Honey Lemon Soda [Season 1 Episode 12]

Honey Lemon Soda – Season 1, Episode 12: A Sweet and Emotional Finale

The first season of Honey Lemon Soda wrapped up with its twelfth episode, and boy, did it deliver a finale packed with emotions, confessions, and a whole lot of tears—mostly from Uka Ishimori, the show’s protagonist. If you’ve been following Uka’s journey from a timid, bullied girl to someone who finally finds her voice (and love), this episode was the perfect culmination of her growth. And if you haven’t watched it yet, buckle up, because spoilers are coming.

The Plot: A Confession Under the Spotlight

Episode 12 picks up right where the previous one left off—Uka and Kai Miura’s relationship hanging in the balance after Uka’s heartfelt confession. The entire school is buzzing with gossip, and Uka, ever the overthinker, is drowning in self-doubt. Did Kai really kiss her, or was it just a dream? (Spoiler: It wasn’t a dream.)

The episode wastes no time in addressing the elephant in the room. Kai, in true shoujo-hero fashion, doesn’t just confirm his feelings—he does it in the most dramatic way possible. During a school assembly, he grabs the mic and announces, “Ishimori, please date me. Everyone, please refrain from talking during the assembly.” Mic drop. The internet collectively lost its mind over this scene, with fans calling Kai a “legend” and “the ultimate chad.”

But the real star of the episode is Uka. After spending the entire season struggling with self-worth and fear of rejection, she finally embraces her feelings—publicly. The moment she stands up in class and declares her love for Kai is nothing short of cathartic. It’s a full-circle moment for her character, proving that she’s no longer the girl who hides in the shadows.

Fan Reactions: Tears, Cheers, and a Few Eyebrows Raised

The online discourse around this episode has been intense. Fans on MyAnimeList and other forums have been dissecting every frame, and the consensus seems to be: This was a satisfying, if not perfect, finale.

• The Romantics: Many fans gushed over the confession and kiss, calling it “peak shoujo.” One user wrote, “A confession AND a kiss AND dating??!! I won. I’m over here covering my face and blushing lol.” Another added, “Uka’s evolution from a bullied girl to someone who can stand up for her feelings is everything.”

• The Critics: Not everyone was sold, though. Some felt the episode was rushed, especially with the sudden public confession. A commenter pointed out, “I didn’t get the usual excitement I experience at a big confession. It felt like something was missing.” Others compared it unfavorably to Kimi ni Todoke, arguing that Honey Lemon Soda didn’t take enough time to develop Kai’s perspective.

• The Meme Lovers: Of course, the internet couldn’t resist turning Kai’s mic-drop moment into memes. One fan joked, “Miura, my man, you’re the BOSS. In front of everyone, with a mic, what a chad.” Another hilariously noted, “The girls are happy Kai got a girlfriend, while the guys look annoyed. What’s up with that?”

The Verdict: A Heartfelt, if Flawed, Ending

Honey Lemon Soda may not reinvent the shoujo wheel, but it doesn’t need to. What it does deliver is a heartfelt story about self-acceptance and first love, wrapped in gorgeous animation (seriously, the art is stunning). Episode 12 ties up the season nicely, leaving just enough open for a potential second season—though fans are divided on whether that’s necessary.

For those who stuck with Uka’s journey, the finale was a rewarding payoff. As one fan perfectly summed it up: “From a stone unnoticed by anyone to a gemstone precious enough for Kai to show off to the world. Couldn’t have asked for a happier conclusion.”

So, if you’re in the mood for a sweet, emotional, and slightly dramatic romance, Honey Lemon Soda is worth the watch. Just keep some tissues handy—Uka isn’t the only one who might cry.