Plastic memories is my favorite anime of all time, and I’ve posted about it a lot. But one thing that I want to touch on is the depression that comes after watching Plastic Memories, and how to beat it.

This is only for people who have made it through episodes 1-13.

Now first it is important to understand what Plastic Memories is trying to teach you. Let’s look to Star Wars. Star Wars is not considered a sad series, but the prequels follow the EXACT same premise of Plastic Memories. Anakin see’s Padme’s impending death, he does everything he can to save her, but in the end he can’t.

So why isn’t Star Wars considered the saddest movie franchise of all time, but Plastic Memorie’s is considered one of the saddest anime of all time? Well the simple answer is closure. Anakin’s story concludes with him being saved by his son, Luke. But Tsukasa’s character doesn’t really have an ending.

Well, let me fill in some blanks rapidly, since I’ve already posted entire essays on Reddit breaking down the endings and such.

Directly after Isla’s retrieval, and before the post scene credits, Tsukasa begins to take up tasks that Isla used to do around the office like pouring tea for the other members. In front of everyone he keeps himself together, but in private he still breaks down over his loss. One day, Tsukasa realizes that Isla wouldn’t have wanted him to be so sad and pitiful, so he goes out to train to actually be able to do retrievals the legit way. When Tsukasa returns, his new partner is NOT Isla (if we use bits of continuity from the bad ending of the Plastic Memories video game). And in that same note, Isla’s new life (also using the bad ending as a way to peer into the future) is that of being another smaller girls sister.

Breaking off into my own speculation, during Plastic Memories, there is a lot of emphasis on Mirichu’s character, and her clear developing feelings for Tsukasa. And because the creator of Plastic Memories seems to really enjoy her character (centering the entire light manga around her after).

I do believe personally that Tsukasa and Mirichu end up getting together. They both share similar traumatic experiences with retirevals, and Mirichu clearly likes Tsukasa. Even if not romantic, they would probably lean on eachother very heavily in the future, and Mirichu would become like a best friend to Tsukasa.

While in the anime it ends abruptly, Tsukasa is eventually able to grow stronger and break free from the pain of losing Isla. So in the post credit scene, he should be recovered, and much stronger than he was before. A huge part of the sadness in Plastic Memories is feeling Tsukasa’s pain losing Isla. So rest assured that with the help of the others, his own inner growth, and his new training and partner, Tsukasa was able to find closure in the situation.

Hopefully knowing a bit more about the events after Plastic Memories and the characters helps with recovery!

If you’re reading this, then you’ve probably either recently finished watching, or have watched Plastic Memories. And if your also like me, then you probably weren’t satisfied with the ending, and now, your digging for answers on what happened after the events of Plastic Memories, and who Tsukasa’s brand new partner is at the end of the anime.

Well, I’ve done research on the Anime, Video Game adaptation, Light Novel, and the interview with the creator to piece together the TRUE ending of Plastic Memories, and what I believe would be the most accurate plot-line for a season 2.

Let’s start by addressing the 2016 video game adaptation of Plastic Memories. This game allows you have multiple endings based off the choices you choose to make while playing as Tsukasa. The main ending’s we’ll be focusing on is the “bad” ending, and the “good” ending, that you may hear some people refer to as the “true” ending.

In the good ending of the Plastic Memories video game, in an attempt to save Isla’s life, neither Tsukasa or Isla can accept the short time that they’ve lived together. After some thinking, Isla suggests asking the creator of Giftias herself for guidance. Upon meeting the creator, it is revealed that Isla is not only one of the first Giftia’s ever created, but that she is in fact 19 years old. Yes, you heard that right, Isla is actually 19 and she is aware of all of the life that she’s lived. This is because for a lot of those years, Isla had been frozen away but was unfrozen for unknown reasons by the organization, becoming Kazuki’s partner. It’s also revealed that the creator of the Gifita’s has been working on a life extension program which would be able to offset the life expiration of the Gifitia’s. Despite the warnings and clear risks of Isla being sealed away until this program is complete (for example, Tskuasa dying of old age or other causes before Isla wakes up). Both decide to go through with this, and Isla is put to sleep. But in this ending, Isla actually wakes up and directly states that she can remember everything, and speaks as though Tsukasa is in the room with her before everything goes blank.

With that in mind, I’ve also researched the creator of Plastic Memories thoughts on the ending, and read the light novel that follows the story. And it is safe to say thag the ending we got in the anime is the canon ending, because most other continuities use this ending, and Plastic Memories began as an Anime exclusive and not an adaptation.

But, that doesn’t mean that the ending in the game known as the “True Ending” isn’t also canon. And my theory is that the good ending in Plastic Memories is actually Isla dreaming, I know, bear with me.

We know Isla can dream, because on a few different occasions Isla has told Tsukasa about either having noghtmares or being able to dream herself. Before every retrieval, Isla tells the Gifita her famous lines “I hope that someday, you’ll be reunited with the one you cherish”.

Now, when Gifita’s are retrieved, they are not immediately erased, in fact, they are actually just put in a state of hibernation until they can be transported to be reset. And I believe either in the flash we see on the ferris wheel, or as Isla is being transported the good ending is Isla’s dream in this period.

Isla is the only one who would know the creator personally, and the creator is never mentioned in the anime. The creator also accurately points out Isla’s fear of death, a fear that is not natural nor present in other Giftias. And finally, Isla being reunited with Tsukasa in the end almost perfectly lines up with the words he spoke to her before putting on the ring, with her finally being reunited with the one she cherished.

The Good Ending of the Plastic Memories video game is cannon, and it is the true ending but from a different persepctive. The happy ending isn’t that Isla survived, it’s that Isla was able to find peace in her final moments, and still felt close to Tsukasa. Which is why immediatley after the ending everything goes white (Isla’s memories are erased), whereas in other endings like the bad ending, the story is expanded even further.

So, if Isla is truly retrieved, then what about the mystery partner that we see at the end of the Anime?

Well, in the bad ending, Tsukasa and Isla end up running away before Isla can be retrieved. I’ll spare the details for another day, but at the end, Tsukasa ends up turning himself and the wanderer version of Isla in to the organization. In this ending, as I mentioned just earlier, the story expands to after the events. Where Tsukasa gets a partner that is NOT Isla.

And he actually sees Isla again at a park, who of course is in a new family and does not respond to her name when she is called.

This ending, while obviously not canon, can still be treated as a parallel reality, because the creator of Plastic Memories was involved in writing the game. Even though this is a what if scenario, it is likely a very accurate what if scenario. And it would align perfectly with Tskuasa’s character to not need Isla as a partner again, but rather to create new memories with somebody new.

So while it’s left widely to interpretation, if I had to bet money on it, Tsukasa’s new partner isn’t Isla.

Now, for the lore accurate Season 2 of Plastic Memories. As we just established, Isla’s passing is permanent and set in stone. And Tsukasa magically finding a way to revive her would defeat the purpose of the entire ending, and diminish it’s impact significantly.

I have no doubt that Season 2 would be a prequel focusing on Mirichu. The short manga for Plastic Memories that came out after the anime had a heavy focus on her past, being raised by a Giftia, and what she was up to while Isla and Tsukasa were on their final date. We also know from the show she had a very traumatic retrieval.

Aside from Tsukasa and Isla, Mirichu’s character, and Yasutaka’s (who is clearly an achoholic and hiding depression for some reason) would probably be the focus of Season 2. However, there would be little to no additional information on Tsukasa and Isla’s story.

If you made it this far, I’d love to see your opinions on my theory and if theres anything that I missed! I love this anime a lot and am glad it still has a community, anyways. I thank you all for reading, see you next time’

I swore to myself that I'll never touch plastic memories ever again, if I get lucky enough I'll buy the merchandise when I get the money but no way in hell can I go through that phase again. I've been mentally screwed every since and mentally weaker aswell. I feel like if I watch it again, then there's no coming back from it. I'm still planning on playing the PS vita visual novel to atleast numb a little bit of the pain from the anime and atleast be happy with a non-canocial ending. What do you guys think about my statement? How do you guys feel after watching plastic memories? If you guys think I'm pathetic for it. Fair play but please have atleast a little bit of understanding.

(Note: I've only watched plastic memories once and that was like 2-3 years ago. I still refuse to watch it again and I can't even look at any clips of the anime without feeling some sort of heartbreak)

Just wanted to share these gems.

I thought that they were just artificial intelligence without feelings, or emotions. i am a few episodes in and i dont really get why people such as the main character take such precautions to try and get on the good side of isla, isn't she just a working robot set to do a job

Its the 4th time i watched the series... And yet i keep crying every single time... Its the kind of sad that makes you want to rewatch it every year, that's why i cant stop watching it...

Hello fellow plast memory fans . I like all of you had my heart touched by this anime espicially the ending😢. RUMOR has it in an interview that the creator stated that Isla and kazuki's adventure IS NOT OVER and he left that part ambigous. While im not sure this is true, Can you guys help me find it. I will be satisfied not having a second season if I know theirs at least ambigous hope for Isla to be reunited with the one she cherishes.

I asked Chat GPT to make a alternate story on how lsla didn’t die

Sure, here's a story about Isla's fate taking a different turn in "Plastic Memories":

Title: "A Second Chance"

The night before Isla's scheduled deactivation was filled with an air of inevitability. Tsukasa could hardly bear the thought of losing her. However, fate had other plans. Just as the final moments approached, the head of the SAI Corporation, Mr. Aoki, burst into the Terminal Service office with an urgent announcement.

"We've developed a new technology," he said breathlessly. "It's experimental, but it could extend the lifespan of Giftias. Isla's data and memories can be transferred into a new body, giving her a second chance."

The room buzzed with a mixture of hope and disbelief. Tsukasa looked at Isla, his eyes wide with a mixture of relief and fear. "Isla, this could mean...we don't have to say goodbye."

Isla's eyes, normally so composed, reflected a glimmer of hope. "But...what if something goes wrong?"

Mr. Aoki stepped forward. "The procedure is risky, but if we do nothing, we'll lose you anyway. It’s worth the chance."

With little time to deliberate, they agreed. The procedure would take place immediately. Tsukasa held Isla's hand as they walked to the lab, his heart pounding with a mixture of hope and dread.

The transfer process was a tense affair. Scientists and engineers worked frantically, their faces set in grim determination. Tsukasa never let go of Isla’s hand, whispering words of encouragement and love.

After what felt like an eternity, the chief scientist emerged from the lab. "The transfer is complete," he announced. "She's stable, but we need to wait for her to wake up."

The waiting room was filled with a silence thick with anticipation. Tsukasa paced, unable to sit still. Finally, after hours that seemed like days, a nurse called him into the recovery room.

Isla lay on a bed, her new body identical to the old one, yet somehow different. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, Tsukasa feared she wouldn’t recognize him. But then she smiled—a smile filled with recognition and love.

"Tsukasa," she whispered, her voice steady and familiar. "We did it. We're together."

Tears of relief streamed down Tsukasa's face as he embraced her. "I was so scared, Isla. But you're here. You're really here."

Over the following weeks, Isla adjusted to her new body, and Tsukasa never left her side. The procedure had been a success, but it wasn't without its challenges. Isla had to relearn some functions, and there were moments of uncertainty. But together, they faced each hurdle, their bond growing stronger with each passing day.

The Terminal Service Department, once a place of inevitable farewells, became a beacon of hope. The success of Isla's procedure paved the way for other Giftias to receive the same chance. It wasn't a perfect solution—each case was different, and the risks remained high. But for Tsukasa and Isla, it was a miracle.

They continued their work, helping others while cherishing their time together. Every moment was a gift, a reminder of the fragility and beauty of life. And though the future was uncertain, they faced it together, hand in hand, with hearts full of hope and love.

In this alternate ending, Isla's life is extended, allowing her and Tsukasa to continue building memories together. The new technology offers hope to other Giftias and their partners, transforming the Terminal Service Department into a place of second chances.

I just finished rewatching Plastic Memories 3 days ago and I'm still depressed. How do you guys deal with PADS(post anime depression syndrome)?

In the ending of the last episode of Plastic Memories, Aira has her body recycled to rejoin Terminal Service One. However, her missing socks from the same depictions of the same body likely suggests the change in her personality from her loss of memory. Throughout the entire season, Aira is shown writing down her memories in her diary. She even showed her diary to Tsukasa. Why didn’t anyone just think about having her read her diary once she wakes up from acquiring another OS as if she is someone with dissociative amnesia? Wouldn’t that have made the ending of the anime happier?

I'm not in the wrong subreddit I promise lol

I watched the 1982 - (2007) final cut. Androids are called Replicants. They're superior to humans except emotionally and only live for 4 years. Blade Runners hunt down these rogue androids, and MC Deckard has to hunt these "skinjobs" who are starting to suspect emotions.

You can already see the Plastic Memories and Detroit: Become Human connections.

I'm someone coming into the cyberpunk genre from Edgerunners and a 2077 window experience, I've only heard many things about this 80s scifi genre so any vets please bear with me. I've only heard Blade Runner and Neuromancer as one of the founding pillars to the genre.

For anyone looking for like a grittier and old-stylish exploration of PlaMemo's themes, I'd recommend the movie! Most especially with the main villain's ending monologue. I've heard it's a bit slow, but imo 2049 felt a LOT slower.

Where can i read the visual novel for plamemo

This is a real emotional rollercoaster. I really love how they built up our emotions instead of leaving us with a "what the hell just happened". It hit me in the heart right on the spot. I was trying not to cry but I couldnt do it and let it out. I wouldn't say it's for beginner anime watchers, but it is a very good choice for people who want to have a good cry. A 2nd season would be really nice because I would really like to know what happens after (I assume) Tsukasa and the new Isla reunite.

Because I found out this is 81,920 hours away from the first episodes aired.

I found that there 8 hours are remaining.

3413 days.

Because I don't cry on Halloween.

Is that Isla at the end of the ep 13 last scene where tsukasa got introduced

Just curious how rare an actual hardcopy is since I found one and can't seem to find any others. Is this rarer then vol 2 on blueray lmao.

Just finished the anime and now I’m sad. Someone make me feel better.

TLDR - this story is so beautiful and heartbreaking, 10/10

I watched Plastic Memories last weekend and to say that it destroyed me feels like an understatement, it is easily top 3 in the "most I have cried to a story" list and it actually marked a new achievement for me in really feeling depressed and empty over a story. I have cried at games/ film/ anime before but it was never like this. For example - with other things I wanted to rewatch the emotional scenes after, but with PM the thought of rewatching made me feel sick and sad.

All week I felt like a zombie and also did not want to watch other anime shows because PM was on my mind, so I decided to face the fear by rewatching the last 3 episodes today. It was even more intense the second time and in the last episode when the ferris wheel appeared I actually felt like it was hard to breath, my dog was looking at me like "what the hell". I do feel a bit better now though and I even ordered some PM merch.

To be honest certain aspects of this story are so beautiful and profound that it is hard to put it into words, the dynamic of Isla and Tsukasa in the last few episodes is so sweet and heartbreaking that it is difficult to think about. I know the show could be goofy in places and also be guilty of fan servicey things which is something I don't care for, but I really feel like when it was time to keep things sweet/ serious towards the end...the creators really devoted to that. Also wanted to mention that some of the music in this show is just amazing.

It occurred to me that watching this anime is almost like the struggle faced in the show, in the same way Isla had become withdrawn not wanting to make any more memories because it might be less painful that way - I wondered if never watching this anime would be the easier thing, but in the same way Isla realises the memories can be special enough to be worth the pain - I would say the same about experiencing this anime. I will be haunted by it lol but would never want to forget it.

I know this is fiction but we humans can be cruel, the ones in this story gave Giftia the power to feel as intensely as humans do to better serve, but told them you will disappear in 9 years :(

No doubt it is going to be a long time before I can watch a big sad anime. Time to watch some SOL and comedy for a while lol.

<3

Just finished the show this morning and that ending made me cry at work bro it was truly depressing, this show will forever have a special place in my heart ngl it was a masterpiece just wished the ending was a happy one.

just finished this show in the morning and ngl I’ve never cried this hard to a show man this show is a masterpiece

just finished this show in the morning and ngl I’ve never cried this hard to a show man this show is a masterpiece

I'm still fuckinv waiting for the season 2 , I remember watching this back at 2019 , i searched up for a season 2 and I saw some articles that it's going to get released on 21 May 2021 , can't believe I fucking memorized it , till this day I'm still searching for it and waiting. Where is the author dawg? I believe theres a season 2 for this since the last episode is a new giftia walking in. I don't even fucking know whos the author. Anyways I really hope for a seaosn 2 but its almost 9 years since the anime aired..