Diamond Dust Drops/Diamond Daydreams Discussion

[Suwako Moriya]

(Hop! Step! Jump!)

All right then, the time has come to have daydreams. Daydreams about dust drops. One that might even be made out of diamonds. Or we could be making a discussion thread for a series called Diamond Dust Drops, Diamond Daydreams, etc.


In any case, the usual notes are below. Although since this is a finished series, there's no need to wait a week between episodes. Instead, we're going to follow a pattern of one episode a day.

In any case, I'm watching episode 1 right now and the hope is to have the sub thread started for it soon enough. The naming pattern will be....

Episode X- Name of Character (In Japanese Order) Part X.


Note
As usual, please try to follow these three easy forum courtesy habits when replying:
1) If you're the first person to post about an episode in any given week, please respond to the root post (this post) and indicate in the subject line which episode you're posting about.
2) If someone has already posted about an episode before you, please respond to that post (or a relevant reply to that post). Keep in the right subthread.
3) Don't use the blue "Post Reply" button because it causes your reply not to correctly inherit the subject line of the post you're replying to. Just click "Quote" to the post you want to reply to.

[Suwako Moriya]

Sometimes I find the very concept of interest (as in the type you have to pay) to be evil, but that's probably just me.

Atsuko definitely does not like the idea of having to get married. Especially since it's clear she doesn't like the guy.

Characters lashing out against help leaves me with mixed feelings. I can commend them for being independent. Plus, there may be good reason to refuse help.

However sometimes it can come off as too prideful or something like that.

As everything falls apart Atsuko will run off to Kurata.

Quite a world of difference between watching the previews in Japanese and English.

In the Japanese version, the seiyuu is speaking as herself and making a random comment. In this case, Ishihara Eriko talks about how her cat messed up her dress.

In the English version, the voice actress stays in character and is having the character speak of her feelings thus far or something like that.

[Fencedude]

Oh! This is the Hop! Step! Jump! show! I'd totally forgotten that.

Ishihara Eriko has done...nothing else of note. Ok.

WTF, why is Ric here, go back to your bridge!

Creepy Jazz/cat guy is creepy, but probably not really.

The hilariously bad looping of the background outside the van around the 9:30 mark amuses me.

So yeah, why does Ric want to marry this girl? It makes no sense, usually these sorts of arrangements are between families with money. What does his family get out of this?

[einhorn303]

- This plot feels like a classic shoujo manga. A girl having to choose between the artistic drifter and the clean-cut guy who's "for the best," but she doesn't really love.
- That's a rather unique frame-jumping pan out technique at 15:09.
- So what does this guy do for a living? I could see him being a rich heir with the ability to solve everyone's problems, but he doesn't want anyone to know that so he can live a "normal" life and have Atsuko fall in love with him normally. I don't think the resolution will be that easy, though.
- Anime that actually deals with realistic socio-economic problems; somehow that seems rare these days. Maybe it has something to do with the NEET boom. Either way, I enjoy this.
- The mother says that "love isn't always the answer?" That's like Rossiu asking everyone to be reasonable in Gurren Lagann.

Sometimes I find the very concept of interest (as in the type you have to pay) to be evil, but that's probably just me.

It's an unavoidable part of the financial system, since money in the present is worth more than an equal sum of money in the future (since it can be invested and grow in the time between).


So yeah, why does Ric want to marry this girl? It makes no sense, usually these sorts of arrangements are between families with money. What does his family get out of this?

That's a good question. The only thing I can imagine is that Atsuko's family used to have lots of money, when the arrangement was first made, but lost it when her father died. And before her father died, Ric had already become infatuated with her (though it seems odd to do so at such a young age).

[something]

Episode 1:

- Oh god this OP brings me back. Lalala HOP! Soshite STEP! Kita e JUMP, and JUMP, and JUMP JUMP, WHOOOOOO! <3 (And I hear a Noto Mamiko!)
- First thing to note: Atsuko is 20. Girls her age in anime are uncommon. Normally you'd expect, say, a 16 year old here.
- I honestly can't hear the word ika the same way anymore. Especially coming off the last ep of that show just before this.
- Atsuko, heroine number one. Voiced by Ishihara Eriko who has done virtually nothing else anime. According to JP Wikipedia, she was fired for doing adult videos on the side, under the alias "Usada Hikaru" (like the Digi Charat character...) Heh. And that's basically the end of her career it seems, at least as a seiyuu.
- Oh, hah, Atsuko's fiance's seiyuu, Minoru, is Kamiya Hiroshi! I almost wrote "an early Kamiya Hiroshi role" but as I constantly forget, he's been around a long time. Since the early 90's, in fact! But 2004 was before I paid attention to seiyuu so I didn't remember him being in this show.
- Minoru seems serious about her, but why?

- Meanwhile, Kurata is serious about... well, jazz. That is a lot of records. How exactly was he going to get it home? :sd:
- Ah, there we go. I was wondering about his age, and he just says he's well past 40. So while Atsuko is nt a minor and is well capable of choosing her own relationships at 20, she's still less than half his age.
- Now she's in his apartment. So is he just interested in her as a friend, or more? She seems to like him but is tha one-sided?
- And mom probably won't be pleased that the truck disappears for hours.

- Well I guess she's too busy with debt collectors.
- Minoru is really big on helping her out. It's hard to see what's in it for him, but hey maybe he's just in love with Atsuko.
- And a weird pan out after the conversation. Also a lot of quick cuts to close-ups on faces throughout the episode.

- No wonder they're in debt, Astsuko keeps stopping their shipment-- oh, safe. barely.
- Hah, sprained ankle means Kurata is dragged into helping. Not like he ever seems to have anything else to do.
- She wanted to be an idol. Songstress of the fishes!

- Get in the truck and let me take you deep into the woods all alone at night without saying where we're doing! Totally not creepy at all!
- Of course it's all totally benign. But Minoru isn't having anything of it. Drama!

Post ED:
- And now Atsuko is wet and angry and sad and at Kurata's place.

Oh right, I love how this show transitions into its ED. Good stuff. Song itself is alright, not amazing. But the transition is really nice.

[something]

The hilariously bad looping of the background outside the van around the 9:30 mark amuses me.
There are only two buildings in Hokkaidou!

[bear]

Sometimes I find the very concept of interest (as in the type you have to pay) to be evil, but that's probably just me.


Islam also opposes interest as I understand it.


Atsuko definitely does not like the idea of having to get married. Especially since it's clear she doesn't like the guy.


I think she just doesn't like the idea of being pushed into marrying for reasons other than love.

[Suwako Moriya]

When in doubt, bring out the Great Grandmother to put everyone in their place.

And she's right. The two alone are not enough. Especially when one of them keeping tripping over stuff.

[Fencedude]

What is this, Hinamizawa in Hokkaidou?

Anyway, decent ending to the arc, even if there was no real resolution to the central relationship. I think Atsuko should go and meet Kurata's daughter, maybe something will happen there. *cough*

Also, I so totally want to make a crack about Ishihara Eiko and her klutziness, connected to the A/V thing something mentioned. But I shall refrain.

[something]

Episode 2:

- Beer! And in a very rare move, the character doesn't reply "I'm a minor."
- Heh he doesn't let her smoke though.
- Jeeze way to confess your love then fall asleep on him. Lucky he's a good guy.

- Hahaha, she wakes up the next morning, realizes what she's done, and... yeah.
- Also finds out he was married and had a kid.
- And there's that dude who showed up twice in the first episode.

- Oh hey, Kurata has a job. At a jazz club. Makes sense.
- Atsuko's great grandmother... finally things fall into place. There's been a relationship between these two families for some time, but Atsuko's mom broke off an engagement to go with a man she loved. He died and she seems to think she did the wrong thing and wants Atsuko's outcome to be different.
- Heh Atsuko critiques the convenience store fish.
- And finally is returned home.

- Deus ex Grandma! Loans and employees, not a bad present.
- And so Kurata leaves for America and the engagement to Minoru is called off. So no fairy tale ending here, although I wouldn't call it a sad ending either. More just realizing that you haven't found the right person yet.

I don't remember where exactly I place Atsuko in a ranking of the girls, but I think I remember her being fourth. The three younger girls (one of which is coming up) were my favorites. I wonder if I'll like the two older girls more this time.

[bear]

Episode 2:
- And there's that dude who showed up twice in the first episode.


If that's the one involved in her squid crashes I wonder if he was the one run over at the end that we don't see. She should marry him, it's fate.

[EmperorBrandon]

- Beer! And in a very rare move, the character doesn't reply "I'm a minor."

Well, she isn't a minor. She's 20, which is the legal drinking age in Japan.

[something]

Well, she isn't a minor. She's 20, which is the legal drinking age in Japan.
I know, I mentioned that earlier. Just saying it's rare to see a character get offered a beer in anime and not have to hear that in reply.

[Suwako Moriya]

Princess Karin!

Ah, surgery. A thing that is both needed and feared.

I approve of the shower scene, but being a pervert, I wanted more shown.

Karin needs to stop getting so excited. It's not good for her.

Karin has discovered something worthy of a dramatic pin drop!

[One Vorlon]

So yeah, why does Ric want to marry this girl? It makes no sense, usually these sorts of arrangements are between families with money. What does his family get out of this?

That's a good question. The only thing I can imagine is that Atsuko's family used to have lots of money, when the arrangement was first made, but lost it when her father died. And before her father died, Ric had already become infatuated with her (though it seems odd to do so at such a young age).
They actually answer this in episode two - there is money (serious money, judging by the reactions to the grandmother) in Atsuko's family, just not in her immediate branch


Edit Hmm . . . it seems someone like someone else already addressed this . . . oh well.

What is this, Hinamizawa in Hokkaidou?

Anyway, decent ending to the arc, even if there was no real resolution to the central relationship. . .
That's something I liked about this series - it embraces cliches (like the girl torn between the pennyless musician and the wealthy heir), but twists them into an entirely new direction.

[Suwako Moriya]

<Episode 2 talk here>

Replies to an episode 2 post should be made in the episode 2 sub thread, they should not be in a post that replies to the episode 1 sub thread. They're supposed to be kept separate for a reason.:sweat:

[Fencedude]

They actually answer this in episode two - there is money (serious money, judging by the reactions to the grandmother) in Atsuko's family, just not in her immediate branch


Edit Hmm . . . it seems someone like someone else already addressed this . . . oh well.

Don't answer questions people pose in episode subthreads that are answered in later episodes. Even with spoiler tags. This goes for any show, by the way.

[Fencedude]

Takahashi Hiroko, another Seiyuu who did very little and then dropped off the map. Curious.

Anyway, I'm kinda eeehhhh on Karin. Something about her annoys me a bit, though the reasons for her not wanting to have the operation is decently original, isn't she a minor? Shouldn't someone else be in charge of making these decisions?

[One Vorlon]

They actually answer this in episode two - there is money (serious money, judging by the reactions to the grandmother) in Atsuko's family, just not in her immediate branch


Edit Hmm . . . it seems someone like someone else already addressed this . . . oh well.

Don't answer questions people pose in episode subthreads that are answered in later episodes. Even with spoiler tags. This goes for any show, by the way.
Sorry about that - the first time through, I missed the fact that the episode two summary addressed the issue, and thought it appropriate to mention that the issue of "why" will be addressed.

However, isn't two complaining posts a bit of an overkill? I did post the information in spoiler tags, and prefaced the statement with "in episode two".

In the future, though, I'll try to abide by the custom, and try to keep foreknowledge out of my posts.

[Fencedude]

Sorry about that - the first time through, I missed the fact that the episode two summary addressed the issue, and thought it appropriate to mention that the issue of "why" will be addressed.

However, isn't two complaining posts a bit of an overkill? I did post the information in spoiler tags, and prefaced the statement with "in episode two".

In the future, though, I'll try to abide by the custom, and try to keep foreknowledge out of my posts.

No. Make seperate posts in discussion threads. Always. Even if this means you make three posts in a row, we don't care here. No one is going to get on your case for it as long as the posts are appropriate for each episode.

Also, we don't want to know, beforehand, that it will be addressed. that is why we are watching the show. Please do not take it upon yourself to inform us of things, unless you are explicitly asked. Do not answer rhetorical questions/speculation, even if you know.

[One Vorlon]

Sorry about that - the first time through, I missed the fact that the episode two summary addressed the issue, and thought it appropriate to mention that the issue of "why" will be addressed.

However, isn't two complaining posts a bit of an overkill? I did post the information in spoiler tags, and prefaced the statement with "in episode two".

In the future, though, I'll try to abide by the custom, and try to keep foreknowledge out of my posts.

No. Make seperate posts in discussion threads. Always. Even if this means you make three posts in a row, we don't care here. No one is going to get on your case for it as long as the posts are appropriate for each episode.
Like I said, I'm fine with that. If that's how its done, thats how its done, and I'll do my best to follow the standard.

Also, we don't want to know, beforehand, that it will be addressed. that is why we are watching the show. Please do not take it upon yourself to inform us of things, unless you are explicitly asked. Do not answer rhetorical questions/speculation, even if you know.
Now this is a bit much, don't you think? If you look back, I'm not the only person who thought it was a serious question - Einhorn303 did, too. And, as I said earlier, I gave a double warning that it involved a spoiler from episode two. I'm sorry if my earlier post annoyed you, but . . . this is all supposed to be in fun, right?

[Fencedude]

Now this is a bit much, don't you think? If you look back, I'm not the only person who thought it was a serious question - Einhorn303 did, too. And, as I said earlier, I gave a double warning that it involved a spoiler from episode two. I'm sorry if my earlier post annoyed you, but . . . this is all supposed to be in fun, right?

The difference is is that einhorn answered with counter speculation. Had he seen episode 2 at that point? I have no idea. Even if he had, he didn't phrase it as if he knew that is what the answer was.

It certainly was a "serious" question, in as much as that I was speculating about a point that I found odd, but that doesn't mean I want someone to come in and tell me the answer.

You understand the difference, right?

[Betenoire]

Do not get Ric. Sure Atsuko is cute, but surely with the cash he has (or will) he can have a pick. And here is a protip for him: he can also find many women OK with just going along if he wants but a woman who wants to make her own decisions will be repulsed at the idea of having someone decide things for her. And looking down on what has feed her family and she inherited from her dad? If she doesn't spend time-and a good deal of it-trashing/bemoaning it you damn well better not either...if you want to be with her anyway.


Too many records...I have actually done this with books in the past and had to call for a ride when I had gone out for a walk. :sd:

Edit: And inheritance tax in Japan is a bitch if it charges a surviving spouse when the other dies.

DVD itself-Encode is not good....

[EmperorBrandon]

Takahashi Hiroko, another Seiyuu who did very little and then dropped off the map. Curious.

She re-emerged a few years later after DDD, but changed her name to Takahashi Ao (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=62683). She became more prolific, but doesn't really have many prominent roles (the only one I'm familiar with is Riko from Minami-ke)

[Betenoire]

-Wow, Atsuko sure is taking him up on the beer...oh, and look at the wonderful effects.
-And he must have money money somewhere to afford that apartment.
-Lightweight. :P
-Cats are the enemy of sleep. But the view it has...:envy:-
-Ignore Minoru, find the cat. Ah, cat found.
-The club looks like a place to stick someone who will be in a later arc.
-Girl knows her fish.
-Did he just run up the mountain????
-Grandma is setting her grand-daughter up!
-That dress is supposed to be presenting her better?
-Nice that she and Minoru finally may come to a realization.

-Stop running with squid.

[Betenoire]

Episode 2:

- Beer! And in a very rare move, the character doesn't reply "I'm a minor."

Because she isn't. ;)

Though not terribly experienced it seems.

[einhorn303]

The difference is is that einhorn answered with counter speculation. Had he seen episode 2 at that point? I have no idea. Even if he had, he didn't phrase it as if he knew that is what the answer was.


This is the first time I've ever seen the show, and I'm only watching one ep. per day, so anything I write about future events is just guessing.

[einhorn303]

That was a nice ending. It certainly did resist some cliches. Love doesn't conquer all.

Minoru must have some complex about hard-to-get women.

The show gives me a strong feeling of "Everything is so nostalgically 90's!" With with the 3:4 aspect ratio, Compact discs and vinyl!, Japan in an economic slump, and a jazz musician's dream to "play in a real club in America."



-Stop running with squid.

Yeah. Atsuko should probably stop running while carrying extremely heavy things. At first I thought, "Well, they're so understaffed she needs to hurry to make deliveries on time." But they should be ok now with that other guy.

[something]

Yeah. Atsuko should probably stop running while carrying extremely heavy things. At first I thought, "Well, they're so understaffed she needs to hurry to make deliveries on time." But they should be ok now with that other guy.
I think he'd kept busy enough with body collection. =P

[Fencedude]

Yeah. Atsuko should probably stop running while carrying extremely heavy things. At first I thought, "Well, they're so understaffed she needs to hurry to make deliveries on time." But they should be ok now with that other guy.

I was sorta boggled in the first episode when she was suddenly driving a truck.

That just doesn't happen in anime!

[EmperorBrandon]

I thought Karin was one of the cutest girls I saw in the OP, and I don't think her personality and story disappoints at all so far. She's really sweet. If I were in the hospital that long with my laptop, I'd demand to have more than two hours a day in the Internet.

I can relate to being anxious over surgery. Not that I ever had anything tragic happen to a family member during surgery like with Karin, and I didn't put attempt to put it off when I knew I needed it, but some of the potential outcomes worried me for sure.

[Betenoire]

I was sorta boggled in the first episode when she was suddenly driving a truck.

That just doesn't happen in anime!

Though given the size of the town having her make deliveries across it on foot or bike seems a tad impractical. She isn't Shampoo after all.

[bci110]

Episode 2:
- And there's that dude who showed up twice in the first episode.


If that's the one involved in her squid crashes I wonder if he was the one run over at the end that we don't see. She should marry him, it's fate.

That's what I though too when I first watched this series, and even with the rewatch I still believe that he's the guy that Atsuko should marry.


-Stop running with squid.

But she has to; she's the original Squid Girl :P .

[bci110]

I thought Karin was one of the cutest girls I saw in the OP, and I don't think her personality and story disappoints at all so far. She's really sweet. If I were in the hospital that long with my laptop, I'd demand to have more than two hours a day in the Internet.

I absolutely love Karin for the reasons you mentioned - she's very sweet and caring, and from the looks of it her blog seems like it would be a pleasure to read. She obviously put a lot of though and care into her work despite her strict time limit.

[einhorn303]

- Only two hours a day on the computer? *looks at own schedule* Isn't that a bit too little, by a few factors? :sweat:
- Thinking about something she likes, then smiling and not being able to hold back laughter as others look on with confusion. Somehow that's really cute!
- But seriously: it seems totally out of line to harp on a wheelchair-bound girl, confined to a hotel room, about using the internet too much.
- "Onii-chan!"
"I heard you were bored, so I brought you something to occupy your time with."
"Oooh~? What is it?"
"The all-ages version of Kana Little Sister."
"...."
- Karin isn't just cute, she's incredibly cute.
- Based on the last arc, I wonder if this show develops a narrative theme of "Heroine wants to act irrationally. People around her point out that it's totally irrational. She comes to her senses."

Sorry if I'm being repetitive with the internet commentary...I typed these comments up while watching the episode. Maybe it's something that made more sense back in 1999 (when the original game was released).

[Fencedude]

Sorry if I'm being repetitive with the internet commentary...I typed these comments up while watching the episode. Maybe it's something that made more sense back in 1999 (when the original game was released).

I love how she uses Outlook.

How terribly early 2000s of her!

Almost as big a nostalgia bomb as the Windows95 PC in Shoushitsu

[Betenoire]

-Little vampires, possible twins, girls with 11 sisters...I wonder if Karin is one of the most popular "foreign" names in Japan.
-No, don't go toward the light or the episode will be over!
-Red cross on the hospital, hello lawsuit.

-The doctor has shocking pictures on his desk...bet they are of pedobear.

Hey I have a problem with what to do with the down from my jacket as well. :P

[Suwako Moriya]

-Little vampires, possible twins, girls with 11 sisters...I wonder if Karin is one of the most popular "foreign" names in Japan.


Except in the case of Sister Princess, it's Karen as opposed to Karin. Although to be fair, maybe they're just variations on the same name. I'm not really sure now that I've said that.

[Suwako Moriya]

Karin has weird dreams!

Karin has issues!

Karin discovers the two are close! Her heart has been broken.

Karin finds out who really sent those emails.

Karin learns that being hospitalized is costly.

Karin has her surgery.

Karin becomes a magical girl, and uses a super robot to battle the forces of evil. Ok, this part is a lie.:P

[Betenoire]

Karin becomes a magical girl, and uses a super robot to battle the forces of evil. Ok, this part is a lie.:P

Funny the robot thing occurred to me as well. ;)


-And now the prince goes evil. Moon Prism Power...crap, wrong series.
-Jealous Karin is cute too.
-There is a place in the world for small breasts Karin so strawberry milk is OK.
-Cute rather than sexy? Pedobear!
-Queen of Brave Shiraishi Karin. Karinhime Punch!
-Shocked Karin is cute.
-Almost dying in a dream is a good thing? Since when?
-Yuri time! Complete Win!

[Fencedude]

The art was kinda funky this episode (well, more than usual) which made Karin seem pretty creepy at times.

Anyway, no actual romance here at all, at least not for Karin, which is interesting. Also she's a bit young for Amakasu.

I'm glad she realized she was being selfish brat though.

[bear]

Now we've had two stories and neither heroine winds up with a guy, but then neither have seen diamond dust.
Her e-mail admirer turning out to be the nurse was a good twist and
trying to throw everybody off the trail by the brother giving her a peppermint was sneaky.
The background music and EP seemed to really work well with this story.

[EmperorBrandon]

Karin was so adorable, and this was a pretty nice arc overall. Really enjoyed this one (Atsuko was cute too but didn't really find her story that interesting).

On a side note, Kyle Jones voice cast credits are always so amusing to see (particularly the minor credits - I like how thorough they are for shows he directs).

[EmperorBrandon]

-Little vampires, possible twins, girls with 11 sisters...I wonder if Karin is one of the most popular "foreign" names in Japan.


Except in the case of Sister Princess, it's Karen as opposed to Karin. Although to be fair, maybe they're just variations on the same name. I'm not really sure now that I've said that.

The possible twin is "Karen" too not "Karin". They are not the same in Japanese pronunciation-wise, as much as Texas dubbing studios seem to think they are.

[einhorn303]

Great arc, and great resolution. It's a good mix of raw cuteness and a worthwhile story.

I'm amused that the VA actually played the game. And not just her route...!

The art was kinda funky this episode (well, more than usual) which made Karin seem pretty creepy at times.

Visually, I especially liked this episode. There was some hardcore sunset porn in there. Also, draped hair.


-Cute rather than sexy? Pedobear!


This takes on a whole different meaning when one images the nurse writing back an email and thinking, "...Karin acting sexier? Uh, no, please, no..."

[bci110]

Karin was so adorable, and this was a pretty nice arc overall. Really enjoyed this one (Atsuko was cute too but didn't really find her story that interesting).

Karin's story was the better of the two I would agree. Atsuko's story was good, but it wasn't as emotional as Karin's, and even moreso with my second viewing of the series.

[Suwako Moriya]

Yes, answer the call in the middle of making a movie when your cellphone shouldn't even be on in the first place.

On one hand, I feel sorry for Kyoko due to the people that she's having to deal with. Such as the person alluded to above.

On the other hand, her being focused on winning a prize over anything else bothers me a bit.

[Fencedude]

Holdonjustaminutehere

THIS is the Noto Mamiko character!? Seriously!? Wow! Thats...completely unexpected. Go Noto Mamiko, playing against type!

Kyouko's a bit hardheaded, but still a good person. Her boyfriend is pretty awesome too, in a slightly dopey sort of way.

And the guy Atsuko kept dumping squid on showed up! His luck isn't improving.

[bear]

And the guy Atsuko kept dumping squid on showed up! His luck isn't improving.

Could he be lurking somewhere in the Karin arc?

[bci110]

And the guy Atsuko kept dumping squid on showed up! His luck isn't improving.

Could he be lurking somewhere in the Karin arc?

I didn't see him anywhere in the Karin arc, but then I wasn't really focusing on finding him so he might be there and I missed him :P .

[einhorn303]

I find Kyouko's struggles quite endearing. It's an archetype that hasn't really been named, the sort of characters who are overly focused on ideals and miss out on the truly important human elements. The sort of characters like Erika Furudo, and other examples I can't think of.

I also find it interesting to consider how Karin was probably causing more trouble to people than Kyouko (by selfishly creating huge hospital bills), but Karin had the luck of doing it in the background...and being cuter about it.

- Renting VHS tapes. Massive rush of nostalgia.
- Obviously the movie she goes for is "The Anxious Clown."
- Played back on the screen, their acting really does seem rather lackluster.
- Is this "Cappuccino Break" the same radio program that was mentioned in the last arc? I wonder how much the arcs will end up tied together.
- I would love to see a cooking show hosted by Mamiko Noto.

[bci110]

I find Kyouko's struggles quite endearing. It's an archetype that hasn't really been named, the sort of characters who are overly focused on ideals and miss out on the truly important human elements. The sort of characters like Erika Furudo, and other examples I can't think of.

Truthfully I didn't really think that highly of Kyoko's story. Don't get me wrong - I think it's a good story, but in terms of presentation I just thought it was the weakest of the three thus far. Maybe because it focused more on the hobby obsession and pushed the romantic aspect on the backburner a bit that I didn't readily grab on to it. Kyoko's attitude towards her colleagues and especially her boyfriend didn't helped matters, either. Though I give Mamiko Noto props for a very natural performance :cool:.

[bci110]

- Is this "Cappuccino Break" the same radio program that was mentioned in the last arc? I wonder how much the arcs will end up tied together.

Yes, it's the same. And AFAIK the only real connection with the story arcs is that they all take place in Hokkaido and involves the girls' belief in the myth of diamond dust and how it can affect their lives.

[Suwako Moriya]

(Insert Kyoko stuff here)

Yeah, it may be hours before I get to this and I don't want to have people wait any longer.

[Fencedude]

Well, Kyouko sure fucked up, didn't she?

Uhh...and I guess he's not coming back. Sucks for her. Though she did learn an important lesson from it all.

[bci110]

Uhh...and I guess he's not coming back. Sucks for her. Though she did learn an important lesson from it all.

Nope, he left her in the (diamond) dust. The way Kyoko was treating him she got what she deserved.

[bear]

(Insert Kyoko stuff here)

Yeah, it may be hours before I get to this and I don't want to have people wait any longer.

So far the only lead to have seen diamond dust has been Kyoko and that was shown in the film her boyfriend shot previously. I have to assume that there is going to be some later episodes that are in winter that actually have the leads experience it.

[Suwako Moriya]

Uhh...and I guess he's not coming back. Sucks for her. Though she did learn an important lesson from it all.

Nope, he left her in the (diamond) dust. The way Kyoko was treating him she got what she deserved.

Thanks, you just reminded me of the lead character of CSI: Miami. In any case, back to the subject at hand.

It's nice that she learned her lesson, but it's kind of depressing how learning seems to only come after they feel the negative effects of their action. Such is human nature, maybe.


The fact he didn't come back is a nice touch. As it means the price she pays remains. Although it's hard to say if this story direction is the result of feeling it would make the story stronger or the result of time constraints.

Actually, the same could probably be said for the show in general. I mean take this arc for example. With only two episodes to work with, you may as well save time by not having the guy return and use it to your advantage.

However if you had an entire cour to work with, you can delay the guy leaving her longer. Say delay it until episode 4. Have him gone for five episodes. This brings us to episode 9 and still have time for him to return.

[Isuzu Inugami]

Hah! Look, an excuse to try to deal with some of my backlog!

Oh! This is the Hop! Step! Jump! show! I'd totally forgotten that.

Why am I suddenly thinking of eggs?


Creepy Jazz/cat guy is creepy, but probably not really.

Hey, hey, he gives hope to the legions of age-inappropriate jazz-loving single guys like me!

...although I'm not a vinyl audiophile. Those people are kind of nuts.


So yeah, why does Ric want to marry this girl? It makes no sense, usually these sorts of arrangements are between families with money. What does his family get out of this?

This really bothered me as well. Plus I dislike him instinctively. He doesn't seem like he's really thinking of Atsuko at all. She's his trophy "rescued from a life of poverty" girl. I want to decide he's yakuza, but his henchmen are just too damn straight.

Heh, hey Kurata takes her to that hill from Noein!

[Isuzu Inugami]

Episode 2:

- Jeeze way to confess your love then fall asleep on him. Lucky he's a good guy.

She had... one beer? Jeez, girl, that's bad!

-She talks to the cat expecting an answer, heh.
-Cat escape! Which drops her right into the hands of the evil fiance! Stand your ground, Atsuko! Oh no! Kurata's divorced! How shocking and utterly repellant! Huh?

-Kurata comes back and talks to the cat too... they're putting a lot of responsibility on that cat....

- Deus ex Grandma!

Damn, Grandma is the yakuza boss! She even enslaved some poor shmuck to help at the fish shop! Whoa, she's scary....

- And so Kurata leaves for America and the engagement to Minoru is called off.

Noooo! What about the hope for legions of age-inappropriate jazz-loving single guys (like me)?! :cry: There are too real jazz clubs in Japan, Kurata!

Ric realizes the errors of his ways, but Atsuko isn't necessarily won over yet--I like that she's still independent of him.

And she's still a squid-dojikko! I get a kick that they use the same animation for her stumble each time, so that you always expect it to end in the disaster you saw the first time through.

[bear]

...although I'm not a vinyl audiophile. Those people are kind of nuts.


No disrespect intended but audiophiles in general are kind of nuts

http://wapsisquare.com/comic/never-guess/

[einhorn303]

So far the only lead to have seen diamond dust has been Kyoko and that was shown in the film her boyfriend shot previously. I have to assume that there is going to be some later episodes that are in winter that actually have the leads experience it.

This whole legend of what happens when you see diamond dust must not be a very reliable legend.

[bear]

So far the only lead to have seen diamond dust has been Kyoko and that was shown in the film her boyfriend shot previously. I have to assume that there is going to be some later episodes that are in winter that actually have the leads experience it.

This whole legend of what happens when you see diamond dust must not be a very reliable legend.

Yeah, but so far those who haven't seen it have had crappy experiences.;)

[Suwako Moriya]

You've just noticed two young boys fighting. Clearly, what you must do is drag one of them all over the place.

Suomi has an interest in having a python wrapped around her body. I get the feeling she's a bit insane.

Her face when she thinks back to the accident is quite telling.

[Fencedude]

Sadly, this isn't a part one, this is all of Suomi's story. Which is sad, because A) She's awesome, and B) Part II would be 24 minutes of her and Hanna having make-up sex.

[Suwako Moriya]

Sadly, this isn't a part one, this is all of Suomi's story. Which is sad, because A) She's awesome, and B) Part II would be 24 minutes of her and Hanna having make-up sex.

Technically, it's not called part 1, but I want to have a difference between the first episode involving her and the second episode. By the way, I plan to use 7.5 for that second episode.

Just so people aren't confused. When the series originally aired, they decided it would be a brilliant idea to skip her second episode and pretend she only had one. However that second episode appeared on DVD.

[bci110]

Sadly, this isn't a part one, this is all of Suomi's story. Which is sad, because A) She's awesome, and B) Part II would be 24 minutes of her and Hanna having make-up sex.

Technically, it's not called part 1, but I want to have a difference between the first episode involving her and the second episode. By the way, I plan to use 7.5 for that second episode.

Just so people aren't confused. When the series originally aired, they decided it would be a brilliant idea to skip her second episode and pretend she only had one. However that second episode appeared on DVD.

Speaking of which, do you plan on adding the OVA episode as part of this disussion thread?

Anyway, I though Suomi's story was excellent even though it was just for the one episode. (Karin's story is still the best in my view.) Suomi's personality is what makes her so awesome - from the slick way she was stalking that kid, to how open she was in explaining her story to him, and her cute obsession of cream puffs. I put her second behind Karin as to who had the best story in the series thus far.

[Suwako Moriya]

Speaking of which, do you plan on adding the OVA episode as part of this disussion thread?

In fact, the OVA episode which is more or less Suomi's second episode, that will be the very next episode brought up for discussion and will be considered 7.5 as mentioned earlier.

[bear]

Suomi has an interest in having a python wrapped around her body. I get the feeling she's a bit insane.

Actually the injury wasn't to her leg, it was brain damage:bigsmile:

Ok, someone else has seen diamond dust and actually made a wish on it.

[Isuzu Inugami]

Karin has weird dreams!

Karin has tentacle dreams!


Karin discovers the two are close! Her heart has been broken.

So I'm starting to wonder if the "theme" of the show is "failed pairings." Although only two stories in, it's probably too soon to make assumptions.


Karin finds out who really sent those emails.

Oops! I got fooled, just like her. Although I called it as the doctor as soon as she got that first email, so I still claim to be quicker on the uptake than her. Take that!, fictional character!


Nice extras on the disc--gotta thank ADV for doing the translations on them even though it's a show that can't possibly have made them any money.... :sd:

[bci110]

Speaking of which, do you plan on adding the OVA episode as part of this disussion thread?

In fact, the OVA episode which is more or less Suomi's second episode, that will be the very next episode brought up for discussion and will be considered 7.5 as mentioned earlier.

Oh, I didn't realize that the extra Suomi episode was the OVA. I though episode 13 on the third DVD was the OVA :sd: .

EDIT: Just checked the MAL entry. Yeah. you're right - Suomi's second episode is the OVA. My bad.

[einhorn303]

- Shotacon stalker. Or...just eccentric.
- Or both shotacon *and* extremely eccentric.
- This arc sure has a lot less conflict than previous ones. Or I guess it has conflict, but it's glossed over since it's all in the past.

I'm glad the R1 DVD's have this 7.5 episode right after 7. Because it preserves the fact that "this is the DVD release best suited in the entire world to have reversible covers." The hard part will be deciding which ones to go with.

[bci110]

Nice extras on the disc--gotta thank ADV for doing the translations on them even though it's a show that can't possibly have made them any money.... :sd:

Yeah, they did an excellent job with the extras - especially the Hokkaido travelog, which I took a personal interest in. Also I loved the eyecatches with the various landmarks in Hokkaido.

[Isuzu Inugami]

So far the two lead seiyuu didn't really turn out to have much of a career... I wonder how this one did.... What's her name, Notoma Miko... or something like that...?

Oh god, I love hearing her being all commandeering and shit! She's pretty rough on her subordinates, though. I have to laugh because I got to the episode of Heartcatch PreCure today in which the drama club leader antagonizes her cast. Weird synchronicity.

-Yeah, it's not good that your actress ditched, but you really are making most of your problems out of your own attitude, Kyoko.

-She's really focused on getting an award. Like, more than just natural competitiveness. What's up with that?

-Huh, argument reconciled, and a good day of filming. I'm not sure Kyoko accepted that apology very gracefully, though.

-Aaaand of course the camera failed to record. Ouch.

[Isuzu Inugami]

Oh damn, she thinks the video was sabotaged (and it seems like that's probably the case, too.)

-Way to burn bridges. I kind of want to shake some sense into her. If you were nicer to the film club, you'd get a better job out of them.

-Still shooting some kind of movie... heh, she tells the boyfriend to dump the hapless guy in the sea and he does! :sweat:

-Mamiko Noto noodle slurping!

-Kyoko blowout. Pressure of expectations and weakness in self-confidence, which is why she needs to win the prize to prove herself, but she's taking out her stress on everyone around her. I guess it's the boyfriend's turn now.

-You can't dump Mamiko Noto!

-What the heck is with that slasher film? And Kyoko hits a wall and withdraws from the film festival. The flowers of her heart are wilting!

-Aaah, thanks to old film she remembers her pure artist heart. It's too late for her boyfriend, but she can reconcile with the film club!

Mamiko Noto can't stop talking about food! (And she likes negi!)

[Betenoire]

Episode 2:

- Jeeze way to confess your love then fall asleep on him. Lucky he's a good guy.

She had... one beer? Jeez, girl, that's bad!



I don't know, that looked like 4 (?) cans more in front of her than the 2 (?) that were closer to him. Angry drinking works sooo well. :sd:

[Suwako Moriya]

One episode of Suomi goodness was not enough, thankfully we have this bonus episode to right what once went wrong. *Quantum Leap Theme Plays*

In this episode, we get focus on skating. So if you like ice skating and the outfits the girls wear then, that's good for you.

Also, if you wanted focus on the relationship between Suomi and Hanna, this episode is good for you as well.

It's clear that Suomi and Hanna need to go into a room wearing figure skating outfit. After that they need to "ravage" each other.

And because Suomi is awesome, and her arc leads to the thought above, I'm consider this the best arc as of current.

Oh, and there are bloopers at the end of the episode.

[bci110]

In this episode, we get focus on skating. So if you like ice skating and the outfits the girls wear then, that's good for you.

Same principle applies to watching Ginban Kaleidoscope :P.

And because Suomi is awesome, and her arc leads to the thought above, I'm consider this the best arc as of current.

I still think Karin's story was the best, but Suomi's is a very close second. It's very nice that Suomi and Hanna still consider themselves friends despite the accident and the fallout caused by it.

[something]

Grrr, this whole "never having time to watch anime on weekdays" thing makes keeping up with discussion threads virtually impossible. For a one cour series I pretty much miss the entire middle section and end up having to marathon on weekends. Oh well.

Episode 3:

- I really like Karin. I think I recall her being my second favorite girl. Cute girl living in a hospital, updating her webpage with various stories she writes to pass the time. And her primary nurse is a big fan. <3
- [Edit: Stuff about the seiyuu was here but it looks like ANN just has multiple people lumped into one entry so it's misleading.]

- Meet the new intern. He sure seems like an asshole!
- And now for Karin's brother. He seems like a pretty good guy, and Karin seems to adore him, but after two years Karin really does need to go through with the operation. Spending two of your youthful years in a bed can't be good for you.
- Oh right, family baggage... something happened to her dad in a similar situation.

- OH GOD KARIN IS ADORABLE. Giggling so happily to herself and covering her smile while she thinks about her fan letter. <3
- Another photograph from her fan... and it's got the background dude from the first arc in it.

- Continuing to exchange letters. More and more she realizes she doesn't know anything about Hokkaido despite living there for two years.
- But wait... they're totally hinting that the fan is her brother. Could it be?
- And there's Dr. Jerk again. Jeeze he's going to kill her! She gets in coughing fits every time he's around.

- This looks like the turning point, though. He apologizes, she seems to forgive him, and they share a nice moment at 3am.
- Kariiiiiiiin-chaaaaaaaaaaan~~! ;_; You won't die! You're too cute to die!
- And I'm always amused when tears make such loud noises. That doesn't happen!
- A very nice moment on the roof. Karin looove~

- But good things are always followed by bad things. Surgery is now inevitable. Daaaaaamn, Karin has to be my favorite girl this time around. Seeing her look so terrified just hurt. ;_;
- Then seeing her cry while she reads the letter... ;_;

- But first a trip to Amakasu's room to deliver a dropped pen. I think he could have waited until morning.
- She sees something shocking!

Post-ED:
- Oh right, I forgot they show what it is she saw after the ED. I thought they waited until the next episode.

Oh god I love Karin so much. <3 <3

[something]

Episode 4:

- It's a bit surprising that Amakasu being her fan doesn't bother her at all. There's no screaming "you tricked me!" or "you were making fun of me!". On the other hand, there was just that in the opening narration, and they completely spoil what the drama will be about by showing Amakasu kissing Yuuki. :sd:
- That bow does look cute on you though, Karin! Don't take it off!

- Crisis strikes! Illicit intern on nurse action! A love triangle appears!
- Looks like Yuuki doesn't quite make the connection yet between Karin talking about guys and her anger here.
- There you go, the "you were mocking me" line. Him being her fan was okay, but now she feels like she was being patronized. Love is a messy thing!
- OH WAIT! Hah! I had honestly forgotten that Yuuki wrote the emails! I vaguely remembered the little bit of misdirection involving Karin's brother but I did not recall at all that Amakasu was also just an even bigger misdirection. Heh, nice. And I like this outcome a whole lot better too. It shows how much Yuuki cares for her and it avoids setting up too much of a "fairy tale" relationship with Amakasu.

- Before the fallout of that can really happen, BAM, brother is hospitalized. We find out he's an even more awesome guy than we knew.
- And finally she gets the operation. Yay Karin~!
- Heh, that dude is Karin's brother's friend.

I liked that arc even more than I remembered. Kaaaaariiiiin~!

Next up, the role you totally wouldn't expect for Noto Mamiko!

[something]

I'm amused that the VA actually played the game. And not just her route...!
Or was told to say she did, at least. :sd:

[EmperorBrandon]

[Edit: Also just saw what EB said about her being Takahashi Ao. So looks like she started as an animator, tried a few acting roles as Hiroko, then went over to acting primarily.]

The animator credits are likely someone else that just happens to have the same name, I think. Seems like it would be a relatively common name, so that may be why the seiyuu changed it.

[something]

[Edit: Also just saw what EB said about her being Takahashi Ao. So looks like she started as an animator, tried a few acting roles as Hiroko, then went over to acting primarily.]The animator credits are likely someone else that just happens to have the same name, I think. Seems like it would be a relatively common name, so that may be why the seiyuu changed it.
Do you say that because they're not listed on JP Wiki or something? ::checks:: Okay I only see seiyuu roles there.

Let's see, I didn't actually look at the specific roles she was credited on animation for and... yeah that can't be her. One of them is from 1987, and I'm guessing she was like five years old in 1987. Heroman is also there, which is on the other hand way too recent.

Looks like a big mess in that entry ANN needs to clean up.

[einhorn303]

- They could win the gold medal in pairs skating.
- So I guess Suomi is half Finnish? It's kind of odd to name a girl directly after a country, though. Is Suomi also a Japanese name?
- Dramatic slow motion tears. Awww yeah.
- "A beautiful day doesn't always have to mean a sunny one!" That's a great truism I can really relate to.
- That was an incredibly heart-warming end.

[EmperorBrandon]

Oh, I didn't realize that the extra Suomi episode was the OVA. I though episode 13 on the third DVD was the OVA :sd: .

EDIT: Just checked the MAL entry. Yeah. you're right - Suomi's second episode is the OVA. My bad.

Oh, ok, so episode 13 on Anime Network is the "7.5" Suwako is talking about? The title of the episode has Suomi's name in it so I figured, but it's kind of odd that they didn't place it in order even if it's an extra episode. The preview after episode 7 features what looks to be a Suomi episode even.

[EmperorBrandon]

You've just noticed two young boys fighting. Clearly, what you must do is drag one of them all over the place.

Suomi has an interest in having a python wrapped around her body. I get the feeling she's a bit insane.

Heh, Suomi is one really eccentric girl, but those bits were pretty amusing to me.

[Fencedude]

Well, at least one story ends up with the couple together happily!

Very good episode, glad Suomi got a second one, she's definitely my favorite thus far.

[EmperorBrandon]

- Dramatic slow motion tears. Awww yeah.


That was pretty sweet. I was expecting them to make up but still very nice.

It was great to hear Laura Bailey being awesome in an ADV dub. That's a somewhat rare occurrence (being in an ADV dub I mean, she's always awesome :) )

[something]

Episode 5:

- Ah... Kyouko. I remember disliking her a lot, at least at first. But I think she grew on me a bit (maybe?) and this time around I'm familiar with seiyuu so it's very very amsuing that Noto Mamiko gets to play her (instead of, say, Karin or Akari).
- What a dysfunctional club. She's overbearing, and they're not terribly good.
- And what a mismatch she is with her boyfriend. He's so laid back, and she's totally wound up.

- There's the guy again!
- And don't forget the other recurring character. That woman who walks by after the guy is pushed onto the floor also walked into a hospital room in Karin's arc. She looked too distinct to be a background nobody. She's no doubt in Atsuko's too, I just didn't think to look for her.

- Woah, hey, those are VHS aren't they?
- Shocking, they do have something in common! He's a film student too.
- Waait, the boyfriend's voice is really familiar. I swore it was someone in Fairy Tail, but the seiyuu Morita Masakazu doesn't have anything credited for that. Guess I'm just hearing things.
- Oh what do you know Kyouko can actually say thank you.

- But maaaan, right back to being overbearing the next day. I mean, yeah, Miki is clearly a lying deadbeat but Kyouko goes totally overboard, and Miki is probably just getting worse as a reaction against Kyouko. Not that it excuses the lies and lack of effort.
- I mean, you're not the club president. You can't just kick people out. But the real club president is pretty patient with her.

- Kyouko's look is so different with that ponytail.
- And Yuu finally manages to get her to unwind a little.
- Not only that, Miki agrees to come back and help! But only if the club pres doesn't come?
- But the other girl looks upset. What's going on?

That's going on, I guess. Accident or malice? STAY TUNED! (I actually don't remember.)

Noto Mamiko preview!

I remember having a stronger dislike for Kyouko the first time around. Here I'm kinda in the middle. I guess being the Mamiko helps.

[something]

I didn't see him anywhere in the Karin arc, but then I wasn't really focusing on finding him so he might be there and I missed him :P .
He's in the snow festival photo and he's Karin's brother's friend.

[EmperorBrandon]

Oh, and there are bloopers at the end of the episode.

Ah, I was wondering what the heck that was. Despite Anime Network not having subtitled videos available online (all dubbed currently), that was in Japanese without subtitles, and I saw it was some scene with Atsuko at first. Well, I guess I'll watch them, even without subtitles, but I'll wait until I've finished the series as I guess they may cover scenes from the later two girls' arcs.

[Fencedude]

Oh, and there are bloopers at the end of the episode.

Ah, I was wondering what the heck that was. Despite Anime Network not having subtitled videos available online (all dubbed currently), that was in Japanese without subtitles, and I saw it was some scene with Atsuko at first. Well, I guess I'll watch them, even without subtitles, but I'll wait until I've finished the series as I guess they may cover scenes from the later two girls' arcs.

They don't.

Also you don't really need to understand Japanese to get them.

[einhorn303]

The bloopers are totally different from what I'm used to in R1 extras. Instead of being mistakes in dubbing, there mistakes in the actual "reality" of the show. Like the doctor tries to take his pen back from Karin, but accidentally just pulls off the cap.

Best one is probably Atsuko going "Oh s***, that slap really did hurt." Fictional characters clearly go through a lot of trouble we don't appreciate in bringing us our entertainment.

[EmperorBrandon]

They don't.

Ah, OK. I saw out-of-arc characters in the ending credits and was confused a bit, but they are all from the previous arcs. And then there's the preview for Shouko's episode, so I guess this is entirely chronological as Suomi's second episode. ADV just confuses me referring to it as "episode 13". :P Don't know what the official Japanese number designation is for this. Japanese Wikipedia doesn't note it at all (usually it does mention DVD episodes in the episode list, but not in this case - I guess this is a somewhat obscure anime series for the Japanese too?)

Also you don't really need to understand Japanese to get them.

Well, I figured, being outtakes. I was amused by the slap one.

[EmperorBrandon]

Very good episode, glad Suomi got a second one, she's definitely my favorite thus far.

I think I like Karin most so far still, but Suomi definitely comes in second.

[something]

Episode 6:

- Hello malice. Okay yeah I remember this. I just couldn't remember who was involved. It looks like everyone was in on it besides our dear buchou. Although the one girl was seriously uncomfortable with it.
- Hah she's taking all the equipment with her. Nice, ditch em and screw em over. Revenge~

- Daaaaamn Kyouko, you are ordering this guy around ruthlessly.
- Hahahah, if you watch frame by frame as the car goes around the curve in the next scene, it looks like it's driven by a drunk. It just blatantly crosses lanes in the most unnatural way. :sd:
- Yeah as if anything is going to satisfy you with how you are right now, Kyouko...
- And it's the dude again.
- Hahaha he really DID throw him in the ocean.
- "If he were that important, he should have held onto him tightly". ...Yeaaaaaah, about that, Kyouko.

- Well damn, Kyouko looks pretty hot just coming out of the shower.
- Unfortunately she also decides to take everything out on Yuu. And the next morning, he's gone. What was that about getting what you deserve for not holding on tightly to the things you love, Kyouko?
- The woman again.
- Kyouko opens the door hoping for... ...nope you're still miserably alone.
- Oooh, the girl who meets her boyfriend when Kyouko is at the vending machine is totally Hirohashi Ryou.

- So now that she's lost everything she remembers that, hey, she used to actually enjoy this! Funny, that.
- And now for an unintentionally hilarious scene! She sees Yuu! She chases! She... finds a really annoyed looking dude. :sd:
- And can I point out that there's maybe 2.5 minutes of episode left in her arc and she's currently sobbing in the rain. Man, makes you wonder how things could possibly turn around.

- But they do, and in fairly short order. It's all a bit sudden but I cans till buy it. She has a good cry, learns an important lesson, picks herself up, and brings it all together. Well, hey, good for her.

Up next, BEST GIRL. Well, best the first time around. I liked Karin a whole lot extra this time so maybe it'll be close. I think Suomi will still be #1 though.

[bci110]

Oh, I didn't realize that the extra Suomi episode was the OVA. I though episode 13 on the third DVD was the OVA :sd: .

EDIT: Just checked the MAL entry. Yeah. you're right - Suomi's second episode is the OVA. My bad.

Oh, ok, so episode 13 on Anime Network is the "7.5" Suwako is talking about? The title of the episode has Suomi's name in it so I figured, but it's kind of odd that they didn't place it in order even if it's an extra episode. The preview after episode 7 features what looks to be a Suomi episode even.

Yes it was, and I screwed up on my end because I didn't read the DVD menu on the 2nd disc carefully. They listed the Kyoko episodes as 5 & 6 but for Suomi it was listed as 7 and bonus unaired episode.

[bci110]

I didn't see him anywhere in the Karin arc, but then I wasn't really focusing on finding him so he might be there and I missed him :P .
He's in the snow festival photo and he's Karin's brother's friend.

Ah, OK. I'll have to rewatch that episode to see if I can spot him. I was able to spot the guy in the other episodes, though. Sort of like an anime version of Where's Waldo :P .

[Suwako Moriya]

Sunflowers. Sunflowers. Sunflowers.

Considering what Shoko (Or is it actually supposed to be Shouko) has been doing, I think I'd hesitate to get advice from her.

[einhorn303]

To me, this arc has the same problem as Atsuko's: the viewer is left wondering, "So, why does he/she love her/him?" (Like with Minoru and Atsuko).

Squid guy shows up again, in a shot that was clearly just included to put him in. That lady with the wavy hair also seems to be a prominently re-occuring stand-in, even though she hasn't actually done anything.

[bci110]

To me, this arc has the same problem as Atsuko's: the viewer is left wondering, "So, why does he/she love her/him?" (Like with Minoru and Atsuko).

Same here, only the big difference in my view is that Atsuko's a better character than Shoko.

Personally I didn't really cared that much for Shoko's story. It was decent, but wasn't as compelling as the others.

[something]

Episode 7:

- Suomi! SUOMIIII! Basically another one-role seiyuu, Amase Mayu.
- Watch out for suspicious people! Hah.
- She's terrifying! That cream puff thingy is really a bomb! RUN!
- Uh wow that kid has insane involuntary reflexes. Touch arm, SHOOTS UP.

- Oh god Suomi is crazy. Wanting to be wrapped up by a python. That's not normal!
- She's going to embarrass this kid to death and it's pretty hilarious.
- A story about skating. Surely it can't be about her!

- And there's that guy.
- What's a bit unusual is that it's not Suomi who caused the collision. Generally you'd expect that, so it'd be the heroine who is fighting back the feelings of guilt. Not so here.
- And Haruto just got trolled.

- Friends make up etc etc.

Suomiiiii!!! Now, if this were the initial airing her story would be done. But, thankfully, we can get her real story now.

[something]

Episode 7.5:

- So as we saw last time, Suomi and Hanna saw the diamond dust together. Hence, it is perfectly obvious that they are fated lovers!

- Bit of a jump forward from last episode, and she's winning competitions already.
- Most importantly, her big come-back competition, the same one Hanna is taking part in.
- Though she doesn't do so great the first day.
- Daaamn, Hanna is harsh. But Suomi wins her over! The lovers will be reunited!

Not a lot to actually say about this episode, but it's totally awesome, especially at the end. Suomi x Hanna is canon!

[Fencedude]

Uhh...why am I supposed to give a damn, much less root for her?

Seriously.

Also I half expected the person at the door to be her stalker, but its really not that kind of show.

*watches the bit after the credits*

And yeah, thats what you get Shouko.

[Suwako Moriya]

Once again the day is saved thanks to the Radio Boy!:P

Well, at least, she gave us a bath scene.

[bci110]

Once again the day is saved thanks to the Radio Boy!:P

Well, at least, she gave us a bath scene.

I guess that was pretty much the only good thing about Shoko's story :relief: .

[einhorn303]

- A brighter side of being stalked. Reminds me othis story I read on Sankaku about a guy spending thousands of dollars on a maid at a maid cafe, in an attempt to get a date from her (yet never succeeding).
- The Anxious Clown!
- It would be an excellent twist if this "Radio Boy" was someone else, and the otaku-type was unrelated. But nah.
- I enjoyed this ending. At the same time, I can't help but think "Lots of anime voice actors wouldn't want to validate this kind of behavior."

[Isuzu Inugami]

Heh heh, look out kid, she's a stalker shota-con!

She totally is! With a bit of a snake fetish thrown in. Oh man, he's totally embarrassed by her.

I like how her accident is just lightly alluded to, yet it's enough to get everything important. First her summary "one girl's leg was hurt, and the other girl's heart was hurt, and so then the girl's leg and her heart were hurt." And later just a quick scene, with none of the aftermath, to drive it home.

Heh, the boy's friend recognizes her and fangasms!

[Isuzu Inugami]

- They could win the gold medal in pairs skating.

Do they allow same gender pairs skating? (Because they totally need to!)


- So I guess Suomi is half Finnish? It's kind of odd to name a girl directly after a country, though. Is Suomi also a Japanese name? I've not encountered it before (not that I'm any expert on Japanese names.) "Finrando" is the Japanese name for Finland, so the Suomi thing could be a bit of an in-joke, as most viewers might not realize that's the Finnish name for the country. (And, according to the Yoopers* I've met, it's pronounced closer to "Summi,**" than "Sue-Oh-Me.")

-Oh Hanna, why must you be so cold? :cry:

-Man, people still think Hanna did it deliberately! (LOL, obviously the anime was influenced by the whole Tonya Harding business.) It's nice that the footage we get to see of it makes it clear it was an accident, thought.

-Aww, Hanna was afraid her rival had lost her seriousness. She turns away, tears flying off like diamond dust in violation of all physics of liquid surface tension and gravity! Happy end!



*The Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The UP. Da Yoop. Lots of Finnish-Americans up there.

[** Edit: It occurs to me that "summi" is not the best of orthographical examples. So sue-me.]

[Isuzu Inugami]

-In a fancy restaurant, drinkin' martinis and eatin' hamburgers. Uhh...

-Oh, I guess that's a pastrami sandwich. Still not really martini fare.

-"Dear Miss Shouko. I saw you in a bar. You shore are purdy. Signed, Me-Mania."

-God, Shouko, dump him! He's an asshole and he's obviously trying to dump you!

-"Dear Miss Shouko. I hope you liked the pastrami sandwiches. I know the sparkling glisten of the fat on the pastrami can't compare to the diamond-dust glisten of the fat that coats your own viscera. Signed, Me-Mania."

-No, Shoko, now is not fight-for-summer time, now is cry-and-bath time! Arrrrgh!

-"Dear Miss Shouko, please accept these flowers as a token of my luurrrrve and also I know where you live. Signed, Me-Mania."

-Heh, Urara likes a racehorse that's so bad people use her betting ticket as a safe driving charm?

[Isuzu Inugami]

-"Dear Miss Shouko, Whatever you do, I can reach out to you. It's a poem, see? Also please enjoy the bath powder. It will be like I'm touching you all over. Signed, Me-Mania."

-Uhh, maybe there's someone better than the person who's dumping you to tell about this.... Then again you seem to be surrounded by awful men in general, Shouko. Maybe you should just make a date with the girl who left you those messages in the last episode!

-Wasn't Kyoko renting that awful clown movie? So why is it in theatres now?

-Wait, she's totally working her stalker! Bwahaha! That's awesome!

-"I, Shouko, relationship expert tell you 'No' means 'Yes!'" Tee-hee! She's turning evil!

-Dump him! Rraaarrrrghh!

-YES! About fucking time!

-And you should be celebrating, not breaking down on live radio. Oh Shouko. Gotta love the instant internet shitstorm, though.

-"Dear Miss Shouko, I'm taking you hostage on live radio as a sign of our mutual undying love. Please excuse the tying-you-up part. I understand you completely so I know you understand me completely, so that's why it's only appropriate for us to commit suicide together now. Signed, Me-Mania."

-Throw away that ring--holy fuck, it just got zapped from orbit by satellite weaponry! God, Shouko, if you'd been holding onto that thing for a moment longer--damn, but that married guy is vindictive!

I like Shouko well enough, and the whole "people out there you don't even know are rooting for you" thing, but the execution at the end just sucked. Ugh.

[Suwako Moriya]

Yes, it's early, but there's a good chance I might be late in watching the episode. So I'm creating this sub thread now to make things simple. If you really feel this is too early, just wait a few hours before posting.

[einhorn303]

Akari is so endearing. I can't help but feel sorry, and root for, her. She really reminds me of the way I love Aeka from "A Drug that Makes You Dream." At first I even wondered if they have the same VA, but nah, it appears that's 柚木かなめ (Kaname Yuzuki).

- Stocking-fetish-service, an excellent way to start an episode.
- Huh, I'm surprised that the dad actually did go to work.
- Natural talent for sports is one thing, but I don't think there's such a thing as "natural talent for confection-making." Bad excuse for his own cowardice.
- Oh god this is sad :_; He's not really a bad father, he just wanted to do what he loves over work since he knew he was dying.
- After the ED: "Yeeaaaaaah, he's not fine."
- From the post-ED scene and next episode preview: The hospital scenes of Akari look so stylistically different. I don't know if it's from saved-up budget or using higher-quality staff members, but it's almost kind of jarring when seen after the simplistic animation throughout this episode.

[Fencedude]

I...still don't care.

Seriously. Shouko, sorry, but I don't care.

Can we have someone better now?

[bci110]

I...still don't care.

Seriously. Shouko, sorry, but I don't care.

Can we have someone better now?

Hey I hear you, dude. Luckily Akari was more than able to fill the void.

[Suwako Moriya]

The time has finally come for the one known as Akari! A girl with a definite charm to her and nice design.

There are problems with Akari's father. Yeah, he's definitely not well..

Akari has definite potential. Let's see if she lives up to it in the next episode, which I'll watch later.

[Fencedude]

Man, the black tights and white anklesocks combo for those uniforms is weird, but kinda sexy.

Anyway, Akari is love (of course she is! She's Watanabe Akeno!), but her life kinda sucks. But she's pleasantly dojikko.

Looking at the preview...ONORE DIKEIDO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNQ0PfBoi5Y)

[Suwako Moriya]

You didn't want to worry her? Not telling her doesn't change the fact that you still have it. Never mind the fact that you refused treatment anyway. Logic like this bothers me.

As there's not much time left, one must do the important things like pan for gold. Or rather the important thing is bringing everyone together.

And in the end, the father does pass away. No magical miracles to bring him back.

Ah, how nice, all the gold he collected was turned into a gift for Akari. The father and the guy who helped out should be given praise. So that scene at the start of part 1 did take place later.

Akari is wonderful and definitely one of the better girls for me. Although I think more about the favorite after watching episode 12, which will come later.

[bci110]

Akari is wonderful and definitely one of the better girls for me. Although I think more about the favorite after watching episode 12, which will come later.

I didn't rate it as highly as Karin's or Suomi's storyarchs, but Akari's story was my favorite of the six. It was mainly because Akari was able to keep her emotions under control and still maintain a cheerful and optimistic attitude despite her father's illness. She showed a lot of strength and courage in these two episodes.

[Isuzu Inugami]

Akari was... I guess she's okay, but her arc is actually rather dull, and what bothers me is that she isn't even the main character (her boyfriend is the only person with any real issues.*) She doesn't have any serious problems to resolve with her father so this is just a portrait of a really tough time for her, but not one that calls on her to understand herself more deeply or reshape who she is. I'm glad that she got to go pan for gold with him, and that's about all there is to say.

SO, for something completely different, which girl has the best jump in the OP? I vote for Kyoko.




*Curiously, I watched this on the heels of the Heartcatch Pretty Cure episode where the kid has issues over continuing his dream to be a confectioner. Is Heartcatch nothing but a remake of Kita E?!!!

[Fencedude]

Not to be all depressing or anything, but WTF she's an orphan now. How is she going to support herself while going to highschool? No offense to her dad, but he didn't look like the type to have a huge amount of money stockpiled away.

So yeah. I liked Akari, but this arc didn't exactly end on that great a note, once you think about it a bit.

[Suwako Moriya]

In this episode, every character is involved. Well, maybe not everyone.

The meeting of Karin and Suomi was fun. The two get along well together.

Suomi is Snow White!

Watch as Atsuko chews out someone for yelling at Akari.

Also, Atsuko has a ring on her finger.

There is diamond dust in the episode. Impossible!

Decent final episode, but the best aspect was probably Karin and Suomi interacting.

I might start a sub thread for things like extras later, but the main purpose of the thread has been completed.

For the record, I have the covers as Karin, Suomi, and Akari.

[Isuzu Inugami]

Not to be all depressing or anything, but WTF she's an orphan now. How is she going to support herself while going to highschool? No offense to her dad, but he didn't look like the type to have a huge amount of money stockpiled away.

So yeah. I liked Akari, but this arc didn't exactly end on that great a note, once you think about it a bit.

Huh? She's in the lucrative part time sales clerk trade!

....

Well, maybe he had a good life insurance policy.

Gah, that is depressing.

[Isuzu Inugami]

The meeting of Karin and Suomi was fun. The two get along well together.

They made for a surprisingly good combination. I have to say Suomi faceplanting on the windshield was rather startling. How did she get out there in the first place, anyway?

Watch as Atsuko chews out someone for yelling at Akari.

Heh, that was good. Those two should just elope! But wait, Atsuko is here to reunite with her handsome, age-inappropriate jazz musician, right? Right? Riiiiight???!

I got a kick out of Kyoko filming there, and being almost as domineering as ever. I'm not sure what I think of her boyfriend showing up, though, as it's a bit more effective to think of her losing him for good in her story. I'm so dark!

For the record, I have the covers as Karin, Suomi, and Akari.

Atsuko, Kyoko, Shoko. :sweat:

[EmperorBrandon]

I was wondering if all the girls would be meeting each other somehow, or if this would just be separate stories for each of them, and it's up being somewhat of a mix with only Suomi and Karin meeting, as well as Atsuko and Akari. Pretty amusing seeing that, though, particularly Suomi and Karin. :) It also seems to add to Atsuko's and Kyouko's stories a little, with the former finding someone else other than the two guys from her story, and Kyouko has her old boyfriend coming back to her...

[bear]

I was wondering if all the girls would be meeting each other somehow, or if this would just be separate stories for each of them, and it's up being somewhat of a mix with only Suomi and Karin meeting, as well as Atsuko and Akari. Pretty amusing seeing that, though, particularly Suomi and Karin. :) It also seems to add to Atsuko's and Kyouko's stories a little, with the former finding someone else other than the two guys from her story, and Kyouko has her old boyfriend coming back to her...

I'm assuming the boy with the flowers is "squid boy" from the Atsuko's story and subsequent "accidents". I guess I missed who the girl he met is and what her secret is.

[something]

Oh, this thread is over, isn't it? More catching up to do... Just gonna post once per arc at this point.

Episodes 8-9:

Ah yes, Shouko. It *is* interesting for the protagonist of a story to be involved in an affair. But all in all she's by far the most pathetic of the heroines. Not in the sense that she's an utterly loathsome person, but in sense that her life seems so terribly empty. An affair with a man who doesn't really loves her and can never be with her. A radio relationship with a stalker. Little social life outside of her coworkers. She's always chasing after things that aren't really there or aren't what she really needs.

All in all, the weakest of the arcs. I find it interesting simply because it's different from the usual type of story in anime (but probably pretty typical in soap operas or mainstream romantic dramas), and the ending isn't all that bad really, but nothing about it really grabs me the way Suomi or Karin did. Or Atsuko or even Kyouko for that matter.

Next arc is good though. Not Suomi or Karen good but still good. If I'm remembering correctly anyway.

[Fencedude]

Oh man, Suomi and Karin need their own show together, they're awesome.

And sidewalls and wavy-hair got together. Yay for them?

Shouko and Kyouko didn't really interact much with the others though.

[something]

Episodes 10-11:

Akari~! Sweet girl with a deceased mother and deadbeat drunkard of a dad works hard despite her dojikko tendencies to keep the poor family afloat, constantly suppressing her own desires to be the responsible one... moeee~~!!! Yes, Akari is totally wonderful.

Then there's the "delinquent with a heart of gold", who lashes out at the world purely to hide his own feeling of inadequacy. Well, I suppose that could be moe in a way too, for people so inclined.

But man this is a great arc. Really subdued, really beautiful, really sweet. Fantastic for just a two episode story.

Oh, and "Boys Be Ambitious". It's Hyakko! ...Or not. But this show does mention where that comes from at least. I never did get around to googling it when watching Hyakko.

[something]

Episode 12:

- Time for everyone to go see the diamond dust!
- First up, Atsuko. She takes a train. Sensible enough.

- Suomi however decides to walk. With a completely useless map. Not sensible... but more amusing. <3 Suomi!
- She can also achieve infinite acceleration! Thankfully a windshield is there to stop her.
- More importantly, behind the windshield is Karin! YES! It's like the knew these were the two best girls and so made them even more awesome by pairing them up! I guess Suomi needs love on the side when Hanna is in Finland.

- There's also Shouko, conveniently doing a show from Sapporo. But that's not important.
- Kyouko is still demanding!
- And almost gets run over by Atsuko.
- But Atsuko gets to be awesome defending my beloved Akari. <3 This is another really nice meeting, bonding over their dead dads and all.
- And hah, Minoru totally lost out after all. But who is the guy Atsuko chose?

- Karin and Suomi have their own bonding to do, this time over surgery.
- The dude and the lady are totally together now.
- Yuu is back. That's the one part of this ending that I feel wasn't necessary.
- BAM! Not Kurata at all! I love that, Atsuko is just with some totally different guy.

All in all a really nice ending. Just a sweet little capstone to the series that doesn't do anything radical but brings all the girls back for one last hurrah.

In the end I think my ranking is pretty easy:

Suomi > Karin > Akari > Atsuko > Kyouko > Shouko

[something]

I'm assuming the boy with the flowers is "squid boy" from the Atsuko's story and subsequent "accidents". I guess I missed who the girl he met is and what her secret is.
The guy is Toukibi Juurouta. The woman is Morinaga Mafuyu. They each appear at least once in every arc. We know nothing about either of them as characters and I'm pretty sure they were just paired up at the end for shits and giggles.

[TJR]

He's apparently some kind of in-joke (intended for people who've played the original game).

He's the protagonist of the game and is thus supposed to get together with one of the heroines, depending on how you play. In the anime, the joke is that he keeps turning up near each of the girls, yet misses any chance of actually meeting them.

The game also has a secret ending where you fall in love with a woman who turns out to be transgendered. That's Mafuyu's secret.

[bci110]

In the end I think my ranking is pretty easy:

Suomi > Karin > Akari > Atsuko > Kyouko > Shouko

Pretty close to what I had with my ranking:

Karin > Suomi > Akari > Atsuko > Kyouko > Shouko

I gave the series an overall score of 7 (out of 10), with the high marks to Karin and Suomi and the low marks to Shouko and Kyouko.

[einhorn303]

- Seriously, what kind of doctor could say no to Akari's face like that.
- Her father may be sick, but he still has enough energy to do wrestling moves on punk kids.
- ;_;
- This is probably my favorite arc. It's very relate-able to me.

Not to be all depressing or anything, but WTF she's an orphan now. How is she going to support herself while going to highschool? No offense to her dad, but he didn't look like the type to have a huge amount of money stockpiled away.

So yeah. I liked Akari, but this arc didn't exactly end on that great a note, once you think about it a bit.

A hard life of drudgery and poverty? Well, it seemed like her dad did barely any work before, so I imagine she'll get by. Maybe the people at the confectionery store will help her out/take her in.

With a girl as earnest and adorable as Akari, you know someone will take pity on and help her out.

[einhorn303]

- Yay! A crossover episode! I didn't even know this existed until I saw the menu of the third DVD volume.
- It's interesting to me that this is the first time you see Radio Boy's face.
- Minoru ended up with some Yamato Nadeshiko-type wife. So things worked out fittingly for him.

Throughout the show, I was thinking of how I'd rank the different arcs. But if I rated it by the characters themselves, it'd probably be subtly different. Well, just by arc:

Akari > Kyouko > Karin > Suomi > Atsuko > Shouko

...not that I disliked Suomi's at all! I liked it a lot, I just liked the other arcs even more a lot. I enjoyed the whole show much more than I expected to. It was a pleasant surprise, and I'm glad I watched it. It's more realistic storytelling seems rare in VN adaptions. And I wish more shows would use this omnibus format.