Five seasons of sunshine wrapped up in two little OVAs. I was very surprised by the way they treated the OVAs. Watching the trailers, I was sure they were going to be heart-wrenching passionate episodes with tear-jerking music and "namida ga ippai" that would trigger an international waterworks show. Yet after watching these episodes, I couldn't help but feel...a bit warm inside. Sure, they were sad, and it leaves a sense of emptiness knowing that if this wonderful series is to continue, Sae and Hiro will no longer be main characters. But they also fill the emptiness with a sort of joy, a sense of satisfaction,of completeness, of unity.

Looks like the Hidamari Series was able to stay sunny till the end.

Story (8/10)
Art (8/10)
Sound (8/10)
Character (10/10)
Enjoyment (9/10)

The way they treated the two episodes was quite nice, one dedicated to the exams and results and the other dedicated to the graduation ceremony. I liked the lack of overlap, and the way the first prepared you mentally for the second.

The art is as per Hidamari style. Even though I started off hating it, it's really grown on me through the years. The music also, nothing special, just wonderful touching graduation goodness. Seriously, the Japanese get such amazing music for graduation while we Westerners are stuck with Pomp and Circumstance...

Oh, Miyako, how I love you and your amazing sense of wit! Was it just me, or did she ramp up her teasing of Hiro by like 10x? Otherwise, the characters are really maturing. Nori not so much, but Yuno and Nazuna are really growing up, and its obvious in the way they deal with their world. Cameos from all the characters, from the Landlord to Chika, and of course, the wonderful Principal, whose speech, by the way, was totally rad.

I don't think I've ever watched an episode of Hidamari Sketch with a frown on my face. Is it even possible?

Overall (8/10)

Hopefully, sometime in the future, we will be saying Hello once more to the residents of the Hidamari Apartments.