English Dub Review: Akebi’s Sailor Uniform “I’m Not Alone”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
At the festival, Akebi receives the full support of her classmates, who fondly remember everything she has done for them since her arrival.

Our Take:
This has to be a miraculous first year for Komichi and me. We encountered some new friends, experienced new things, and made preparations for the main event. All while she’s wearing her adorable sailor uniform. Everything that happened at Roubai Academy has finally led to this moment. The moment that will determine how Komichi’s first year will conclude.
The majority of the season finale centers on Komichi performing for the drama club in front of everyone during the festival’s after-party. Her routine resembles the cheering moves she uses during the athletic festival. The classmates reminisce about Komichi’s encouragement and how her inspiration led Class 1-3 to victory during her performance.
It is a great way to cap off the show’s season, but it’s also a beautiful and heartwarming celebration of friendship and teamwork. One of the elements that worked in the season finale is how the plot is structured to fit its 23-minute runtime. Instead of swiftly showcasing the festival events and then Komichi’s performance, “I’m Not Alone” combines both of them to provide a narrative that doesn’t overshadow one with the other. This resulted in a well-paced and captivating pivotal event filled with emotion and heartfelt moments, mainly Komichi’s gorgeous routine and her game-winning shot at the volleyball game.
Komichi’s dance is another superb example of the show’s animation style. While it’s nothing too grand regarding its slice-of-life genre, it still delivers some fantastic imagery in its detail, lighting, character designs, and settings. Additionally, Kana Utatane’s musical score is some of the best I’ve heard in an anime, especially for Komichi’s performance and the ending.
Overall, “I’m Not Alone” is as captivating as Komichi’s dance routine, with enough heart and emotion to close the show’s first year. From its well-handled narrative to the beautiful music, the episode is one of the finest season finales I’ve ever experienced, anime or otherwise. What a superb way to end Komichi’s first journey at Roubai Academy and the series’ first season.