My Roommate is a Cat Episode 12 (Final) Review: You and I

Our twelve-episode journey with Haru and Subaru is finally coming to a close and where the future leads only these two know. It’s been a long road full of its fair share of ups and downs and this week’s episode puts our dynamic duo to the ultimate test! Will they be able to work together as a team or are they just not meant to be? Find out in this week’s heartwarming conclusion to My Roommate is a Cat, ‘You and I’!

Plot

When a surprise storm shuts down the airport, Subaru must use alternative means to get back home to Haru. But, as time passes, Haru gets anxious and decides to look for Subaru and bring him home where he belongs. As the storm powers on, it’s a race against the clock for both Haru and Subaru.

Episode Highlights

Split Perspective: Unlike the previous episodes that divided up the episodes into two distinct halves, Episode 12 alternates between Haru’s and Subaru’s perspectives as the pair searches desperately for one another. In fact, doing it this way makes for a much more balanced episode, since both perspectives are given the same weight.

Sudden Drama: All the other episodes have been relatively lighthearted, but My Roommate is a Cat wasn’t about to do anything by half measures and brought out a much more dramatic ending than I would have expected. Haru is missing and Subaru enlists the help of all their friends to find her despite the storm raging outside. Even the music takes on a more dramatic turn…

Dōkyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue: The last lines of the episode are a reference to the original Japanese title of the series. The phrase translates to: ‘My roommate is on my lap, but sometimes, on my head’.

Comments

I went into this series not knowing exactly what to expect and I can honestly say: while this isn’t my favorite anime of all time, the slow slice of life narrative of My Roommate is a Cat definitely kept me entertained. This week’s episode tied everything from the previous 11 episodes up in a nice neat bow. Haru and Subaru have been growing and changing over the course of the series (Haru more than Subaru) and it’s nice to finally see everything coming together. Subaru has learned that it’s okay to rely on other people (and cats) for support and by the end of the series he’s much more open and receptive to those around him. He’s no longer the man he was at the start of the series and he owes that to his time spent caring for and being cared for by Haru. He is comfortable asking for help and talking with complete strangers when Haru gets lost, something he never would have done at the start of the series. And after Haru is found, he is comfortable having his friends over for dinner… then the final scene with him and Haru just being comfortable in each other’s presences… that’s what this series is all about.

I feel like Haru hasn’t changed all that much over the course of the series. She still treats Subaru like he’s one of her siblings or worst yet her own child and while it was cute early on. It’s clear that the roles have reversed quite a bit and Haru just isn’t getting with the program. There are a few moments when Haru relies on Subaru for support, but, they are few and far between, much to my unending frustration. I just wanted more from Haru…

Roommates for Life

The finale of My Roommate is a Cat brings the series to a heartwarming conclusion. There were some great moments from Haru and Subaru and it’s great to see just how far these characters have come since their introductions in Episode 1. ‘You and I’ will definitely hit you in the feels and give just the warm fuzzy feeling you’ve come to expect from this lighthearted slice of life series.

That’s it for My Roommate is a Cat, but never fear, be sure to check out MANGA.TOKYO’s other amazing Winter 2019 reviews!!