply to their core.
Personally I almost bawled and struggled not to for the sake of my father who was trying to work at the computer. Still, I have hope, oh I do. It truly seems as though the author is refining their work in many ways. The end result of many events seems to be about the same and I think this will be true with Yuki venturing towards the broadcast room. I’m even hopeful that Kurumi will still visit her home as part of her personal emotional graduation from the school life.
Instead of using (great) to describe the dark / tragic episode I will use compelling ! To me this shows the other side of the story that they are indeed in grave danger and the happy fun times are to lessen the impact ! I have read the manga but seeing it anime style really hits home !
Not to spoil but the rewrite just made this episode so dramatic ! I have my thoughts about the future but will use my Poker Face !
People who thought this anime was going to be moe are just floored ! It took two distinct genres and made it to one of my favorite of the season !
Yeah I was a manga reader and I was just like: WHAT?! OMG!