The anime series Momentary Lily concluded its run in March 2025, leaving viewers with a mix of reactions. Produced by Shochiku and animated by GoHands, this original series presented a post-apocalyptic world where a group of girls with unique abilities battle robotic invaders known as the Wild Hunt. While the premise held potential, the execution, particularly in the season finale, has been a subject of debate among anime enthusiasts.
A Synopsis of Momentary Lily
Momentary Lily centers around Renge Kasumi, a girl who awakens with amnesia in a world overrun by the Wild Hunt. She soon encounters five other girls – Yuri, Erika, Hinageshi, Sazanka, and Ayame – each possessing special powers and weapons called Andvari. Together, they fight the Wild Hunt, cook meals, and try to uncover the secrets of their pasts and the world around them. The series blends action, slice-of-life elements, and sci-fi mysteries, creating a unique but sometimes jarring viewing experience.
The Season Finale: “An Ending Ochazuke Buffet With Everyone”
Episode 13, titled “An Ending Ochazuke Buffet With Everyone,” depicts the aftermath of a fierce battle. The synopsis reveals that Citron, Suzuran, and other survivors remember Renge and her friends, living peaceful lives while reflecting on the sacrifices made for them.
Several key plot points and themes emerge in the finale:
- The Cost of Battle: The girls face the consequences of their battles, highlighting the theme of sacrifice.
- Peaceful Aftermath: The episode showcases the peaceful lives of those saved by the girls, emphasizing the impact of their actions.
- Remembering the Fallen: The survivors reflect on the girls’ sacrifices, underscoring the importance of memory and remembrance.
- Bittersweet Conclusion: The ending is described as bittersweet, hinting at loss and acceptance.
- The Meaning of a Moment: One reviewer notes that the series emphasizes living temporary lives and cherishing connections, suggesting that the finale reinforces this message.
Critical Reception: A Divisive Ending
The reception to the Momentary Lily season finale, and the series as a whole, has been mixed. Some viewers praised the unexpected twists and emotional impact, while others criticized the convoluted plot and uneven execution.
Praises:
- Emotional Impact: Some viewers found the finale to be incredibly moving, with the ending bringing the girls closer together.
- unexpected twists: The plot presented unexpected turns.
- Thematic Resonance: The series’ focus on cherishing fleeting moments resonated with some viewers.
Criticisms:
- Convoluted Plot: The overarching storyline was difficult to follow.
- Inconsistent Tone: The shifts between action, slice-of-life, and cooking segments felt jarring and lacked balance.
- Underdeveloped Characters: The characters felt flat, preventing viewers from fully connecting with them.
- Visual Overload: The excessive use of lens flares, camera movement, and CGI was distracting and tiring.
- Poor Execution: Some critics consider Momentary Lily a poorly executed series.
One reviewer summarized the show’s message as: “we live temporary lives. The most important parts of life are the moments we spend bonding with others creating memories and finding meaning in our fleeting existence.” This interpretation suggests that the finale successfully conveyed the series’ central theme, even if the execution was flawed.
Conversely, another critic described the series as a “soulless cash-grab tie-in” with vapid writing and a lack of meaningful character development. This harsh assessment suggests that the finale failed to redeem the series’ shortcomings.
Unresolved Questions and Lingering Mysteries
Despite the conclusion, some mysteries and questions remain unanswered:
- The True Nature of Renge: Renge’s past and her unique connection to the Andvari remain ambiguous.
- The Aliens’ Motives: The aliens who created the Wild Hunt and the cloned girls’ abandoned plot are not fully explained.
- The Future of Humanity: The series doesn’t fully explore the long-term prospects for the surviving humans.
Production Values and Visual Style: A Double-Edged Sword
GoHands’ distinctive visual style is both a strength and a weakness of Momentary Lily. The studio is known for its inventive imagery and animation.
Positives:
- High-Quality Art: The character designs are appealing and memorable.
- Fluid Animation: The character animation and action sequences are generally top-notch.
Negatives:
- Visual Vomit: Some critics found the visuals overwhelming and headache-inducing.
- Distracting Cinematography: The constant camera movement, Dutch angles, and fish-eye lenses were disorienting.
- Excessive Effects: The overuse of lens flares and other SFX plugins was distracting and tasteless.
- Inconsistent Animation: The simpler animation style during cooking scenes was a missed opportunity to showcase detail.
Themes and Interpretations
Momentary Lily explores several themes, including:
- Survival and Resilience: The girls’ determination to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.
- Friendship and Camaraderie: The importance of bonds and working together.
- Memory and Identity: The search for meaning and self-discovery.
- Sacrifice and Loss: The consequences of war and the value of life.
- The Meaning of Existence: The characters grapple with their purpose in a world shaped by alien forces.
Some viewers interpret the series as a commentary on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the present moment. Others see it as a critique of corporate greed and the exploitation of players in gacha games.
Momentary Lily: Final Verdict
Momentary Lily is a visually striking but narratively flawed anime series. Its unique blend of genres and distinctive art style may appeal to some viewers, but its convoluted plot, inconsistent tone, and underdeveloped characters may alienate others. The season finale offers a bittersweet conclusion that reinforces the series’ themes of sacrifice and remembrance, but it fails to resolve many of the show’s lingering mysteries.
Ultimately, whether Momentary Lily is a fleeting bloom or a wilting rose depends on the viewer’s perspective. Some may appreciate its artistic vision and thematic depth, while others may find it to be a visually exhausting and narratively unsatisfying experience.
