Kaguya-sama Love Is War Episode 12 (Final) Review: 'I Can't Hear the Fireworks: Part 2', 'Kaguya Doesn't Want to Avoid Him'

No words can describe the marvel of Kaguya-sama Love is War. It has been a wonderful story to follow and the last episode was as lovely as expected. I must admit it’s been a while since I watched a rom-com anime that made me want to scream out loud from its cuteness and awkwardness. I will miss this show.

Japanese Original Episode Title: 花火の音は聞こえない後編, かぐや様は避けたくない

Plot

Kaguya is getting ready to meet up with the rest and go see the fireworks but once again her father doesn’t allow her to go out, since there is a risk that something might happen to his heir. Hayasaka tells her not to give up and helps her sneak out by acting as her doppelganger, which allows her to hire a cab and rush to the festival. Miyuki, on the other hand, is running around on his bike, determined that he will show the fireworks to Kaguya. As the traffic gets in her way, Kaguya leaves the taxi and starts running but her attempt was in vain since the fireworks display was already over. She starts crying but then suddenly Miyuki finds her and grabs her along with Fujiwara and Ishigami who are waiting for her in another taxi to catch up the fireworks happening in Chiba. On their way there, they manage to see the fireworks together, but Kaguya is so dazzled by Miyuki that she cannot look at anything else. After the summer holidays are over and the second semester begins, Miyuki and Kaguya are too shy and self-conscious to face each other, which leads to the most cutely awkward conclusion of the season.

Episode Highlights

Kaguya’s dad is a meanie: I think her dad is just trying to make her miserable. What does it mean that it would be too dangerous for her to go out in a big crowd? He could easily just hire three more bodyguards to take care of her, but he chose to forbid her of getting out of the house, which makes him a very detestable character. He is definitely doing it on purpose, and if in the future Miyuki and Kaguya are together, I would love Miyuki to surpass himself and give him a piece of his mind about the way he is raising his daughter (never going to happen, ever).

Hayasaka deserves a prize: That girl is just the best friend anyone could have. Give her some days off, or a raise, or at least a full spa day that includes a manicure or something, because she truly deserves it. She is the definition of the phrase: ‘Don’t worry, I got your back.’

‘Then I will show them to you!’: Oh Miyuki, I knew you had it in you. That ooziness of determination and testosterone would make any girl fall for you, but on the other hand, when we saw the way he thought he looked like, I couldn’t help myself from laughing. If you notice, in every scene he looks like he is about to poop his pants or has a sort-of crazy look on his face. I am just going to say that the aspect of how he sees himself is highly relatable for everyone.

Themes & Trivia

Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line: The Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line (東京湾アクアライン]), also known as the Trans-Tokyo Bay Expressway, is an expressway that’s mainly made up of a bridge–tunnel combination across Tokyo Bay in Japan. It connects the city of Kawasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture with the city of Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture, and forms part of National Route 409. With an overall length of 23.7 km, it includes a 4.4 km bridge and 9.6 km tunnel underneath the bay—the fourth-longest underwater tunnel in the world.

Umihotaru: At the bridge-tunnel crossover point of Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, there is an artificial island called Umihotaru (海ほたる, literally meaning ‘sea firefly’) with a rest area consisting of restaurants, shops, and amusement facilities. Air is supplied to the tunnel by a distinctive tower in the middle of the tunnel, called the Kaze no Tō (風の塔, ‘the tower of wind’), which uses the bay’s almost-constant winds as a power source.

Comments

Okay, I know that this episode was super lovely and cute but honestly I couldn’t help but think that Miyuki should have worn a yukata as well, or at least his own clothes (hopefully he has some good taste). Imagine the effect of cool Miyuki wearing a yukata while talking to Kaguya. She wouldn’t have been able to handle it. Also, I highly believe that he must have smelled really bad during the whole scene. I mean he was cycling in Tokyo during summer, with his WINTER UNIFORM on. Not even the summer one. He still has a long way to go…

‘I can’t hear the fireworks.’

If you didn’t notice what Kaguya said in the taxi when her heart was beating too loud and couldn’t take her eyes off Miyuki…: she actually says the title of the story arc, which I thought it was a nice detail to mention and a wonderful way to sum up her feelings and give more meaning to the title. I am so sad to see this anime go, but hopefully there will be another equally well made and well adapted season soon! With its huge success, we can definitely be optimistic!