That's about how much of the anime I got thru, I believe (I only stopped because that's just about all I had available to me at the time - why yes, I AM dating myself). I agree with your assessment. I'd been enjoying the show but wasn't *in love* and around I dunno, 30's-40's, it's like a switch went off, and some of the scenes were just wow. I love the friendship themes in SJ stuff, what can I say? (I did read well past that part in the manga before I had to stop that as well - separate issues - but I'm so so so far from current it's heartbreaking.)