Misuzu's breakdown was unusually well-animated. Talk about a memorable moment.

I always felt Minagi was the most interesting of the Air girls. Until you learn more of her story and true personality, however, she's easily overshadowed by Kano and Misuzu. So, I found extra joy in this particular episode. The final rooftop scene beneath the starry sky took my breath away.

I finally had a chance to watch ep 5 today (yes, im behind as usual) and it really illustrates something that has always grasped me about AIR. from a visual standpoint, and from general character stuff, i peg myself as a total Minagi fan... but when it comes to it, it's Misuzu that really gets to me.

You're right about the Misuzu's breakdown. A lot of care went into animating that. It's something that could have come off very cheezy, but instead, because they handled it with such subtlety, it hit a lot deeper than i thought it would.

Damn them. :)

Misuzu's breakdown just about tore my heart out.

Her breakdown had an effect on me, too, and it is rare for anime to get it so right. In fact, I was trying to remember the only other time where I felt such empathy for a character. It was during a Card Captor Sakura episode, where Meiling breaks down crying into Tomoyo's lap (episode 60) after learning she's lost Shaoran to Sakura. The scene shifted to them just as she cried out and it's gut-wrenching. You know what I mean if you've seen it. Erm, HAVE any of you seen it? Or other scenes like that where you just felt what the character felt?

I know the scene. Although, the scene prior usually chokes me up a bit more, what with Meilin trying so hard NOT to cry as she gathers her belongings and heads for the door.

A lot of shows have similar "wow" moments that stick with you for a long time. Fruits Basket is full of them, for example. For me, personally, however, the argument between Tsubasa and Hikaru in Episode 10 of Figure 17 is the scene I'd go to first if I felt like I needed a quick, emotional punch in the gut. It's pretty heavy.

I know what you mean. Many animes have these kind of "gut-crushing" scenes, but, in my opinion, few actually can pull it off. But I have to say/agree with you that Fruits Baskets is probably the one that tops them all off. Although, I have to say that this episode of AIR is a close second.