Hourou Musuko Specials

Despite this entry being for the final two episodes of one of my favorite anime series ever, it wouldn't help to discuss spoilers here. It's not that this anime has strict story beats that spoiling would ruin; it's just that the experience of watching through it on your own makes it more powerful and worth it. This is the optimal way to end the series in my opinion (or well, close-to-end, but you get the picture). By splitting up the penultimate episodes into two full-length episodes, we get a chance to allow more characterization and development, and have a more satisfying and conclusive ending. But thiscan't get the 10 because by the way this entry works, these two episodes are isolated from the rest of the series and thus aren't properly enjoyed without seeing those. We miss out on a lot of Shuichi and Yoshino's growth and struggles, and though these are still very very enjoyable (among my favorites of the short series), it's not as emotionally affecting and powerful cut off from the rest of the series. Still, if you want to watch Hourou Musuko, do so with the full episodes 11 and 12.