Ganbare Doukichan [Episode 12]

Alright, let’s talk about Ganbare Doukichan Episode 12—the finale of this quirky, 5-minute-per-episode ONA that’s been teasing us all season with Douki-chan’s mission to win over her coworker, Douki-kun. If you’re here for a wild, lovey-dovey conclusion… well, let’s just say fans are split on whether this episode stuck the landing or face-planted into a pile of office paperwork.

First off, let’s recap what we know: Ganbare Doukichan is a short-form anime based on Yomu’s webcomics, following Douki-chan, a determined office worker who’s dead-set on seducing her crush, Douki-kun. The series wraps up with 12 episodes, each a quick burst of awkward office interactions, lewd daydreams (remember those early episodes?), and wholesome moments that’ll make you go, “Aww… but c’mon, just confess already!”

Now, Episode 12. The big question: Did Douki-chan finally spill her guts? Spoiler alert: No. And fans are not holding back. One user ranted, “I was expecting at least a confession by the end. Not even a strong one—at least spit out an ‘I like you’! And didn’t even get that bare minimum. Smh.” Ouch. Another added, “This did not seem like the final episode… no resolution at all, just a maid dance and some hand-holding. 5/10 overall.”

Wait, a maid dance? Oh right! The episode’s highlight (or lowlight, depending on who you ask) is Douki-chan and her kouhai (junior coworker) performing a cutesy maid-themed dance. Some loved it—“5/5 for maid dance. Hoping for more Douki-chan!”—while others cringed: “That dance was high-level cringe. The show was alright overall but the last ep was weak.”

But it’s not all doom and gloom. There was a tiny win: Douki-kun stepped up as a “hero” (as one fan put it) and they held hands! Douki-chan even reacted with, “That’s what I’m talking about!” which some viewers took as a hint that Douki-kun needs to take initiative too. “They at least held hands,” one optimist noted. “I think they’re trying to imply Douki-kun needs to start taking some initiative… maybe leading to them getting together in another season.”

The lewd vs. wholesome debate also reared its head. Early episodes had Douki-chan fantasizing about, uh, very intimate office scenarios, but later episodes dialed it back to pure fluff. “The early episodes were surprisingly lewd only for the rest to be wholesome? At least decide!” a fan complained. Others missed the fanservice: “Not enough romance or jealousy. Also not enough fanservice. Overall twas kinda meh.”

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the lack of closure. This is a 12-episode series—short, yes, but 12 episodes is enough time to wrap up a basic romance, right? Many felt the ending was a cop-out. “For me it was a total disappointment that neither of the two confessed—one of the worst points of this anime. 5/10,” a user said. Another sighed, “So we didn’t have any confession, but anyways 5/5 for maid dance. Hoping for more Douki-chan.”

But hey, not everyone hated it! Some found the finale “sweet” and “cute,” even without a confession. “Really short but sweet show, I enjoyed it. Poor Douki-chan deserves justice though lmao,” one fan wrote. Others are already begging for more: “Loved it man. I hope they adapt more of the Web Comic.” And let’s not forget the OVA—Episode 13 is coming to Blu-ray, so maybe that’s where the real confession happens? Fingers crossed!

Visually, the anime stays true to Yomu’s simple, expressive art style—think soft lines, big eyes, and that classic “moe” charm. The 5-minute runtime means each episode is a quick hit, perfect for scrolling between classes or work breaks. But let’s be real: the length is both a strength and a weakness. It’s easy to binge, but character development? Thin as Douki-chan’s patience when Douki-kun ignores her advances.

So, who’s this episode for? If you’re here for closure, you’ll leave frustrated. If you’re here for cuteness—the maid dance, hand-holding, and Douki-chan’s never-give-up attitude—you’ll probably smile. And if you’re a die-hard fan, you’re already counting down to the OVA or a potential Season 2.

Final thoughts? Ganbare Doukichan Episode 12 is a classic case of “close but no cigar.” It’s got heart, it’s got humor, but it’s missing that final push. As one user summed it up: “Cute short anime but the ending was very disappointing. Guess the dancing in the maid costume at the end was good.”

Will we get more Douki-chan? Only time (and Blu-ray sales) will tell. But for now, let’s raise a coffee mug to Douki-chan—may she finally get her man in the OVA. And if not? Well, there’s always fanfiction.

Final Verdict: 6/10. Fun, fluffy, but frustratingly unresolved. Perfect for a quick laugh, but don’t expect a fairy-tale ending… yet.

P.S. If you’re craving more, check out the webcomics—maybe Yomu gives Douki-chan the happy ending she deserves!