Dagashi Kashi

Episode 12

Dagashi Kashi didn't try to do anything outrageous for its final episode, but that's probably appropriate for this show. It's been a mundane but largely pleasant slice of life/comedy all along, and while the direction was a bit more dynamic and there were some slight notes of finality here and there, this week maintained that trend. The show ends where it began, with a bunch of likable teenagers enjoying their time together as they amble very slowly towards the future.

The episode's first segment paired the two boys and two girls together, as Kokonotsu and To schemed about becoming popular while Hotaru and Saya discussed the “taste of love.” Hotaru and Saya's side was one more classic mixed-expectations gag, where Saya figured Hotaru's words were some kind of love confession, but Hotaru was of course just setting up the context for another dagashi explanation. The florid shoujo flowers of Saya's fantasy were a nice touch here, and it's kind of mechanically noteworthy how this particular gag embedded fanservice (lusty looks between the two girls) into the premise of the joke. Plus, it's always nice seeing these characters bounce off each other; Saya is pretty bad at understanding Hotaru, so when she tries to engage with her, she often ends up projecting her own insecurities in various relatable ways.

The Kokonotsu and To material was similarly charming, with the two demonstrating once again that they don't need Hotaru around to be silly weirdos. The quest for “popularity” feels even more pointless than usual in a show like Dagashi Kashi, where the universe might as well consist of five characters altogether. But that pointlessness is itself the point; this is exactly the sort of way teenage boys waste their free time, after all.

The episode's second half attempted to give the show something resembling a conclusion, as Kokonotsu began to seriously consider Hotaru's words from the previous week. There were endearing moments for the whole rest of the group considering Hotaru's feelings, and a nice gag where To acted as interpreter for Hotaru's expressions as Kokonotsu attempted to entertain her with dagashi facts. The return to fanservice continued here, with Hotaru getting tied up in another Saya fantasy and then getting soaked in the rain, but the emphasis was clearly on the friendship between the leads. The show didn't conclude on a climax, but on an obvious admittance - Hotaru could leave any time she wants; she stays here because this is where she wants to be.

In the end, Dagashi Kashi remained what it's always been: a light show that's never likely to truly impress or disappoint, but is perfectly content to simply be its warm and endearing self. Its characters are all nice people who like each other, and spending time with them is easy even if the jokes aren't generally that great. It's not a top-shelf slice of life show, but it's still a perfectly pleasant experience.

Overall: B

Dagashi Kashi is currently streaming on Funimation.

Nick writes about anime, storytelling, and the meaning of life at Wrong Every Time.