Hayate no Gotoku!! 2nd Season - 25 (END) September 20
It’s not over until we get a kiss! Oh crap…
Celestial Being, armed military intervention, GN particles, and Aeolia Schenberg. That’s enough references to make any Gundam 00 fan chuckle under his/her breath. Add in some Lelouch/Zero poses with mention of the United States of Japan and you have CODE GEASS fans smirking as well. Throw in a wild Pocky Easter egg hunt with some good ‘ol Hayate comedic flair and we’re well on our way to an epic season finale. Close off with a kiss from Nagi and you have just the right amount of everything. While the previous episode felt like a good way to end things, this episode really takes the cake.
I don’t know why Maria’s on Nagi’s case about this. If I were to get sick, let it happen on some work days.
The second coming of Zero? Nagi seems to think Hayate has some Lelouch vi Britannia tyranny in him.
Apparently Hayate contributed to the Caramelldansen phenomenon on Nico Nico Douga as well.
So as I mentioned in the comments before, the official website had already given us an idea of what this episode was about several weeks in advance. Exhausted from her first day working at the cafe and heading to Sakuya’s birthday party afterward, Nagi finds herself sick in bed and home alone with Hayate. While Nagi believes that Hayate will have his way with her doing “this” and “that” Lelouch vi Britannia style, she is left disappointed when our debt-ridden butler (unsurprisingly) shows absolutely no interest. This leads us to some hypnotic Caramelldansen followed by a story about armed military intervention that is actually supposed to be Alice (Hina) in Wonderland.
*dun da dun… dun da… dun da da da dun*
I heard DAYBREAK’S BELL playing in the back of my head when that sparkling orbital elevator popped up.
Hina in Wonderland along with three mysterious talking “rabbits”. The student council prez still manages to get her shots in here.
After defeating the entire card army, Hina forms the United States of Japan. Now where have I heard that before…
Given how I’m all over watching Pandora Hearts at the moment (one of the many shows I watch but don’t blog), I enjoyed the references to Alice in Wonderland. I’m probably totally biased towards what I was exposed to first, but I still prefer Kawasumi Ayako (Athena)’s Alice. Regardless, Itou Shizuka (Hinagiku)’s Alice kicking ass and talking trash is good in its own way. Heck, she formed the United States of Japan too.
Hayate breaks the fourth wall and gives us the “to be continued” line. For a final episode, it feels like the producers are mocking us.
Holy crap Aoelia Schenberg lived during our time. Gimme that book on GN particles and I’ll be rich!
“SWITCH ON!” Super large projection screen out of nowhere for Nagi’s voyeurism pleasures.
Much to my surprise, the entire episode didn’t completely revolve around Hayate and Nagi home alone. The second half pretty much became an all out Pocky search to the ends of the Earth, which Nagi and Maria watched from home on the huge projection screen. Funny how it was also conveniently connected to the ant camera already. On another note, that whole scene probably should have had an advisory message against voyeurism. >_>
It was only a matter of time before they got Hayate cross-dressing again. He didn’t seem to mind so much this time though.
Gotta love how anime characters pull abilities out of thin air. At least Maria’s lip reading came in handy here…
…to expose the fact that Nagi’s actually a closet pervert.
The proof is in the pudding. It looks like Nagi’s “interests” extend beyond voyeurism and originate from the DVDs she secretly borrows from Wataru. There are just some scenes not intended for her virgin eyes.
Shit always hits the fan when it comes to Hayate. It may as well have been national Pocky Day in Japan.
But getting fed Pocky by Hinagiku isn’t bad. It isn’t bad at all…
Hayate could probably do without the Hakuo Three Amiga shoving Pocky down his throat, but the jealousy runs high in Nagi nonetheless.
In the isle of the “100-year-old candy store quietly operated in some back alley that only a select few know about”, Ayumu beats Hayate to the last box of Pocky. Try saying that three times fast.
So in terms of some good ‘ol Hayate humour, what would a final episode have been without a ridiculously difficult struggle for a trivial task? The “Hayate can’t buy a break when it comes to anything” theme just had to be there, even if it’s just for running to the closest store and picking up a box of Pocky (“Packy” for legal reasons). While he claims he’ll become the devil himself for Nagi’s sake, Hayate’s still way too softhearted to steal candy/snacks from Ayumu. I mean, how can anyone do that to an honest girl like her?
Hayate’s search for a box of Pocky takes him to the ends of Japan, where he (understandably) starts to get depressed.
After trying to tell Hayate to come home, Maria and Nagi are dumbfounded at how unlucky he is when they see him drop his phone into the water.
Thus, we have a down and out Hayate. Even when others try to help him out it’s a lost cause. But as usual, it’s up to Hayate to dig himself out of the hole he’s always in.
When all else fails, you have to do things yourself — even if it means making counterfeit goods.
Counterfeit Pocky complete! BOOYAH!
The homemade counterfeit Pocky operation was just too funny. Watching Hayate meticulously make the actual Pocky was one thing, but the imitation packaging and labeling had me laughing out loud.
This was supposed to be an omnious scene, but I couldn’t help but laugh at the toy ambulance running into the crumpled box of Pocky.
While I already know the end result, I’d love to see a MythBusters test on this.
“Can you survive getting hit by a truck with a soccer ball?”
I understand that this was the only Pocky that survived the crash, but what’s with all the national flags?
I was impressed by how they managed to build up some suspense right at the end of the episode, even if we knew nothing really happened to Hayate. This flowed nicely into a tearful Nagi turning into an overjoyed one from eating “the best” Pocky in the world. Follow that up with a kiss on the cheek for her diligent, hardworking butler and then roll the credits with ELISA’s WONDER WIND playing. Finale done! Game, set, match.
We can’t end the season without some more Hina groping can we?
Sakuya still has her way with pushing Wataru’s buttons. She just uses Isumi and runs with it.
Hibino Fumi (Asumi Kana) and Sharna Alamgir (Gotou Saori). They showed up in the OVA, so do they still count as “new” characters?
Wow, what a tease of a last scene. Athena!!!
Athena, Athena, Athena. Will there be a 3rd season? If so, when? Your guess is as good as mine right now.
Nightflame at 5:49 pm on September 20th, 2009
well i guess there will… the best hayate season ended… *cry*
Moocow at 6:06 pm on September 20th, 2009
HINAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Dan at 6:06 pm on September 20th, 2009
What a finale. JC Staff kind of started out awkwardly after taking over from Synergy SP, but damn if they didn’t make it their own by the end. Great season for any Hayate fan, and desperately looking forward to more that won’t come soon enough.
Rei at 6:12 pm on September 20th, 2009
HINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
maglor at 6:26 pm on September 20th, 2009
This season was just filled with all forms of Hinagiku service of the type that shows not much skin. Wonder if that could propel her to victory in some of the moe tournaments like the following.
http://moet.anizone.net/index.php?Phase=CombatList&Index=7&StartingIndex=2&FinishingIndex=4&lang=eng
Haesslich at 6:45 pm on September 20th, 2009
Mmm… Athena from ten years ago. Also, I think that the reason Hayate doesn’t mind being dressed up as a maid this time is that Sakuya made him do it, or so it appears there. Sakuya makes everything better.
Megas at 7:12 pm on September 20th, 2009
Wow, for a show that was about NOTHING, they sure did crap 77 episode of keem out of their asses. I’m impressed. This is probably one of the top 3 eps in my book, but I still think the 1st episode of the 1st season was the best - just look at how many times they repeated the same craziness that occurred in that eps & you’ll see what I mean.
S_1 at 7:15 pm on September 20th, 2009
Dammit. If they’re teasing with Athena they gotta be making an S3 >_<
I wonder if there’s enough material yet for another season this size however…
youwish at 7:16 pm on September 20th, 2009
I think the flag trick at the end was a take-off on Lupin III, just throwing that out there for ya. Actually, why do I even know that …
Silver at 7:21 pm on September 20th, 2009
To your question; “Can you survive getting hit by a truck with a soccer ball?”
Yes you can, as Tsubasa Ozora did from Kyaputen Tsubasa.
dszx at 7:22 pm on September 20th, 2009
Since Athena is shown at the end, I’m hoping S3 comes Winter season!
Unlikely, but damn is that a cliffhanger.
curious one at 8:12 pm on September 20th, 2009
seems like a lot of this episode is anime original, but having not seen it yet, i can’t say for sure. i’m still disappointed that they didn’t animate the chapter with Risa and the crocodile even though it’s in the opening.
asdf at 8:30 pm on September 20th, 2009
Hina is such a loser.
Imadori at 8:57 pm on September 20th, 2009
Athena, Athena. I want more Athena
Freya at 8:57 pm on September 20th, 2009
ATHENA!!!!! My favorite character right now….I think rofl. Still love you Hina.
akari_house at 10:09 pm on September 20th, 2009
>I understand that this was the only Pocky that survived the crash, but what’s with all the national flags?
Castle of Cagliostro, Lupin meeting with Clarisse in the castle tower. @_@
brianleung8912 at 10:24 pm on September 20th, 2009
after seeing athena, LOOKS like they have every intention to make a third season… but still.. its all about money and budget at the end…. :’(
Chimasternmay at 11:23 pm on September 20th, 2009
This episode was great. plus that last scene oh oh just oh, made my day. and made season 2 of HnG the best so far.
Stan at 12:48 am on September 21st, 2009
2nd part of this final episode was anime original. Last scene made me a bit excited about a third season. We will now have to wait for an official announcement to be made, though id put my money on Spring 2011 or Spring 2010. But id rather like it on Spring 2011 so that the manga has progressed meaning we will have more sources to be animated.
Game8910 at 1:20 am on September 21st, 2009
ATHENA!!!!!!!!!!! CAN’T F’CKING WAIT FOR A SEASON 3!!! FUND IT J.C. STAFF!!!