Kare Kano is an incredibly fascinating show, from a production standpoint it's a joy to watch to as creators and directors are given a playground to express themselves. It shows the beauty of what limited animation can achieve with ingenuity and creativity. Within that framework, it manages to explore a type of love where both people continually change and grow from it.

Anno's works have often zero in on the connections we have with others, how we are molded by our relationships and the fears that comes with communicating and becoming close with others. While something like Evangelion is more visceral and affecting, Karekano is often upbeat and optimistic of the changes people can instill in each other. From Nobutoshi Ogura's 16, an affecting depiction of one's memories of childhood shown through black and white 4:3 film to Hiroyuki Imaishi's bold and brash 19 that encapsulates the chaotic feelings of youth through paper cutouts and gekianimation. There is so much to celebrate and appreciate with this show's craft and what each episode can bring.

Even then, Kare Kano is rough. Numerous recaps are spread all throughout, both from a slowly eroding production and TV producer interference. By the end of the show's run, it's clear that the production is running on fumes despite the show's sheer creativity rarely ever faltering. There's occasionally elements that give one pause, things that could be potentially problematic if further addressed if the show continued adapting the manga's run. There's developments the show builds up to begin to struggle in the show's final act as it reaches to the end. The final episode itself, while incredible and bold in it's presentation, leaves one wanting for more and not feeling completely satisfied.

But there's a transience to the ending itself. It's a closing point for the characters as they realize different things about themselves, and an open ended point as we know they will continue to grow and change. We can only hope they can become the best people they can be. It's a glimpse into the future of their lives, a final goodbye as we wish them all the best. Kare Kano for all of it's problems and for all of it's strengths, coalesces into something truly special. A masterpiece

Kare Kano is a show more than about romance, it's about the connections we form with others and how those change and push ourselves to be better people. How we can grow from that and push onward and fully express ourselves. Rather that be as friends, as family, as lovers, or something even more. Because love is something that spreads.

"And let us promise. Even if something like that should happen someday, we will never forget the various feelings we experienced together."``