Fuuka made an unexpected return at last week’s episode to save Kukuru from herself, and the story of The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 continues from here. Why is Fuuka there, and what are her motivations? Let’s find out in this review!
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 Overview
The Aquatope on White Sand is the latest anime by the Anime Studio P.A. Works, previously known for producing critically and commercially acclaimed anime like Angel Beats and Another. Toshiya Shinohara directs the series, a director whose career so far has been intrinsically linked with P.A. works, having previously directed Irozuku Sekai no Ashita kara and Nagi no Asu kara for the studio before. It is an original series by P.A. works, which means it is not based on a previously existing property, such as a Manga or a Light Novel.
If you want to know how I felt about the thirteenth episode of the season, or if you want to catch up on it, check out my review of it here. This episode is also known in original Japanese as Shiroi Suna no Aquatope Episode 14.
– The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 Review does not contain spoilers –
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 Review- Plot and Characters
After the show promised a whole new story at the end of Episode 12, I can’t help but feel a little confused by the fact that Fuuka is already back on the show. Don’t get me wrong, I love Fuuka, and her chemistry with Kukuru is fantastic, but it still feels like the show rushed her back. The show even hinted at her not being there at all in the part two trailer, so this feels like a backtrack, if not purposefully misleading.
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Apart from that, The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 was still a great episode of the show. Kukuru still tried her darnedest to make good on her duties, even though she doesn’t like the position Tingaara has put her in. The presence of Fuuka is always welcome in her life as well, with her playing a major role in this episode again. Again, she wasn’t missing for very long at all and still hasn’t been missing for more than 15 minutes at a time.
I can’t help but think that putting Kukuru in that position was a smart move by the director of Tingaara because she had nothing to learn and no room to grow in an attendant position. The biggest mistake she made as acting director of the Gama Gama Aquarium was her social media post claiming the aquarium was magical. It is clear that she needs help in that department, which she is now getting.
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Kukuru has always been a flawed character, too excitable and energetic for her own good, and stubborn to a fault. It is not hard to see that excelling at this position would make her better as a person and more agreeable to different types of work. Meanwhile, Fuuka was fighting her own battles. Kukuru could help her with her issues, and she did. They both conquer their goals together in The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14, and it is nice to see them both back together.
The other characters also had a tiny spotlight of their own, especially Maeda and Eiji, who are solid additions to the cast. The other heads of Tingaara aren’t that bad either, it seems. Chiyu always had legs to stand upon and reasonable grievances against Kukuru, so it’s not hard to see her getting a redemption arc down the line. Overall, The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 was a by the numbers episode which didn’t do anything special but didn’t make any mistakes either.
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 Review- Art and Music
Tingaara looks just as good as ever, and the series remains one of the most beautifully animated of our times. The new opening and ending themes are also really nice and just as good, if not better, than the first ones. There isn’t much more to say here, except that The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 continued to be just as good as the series normally is.
Verdict
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14 upheld the status quo of the series by scoring with its animation, music, and character departments while regressing the storyline by a little bit. A solid outing for the slice of life show.
If you liked this review of The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 14, you will also enjoy our review of the next episode in the series, available right here!