This is the sort of final episode that, while wrapping everything up nicely, leaves you longing for more. Yes, contrary to my earlier thoughts, I'm disappointed to see Genshiken come to an end. There's simply too much potential in both the characters and setting that's yet to be explored.

And, in some ways, that's my biggest complaint about the show. With the story's heavy focus on Saki, the rest of the cast has little opportunity to shine. Kousaka never transcends caricature, Sasahara remains a bit player, Kugayama is flat ignored, and Tanaka and Ohno see little development. Madarame has his moments in the spotlight, at least, but even then, it's mostly in how he reacts to Saki's presence and actions. I understand that Saki is the glue holding the narrative together - that is, "One of these kids is not like the other," - but, even despite that, I would have liked to have seen more of everyone else.

Should there be a second season in the works, I'm hoping it'll offer just that: more of everyone else. Until then, perhaps I should just take the time to catch up with the manga.

For some reason, I expected Saki to become a more amenable character as the show progressed. Instead, it seems the opposite has occurred. Strange.

Anyway, with one episode left, Genshiken stumbles toward the finish line. The show has been pretty hit-and-miss from the very beginning, but the misses have really outnumbered the hits in recent episodes. I can't say I'm too disappointed to see it finally come to an end.

Are the animators even trying anymore? It's like the episode was drawn on a bar napkin.

I think he was going for the Quattro Bajina look, but didn't quite pull it off.

Thankfully, the animation was back to normal for this episode. Of course, with most of the scenes consisting of Madarame and Saki sitting around doing nothing special, I should hope the animation would be back to normal. Perhaps Madarame was speaking to the viewers in his imaginary Kujian treatise...

I never quite got into building models myself, but my brother was a different story. Growing up, I got used to stepping lightly around little plastic parts, bottles of paint, and tubes of plastic cement.

Come to think of it, the entire realm of anime-themed toys - that is, models, figures, and other assorted collectibles - is one I've always had little interest in. Ultimately, I'm not the collector type.

The animators must have had a drinking party of their own.

And, no, I don't mean after work.

Saki should have challenged Sasahara's sister to a game of Puyo Puyo Fever. Winner gets Kousaka. Loser gets Madarame and the giant wall scroll.

Kitagawa should join Genshiken. She'd fit in just fine. They could do G-On Riders cosplay or something.

Admit it: you want to see it, too.

The school festival was one of my favorite chapters in the manga, and I'm happy to report it was twice as funny animated. So far, the show has turned out to be one the better manga to anime adaptations I've seen in quite some time.

And, even though I had my doubts at first, Kawasumi Ayako is perfect for the role of Kanako. She's got the nervous laugh and the "Eeto, eeto...," down perfectly.

Comiket-themed episodes are common in any anime series dealing with otaku culture (just as the World Series provides the climax for most baseball movies), but Genshiken seems to have best captured the atmosphere of the biannual affair.

I'm reminded of how mundane fan conventions and gatherings tend to be. Despite how absurd such events may appear to outsiders, for those of us "in the loop", much of what happens within the confines of the convention space isn't all that out of the ordinary. Of course, even the toughest American fan would likely be overwhelmed on first attending Comiket. I know I would.

So far, I'm enjoying Genshiken much more than Comic Party. The jokes and references just hit closer to home. Even the little things draw a nod and a laugh.

There were too many laugh-out-loud moments this time to count. The show has definitely redeemed itself following the lackluster first episode.

And, for the record, Nowhere: Anime Blog whole-heartedly endorses Madarame's theory on the legitimacy of two-dimensional love. Only those lacking imagination require the extra dimension.

In the words of the late, great John Lennon: Imagine!

I'm mildly impressed with the manga to anime translation. It did, however, seem as if many of the scenes were dragged out to fill time, making some parts much duller than they should have been. The lack of background music didn't help, either.

Kujibiki Unbalance, the fictional anime within the Genshiken world, makes a brief appearance in the first few minutes of the episode. I'm guessing we'll get little snippets each time.

Not much to say, really. If the show continues to stick close to the manga (and I don't see why it wouldn't), things should pick up with time. I'm looking forward to more.