It's like the bottom just fell out of the show. After all the drama of the past several episodes, it's like someone hit the reset button and killed all the suspense.

I'm not buying the new character transformations, either. For one, even though Hachi learns to be human once again, he still seems indifferent about all that's happened both to him and the people he cares for. And Ai, having survived - but not without suffering serious injury - suddenly seems like an afterthought as far as the story is concerned. She shows up at just the right moment, but only to open Hachi's eyes to the world around him. Surely she's more valuable to the story than that? Surely she's more than just a plot device?

Perhaps the final episode will offer the sort of emotional resolve the story deserves - for all of the characters.

I have to agree that this episode is kind of a coppout (spelling?) from all the series has led up to, however I'm sort of happy the characters got the cheap kind of happy ending. It says something when the series makes you want the cheesy ending over the more dramatic one for the characters. Or maybe I've watched too anime :)

Hmm..
I watched 24,25, and 26 in one go. This one didn't kill the suspense for me, but seeing Ai in a wheelchair came like a quick punch to the gut ('cause I love her so :P )
Watching this right after ep 24 is the best way to appreciate it.