Sure enough, everyone crosses paths in Sapporo in the end, just in time to see - you guessed it - the Diamond Dust. It actually felt like an extra episode for the fans, with more humor than usual and a few inside jokes. And Squid Boy (he has a name: Juurouta!) finally gets his moment in the spotlight...
A great ending for a surprisingly enjoyable show. When it first began, I wasn't sure how the story was going to work, the focus constantly shifting to a new character every couple of episodes. Some of the girls' stories were less interesting than others, but none were a true letdown. The show always felt fresh thanks to the introduction of new characters, and common themes kept everything humming in consonant harmony. It worked!
So, who was my favorite of the six girls? Atsuko was cute and energetic. Karin was adorable, if a little spoiled. Kyoko was a little rough around the edges, but strong. Suomi was a bit strange, but free-spirited. Shouko was fragile, but mature. Akari was determined and dependable.
It's tough to choose, but...