Now that Fuuka decided to take the training course she applied for, how well does Kukuru’s wedding proposal plays out? Also, what happen to the girls after two years?
As expected, we see a glimpse of the attendants helping to stock the fish in the new aquarium area. It was interesting to see how they stock the aquarium in the new area. Of course, Kukuru and Fuuka offered something to the deity, which took it instantly. They come back to the same spot in the end of the episode, more on that later.
After the stocking of the aquarium, she has her coworkers help her create a new welcome sign. Yes, she got the idea since the couple had their first date at Gama Gama. Believe it or not, Kukuru was the one that created the welcome sign for Gama Gama and apparently the couple seemed to like it. I understand why Fuuka understandably got upset in the first half when a bunch of guys knocked it over and broke it.
Either way, it seems that the wedding played out without any issues and the couple seem to like how everything went. Yes, they had their daughter be the ring bearer wearing a penguin costume. Either way, the wedding planner seems happy with the end results. Aside from that, the opening of the White Sand Dome was a success. Yes, Undon, Kai, and Maho came to visit. Undon also reveals that her training is almost over.
As Kukuru walks around the aquarium, she runs into her grandfather and grandmother. Yes, they were talking about how much Fuuka has improved. Kukuru asks her grandmother if he faces difficulties at Gama Gama. Yep, he had hard times and learned from them, which he doesn’t realize until later. Yep, it’s obvious that Kukuru feels troubled as she asks what she should do. He answers that the answer lies with her and it’s up to her to turn the path she chooses into the correct one.
Also, Fuuka and Kukuru looks at the aquarium as Fuuka and Kukuru talks about her lost dream and their new start at the new aquarium. Yes, she has the vision again where she sees her parents and her lost sister. It’s apparent with the deity paying a visit.
After Kukuru sees Fuuka off, two years has passed. Kukuru’s hair has grown a bit as she gotten better at her job. Akari eventually works full time at the aquarium as Kukuru now manages her. Karin works as an attendant with Kuuya. Yep, he isn’t going to have a fun time for obvious reasons.
Also, Marina went into taking care of otters while Kai takes Fuuka’s position taking care of penguins. I find it funny how Chiyu trolls Kai when Choko mates with Shiratama. Yep, she said that penguins will mate with anyone, even if they are gay, have an age gap or have a love triangle relationship. It’s obvious that she is rubbing it in to Kai who is screwed. Yes, even penguins receive more relationship development than him and his crush on Kukuru. It’s probably for the best. Crisis averted!
With that, Kukuru and Kaoru takes a cab back to the aquarium from their training. Yes, Kaoru got a tan. I guess Fuuka kept up with her skin routine. While her hair is shorter, but the same length as Kukuru’s, she decided to take a stop and visit the same place earlier in this episode. This is where Kukuru reunites with her. Yep, it’s a heartwarming moment. Sure, there is no kiss, but it’s close enough.
Final Impressions
From watching this, I was intrigued by the premise. Yes, this show kind of reminds me of Sakura Quest, which a group of five girls try to revive a declining town. The first half is like that with Fuuka wanting to help save Kukuru’s dream after her dream has ended.
Of course, the girls’ dreams eventually shatter, and they need to find a path forward and a new dream. As expected, it’s a work genre anime like Sakura Quest and Shirobako as it focuses on the characters working at an aquarium.
As expected, Kukuru and Fuuka faces difficulties, especially with Kukuru. Besides failing to save the aquarium despite trying hard to bring in more customers, in her new job, she gets bullied by her boss who treat her like crap. Yes, so much that she can’t take it anymore and decides not to come in. Sure, the show wants to make it appear that Kukuru’s boss redeemed himself, but it’s a copout and I don’t believe it. He is still an a-hole.
Overall, the animation was beautiful and there are a lot of nice moments. Sure, Chiyu’s bullying Kukuru make her seem like a Karen, but after finding out her backstory, I can’t stay mad at her. Also, the moments with Fuuka and Kukuru are nice, and they seem more than just best friends. Sure, some are afraid that they will mess things up by shoehorning Kai and his crush on Kukuru. It’s good that his crush remained unrequited and unlikely develop into something serious.
Overall, Shiroi Suna no Aquatope is a very enjoyable show with some good yuri developments. Sure, we didn’t get the kiss, but it’s obvious that they are close. Also, the character development and story were good, except for Kukuru’s a-hole boss. Yes, there was one point that I really got angry because of it. While it was a tough moment for Kukuru, it’s obvious that she got out stronger after being so close to burning out.
Sure, it got really close to Kai ruining the whole thing. Thankfully, he didn’t get much development and mostly used as Kukuru’s punching bag until he outlived his usefulness. Either way, if you like PA Work’s previous work genre titles, you will probably enjoy this one.
Good show with the stars clearly being Fuuka and Kukuru. Out of the two it is the latter I prefer and she seemed like the main lead anyway. The Gama Gama arc had a lot of tension and I was genuinely unsure how that arc was going to play right until the very end.
Second half was more grounded in reality and the big “villians” were Chiyu and Suwa. Fortunately we got a redemption for Chiyu but Suwa remained an ass right until the end. I couldn’t really buy into his sob story. I would say the penguin piece at the end and the mention of gay relationship could be metaphor for how Fuuka/Kukuru’s relationship is supposed to be. Or is that wishful thinking?
Ah the season finale is bittersweet! Whilst it was a good ending it is also sad that this series is done… Thursday won’t quite be the same without my Aquatope! Can you make the pain of loss easier for me Chikorita157?
Yes, it would be missed, but it’s good that Kukuru and Fuuka became a reality despite it’s ups and down.
Pretty good work life show that reminded me of SHIROBAKO, which made sense once you said it’s be the same studio.
The yuri was solid but the conclusion could have been better or more open. We got enough hints to believe they’ll have a future together at least.
Agreed, but I kind of wish there could have been more done at the conclusion. Still, not expecting them to kiss, but I am satisfied that they are together in the end and they didn’t shoehorn Kai into the picture,