Sweetness & Lightning

Episode 12

Sweetness & Lightning concludes on a predictably heartwarming note this week. Since this is a series built around character interactions and extended cooking segments, there isn't much of a story to speak of, so episode 12's lack of finality doesn't come as much of a shock. (Also, like 95% of modern anime, its source material is still going strong.) There aren't any huge revelations, nor do we get the sense that the characters are about to move on to the next phase of their lives, but that's fine. A relaxed, low-stakes finale is exactly what I expected—and it's exactly what we got.

Feeling physically exhausted and emotionally drained after a visit to Tae's grave, the Inuzukas decide to take the night off from cooking and grab dinner at a nearby okonomiyaki restaurant. Despite her initial excitement at the prospect of mixing together her favorite ingredients, Tsumugi is crestfallen upon discovering that the kitchen staff beat her to the punch. This prompts a mini-meltdown and results in a panicked Kohei being publicly embarrassed. Unfortunately, Tsumugi's mood doesn't improve much the following day, as evidenced by her glib responses to her father's questions and continued sulking. In an effort to give Tsumugi her desired okonomiyaki experience, Kotori and Kohei decide to make the dish their next group project. As an added bonus, both Shinobu and the ever-elusive Megumi want to get in on the action.

After arriving at the restaurant, the Inuzukas are greeted by two surprises: Megumi had to take a last-minute rain check, and Yagi, intent on meeting one of his idols, decided to drop in. Needless to say, Kotori is none too pleased with her mother's flightiness, and her complaints prompt Kohei to draw a somewhat forced parallel between the Ida family's situation and his recent tiff with Tsumugi. Wanting to improve communication between himself and his daughter, Kohei then sits Tsumugi down and explains his feelings on the restaurant incident in terms someone her age can understand. Thankfully, Sweetness & Lightning isn't a complete tease, so Megumi appears on the scene at the last possible second and sits down to a meal with her daughter's surrogate family. When Tsumugi questions why homemade okonomiyaki tastes better than the stuff served at the restaurant, Megumi informs her that her father's affection is what makes all the difference. (Yes, this line is dripping with Full House levels of schmaltz, but it works.)

Once again, I'm impressed by how accurately Sweetness & Lightning portrays small children. From an adult perspective, Tsumugi's tantrum at the restaurant seems completely unreasonable, but I can easily see a five-year-old getting upset over something so seemingly inconsequential. (I suppose this represents a potential downside of exposing her to so much food prep. If she can't watch Kotori and her father cook it or personally assist in its preparation, certain dishes don't hold much appeal for her.) Tsumugi speaking highly of a friend's lenient mother in an effort to get her father's goat seemed like a low blow, but such behavior is perfectly in line with a child who has trouble with boundaries. With Kohei resolving to scold his daughter “properly” from now on, this week's episode is more a lesson in parenting than cooking.

All things considered, saving Megumi for the finale was a smart move. Had she been introduced sooner, her inclusion in the group's final meal wouldn't have seemed nearly as special. Also, her presence is really the only thing that differentiates this week's installment from a normal episode. I was actually hoping the show would end by showcasing the massive party Tsumugi proposed several episodes ago, but tonally, this probably made more sense. Sweetness & Lightning isn't a show that needs to go out with a bang.

As viewers have come to expect, this series' curtain call features far more sweetness than lightning. Believable conflict, satisfying resolution, and a highly-anticipated meeting are on full display in an episode that finds the perfect balance between cooking and plot progression. While the drama is fairly low-key, and stories often take a backseat to extended cooking segments, Sweetness & Lightning is a consistently entertaining show that will warm your heart, make you hungry, and encourage you to be more adventurous in the kitchen.

Rating: A+

Sweetness & Lightning is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Amy is a YA fantasy author who has loved anime for over two decades.