Having finished watching it about 5 minutes ago, I have a few thoughts.
-Can there be a SINGLE anime where the end of the show doesn't involve the world resetting/rebooting/massive changes/etc? Yes, I know there are several (Cowboy Bebop, for example), it seems like so many shows have had a reset button hit... Eva, RahXephon, .hack//sign, Lain, and now Scrapped Princess... even FLCL if you want to get somewhat technical.
-This is also the first show that I've nearly started crying from. I say <i>nearly</i> because I think I probably would have ended up crying if...
Spoiler for anybody who didn't notice the spoiler tag in the topic wrote:Pacifica hadn't come back. Because that just wouldn't have been cool at ALL. Her mom dying was bad enough as it is, but I digress.
-As far as the plausibility of the ending, I find it perfectly acceptable. As I continued to watch the series I certainly never expected the whole Matrix-element to come into play. However, there are some differences between the Matrix and the "sealed world". While the Matrix was used to use its inhabitants as energy and decieve them into thinking that it was the real world, the "sealed world" *was* real, just regressed, and even so had remnants of the old technology. By breaking the seal, Pacifica didn't drop all of Mankind into a post-apocalyptic world, she just gave them free will. It's a Matrix-Lite, without the icky consequences of choosing whether or not you want to be a battery. Now the people can go about their lives and not have an unknown force making sure they don't go to far.
Overall, I enjoyed this series. Definately not what I was expecting, and the amnesia thing pushed it a BIT, but it was a good show and I eagerly await an American release so I can take a shot at AMVing it.
-DOKool