Non Non Biyori Repeat

Episode 12

The slice-of-life genre isn't exactly a hotbed of stunning final episodes. Most shows are content to go out on a few sentimental remarks from their main characters, while a few try to introduce some last-minute drama with mixed results. Non Non Biyori Repeat leans toward the former of the two categories, but that doesn't mean it fades out quietly. For one last half hour, the detailed backgrounds and carefully crafted visuals turn the proverbial dial up to eleven.

When you boil it down to a basic plot outline, this final episode doesn't sound terribly eventful. The characters head out into the woods to pick bamboo shoots, where Komari makes the mistake of getting Renge's imagination fired up. With spring coming into full bloom, the girls make plans to spend an afternoon admiring the cherry blossoms. With most of the cast gathered under a particularly impressive tree, the end credits roll for the last time. Thankfully, there's a bit more to this finale than that modest summary implies.

The search for bamboo shoots causes this episode to give off an odd first impression. The scene is completely conventional, presented so exactly by-the-book that it would've fit right in at any other point in the season. It doesn't feel like the episode is building up to anything conclusive, which creates the impression that the series itself is reluctant to wrap things up. It seems to be flirting with the idea that if it can just keep coming up with new places for the characters to go and new things for them to do, maybe it can keep going forever. There's a strange sense of urgency to the way in which the show tries to squeeze in as much idleness as possible.

As the episode progresses, that hesitation gives way to a quiet, understated victory lap. It starts with a handful of gratuitous establishing shots thrown in during the transitions between scenes, giving the audience one final look at the excellent background art that has helped define the series. The sense of finality is eventually brought to the fore by an interesting little piece of animation as the four main characters look for a way to kill time in Natsumi and Komari's backyard. Our view stays fixed on a wide shot of the house as characters wander in and out of frame. Even by this show's low action standards, there really isn't much going on here; we're just watching the cast sit around in real time while they wait for something to happen. Despite the relative inactivity, the series is up to something clever in this scene. By placing the audience in a quiet moment and not giving us anything else to think about, it's prompting us to reflect on how we'll miss the characters after the episode ends. It's not uncommon for a slice-of-life show to try something like this at the end of the season, but most end up overplaying their hand with cheesy dialogue and excessive sentimentality instead. Non Non Biyori Repeat may have finally cracked the code; you just have to back off for a moment and let the viewers reach their own conclusions.

By the time everyone arrives at the picnic under the tree, most of the hard work is already done. The realization that the series is coming to an end has already sunk in, and all that's left to do is offer the obligatory reminder that the story will go on without us. The girls make plans to return to the same spot next year, and Hotaru comes to the obvious conclusion that she's grown fond of life out in the middle of nowhere. It's a simple ending that matches the series as a whole rather well. There's nothing terribly exciting or cerebral to offer, just a pleasant mood accompanied by some artful visuals.

Non Non Biyori Repeat has been a fun show to watch, and covering it from week to week has been an interesting challenge. There's been very little in the way of plot to talk about, and the relatively consistent quality has presented few opportunities to call out obvious mistakes. As a result, I've been forced to examine some of the subtler qualities that make this series such a strong entry in the slice-of-life genre. Heck, I've even gotten a chance to dust off my video production degree and talk about how individual shots influence the emotional impact of a scene. For a show about four girls traipsing merrily around the countryside, there's a lot going on under the surface in these dozen episodes. Any series trying to work the “cute characters doing cute things” angle next season will have some big shoes to fill.

Rating: B+

Non Non Biyori Repeat is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Paul Jensen is a freelance writer and editor. You can follow more of his anime-related ramblings on Twitter.