Appeal and evaluation of "The Final Exam Whale": A moving ending and deep characters

"The Final Exam Whale": The appeal of an absurd world and a heartbreaking story

Introduction

"Final Exam Whale", which aired in 2007, is a TV anime series based on the 18+ game by CIRCUS. Although short, this deeply moving work left a strong impression on viewers. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the appeal of "Final Exam Whale", its production background, cast, staff, and subsequent influences. We will also introduce related works and recommended points, aiming to be a guide to understanding this work more deeply.

Overview

"Final Exam Whale" tells the story of the protagonist, Kuonji Mutsumi, the son of a traveling troupe's leader and a female impersonator, taking his "final exam" in a rural town in the Sanin region. The town is a mysterious world where whales float in the sky, and Mutsumi takes the exam as if he is being integrated into the gears of fate. The story unfolds in a way that is somehow nostalgic and evokes sad memories of the past, deeply moving viewers.

Broadcast information

"The Final Exam Whale" was broadcast on Cho! Animelo and Niconico Douga from August 25th to November 10th, 2007, every Saturday from 11:30pm to midnight. There were 12 episodes in total, each just 5 minutes long, but each had a dense story. On the first day of broadcast, Niconico Douga recorded 60,000 hits in 30 minutes, creating a huge buzz.

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Background and behind-the-scenes stories

"Final Exam Whale" is an anime adaptation of CIRCUS's 18+ game. The original game is known for its unique worldview and deep storyline, and a major challenge in adapting it into an anime was how to recreate that atmosphere. In order to express the absurd worldview of the original in the anime, director Nagisa Miyazaki aimed to depict a dense storyline in the short time of just five minutes per episode. In addition, the scene in which the whale floats in the sky was realistically drawn using a 3D model, creating a visual impact.

The production team was conscious of the new platform Niconico Douga is used for distribution, and placed emphasis on communication with viewers. By proceeding with production while checking viewers' reactions in real time, they were able to create a work that resonated more with viewers. In addition, the subtitles and content of each episode were partly decided based on feedback from viewers, resulting in a work that viewers could feel a sense of unity with.

Character Analysis

The main character, Kuonji Mutsumi, is the son of the leader of a traveling troupe of performers and a young man who plays a female impersonator. He is kind and sincere, and is loved by those around him. However, as the story progresses, his hidden, sad past is revealed, touching the hearts of viewers. The story of Mutsumi's growth and trials will deeply move viewers.

Kurumi Haibara is Mutsumi's childhood friend and an important character who supports him. Her bright and cheerful personality gives the story brightness and hope. Other characters such as Haruka Yumesaki and Nina Mikage also have their own unique personalities, enriching the story. Each character's background and relationships are carefully drawn, allowing viewers to empathize with their growth and struggles.

Music and Video

The music for "Final Exam Whale" was composed by Denkishiki Karen Music Group and Minami Yoshiki. The opening theme "Turning World" and the ending theme "Distant Summer Sky" were composed by eufonius, and Riya's beautiful voice and Kikuchi Hajime's composition enhance the atmosphere of the work. The ending theme in particular has a melody that symbolizes the sadness of the story, and will remain deeply in the hearts of viewers.

Visually, the scene of the whale floating in the sky and the expressions and movements of each character are depicted realistically. ZEXCS, the animation studio, succeeded in drawing out the maximum expressiveness in a short time. In addition, the color settings and the art director's attention to detail enrich the worldview of the work.

Audience reactions and impact

"The Final Exam Whale" became a big topic from the moment it was released on Nico Nico Douga. On the first day of its release, it recorded 60,000 hits in 30 minutes, and became a hot topic among viewers. Although each episode was only 5 minutes long, the connections between the absurd content and the deep storyline left a strong impression on viewers. In addition, the production style, which reflected feedback from viewers, also contributed to creating a sense of unity with viewers.

This work not only deeply moved viewers, but also influenced subsequent anime production. Its technique of depicting a dense story in a short time and its emphasis on communication with viewers were a breath of fresh air in subsequent anime production. It also influenced other CIRCUS works, helping to expand the fanbase.

Related works and recommended points

A related work to "Final Exam Whale" is "Final Exam Whale Progressive". This work was produced as a sequel to the original game, and further deepens the world view of the anime version. It is a work that fans of "Final Exam Whale" should definitely check out.

The first point that makes it a good recommendation is the way it depicts a dense story in a short amount of time. Although each episode is only five minutes long, the story deeply moves the viewer and has a charm that cannot be found in other anime. Additionally, the mysterious world view in which whales float in the sky and the stories of the characters' growth and trials also leave a strong impression on viewers. Furthermore, the production style that places importance on communication with the viewer also makes it possible to feel a sense of unity with the viewer.

Conclusion

"The Final Exam Whale" is a work that deeply moves viewers in a short time. The mysterious world view where whales float in the sky and the story of the characters' growth and trials leave a strong impression on viewers. In addition, the production style that emphasizes communication with the viewer is also a point that makes viewers feel a sense of unity with the work. This work not only deeply moves viewers, but also influenced the production of later anime. Please watch it at least once and experience its charm.