I can not stress how much I agree with you. Shoujo mangas usually have insecure, destructive main characters, but this manga had a main character who could make her own decisions. She wanted to make a volleyball team. She did not get inspired by someone else to pursue this goal. And so she made one. She worked hard for a goal without relying on others (maybe a little for emotional support) but she ended up creating the team ON HER OWN. This made me appreciate this manga. However, the ending just crushed it. It was a huge punch on the face. It was as though they were saying women in shoujo mangas could not pursue whatever they want to. As long as girls in shoujo mangas pursue the guys they like, it is a good ending.
Although she had this huge talent of jumping 3 meters as a girl, she did not go pro. What was the point of giving this amazing talent if it was not going to put into good use? What was the point of her rebelling if she was going to end up working for her mom anyways? She did end up getting the Spring Tournament trophy, but I am just very disappointed because the ending felt as though it was belittling all her efforts to accomplish her goal.
I guess we feel exatly the same way about this then. Most people I talked about this issue before were actually on a cloud nine with how it ender (because of Yuushin), and didn't take into consideration how author bellitlled something the actual main character fought for through the whole manga. It was as if her efforts were all in vain and her dreams were just a childlish tantrum she threw when her mother tried to make her take care of the ryokan, but apparently to many this was just one of the "all's well which ends well" type of and closure.
I'm not sure if the realization of the problem comes with the level of maturity one has, but appreciation for the manga is one thing, however the treatment of its characters by their creator is another thing whatsoever. This time, although I like the manga in general, I don't think the justice has been served. :(
I just think it's really unrealistic. There's just no way, she wouldn't be scouted by a strong team to go pro eventually. Nobody in their right minds would want to waste such talent. And then even her mother would recognize that this is actually better than sticking to the tradition like glue. The only logical possibility for would be, when she were so badly injured that she simply couldn't continue. And even then, I can't imagine her giving up her passion for volleyball. She then would at least become a coach.
And of course I see your point. It makes me angry, too. Still, compared to other shōjo mangas it's still one of the best overall. After all, her really becoming the restaurant's heiress is just an after story. Something that originally came long after the main story was finished. So I like to think about this extra chapter as only one possible but not probable outcome. In reality she's going to play for Japan at the next Olympics. ^^
I've re-read this after around 8 years I think, and I have to say my opinion still didn't change.
I love the manga but hate the ending.
I think I would've prefered for Nobara to continue playing Voleyball. The ending made it seem as if her dream wasn't really serious and made her long fight, for being able to play, just...pointless. Which in my opinion is just sad. I mean...what was the whole manga for really? Wat was the point of Nobara going thourgh all those hardships? Wasn't it for her to play and grow as both a girl and a voleyball player and how serious she was about her dream?
The only thing I may guess at (looking at the development of the few previous chapters before last one) is that mangaka or editor decided to change the ending at last minute, as they wouldn't like young girls to get the "bad example" of going against their parents to pursue "useless dreams" if Nobara turned out to become pro player. While if she listened to her mum and ended up "happily ever after" even if she abandoned her dream for her mum's wishes..that would set another "good example", right? IMO...not really...but that's just my "theory".
Sorry for such long rant. (￣∇￣")