The appeal and reviews of "Saishū Heiki Kanojo": A must-see anime

"Saishū Heiki Kanojo": A moving masterpiece depicting the last love story on this planet

"Saishū Heiki Kanojo" is a TV anime series that aired in 2002 and is based on the manga of the same name by Shin Takahashi. Set in a rural town in Hokkaido, it depicts the sad but beautiful love story of two high school girls, Shuuji and Chise. This anime touched many viewers by depicting the unwavering love between the two even in the harsh conditions of war.

story

Shuuji and Chise are high school seniors living in a rural town in Hokkaido. Chise is shy and clumsy, but admires Shuuji, a member of the track and field club, and musters up the courage to confess her feelings to him and they start dating. However, Chise is timid and always says "I'm sorry," and Shuuji sometimes treats her badly, making their relationship awkward. In the midst of all this, they start exchanging diaries to deepen their relationship, but one day, Sapporo is suddenly bombed. As bombers of unknown nationality rain bombs from the sky, Chise is modified into a final weapon and sent off to war. Shuuji can only watch over Chise, and their love is put to the test. This work is depicted as the last love story of these two on Earth.

Commentary

At the strong request of the original author, Takahashi Shin, permission to film "Saishū Heiki Kanojo" was not granted until the end of serialization. However, an anime adaptation was realized after the serialization ended, and many fans were excited about it. The director was Kase Mitsuko, known for works such as "Gundam 08th MS Team: Miller's Report" and "Armored Trooper Votoms," and the series composition and scriptwriting was done by Era Itaru, known for works such as the film versions of "Onmyōji," "Tennen Shojo Ban," and "FULL METAL Yakuza." The anime was based on the theme of "the last love story on this planet," and depicted the conflict between war and love, deeply moving viewers.

cast

• Shuji: Shiro Ishimoda
• Chise: Fumiko Orikasa
• Tetsu: Shinichiro Miki
• Fuyumi: Miki Ito
• Akemi: Yu Sugimoto
• Atsushi: Satoshi Shiratori

Main Staff

• Original author: Shin Takahashi
• Published in: Big Comics Spirits
• Publisher: Shogakukan
• Director: Mitsuko Kase
• Series composition and script: Itaru Era
• Character design: Hisashi Kagawa
• Chief animation director: Masamasa Sato
• Art director: Junichi Azuma
• Mechanics design: Kobe Yoko
• 3DCG Director: Hiroaki Matsuura
• Director of photography: Harutsugu Ishiguro
• Edited by Kengo Shigemura and Fumi Hida
• Music: Takeo Mirazu
• Sound Director: Keiichiro Miyoshi
• Selection: Yutaka Goda
• Production: GONZO

Main Characters

• Shuuji: A high school senior living in a rural town in Hokkaido. Chise's boyfriend. He has a somewhat cold personality and is shy about talking. He doesn't know much about how to date a girl, and is confused by his relationship with Chise, whom he started dating by chance.
• Chise: Shuuji's classmate and girlfriend. She is good at history but not at anything else and is clumsy and awkward. She confesses her feelings to Shuuji as a test of courage and they start dating. One day, she is turned into a final weapon by the military.
• Akemi: Classmate. Chise's best friend and Shuuji's childhood friend. In junior high school, she was in the same track and field club as Shuuji. She secretly has feelings for Shuuji.
• Atsushi: Classmate. One of Shuuji's best friends. He likes Akemi, but Akemi thinks Shuuji has feelings for him. Later, he joins the military.

subtitle

• Episode 1: We fall in love
• Episode 2: I'm growing up...
• Episode 3: Together
• Episode 4: Fuyumi-senpai
• Episode 5: Liar
• Episode 6: Classmates
• Episode 7: What I Want to Protect
• Episode 8: Everyone Changes
• Episode 9: Akemi
• Episode 10: ...And Then
• Episode 11: A moment just for the two of us
• Episode 12: Love Song
• Episode 13: And Then We Fall in Love

Related Titles

• Saishu Heiki Kanojo Another love song

Theme songs and music

• OP1: Feelings of Love
  • Lyricist: Yato Yuria
  • Composer: Yato Yuria
  • Arrangement: Takeo Mirazu
  • Sung by: Yato Yuria
• ED1: Goodbye
  • Lyricist: Yato Yuria
  • Composer: Yato Yuria
  • Arrangement: Takeo Mirazu
  • Sung by: Yato Yuria
• IN1: To dream
  • Lyricist: Ayuko Ishikawa
  • Composer: Takeo Mirazu
  • Arrangement: Takeo Mirazu
  • Vocals: Mitsumasa Sugiuchi

Broadcast information

"Saishū Heiki Kanojo" was broadcast on Family Theater from July 2nd to September 24th, 2002. It was also broadcast on Chubu Nippon Broadcasting from July 3rd to October 2nd, 2002, every Wednesday from 25:55 to 26:25. There are 13 episodes in total, each 30 minutes long.

Background and Evaluation

It is known that the original author, Shin Takahashi, did not give permission for the film adaptation of "Saishū Heiki Kanojo" until the end of serialization. As a result, fans of the original work had been eagerly awaiting its anime adaptation for a long time. When it was finally made into an anime, it was highly praised for faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work while delving deeply into the themes of war and love under the direction of Mitsuko Kase. In particular, the heartbreaking love story between Shuuji and Chise and the scenes depicting the cruelty of war moved many viewers. The character and mechanic designs were also highly praised, and the visual beauty is one of the works' charms.

Character Analysis

Shuuji is a high school student with a somewhat cold personality and a tongue-tied personality. Although he is confused about his relationship with Chise, he cares deeply for her and fights to protect her after she has been turned into a final weapon. Chise is shy and clumsy, but her love for Shuuji is pure, and she continues to think of him even after she has been turned into a final weapon. Akemi is Chise's best friend and Shuuji's childhood friend. Although she keeps her feelings for Shuuji secret, she cherishes her friendship with Chise. Atsushi is Shuuji's best friend and has feelings for Akemi, but believes that she has feelings for Shuuji. As they get caught up in the war, they continue to fight with their own feelings in their hearts.

Theme and message of the work

"Saishū Heiki Kanojo" is a work that depicts the opposing themes of war and love. As the ruthlessness of war and the purity of love intersect, Shuuji and Chise's love is put to the test. However, the love between the two, which remains unwavering no matter the circumstances, deeply moves viewers. In addition, by depicting the horrors of war, it also contains a message about the importance of peace. This work is a masterpiece that will make viewers think about many things with its theme of love and peace.

Response from viewers

"Saishū Heiki Kanojo" was highly praised by many viewers when it was first broadcast. In particular, the heartbreaking love story between Shuuji and Chise and the scenes depicting the cruelty of war touched many viewers. The character and mechanic designs were also highly praised, and the visual beauty is one of the attractions of the work. Many viewers also discussed the work on social media and the internet, sharing their impressions.

Reasons for recommendation

"Saishū Heiki Kanojo" is a moving masterpiece that depicts the opposing themes of war and love. The heartbreaking love story between Shuuji and Chise and the scenes depicting the cruelty of war leave viewers deeply moved. The character and mechanic designs have also been highly praised, and the visual beauty is also one of the charms of the work. This is a masterpiece with a theme of love and peace that will make the viewer think about many things. I would highly recommend this work to anyone interested in the theme of war and love, or who is looking for a moving story.