Hyouka Discussion Thread [Archive]

something

04-22-2012, 08:24 PM

Episode 1:

- A gray high school life. Heh. Really that doesn't sound too bad. Colors can be dramatic.
- Heh, they really are so very Tomoya and Youhei-like, at a first glance anyway.
- Huh there's this weird sort of very subtle blur filter on things. It's interesting, I'm not sure what to make of it yet.
- Everyone, meet Eru. I love her already. <3
- The OP! Visually, it's amazing as always for KyoAni. The song isn't bad by any stretch but I think it's going to need a few turns to grow on me enough to consider importing it.

- Oh man I'd forgotten Eru was Satou Satomi. Ricchan! Wendy!
- Heh, Houtarou's plan to have a one-person club has been destroyed.
- Eru's eyes are sparkling! She's found a mystery!
- God she's beautiful. Like, seriously.
- Holy shit, that hair scene. Wow.
- Ahaha, wow. Houtarou is powerless against Eru. Eru doesn't need a water gun of plot convenience like Tsuritama. She just uses her MAGICAL EYES and you bend to her will. Oh and her crazy hair.

- Nice funky animation in Satoshi's scary story scene.
- Hmmm, what is Houtarou up to? Trying to squirm out of joining the classics club?
- He's got her hooked in on the story. I'm not sure to what end though.
- Ahhhhhhhhh, right. Heh. Instead of dealing with a more troublesome mystery they'd never solve, just set up something Eru will get excited about, but that takes way less effort for you. Clever.
- But as Satoshi points out, that doesn't seem to be all...

Ridiculously beautiful animation, and no less than I expected. Very nice feeling to the first episode. Beyond the obviously beautiful visuals, all its strengths were very subtle, but no weaker for it. And I really like all three characters so far. Can't wait for Mayaka next week.

ultimatemegax

04-22-2012, 08:43 PM

An absolutely gorgeous work from KyoAni. The use of colors, lighting, and background art/movement help set the stage in what looks to be a real world. It's like Shoushitsu, but in a TV format!

All three of our main characters introduced are wonderful. Houtarou does a wonderful job as the slacker/brains of the group, Eru is absolutely adorable (especially in Houtarou's delusions), and Satoshi is Sunohara again! While in terms of huge events, nothing happened, but we got to know part of our main cast well and how they normally are.

Given how KyoAni adapted The Second Raid, I'm not surprised at the pacing. It's slower than other shows, yet not slow enough to feel dragging. I like this style after seeing it in TSR and more recently in Morestsu.

Music-wise, Hyouka hits the right notes for me. I love the classical feel that Tanaka is going for and how it accompanies the mood. The OP is soft, yet powerful. I'm definitely importing it.

Put everything together, and I'm regretfully considering importing this again. If only it wasn't 11 volumes...

Fencedude

04-22-2012, 08:57 PM

It occurs to me that they never actually addressed what the "Classics Club" is actually for.

...not that it matters, probably.

Draneor

04-22-2012, 09:34 PM

The animation was spectacular. Especially the eyes.

Wendy is pure love.

Well, main dude does turn out to be a chuunibyou asshole. I also don't think the voice fits his character design. Hopefully he gets over it soon. The power of Eru's eyes compel you to be more positive!

Fukube, on the other hand, is just pure awesomeness.

strangefour

04-22-2012, 10:44 PM

-Our hero is a lazier Kyon.
-Chitanda is a funny name. I shall simply call you Tanda-chan.
-I think they locked you in Tanda-chan because you are a crazy dryad.

-Tanda-chan is curious!
-Houtaro went out of his way to make sure he didn't have to go out of his way... Okay.

Kinda slow yet very fitting for something I just watched in the dark in the rain.

HitokiriShadow

04-22-2012, 11:42 PM

Well that was one of the most beautifully animated episodes of anime I've ever seen.

More importantly, Chitanda is adorable and a lot of fun. And there's very obviously something going on with her eyes.

And so far, I actually like both of the guys.

superdry

04-23-2012, 12:53 AM

The power of Eru's eyes compel you to be more positive!

I've yet to watch the first episode, but every time I saw her in a PV her eyes kept telling me "please import the show for my sake." Hopefully she's really cute in the show.

something

04-23-2012, 12:14 PM

Hopefully she's really cute in the show.
Even cuter.

ookamigirl

04-23-2012, 12:29 PM

Classics club revival.
That girl sure is lively when something peeks her interest.
Looks interesting, will give this one a try.

Damius

04-23-2012, 07:30 PM

Which group would you suggest for this one?

something

04-23-2012, 08:01 PM

superdry

04-23-2012, 08:44 PM

Which group would you suggest for this one?
Mazui is the best option you're going to get by far. They're usually really fast too, so if we're lucky every ep will be out before too late on Sunday nights.

Take it with a grain of salt, but one of the fansub review site gave Mazui's script a poor score. Dark Sage also mentioned some problems with the script in the comments of his blog (full review should come soon). It seems the translation is perfectly fine, but there was like no editing so lines might read awkwardly.

superdry

04-23-2012, 08:52 PM

Hopefully she's really cute in the show.
Even cuter.

Hmm. I should brace myself, then, for her cuteness before i watch the episode which hopefully will be tomorrow.

something

04-23-2012, 10:19 PM

bored@lazy

04-23-2012, 10:31 PM

superdry

04-24-2012, 03:06 AM

An interesting first episode. I like Houtarou's motto and the way he goes about things.

But, but Eru! She soo cute, but not in that super cutesy kid way. I love how she's so energetic and lively. I also like what seems to be a genuine enthusiasm for be part of mystery solving. And her eyes are beautiful.

The whole mysteries thing intrigues me.

- Ahaha, wow. Houtarou is powerless against Eru. Eru doesn't need a water gun of plot convenience like Tsuritama. She just uses her MAGICAL EYES and you bend to her will. Oh and her crazy hair.

She captures you with her hair and compels you with power of moe. Its quite hypnotizing.

superdry

04-24-2012, 03:21 AM

Take it with a grain of salt, but one of the fansub review site gave Mazui's script a poor score. Dark Sage also mentioned some problems with the script in the comments of his blog (full review should come soon). It seems the translation is perfectly fine, but there was like no editing so lines might read awkwardly.
The script read just fine and like fuck am I downloading from the other group. I'd sooner watch it raw, or not at all.
Yeah, I'm not a fan of 'that other group' either. Question for anyone who's downloaded it already, is Mazui releasing Hyouka in 8bit or 10bit? I use XBMC which currently doesn't support 10bit...

I don't think mazui has switched to 10-bit yet. But, have you checked out the xbmc wiki for setting up 10-bit playback? xbmc hi10p playback (wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Hi10P_playback)

Anywho, i just finished watching gg's version mainly because of the translator involved and I've seen screenshot of the other groups so i thought id try out the one i have not seen yet. Script wasn't bad and definitely flowed better than parts of mazui (who i normally have no problems with). The only thing I have to worry about is any funny editing in the future. Ill see what happens next week since its only the first episode.

Fencedude

04-29-2012, 07:24 PM

Another small scale mystery is solved, regarding a book checked out from the library each week.

We meet the fourth main member of the cast, Mayaka Ibara (Kayano Ai) at the library.

And the entire episode, Eru is just...there is definitely something unusual about her. And then she calls Houtarou out on a sunday, for a "confession".

...damn. That ED. just...damn.

something

04-29-2012, 08:31 PM

Episode 2:

- Nice morning hair, Hou-chan.
- This OP is really growing on me, as I expected it would.

- Double-cropping, the bane of classics clubs everywhere!
- God Eru is adorable... loving Satou Satomi as her.
- She has absolutely no concept of personal space, does she? Heh.
- She's such a little bundle of energy, but doesn't come off as hyperactive. That's such a fine line to walk and she's perfect so far.

- Ahhh, Mayaka already knows Houtarou. And they don't have the best relationship.
- It's also predetermined that she likes Satoshi. And he knows it. That makes things easier because that was the obvious way to pair them off anyway.
- Mayaka wears that short hair beautifully. I really really like it.
- She's also in the manga club?
- I really cannot stop staring at these characters. Utterly gorgeous...
- ERU SMELLS A MYSTERY! SPARKLE TIIIIIIIME!!!
- Ahaha, and eyes in the back of her head too.

- "Watashi, kininarumasu!" That's the sound of Houtarou's life getting more complicated. =D
- Man she does not let go. Most adorable pitbull ever.
- Ahahaha. "Was Oreki actually smart?" "No but he's useful when it comes to useless things.' XD
- I am interesting in finding out Satoshi's motives. I find him a very interesting character so far. I'm sure he's not just digging up mysteries to make Eru happy, though surely that's part of it. He also wants Houtarou to be a bit more active.

- How to use a book besides reading it... paperweight? Doorstop? :sd:
- Inu-Eru! Sniff sniff. She has super senses.
- Maid-Eru! Oh my god those braids. <3
- Make a choice. Except you're only allowed one of the two. Eru will not allow you to live a normal life anymore. =D
- Mystery solved! Houtarou is good at this. If only because it lets him end it earlier. :sd:
- Mayaka is sparkling too! Uh oh.

- Eru wants to open up your head and inspect your brain. She ought to become a neurosurgeon.
- So very curious about Eru's "personal matter".

- Maybe we'll start finding out! They're meeting outside of school and... OH YES PONYTAIL! She's twice as beautiful as she is in school, not that that even seemed possible.
- Oh damnit, cliffhanger.

O_O
...
...
...
O_O!!

Holy shit. That ED... fucking wow. Goooooooooooooooooorgeous!

This whole show is just unbearably pretty. KyoAni churns out the best looking TV series ever as a matter of course, but this is truly another level beyond any other TV series they've done. I mean holy shit, just, wow.

Excuse me while I do rewatch that ED... Need clean ED NOW!

strangefour

04-29-2012, 09:08 PM

-"We're making an anthology." "We're making an anthology." "We're making an anthology." *stares into your soul* "WE'RE MAKING AN ANTHOLOGY. JIII~"
-*glow*
-"I AM CURIOUS! Solve this for me Oreki."

-Tanda-chan is part bloodhound.
-"WALKIES!" *wag*
-Well duh girls. You smelled paint thinner. Where else would you find paint thinner for five weeks in a school?
-Dude. Oreki. Why not just ask your sister what was in the anthology. What she doesn't have a phone?
-Confession time... "Oreki I like... I like girl! Why do I like girls? I am curious. Bicurious."
-Ero ero bed.

KyoANi makes the best looking shows. But this one hasn't given me any character to really latch onto yet. Yes Tanda-chan is pretty and sparkly. However she makes me think of an overly clingy girlfriend. She is going to henpeck Oremi into getting married in two years. "I wonder what a homemoon is like? I'm curious!"

Draneor

04-29-2012, 09:23 PM

And nothing of importance happens, but those eyes are amazing. You can't refuse those eyes. But it looks like next week something might. I'm going to go with "Eru is actually a ghost."

ultimatemegax

04-29-2012, 09:42 PM

Another small school mystery that is solved via outside the box thinking and Eru turning into a dog. I'm quite pleased with how this show is handling the mysteries and introductions to the characters. The chatter amongst everyone is performed quite nicely. Given that KyoAni had animated a few episodes prior to recording, I'm curious if this ED or Nise episode 8 was animated first.

Looking forward to seeing Eru's confession. At least there's no holding back on the couples in this franchise.

Draneor

04-29-2012, 10:02 PM

Looking forward to seeing Eru's confession. At least there's no holding back on the couples in this franchise.

I don't think she's actually going to give a love confession. Simply because I don't think enough time has passed by for it it to plausibly mean anything. Oh sure. I have no doubt sloth and Eru will end up together (just like it will be implied that Satoshi and Mayaka will). That is how anime goes. But whatever Eru confesses, I don't think it will be about main dude--just how she can use him.

Fencedude

04-29-2012, 10:27 PM

That is how anime goes. But whatever Eru confesses, I don't think it will be about main dude--just how she can use him.

This.

Imagine Eru as Kuroyukihime with less poise and more hyper.

Damius

04-29-2012, 11:43 PM

- Wow… Eru is so beautiful
- Eru eyes are just…
- That hair scene was just something else… I can’t believe how beautiful it was.

The animation was unbelievably beautiful, Eru as well. I really like both guys and love Eru already. The show definitely grabbed my interest. It was already sure that I would import this… I guest it confirms what was sure…

HitokiriShadow

04-30-2012, 12:57 AM

Oh. Oh my. That was one lovely ED.

Ah, er, oh, yes. The episode. There was an episode, wasn't there?

Eru continues to be completely adorable, especially when something piques her curiosity and gets her excited.

We get to meet Mayaka, the other main girl, who is voiced by Kayano Ai, and is lots of fun. And apparently a rather bitter person, at least towards Oreki, but that's what makes her so fun.

Then Eru sits down with Oreki and tells him her big issue..... next time.

Suwako Moriya

04-30-2012, 02:42 AM

Well, that was an interesting first episode. It does seem to be low key for now, but there is definite potential for things to get more serious.

After all, chances are good Eru is the main love interest and there's probably more to her than just being a student at the school.

Also, that scene with her growing long is either just meaningless symbolism along the lines of random SD or cat ears popping out. Or it's foreshadowing to her being something more. Who knows?

In any case, it's nice to see this show has a male best friend that's an ACTUAL character. Instead of just some random annoyance.

Suwako Moriya

04-30-2012, 03:44 AM

Ibara should be an effective edition to the cast. Also, Eru continues to be amazing and mysterious.

Confession? I know it's not going to be as simple as "I love" and be something else, but it will be curious to see what it is.

Actually, I would not be surprised if this ends up being in part a romance story in the end. Yeah, I state the obvious.

Ah, the ending is awesome and lovely. It alone can make the show worth watching.

ookamigirl

04-30-2012, 12:34 PM

Oreki sure is a pretty lazy guy.
If it weren't for that girl and his friend to drag him along...
The case of the mysterious book from the library begins.
The investigation was interesting, but short.
Oreki sure has a detective's mind.

ultimatemegax

04-30-2012, 11:18 PM

O_O
...
...
...
O_O!!

Holy shit. That ED... fucking wow. Goooooooooooooooooorgeous!

Excuse me while I do rewatch that ED... Need clean ED NOW!

I would like to share the jacket art (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/LACM4936.jpg) for the ED. I feel something's reaction would suffice for this as well.

superdry

05-02-2012, 09:31 PM

- God Eru is adorable... loving Satou Satomi as her.
- She has absolutely no concept of personal space, does she? Heh.
- She's such a little bundle of energy, but doesn't come off as hyperactive. That's such a fine line to walk and she's perfect so far.

She really gets energetic when mystery stuff comes up. She really is cute.

- ERU SMELLS A MYSTERY! SPARKLE TIIIIIIIME!!!
- Man she does not let go. Most adorable pitbull ever.

Man...those eyes are just mesmerizing. I did love it when she pulled Houtaou back from leaving while her eyes were all sparkly.

- Maid-Eru! Oh my god those braids. <3
- Maybe we'll start finding out! They're meeting outside of school and... OH YES PONYTAIL! She's twice as beautiful as she is in school, not that that even seemed possible.

Braids looked nice. Ponytail looked even better.

So, after two episodes, I'm really thinking about importing the show. It's been interesting so far and Eru is a god-tier character right now (hey COSPA? Hear that? Make some pillow covers of the cute lass now! It'll print money for you. LOL). The only issue is the way it's being released over 11(?) discs? I dislike picking up two-cour shows because it takes so long to finish (I'm glad Idolmaster is only two more volumes...I feel like I've been buying it forever). Ugh...man, fuck you Kadokawa.

superdry

05-02-2012, 09:32 PM

I would like to share the jacket art (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/LACM4936.jpg) for the ED. I feel something's reaction would suffice for this as well.

Why hello Mio and Ritsu! Oh, wait...wrong show. That jacket art is still amazing though.

ultimatemegax

05-02-2012, 10:11 PM

ultimatemegax

05-04-2012, 07:00 AM

Somewhat glad I made this subthread as it doesn't fit into either episode.

Takemoto had an interview in the latest Adult Famitsu in a feature about Hyouka. In this interview, it's mentioned that Takemoto was the driving force behind Hyouka getting an anime. After he read the novels a few years ago, he really wanted to make it into one. He said it was difficult to make it into an anime, but he feels he's done a good job. Finally, he says this work is not just a mystery, it's a bittersweet story about the 4 Classics Club members.

Source: yaraon article (http://yaraon.blog109.fc2.com/blog-entry-9254.html)

something

05-06-2012, 08:48 PM

Episode 3:

- Okay, now you can continue with what you were saying, Eru.
- Haha, awesome, the pendulum in the clock turns into a heart while Houtarou thinks she's going to confess, then back to normal when he realizes she's not.
- Eru's uncle went to India seven years ago and has never been seen since. And Eru is trying to remember something he told her before he left.
- Man, this pop-up book thing is a nice touch. I really don't think I've seen KyoAni do this sort of thing before - shifting to various completely different styles during extended dialogue scenes. Feels like a play out of Shaft's book, and it works nicely.
- ... ... ...Oh sorry, I'm just stuck silent by how beautiful Eru is.
- This atmosphere between them has literally given me goosebumps. Well alright it's also a little cold in my room, but I'm putting it down more to Hyouka. I keep falling in love with Eru more every time she speaks. The way she tells him about not wanting to spread her past around with just anyone was perfect. Even Houtarou feels a little bad.
- And, in his own way, he accepts her request.

- Midterms come and go.
- Hahaha, oh wow we need to meet Houtarou's sister. "I made a little mistake so I'm lying low in the Japanese consulate..." XD
- And what good timing, onee-chan points them towards the old anthologies.

- Eru sneeze! Red-nosed Eru! <3 <3
- "Chii-chan"? I can so go for that. GJ, Mayaka! Also nice to see her hanging out in the club room.
- Something shady is going on in the biology prep room...
- "The whole school." Houtarou is suddenly motivated! XD

- And he systematically beats the shit out of this guy. With logic. Because he'll do anything to avoid physically exerting himself.
- Nice way of explaining the situation, visually, with Houtarou and Mayaka being mentally transported back to the scene of the crime.
- And then Chii-chan finds a clue! But it just brings her to another mystery...

THIS ED.

Another wonderful episode. The plot thickens... slowly, and deliberately so. Watashi, kininarimasu!

Fencedude

05-06-2012, 09:07 PM

Oh god this show.

Everything about this show is amazing.

strangefour

05-06-2012, 09:40 PM

-Tick tock heart.
-Before Houtaro, Tanda-chan used to bug her uncle with a million questions filled with curiosity.
-Uncles made Tanda-chan cry because she was too curious about the true secret of the Classics club.
-Dig a hole, dig a hole~
-Is Houtaro's sister an international spy?

-Wait no go back. I want to know what the guy with the blue tophat was saying.
-Tanda-chan walks like she has to pee. Or atleast has a serious instep.
-The club in the old Classic's clubhouse has their own security and acts like an itchy drug dealer.
-THE WHOLE SCHOOL! That is far too much work.
-Houtaro is the laziest Sherlock.
-Dealer boy is in a table flipping rage.
-Just cigarettes... Japan is boring.
-Uncles is a heroic legend of something or other.

"My uncle told me something that I forgot." is kind of a crappy secret there Tanda-chan. This show is gorgeous to look at. However the "hero" is so laid back and refuses to exert any energy at all that each episode just feels so long. Tanda-chan never entered shiny eyed Curiosity mode this time. That is the best part. :\

Damius

05-06-2012, 11:50 PM

- So very curious about Eru's "personal matter".

You are definitely not the only one.

Damius

05-06-2012, 11:53 PM

Damius

05-06-2012, 11:57 PM

- My love for Eru is growing even more in the first minutes.
- It’s futile to resist. If Eru wants to do an anthology, you will do an anthology.
- So here you are Mayaka.
- Welp, Mayaka has feeling for Satoshi since middle school.
- Mystery? Sparkle time! Her eyes…her eyes…
- Don’t even try it, it’s impossible to escape from Eru when she smells a mystery.
- Welp, anymore refusal is indeed a waste of energy.
- How I love Eru expressions.
- Inu-Eru! They actually did it…
- Eru as a maid… Oh…wow…
- She gives you two choices…but you don’t have any in the end.
- Oreki, you’ll need to abandon that laziness pretty quickly.
- Mystery solved! Way to go Oreki. Eru and Mayaka are sparkling.
- What was Eru about to say? I guess we will know later on…
- Eru in casual clothes… Adorable.
- How could they end the episode there…how could they…
- That was the best ED ever…

Fantastic episode…with unbelievably beautiful animation… Mayaka is definitely a great addition. And that ED… I’m out of words… And Eru is just way too amazing…

superdry

05-07-2012, 12:07 AM

I really love how Eru is so honestly energetic throughout the show. I had a good chuckle when Mayuka and her went to the Biology room and Houtarou didn't go at first. Too bad Eru wasn't animated pulling and dragging him out of the room.

The episode was really good and well paced.

- ... ... ...Oh sorry, I'm just stuck silent by how beautiful Eru is.

You're not the only one. That ponytail works so well on her.

- And, in his own way, he accepts her request.

I was hoping for her to use either her sparkling eyes of persuasion or hair of entrapment to persuade him.

- Eru sneeze! Red-nosed Eru! <3 <3

That sneeze was so cute. It's up there with Sanka Rea's "ehhhh!??" from Sankarea. Hmm...which one is cuter?

- "The whole school." Houtarou is suddenly motivated! XD

Bwahahaha. Another awesome moment in the show.

HitokiriShadow

05-07-2012, 12:20 AM

So I guess Mayaka is an unofficial member of the Classics Club now.

Uuuummmm..... great episode, but I really can't think of anything to really say about it.

ookamigirl

05-07-2012, 12:18 PM

A case of a missing uncle..
This is a lot harder case for our laid back Oreki ^^
Getting back to anthologies thing..
The senpai's weird behavior was clue enough.
Guess Oreki read him pretty well to figure out where he's hiding the anthologies.

bear

05-07-2012, 01:25 PM

Houtarou has amazingly low energy to be able to resist Eru's eyes even for an instant. Mayuka is a good addition to the troop. She's the one who gets to interrogate Houtarou to get things explained.

Animation is great. Feels like it's more movie quality than just a series. Styles don't always work, but with great risk comes great rewards.

tytan88

05-07-2012, 05:50 PM

when eru gets that look in her eyes you know that resistance is futile. That look gets just about every anime guy to all sorts of crazy things. Resistance is futile!

Anyway, love the show so far. Very nicely animated and I love the whole mystery angle. Loads of fun.

ultimatemegax

05-10-2012, 07:49 PM

For those who want to see the episode included with volume 3 of the manga, I have news (http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/kotenbu/news/#20120511). Episode 11.5 will be streamed through ustream on 7/7 at midnight.

It'll be nice to see an OVA prior to it being released for once. I can't wait.

something

05-10-2012, 08:35 PM

For those who want to see the episode included with volume 3 of the manga, I have news (http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/kotenbu/news/#20120511). Episode 11.5 will be streamed through ustream on 7/7 at midnight.
Well that's a strange distribution channel.

I can't wait.
I want to, because gorgeous Hyouka in ustream "quality" = what a travesty. Damnit. Guess I'll have to watch anyway.

Damius

05-10-2012, 08:52 PM

Fencedude

05-13-2012, 08:42 PM

You know, these are four seriously nerdy people.

And this episode was a tour de force instruction on how to make something consisting entirely of four people speculating on something that happened 45 years before absolutely enthralling. Truly an amazing piece of work by KyoAni.

superdry

05-13-2012, 09:26 PM

Eru sneeze! check.
Eru in casual clothes. check.
Eru in a ponytail. check.
Eru saying the word curious in Japanese. check.

Why is she so cute??

Anywho, the four really delved deep into their research 45 years ago. That's some good stuff there. And, Oreki is able to pull everything together from each others tidbits. The rain surely saved him allowed him to think it through.

A very well done episode. Hearing each characters research kept me interested.

something

05-13-2012, 10:01 PM

Episode 4:

- Watashi, kininarimasu! Doesn't take much to convince Mayaka and Satoshi to help out.
- SHOCKING PINK Haha I love Satoshi.
- And now it's time to meet up at Eru's place for a strategy session.
- Yaaaay more casual clothes Eru.

- Eru's theory is sound enough, but of course they won't find it out this quickly.
- Mayaka's thinking face is awesome. =D
- And Satoshi is a lot more studious than he probably gets credit for.
- Mayaka's turn! She did her own research, so it's nice to see she can pull her own weight.
- But her theory is rejected too, the dates don't line up.

- Snack break! Eru's handmade onigiri... Eru's neck... Eru's ponytail... Eruuuuuuu!
- Mayaka is so cute, seriously. I can't put her on par with Eru, but she's just adorable as hell. I love all the faces she makes.
- Satoshi's turn! Heh heh. Mayaka gets pouty when her theory is overturned. But Satoshi just has that, no overarching theory.
- Which leaves Houtarou, who has... nothin'. Stall for time in the bathroom!

- So instead of offering his own unique approach, he's able to tie together what the others found and offer an entirely plausible explanation. But it's only episode four. What happens from here? I guess a lot depends on how the original five novels are set up. If one mystery lasts through all five, then this has a long way to go. If book one, Hyouka, is a self-contained story then this could well end next episode and serve as the introduction.
- Ahhh... Eru acts convinced, but she's not. That wouldn't make her cry. So what then?

The structure of this series is now one of the things I'm most interested in finding out more about. I think next episode should make it reasonably clear if "Hyouka" is going to be over soon and we'll be moving into Endroll.

something

05-13-2012, 10:05 PM

And this episode was a tour de force instruction on how to make something consisting entirely of four people speculating on something that happened 45 years before absolutely enthralling. Truly an amazing piece of work by KyoAni.
Yeah, honestly I'm constantly surprised by the overall presentation of this show. The only other KyoAni show to feature lengthy dialogue scenes rendered abstract like this is Haruhi, and I think Hyouka steps up the amount of it quite a bit. It's always great to find out that your favorite studio can do even more things amazingly, fantastically well. This whole show is drowning in pure quality, and I absolutely love it.

HitokiriShadow

05-13-2012, 11:54 PM

It was nice to see the rest of the group put forth some ideas of what was going on. And it was amusing to watch each of them shoot each other down.

ookamigirl

05-14-2012, 11:48 AM

Still investigating what happened in the Classics club 45 years ago.
Chitanda sure is all fired up about it.
Guess they're doing it to clear things up once and for all as well as out of curiosity.
Oreki's mind is a beautiful thing, his fast deduction is amazing.
Looks like the whole thing was about a cultural festival..

strangefour

05-15-2012, 09:57 PM

-What is the secret behind the Tiger & Bunny fanclub from 45 years ago?
-Mean while in an anime about training for the Tour de France.
-So comic relief best friend is gay. Kay.
-Why you gotta make Houtaro move his butt between theories. That's just mean.
-Moving again. You guys never consider Houtaro's lazy feelings.
-Rice balls are hard to make. My balls are always too sticky or not sticky enough. :(
-Such cruel friends making Houtaro use his brain. While taking a crap.

I'm curious as to why I should watch more of this. It's beautiful to look at but has a plodding slow pace.

ultimatemegax

05-18-2012, 08:06 AM

Kadokawa updated (http://www.kotenbu.com/news/120516newoped.html) their website today with news of the new opening/ending themes. The new OP will be sung by Kodama Saori and will be entitled Mikansei Stride, or "Unfinished Stride." The single will be released on 2012/08/08. Kodama wrote the lyrics to the first OP/ED, and will likely write these as well, but this is her first performance in a while.

The new ED will be sung by "Chitanda Eru" (Satou Satomi) and "Ibara Mayaka" (Kayano Ai) again. It is entitled Kimi ni matsuwaru Mystery or "The Mystery around You." The single will be released on 2012/08/22.

something

05-18-2012, 09:06 AM

ultimatemegax

05-18-2012, 09:11 AM

Kadokawa updated (http://www.kotenbu.com/news/120516newoped.html) their website today with news of the new opening/ending themes.
Wow, KyoAni actually bothering to do a normal mid-series OP/ED change? Outside of Nichijou, I can't remember if they ever did that. Which is honestly kind of a shame because they consistently make the best OP/ED sequences in the industry, hands down. I guess two in a row is a good sign.

Here's hoping for more ridiculously sexy ED animation.

If you count the 2009 version of Haruhi, then the trend started there for their 2-cour shows. K-On!! also had a mid-show switch, so it's been going on since 2010 at least. Prior to Haruhi, every 2-cour show maintained the same OP/ED.

something

05-18-2012, 09:24 AM

If you count the 2009 version of Haruhi, then the trend started there for their 2-cour shows. K-On!! also had a mid-show switch, so it's been going on since 2010 at least. Prior to Haruhi, every 2-cour show maintained the same OP/ED.
Not sure how the hell I forgot K-ON!. I think it's just the lack of change for Clannad After Story's ED that really bothered me and makes it seem like it happens less than it does.

ultimatemegax

05-18-2012, 12:34 PM

The model site for Eru's home, Kamo Garden, posted (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=314729295274732&set=p.314729295274732&type=1) a nice statement on their Facebook wall yesterday.
Kamo Manor served as the home for the heroine of the TV anime Hyouka, Chitanda Eru. It's been talked about by anime fans and yesterday our website was accessed 9,000 times. Already by 15:00 it's been accessed 5,400 times today. It's strangely high for Kachou Gardens since this website was first launched.

We never thought this would happen after they scouted the area last July.
They link to a summary of the episode and the official site. In the comments, they are the third one to comment on it.
We never thought this would happen! The young art staff were only here for an hour to take pictures for location scouting... This reaction cannot be compared to ICHI or Raiou
The two names mentioned in the comments were Japanese movies. I presume that both were shot in the Gardens.

Edit: Here (http://www.kamoltd.co.jp/kakegawa/kamoso.htm) is a page set up to show off the manor.

something

05-18-2012, 01:59 PM

The model site for Eru's home, Kamo Garden, posted (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=314729295274732&set=p.314729295274732&type=1) a nice statement on their Facebook wall yesterday.
Haha, I'd seen stuff about that on Yaraon but didn't try to translate their reaction. I guess they underestimated how much attention something like this can get when anime fans are involved. :sd: But I'd also feared it was, like, some private person's house and they didn't know they were being used as a model and were getting unwanted attention or something, but I guess it wasn't a complete surprise, and they've been used for this kind of thing before.

bear

05-18-2012, 02:14 PM

tytan88

05-18-2012, 05:56 PM

I loved the feel of this episode, and I loved the character development in this particular episode. I love how they are stripping away the mystery in layers and then revealing a little more about each character as they strip away each layer. You come for the story, but stay for the relationships that are being built.

superdry

05-20-2012, 08:29 PM

Ice cream sure makes a lot more sense than frozen treats.

And, lol at all the different kanji readings throughout the episode. Sacrifice vs self-sacrifice? The librarian one was interesting, though...pretty cool for Oreki to figure that one out.

Goddamn the show is just beautiful, though.

tadakichi

05-20-2012, 09:40 PM

I loved how they "rewound" from the librarian of the present to the schoolgirl of the past. Can't believe they did all those distinct drawings for like six seconds of footage. There must have been twenty or thirty... wish I had a player that does frame-by-frame handy.

Also, the final resolution of the mystery was masterful. Sekitani Jun wasn't the hero--he was the fall guy. And to top it off, the festival got shortened a few years later anyway. That and Eru's little speech about "becoming history" during the end credits made for a great end to the first story arc/novel. Looks like we're getting a new pattern for the episode titles next episode, which makes me happy because I was getting tired of "[A] aru kotenbu no [B]".

something

05-20-2012, 09:45 PM

Episode 5:

- I really really like Satoshi. He's so good at getting under Houtarou's skin.
- This show is so unbearably pretty...

- Houtarou is finally questioning his "gray" life. It's not really what he wants... maybe. Eru is changing him, and he knows it, but isn't sure what the heck he wants.
- A well-times call from his sister leads to new information on Jun...
- Ooooh... Houtarou is interested. Genuinely interested, and motivated, and entirely on his own. Turning point!

- Mayaka is really, really, really cute when she's complaining or pouting. The animation of all her mannerisms may well be right on par with Eru... sometimes even cuter. She's got some of the best looking short hair I've ever seen.
- Oh wow. That rapid reverse aging bit for Youko was awesome.
- And now they've got the person who knows exactly what happened. But what will the twist be?

- Everything about this show excites the hell out of me. Even if it's nothing more than the look on someone's face as they pause before speaking. Attention to detail is throgh the roof. As a technical and artistic production, this show is easily the highest of high tier anime. Thankfully pure enjoyment levels are danm high too. I get a little shiver at the slightest musical cue or change in tone from a seiyuu. It's just so damn good.
- Anyways! Hyouka means "ices" (as in ice cream or popsicles or something?) and Youko's maiden name is Kooriyama, and Koori = Ice (though not with the character she uses), so some kind of pun regarding that?
- Oh my god, high school Youko has Mugi-brows! And Mugi wore those braids before too. So cute!
- Love watching her react while telling the story... and nice twist. Jun wasn't some charismatic student protest leader. He was essentially bullied into being a puppet leader. And when he hammer dropped, the whole student body turned their backs on him. That leads to any number of things that he could have told Eru and that would have made her sad.
- Cover explained. And the title? Youko knows but isn't ready to explain it. I think it's very likely she was in love with Jun though, since they keep showing her wedding band when she starts to evade questions about him.
- Ah damn. It was a pun, but not the one I thought. "I scream". Man that's pretty morbid. Doubly so when we get confirmation on what he told Eru. He clearly never got over it, and it affected him for the rest of his life. Ouch.
- And crying Chii-chan. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww~

- Houtarou's bedhead is hilarious.

So that's volume one complete! (I assume. Unless it includes some side stories.)

This show... this is the most subtle show ever made. Absolutely everything great about it is due to subtleties. Small details, slight changes in mood and characters, all portrayed with such mastery that it never stops blowing my mind. And I'm so happy to see that getting rewarded in other ways - it's consistently been the top ranked Spring Vol. 1 for weeks now, and the novels have seen an enormous increase in sales (the first volume, Hyouka, has already doubled since the anime).

Without a doubt, my second favorite show on the air today, behind only the glorious miniskirt pirates of Mouretsu.

something

05-20-2012, 09:58 PM

strangefour

05-20-2012, 10:46 PM

-Of course sis knows all about uncle heroic mystery.
-Sis wait a m-- . . . I hate you annoyingly withheld information that should be easy to get in a mystery.
-Everyone to the book depository. You know we've got a mystery to solve, so Houtaro be ready for your act. Don't hold back.
-Flashback. Dirty hippies!
-Pun punishment. Jun you were cruel.
-Tanda-chan is a little slow.
-Dog fights rabbit. Rabbit bites back! Film at eleven.

I think I finally like this show. Well this episode anyway. Except for Hourato's sister's phone call being nothing except for a big tease it was fun through out. Still slow but much better because the mystery being uncovered wasn't something a seven year old could solve.

something

05-20-2012, 10:54 PM

-Sis wait a m-- . . . I hate you annoyingly withheld information that should be easy to get in a mystery.
I'm fairly certain she withheld the information on purpose, to force Houtarou to take action. Houtarou ponders the same while writing his letter.

Solving the mystery was important, but the most important development in this episode was the change in Houtarou's outlook.

Fencedude

05-20-2012, 10:56 PM

Wow, that was a pretty terrible pun, but effective. Damn.

Anyway, show is pretty, amazing, etc etc etc.

Young Youko-sensei was totally Mugi.

ultimatemegax

05-20-2012, 10:58 PM

So that's volume one complete! (I assume. Unless it includes some side stories.)

This show... this is the most subtle show ever made. Absolutely everything great about it is due to subtleties. Small details, slight changes in mood and characters, all portrayed with such mastery that it never stops blowing my mind. And I'm so happy to see that getting rewarded in other ways - it's consistently been the top ranked Spring Vol. 1 for weeks now, and the novels have seen an enormous increase in sales (the first volume, Hyouka, has already doubled since the anime).

Without a doubt, my second favorite show on the air today, behind only the glorious miniskirt pirates of Mouretsu.

Yes, volume 1, Hyouka is now complete. It took 4.5 episodes (the latter half of episode 1 was from the fourth novel) to cover the first book. At 217 pgs, that's 48.2 pg per episode.

For reference:
Novel 1: 217 pgs
Novel 2: 254 pgs
Novel 3: 393 pgs
Novel 4: 410 pgs
Novel 5: 253 pgs

I can't say just how much I am enjoying this show. I expected that I would easily import Saki this season and just enjoy KyoAni's latest work, but they have done such a fantastic job for Hyouka. My only concern about importing it is not being able to purchase any other show until next May due to it being 11 volumes. It's so wonderful to see how it's risen from mediocre to probably number 2/3 of the season (after Fate/Zero). I definitely want to pick up the novels from Kinokunya at AX (I like the anime covers and it's difficult to ensure I'll get them from an online store).

HitokiriShadow

05-20-2012, 11:36 PM

I was expecting the librarian to be more evasive than she was. I'm also a little disappointed they had it told to them rather than figuring it out themselves by finding new clues or reevaluating what they had. I like how things played out and what the full story turned out to be though.

ookamigirl

05-21-2012, 11:22 AM

Oreki contemplating Jun's motives, way of thinking and history.
Guess this case got him really interested.
The librarian got the third degree from the Classics club.
Looks like Jun was the forced hero of the cultural festival and scape goat for the whole incident.

Damius

05-21-2012, 11:49 PM

- Man, this pop-up book thing is a nice touch. I really don't think I've seen KyoAni do this sort of thing before - shifting to various completely different styles during extended dialogue scenes. Feels like a play out of Shaft's book, and it works nicely.

I didn't know how to word it, but this is definitely the best way to do so.

Another wonderful episode. The plot thickens... slowly, and deliberately so. Watashi, kininarimasu!

Yeah, they work with the plot just how it should be. Love it quite a lot. It's perfectly done. Everything is.

Damius

05-21-2012, 11:54 PM

- I can’t believe that I waited 2 weeks to know what Eru was about to say in episode 2.
- Anything it is Eru, you have the right to ask for his help.
- So that’s the Eru’s request.
- Houtarou you can take your time to accept, since it means looking at Eru even more trying to convince you.
- And he accepts.
- His sister knows about the Classic Club anthology? I know someone who will be really happy and I want to see that!
- Yeah that was definitely good timing!
- Chii-chan!
- She’s beautiful, she’s adorable anything she does…Eru…
- You are good Houtarou!
- Of course, the anthologies are there already.
- Eru finds something interesting. It brings more questions to Eru…
- The first issue is missing?

Fantastic an awesome episode. And there is only 3 episodes done.

bear

05-23-2012, 01:35 PM

Just bowled over by the attention to detail. Right up there with Hanasuka Iroha in that category for me. The opening scene in the rain was just beautifully done.

I love the touches like the way Eru bowed to the librarian when they met but the others didn't. Fits with her home. She's an old fashioned girl.

The fact that Hontarou has been changed turned this story into something more than just a mystery. I thought he was going be sort of a Sherlock Holmes clone and I very glad he's not. His sister obviously has used the club to force him to open up.

I'm still wondering if there is something the librarian is either not saying or lying about. Her maiden name (as Something pointed out could be translated as "ice" mountain though it's not written that way) and the scenes in the flashback imply that there is a closer connection between her and Jun than she is saying. The ringleader was never exposed. Could it have been her or did she bear responsibility for what happened to him in some other way? Maybe Hyouka is partly a homage to her coldly causing him harm? It just feels like she was saying "Oh, you got everything right, now move along nothing more to see here".

something

05-23-2012, 02:16 PM

I'm still wondering if there is something the librarian is either not saying or lying about. Her maiden name (as Something pointed out could be translated as "ice" mountain though it's not written that way) and the scenes in the flashback imply that there is a closer connection between her and Jun than she is saying. The ringleader was never exposed. Could it have been her or did she bear responsibility for what happened to him in some other way? Maybe Hyouka is partly a homage to her coldly causing him harm? It just feels like she was saying "Oh, you got everything right, now move along nothing more to see here".
It's possible they'll go back to Youko and Jun, but I think that was the end of it, since it was the end of the novel entitled Hyouka.
It's true that Youko did not tell them everything at first, but the only part she left out was the origin of the anthology's title. So at first I thought it was because she loved Jun and the shame of not standing up for him (and ending their relationship in the process) haunted her, particularly if the anthology was named after her. That would understandably be more than she was willing to admit to her students, especially Mayaka who she'll see all the time.

But instead it seems it was just that the real meaning behind Hyouka was too disturbing for her to want to admit. Just as importantly, they wanted to end the arc with one last mystery solved by our protagonist Houtarou. I don't have a problem with Youko filling in many of the details, because I feel like that wasn't super important, and it's already to Houtarou's credit that he set everything up, and was just confirming his suspicions. But it is definitely appropriate that the last revelation of the arc comes from him.

Fencedude

05-27-2012, 08:57 PM

bear

05-27-2012, 10:41 PM

Oh god. All those tiny Eru's. So cute!

The discussion of the Seven Deadly Sins was amusing because each time they said "Taisai" I started to think of a certain other show featuring the Seven Deadly Sins.

Another mystery that really isn't much of anything, but this show is still sooo good.

Hantarou seeing her as an angel and his soulmate when she talking about not wasting energy was hilarious.

Eru is a force of nature. Cuteness is unstoppable.

HitokiriShadow

05-27-2012, 11:48 PM

Oh god, a small army of tiny Chitandaels. *dies*

Eru getting all excited and flustered as she tried to silently get Houtarou to stop the fight was hilarious. Wish we could have seen a tad bit more of that.

Eru gets curious about odd things. And she seemed rather... confused about her own story and what she was even asking a question about. Things that get strong "negative" emotions out of her seem to screw with her memory.

And that was a very odd mystery to solve.

Damius

05-27-2012, 11:59 PM

The model site for Eru's home, Kamo Garden, posted (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=314729295274732&set=p.314729295274732&type=1) a nice statement on their Facebook wall yesterday.
Kamo Manor served as the home for the heroine of the TV anime Hyouka, Chitanda Eru. It's been talked about by anime fans and yesterday our website was accessed 9,000 times. Already by 15:00 it's been accessed 5,400 times today. It's strangely high for Kachou Gardens since this website was first launched.

We never thought this would happen after they scouted the area last July.They link to a summary of the episode and the official site. In the comments, they are the third one to comment on it.
We never thought this would happen! The young art staff were only here for an hour to take pictures for location scouting... This reaction cannot be compared to ICHI or Raiou
The two names mentioned in the comments were Japanese movies. I presume that both were shot in the Gardens.

Edit: Here (http://www.kamoltd.co.jp/kakegawa/kamoso.htm) is a page set up to show off the manor.

Thanks for both links and the translation it is really adding to the experience.

Damius

05-28-2012, 12:09 AM

- Eru’s sneeze is so cute.
- Eru asks for help to Mayaka and Satoshi to find about her uncle. And they easily accept.
- Wow, Eru’s place is huge.
- More of Eru in casual clothes
- Well, I think it will be the first time ever I will care about something that happened in the 60s, Hyouka made me care so much. I’m really into it, the second they started to discuss in Eru’s place.
- Mayaka is making some epic faces.
- Eru in a ponytail…. She is ssssssssssooooooo cute… I had Tsumiki sooner tonight in a ponytail and now Eru… What a night!
- Satoshi don’t ask to Eru to calm down. She’s so great when she gets like this.
- In the end, Eru’s thinks that Houtarou theory is not the correct one, since that would not make her cry.

KyoAni does it again…that was a really well done episode. The presentation of this show is just something else. Unbelievable.

ookamigirl

05-28-2012, 11:50 AM

Their little discussion about anger was interesting.
Seems like it was all related to that incident during class.
Looks like it was just a case of teacher mixing up some notes.
Wonder why I'm even watching this since it's not that interesting.
Guess I'll drop it if it doesn't get more interesting.
The characters are nice, but the story is kinda so-so.

something

05-28-2012, 08:54 PM

Episode 6:

- Ah, damned mechanical pencil lead. it can be a pain in the ass.
- Raised voices? A teacher and... Eru. Hmmmmmmmm.
- And this OP. Fucking love it. Favorite of the season, especially after listening to the full version many many times.

- Haha, Eru trying to defuse the tension with cookies felt like such a Mugi moment.
- XD! Eru desperately wants to stop them. Her miming is too cute.
- HAH. "Aren't you tired yet?" "Yes." That's one way to defuse the situation.
- Know what's interesting about that whole rant? By the end you still have no idea what she's mad about, so you can mentally fill in the blank.
- She totally switches gears quickly.
- Angry Satoshi? I can't really picture it.
- Eru is curious... I want to see her try to piss Satoshi off.
- Mayaka is Wrath! Houtaruo is Sloth. What is Satoshi? Too early to tell. Eru, meanwhile, is... too perfect.
- Ahahaha, Saint Eru. Uriel(ru), Gabruel(ru), Chinadael(ru)! Oh Mayaka. <3
- ::gasp:: Chii-chan got mad!
- HAHAHA! "I like to avoid getting tired out." Houtarou sees the real Chitandael!
- Houtarou opens his mouth and suddenly unleashes the hoardes of sparkly-eyed kininarimasu monsters. Oops.
- ...She got nagry but doesn't know why? o_O Eru you can be really off sometimes.

- She explains the situation and, uh, seems to know exactly why she got mad. So what were you asking for, Eru? :sd:
- Now it morphs into "why did he make the mistake". Uh, because he's human.
- Heh, Houtarou's reaction is pretty sensible here.
- Hahah she's practically laying on the table now. KININARIMASU!

- Mayaka makes the best faces.
- "I find myself hard to understand sometimes." I think everyone finds you hard to understand, Eru.
- Eru kininarimasu's at the strangest things.
- Mayaka's "reluctantly agreeing with Houtarou" face. <3 <3 <3

Even with the utter silliness of this "mystery", the reason behind why Eru cares is actually pretty interesting, and makes it clear why she'd be so interested in knowing. I actually really like how this came together. I think what a lot of this show's detractor's don't understand is that the mysteries themselves really aren't the point. Who cares why Omichi-sensei made the mistake, right? Well Eru cares, and in realizing why she cares, we learn more about her in the process. And that's what really matters, far more than whatever cute little mystery of the week they're solving.

Next time, onsen!? YES! But undoubtedly with the usual KyoAni hyper-modesty. ;_; Well, there's good and bad in that. At least we still have that ungodly sexy ED.

strangefour

05-31-2012, 01:25 AM

-Fidgeting Tanda-chan is cute.
-Tanda-chan knows her sins well.
-"being angry makes me tired. And aI don't wanna get tired." You just gave Houtaro an orgasm.
-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Those... those curious chibi Chitanda cherubs are as adorable as they are frightening.
-"I forgot what I did today? Tell me what I did today!" Uh I think Tanda-chan might have short term memory problem.

-Today on Mythbusters we test if a crash test dummy can hold down a teaching job.

The day was saved thanks to penmenship. :sweat:

Fencedude

06-03-2012, 07:31 PM

Houtarou's got it bad for Eru.

A minor ghost story this time, not a bad mystery, all in all.

Ogura Yui and Toyosaki Aki guest starred as the Zenna sisters.

bear

06-03-2012, 08:22 PM

Houtarou's got it bad for Eru.

A minor ghost story this time, not a bad mystery, all in all.

Ogura Yui and Toyosaki Aki guest starred as the Zenna sisters.

He does seem to have a case of love sickness. :)

strangefour

06-03-2012, 09:01 PM

-The unquiet dead are romantic wilted flowers.
-A nice tiring vacation up a mountain with double imouto.
-Tanda-chan wants siblings and mixed bathing. I hope those two things are not related.
-Oreki ass: denied.
-Hehehe. Erotic thoughts of Tanda-chan leave Oreki completely exhausted.

-Ghostly curiosity attack.
-Cute little girls make Tanda-chan curious.
-Little girls make the creepiest ghosts.

What no tease of a "real" ghost at the end? Meh. I expect hidden hooks in my adorable ghost stories.

Buckeye

06-03-2012, 09:12 PM

I finally got around to checking this show. So it begins with Tomoya and Sunohara reviving the Drama Club. Make that Hotaro and Satoshi (but with the same seiyuus) reviving the Classic Lit Club. First mystery to solve is why new member Eru got locked in the room while it was unlocked for Satoshi. It's the janitor alright.

This episode reminded me of why KyoAni is great. The animation is very nice and this show is about doing what KyoAni does best. It has character designs that remind me of characters from their other shows, and this first mystery was a rather simple one. That is certainly welcomed considering that the last mystery show I watched (Un-Go) was ruined by some pretty terrible character designs.

Buckeye

06-03-2012, 09:13 PM

So this episode's mystery involves involves figuring out some strange activity with a certain book. Checked in and checked out in the span of a few hours by different girls at the same time, it turns out that nobody is reading the book. And in the midst of this, a fourth member joins the club.

The visuals continue to be impressive in this show, and this show is taking the right approach by starting out simple. All this makes this show a treat to watch.

something

06-03-2012, 09:37 PM

So I just want to say, this episode made Vol. 1's preorders peak in the top 30, higher than it's been since the initial rush of orders when it was first solicited. So watashi, kinimarimasu! to see why (okay it's the onsen stuff, duh).

Episode 7:

- Bwhaha, the ladybug on the window. This episode is off to an amazing start.
- Chii-chan ponytail returnsssssssss!
- Best OP of the season. <3

- Rie and Kayo! Adorable!! Clearly good looks run in Mayaka's family.
- Toyosaki Aki and Ogura Yui. <3
- Eru sounded slightly sad it wasn't a mixed bath. :sd:
- The first fansevice of the show: Houtarou! Heh. Censor child spares innocent eyes.
- Hahha, wow. Every little sound is getting Houtatrou flustered. Cannot blame him, of course.
- It's only a few seconds, and it's done in such a deliberately tasteful way, but oh my god Eru holy shit.
- Wow. He... he can't even look at her. She's too radiant. Her beauty emanates from every subatomic particle. Houratou wasn't made to withstand such raw power.

- More hairstyles for Chii-chan! And a hanged ghost to freak Mayaka out.
- Damnit, I was so sure Mayaka was going to say "Kininarimasu!" too
- Eru likes Kayo. =D And Kayo would be the obvious culprit for the hanged man by mystery standards, I guess.
- Kayo doesn't sign her name on things, but Rie does. Whatever that means.

- Ahhh, there we go. Makes sense. That was a fun little mystery to last us an episode. Would a yukata really dry out properly in ~10 hours though?
- Man, awesome shadows and light spots on Eru.
- Not everything is a withered flower, Houtarou.

I want to be Eru's onee-chan! <3

Such a KyoAni-like way to handle an onsen episode, heh. Almost no fanservice and more of Houtarou than Eru. :sd: But I need to go rewatch that shot of Eru...

superdry

06-03-2012, 09:57 PM

- Chii-chan ponytail returnsssssssss!

I think it's the best hairstyle Eru wears. But, she looks good no matter the style as shown in the episode.

I really like her casual clothes, too.

- Rie and Kayo! Adorable!! Clearly good looks run in Mayaka's family.

The kids were definitely cute and fun. They seem pretty responsible too.

- It's only a few seconds, and it's done in such a deliberately tasteful way, but oh my god Eru holy shit.

It was extremely well done. Definitely tasteful. I'm getting impatient now to see the OVA that takes place at the pool - must see Eru animated in her swimsuit (assuming it doesn't appear in any of the TV episodes).

- Wow. He... he can't even look at her. She's too radiant. Her beauty emanates from every subatomic particle. Houratou wasn't made to withstand such raw power.

The bath did not make him dizzy. Thinking about Eru made him dizzy.

MelancholicMariya

06-03-2012, 10:56 PM

Almost no fanservice and more of Houtarou than Eru. :sd: But I need to go rewatch that shot of Eru...

For someone who wants to do stuff using the least amount of energy possible, Houtarou is in pretty good shape judging from the few shots we got of him. Couldn't help but notice that.

Damius

06-04-2012, 12:05 AM

This show... this is the most subtle show ever made. Absolutely everything great about it is due to subtleties. Small details, slight changes in mood and characters, all portrayed with such mastery that it never stops blowing my mind. And I'm so happy to see that getting rewarded in other ways - it's consistently been the top ranked Spring Vol. 1 for weeks now, and the novels have seen an enormous increase in sales (the first volume, Hyouka, has already doubled since the anime).

Thanks again for wording it the way I could not. It's exactly what I wanted to say. It's also good to hear about the sales.

Damius

06-04-2012, 12:18 AM

- Well, Houtarou questions himself about his life, but he is not sure how he wants it to be. He realizes many people around him have a rose-colored life.
- Houtarou got a call from his sister. I really want to see her.
- Houtarou didn’t get the answers about Jun he wanted from his sister, but this is for the best since he is now really interested. He wants to find the answer for himself; he doesn’t need a push from Eru.
- Mayaka is so adorable and so cute when she is complaining. Thanks to KyoAni since they give us so much details on her expressions which make her even more adorable.
- The writer was Youko. And she his current librarian. That’s a nice coincidence.
- This proves again the attention of KyoAni for details, who else would for couple seconds animation makes so many character designs, that was well done, to let us see Youko going from 61 to 16.
- They sure take their time to tell us and that is another thing which makes that show so good. I’m listening to every word since I don’t want to miss any details.
- So here we have the explanation, we now know who really was Jun. The explanation was done perfectly, simply perfectly. It’s just another level.
- Now that Eru knows what “Hyouka” really means, she remembers what his uncle said…and starts to cry…
- It really affected Eru’s uncle… “I scream”

This show is so powerful… It’s another level. I love it so much.

ookamigirl

06-04-2012, 11:20 AM

Enjoying the summer vacation.
Guess nothing beats going to an onsen ^^
The mystery of room number 7.
Yet another job for Oreki's unique mind.
It was a pretty nice story, even though there was no real ghost.

HitokiriShadow

06-05-2012, 11:14 AM

Kayo and Rie were adorable.

The "censoring" of Houtaro's ass was amusing. Unlike most such cases (which usually don't involve guys, but that's beside the point) KyoAni put quite a bit of effort into censoring and even voicing their censorship tool. They were practically making fun the lazy BS most other studios pull.

Fencedude

06-10-2012, 07:40 PM

Chikane!? What are you doing in Hyouka!?

Anyway, interesting setup for the mystery, and the first time an actual mystery of any sort was not actually solved in the episode.

The tagline at the end raises a good question, why didn't Irisu just ask Eba? And hell, why can't they just ask the writer? She's not dead, after all.

Also, on second thought, Irisu is less Chikane and more Cure Aqua.

something

06-10-2012, 10:09 PM

Episode 8:

- Dramatic texting action.
- "L" would be Eru. And heh she's so cute fixing her typos.
- Huh so who was she talking to...

- A new character! One of Eru's friends. Damn she's pretty, but a bit aloof.
- The light music club and the drama club. Those clubs are always such troublemakers, aren't they, KyoAni?
- Time to watch a class' culture fest movie. Heh. This is the most bored-sounding cast ever.
- This is a bit of a weird effect they're using to indicate motion as the camera follows the actors, but it's done a heck of a lot better (especially since the camera is supposed to be following them somewhat unevenly) than in other shows I've seen try it. Usually with disastrous results.

- We end with a severed arm... and an unfinished film. So I guess the initial PM conversation before L got involved was with one of the actors/directors.
- Ah, it was the scriptwriter.
- Ahhh, I'd need to go back and check out that floor plan in order to tell who the killer is, but I'll just let the show tell me in its own time. :sd:
- DETA! KININARIMASUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no going back now.

- Mayaka is Justice!
- Ahhh, there we go, now we have the title of the second novel explained. Gusha no Endroll (A Fool's Credits).
- Ahaha, as if you could escape Eru, Houtarou.
- Kurako! Yuuki Aoiiiiii!!
- Mayaka sure is short. I never quite realized how much shorter she is than Eru.
- Kurako sure likes Hongou...
- And oooh one of the "detectives" is quite interesting-looking.

So awesome. Endroll is off to a fantastic start.

strangefour

06-11-2012, 01:24 AM

-How the fuck can anyone text that fast? Let alone in kanji!?
-Japanese IRC is upsidedown. WHo is L talking to though? Is it Light?
-Iris has the sexiest hime haircut.

-Found footage mystery. Can you find our missing cast?
-Yuri is a fan of Clone Wars (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/I_have_a_bad_feeling_about_this).
-The worst actor dies first. Predictable but thankful.
-A mystery movie that makes you do the detective work. Well it was filmed like a video game.

-Everyone's first movie will be shit. *nod*
-Detective fiction has rules? Huh. I guess someone had to write the trends down before tv tropes came along.
-Houtaro! Solve the mystery for us. Pleeeeeeeease. *Excalibur face*
-Tanda-bear stare (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/strangefour/icons/HotaroisCurious.jpg). ( O _ O )
-Hyouka: helping you fill out your anime tarot deck for you.
-Cute hair detective and two quirky guys.

Oooh finally a fun mystery. Although an easy one to solve unless the writer is in a coma. Or just a sloppy writer who couldn't pick who to be the killer yet. Still fun episode.

ookamigirl

06-11-2012, 09:48 AM

Interesting how they have club activities even during summer break.
Helping another club by participating in a movie screening.
They did an evaluation, nothing special there except that the short movie was actually kinda interesting.
Looks like this was just the first part of the whole story.

ultimatemegax

06-12-2012, 07:35 PM

Since it's taking over the sales thread in the R2 forum and would better fit here, I'll dedicate a post to the original source: the Kotenbu series novels.

The first novel of the Kotenbu series, Hyouka was first published in November 2001. Since then, four additional novels have been published.

Hyouka - November 2001
Credits of a Fool - August 2002
The Kudryavka Sequence - June 2005/May 2008 (bunko ver)
The Doll that Took a Detour - October 2007/July 2010 (bunko ver)
The Approximation of the Distance of Two - June 2010/June 2012 (bunko ver)

Of the five novels, the first four have been given anime (http://z2-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/4044271011.01._SX302_SCLZZZZZZZ_V134960066_.jpg) style (http://img.hmv.co.jp/image/jacket/alt/190/29/1/7/311-1.jpg) cover (http://img.hmv.co.jp/image/jacket/alt/190/27/2/9/468-1.jpg) art (http://img.hmv.co.jp/image/jacket/alt/190/38/7/6/523-1.jpg). The overall series won the Kono Mystery wa Sugoi award in 2010.

Currently, the first novel has sold just over 101,000 copies (source (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1986090&postcount=562)), but the rest aren't as popular. It shall be interesting to see how they sell with the impact of the anime and the new cover arts. Edit: Novel #2 is up to 45,935 copies sold thus far.

If there's any need to discuss the novels, feel free to continue from this sub-thread as to not derail the episode thread. It'd be best if spoilers weren't posted though.

Updating novel sales (all numbers listed are for the bunko versions):

Hyouka: The niece of time - 174,264
Credits of a Fool: Why didn't she ask EBA? - 102,539
The Kudryavka Sequence: Welcome to KANYA FESTA! - 86,797
The Doll that Took a Detour: Little birds can remember - 106,096
The Approximation of the Distance of Two: It walks by past - On sale June 2012 (bunko ver)

As you may note, novel 5 has a new English title. This was revealed from the new bunko version cover (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/51img5SdN2L.jpg). In addition, the obi (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/597168587.jpg) states that for a limited time, the cover will be reversible featuring an anime-style cover.

something

06-12-2012, 10:18 PM

Updating novel sales (all numbers listed are for the bunko versions):

Hyouka: The niece of time - 174,264
Credits of a Fool: Why didn't she ask EBA? - 102,539
The Kudryavka Sequence: Welcome to KANYA FESTA! - 86,797
The Doll that Took a Detour: Little birds can remember - 106,096
The Approximation of the Distance of Two: It walks by past - On sale June 2012 (bunko ver)

Just for the record, I'm also updating this post (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?p=1986090#post1986090) each week with the latest numbers. And I guess the above about Vol. 5 explains why I never see it in the lists but the other four are always there.

ultimatemegax

06-12-2012, 10:50 PM

tytan88

06-13-2012, 03:05 PM

My first thought when they mentioned a conflict between the light music club and the drama club was "I hope the light music club won the argument." This particular series is going to be such a good one.

Fencedude

06-13-2012, 08:21 PM

HitokiriShadow

06-13-2012, 10:46 PM

ZOMG. They actually went through the whole episode without solving even a portion of a mystery. All Houtarou did was give his guess for who the culprit was and his only explanation was "his attitude." It just feels so wrong for this show to not go through one of Houtarou's explanations in an episode. Looks like they'll be discussing that with the club's "detectives" next time, but it's clear that the real mystery is what's going on with Hongou.

And there was something very off about Kurako at the end, particularly in how she answered what Hongou was like.

bear

06-14-2012, 07:27 AM

And there was something very off about Kurako at the end, particularly in how she answered what Hongou was like.

I'm guessing that there is no ending. Hongou had writer's block and they need somebody to come up with a good ending.

Fencedude

06-17-2012, 07:23 PM

Oh god. Eru got drunk on Whiskey Chocolates. Thats awesome. "ITS A KALEIDOSCOPE!"

Anyway, Sawaguchi's hair reminded me of Haruhi's adventures in hairstyles from the very beginning of Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu.

But seriously, why don't they just ask EBA?!

something

06-17-2012, 10:19 PM

Episode 9:

- Ciao-chan! Misaki's hair is amazing.

- Oh god did Eru give them real boozy chocolate? I hope she did. Please say she did.
- She's having more. If I get to see a dunk Eru, that will give me the strength I need to get though another shitty week of work.

- Mayaka is really into this.
- ...Yeah this is totally a Mayaka episode. Don't take mystery writing lightly when she's around. =D
- More boozechoco for Chitandael!
- Eru folds the little food wrappers after eating. We have something in common! Hell, I was doing it right as they showed her doing it.
- ...Eru hiccuped. THIS PROMISES GREAT THINGS!

- Man both guys so far are pretty insufferable. I hope Misaki is nicer.
- Keep on downing that boozechoco, Eru! You're working on a masterpiece!
- Ahahaa, fuck yes she's starting to get giggly. I want to see her go full-on Ritsu at some point.
- "Chow desu." Eru, Eru, ERUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Well, Misaki is a lto more likeable but her theory sucks too. Eru is especially unimpressed. And starting to get flushed. =D
- "It's like a kaleidoscope." ::thunk:: HAHAHAHAHA

ERU! <3 <3 <3 <3

HitokiriShadow

06-17-2012, 11:41 PM

Ahahaha, oh god, Eru got completely sloshed from eating a dozen or so whiskey candies. Her reaction to Sawakiguchi and then passing out was hilarious.

So they ran through a bunch of theories, and disproved a bunch of possibilities. One thing they didn't disprove was what I thought when I first saw the film last time: that the room wasn't actually locked. The film made a point about lingering on that shot, and the script in this episode specified that, so it seems likely that the point was to show that there was something important about that. Like, perhaps, that it was actually unlocked and that the person opening the door was just pretending it was locked. Some people might remember another somewhat recent anime doing the same thing.

Also, the small amount of blood seems significant. Someone getting their arm cut off should result in a pretty massive amount of blood loss. I have no explanation for this, since unlike another recent show that involved someone faking their own death involving a lost limb, everyone here can walk up and check the body.

Damius

06-17-2012, 11:56 PM

- That’s Eru voice, what’s happening?
- Mayaka turn to raise her voice and Eru is trying to calm the situation…
- Ohoh! Saint Eru!
- Eru got angry! Love her!
- “I do get angry. Yep.” Like he wants to convince him he does!
- And he sees Eru as an angel!
- But, she was joking.
- “Each grain rice is a drop of sweat” I heard you Eru, I will never waste even a grain of rice anymore!
- Lot of tiny Eru!
- Houtarou why are you even resisting Eru. Like there is a chance you would go home.
- She got angry in the math class but she didn’t even know why…
- Accept to help her already Houtarou.
- “Use your brain” Mayaka says with another epic face.

This show is so well done…making me care so much about this kind of mystery, about the process. Love it.

strangefour

06-18-2012, 04:06 AM

-Alcohol concealed in chocolate. You are a drug smuggler Tanda-chan. Also you are used to strong flavors of your experimental confectionaries.
-The assistant director was there to shout on set it seems. Definitely a dim bulb but he might have a future as a DP on an action movie.
-Tanda-chan doesn't like mystery novels... TEH HELL!?
-D... Did Tanda just hiccup? That was soooo cute.

-Sherlockian notes have been discovered. Good show my dear Tanda.
-Prop master is rather pretentious and enjoys buckets of blood.
-*hic* Tanda-chan is an alcoholic.

-Chow~
-Yuuko's shadow did it! Not.
-Tanda you need to get drunk every episode dear. You are precious.
-Curiosity powers activate! Kaleidoscope... *thump* Hehehe.
-Yes. Yes I want some tea.

The game is a foot. However there may not be a leg attached to it. This was a well planned out mystery but it seems to contradict itself at every turn. Maybe it's just a case of onset ad libbing deviating from the script?

ookamigirl

06-18-2012, 11:48 AM

So the mystery about the mystery movie's ending continues.
They sure debated about it a whole lot.
Chi sure got tipsy from that alcoholic candy ^^
She was even cuter that usual 'cause of it.
Guess this case is far from over..

Magewolf

06-18-2012, 08:08 PM

I wonder if anyone checked the key on the floor to see if it was the right key.If you swapped keys you could lock the door behind you after you left.Also if the script called for such a small amount of blood then the arm had to come off after death so they need to look for another cause of death.

I think the real clue is the lists of Holmes stories with some marked.If I cured enough I would rewatch the movie and pay attention this time which would help with the theories.

superdry

06-18-2012, 10:34 PM

Either those chocolates were really strong or Eru has a super low tolerance to alcohol. But, seeing drunk Eru was so cute. Way too cute. Her curiosity finally got the best of her.

Sawakiguchi - I want to call her odango-san.

I was definitely paying more attention to Eru than the mystery. But, I thought one theory could be that there was no culprit and the character somehow killed himself in the room by accident. The only problem is the arm and the small amount of blood. And, as magewolf pointed out, the arm cut off would need to happen after getting killed. Unless, Hongou didn't realize that before asking for only a small amount of blood.

This is one is pretty interesting. I do want to see more drunk on chocolates Eru though.

something

06-24-2012, 09:47 PM

Episode 10:

- ...Fuyumi clearly has no inhibitions about just verbally steamrolling someone, does she?
- And the normally sarcastic Houtarou is completely out of his depth against her, wow. She has him reeling the whole time.

- Woooooooooooooah. The very first hint of darkness from Satoshi. That caught me off guard. He's never been anything short of relentlessly sunny before. I cannot wait to see the show delve into that.
- Chocolate hangover. Oh Eru, never change.
- I definitely enjoy seeing Mayaka take the lead in a conversation. Doesn't happen a lot, but she's making good points about the crappy camera work in the movie and how that makes it harder to see what's going on.
- Ahaha and Satoshi gets abducted. Houtarou and Mayaka are alone, which is rare.
- Not for long though. :sd:

- Oh shit. A seventh person being... ...it's the cameraman, isn't it?
- Fuck yes it is, HAH, I love that solution. <3
- And it's nice seeing Fuyumi smile too.

Ohhhhhhh and the twist ending! What was the rope for...? Also pretty awesome that it's Mayaka who points it out. And what is up with Eru...?

Hah. Goddamn that was a lot of fun. I guess that's not the end of this arc, then. That would indeed be too soon. Next episode is titled after the title of the novel.

HitokiriShadow

06-24-2012, 11:52 PM

Using the bad acting and limitations of student filming to make the cameraman a seventh character and a murderer was a pretty cool direction to go.

I had completely forgotten about the rope myself, but I kept thinking "But why didn't she ask Eba?!" and waiting for that to come up at some point once Houtarou sat down with Irisu to explain it. Since that was never addressed and the episode was about to end, I figured something had to happen to make this arc last another episode.

I Houtarou is probably correct about who the murderer was. I'll be very disappointed if that part gets undone, but I don't think it will. I think his mistake was to write off the motive and how the actual murder occurred. And why was the arm cut off? I assume this (the motive part, anyway) will tie into the Eba issue.

Also, Satoshi sure didn't seem to like Houtarou telling him he could become a great Sherlockian if he just tried hard enough. And I think back to what Irisu had just said about the bench warmer and can't help but think that Satoshi is in that position in some way.

strangefour

06-25-2012, 01:22 AM

-Iris wants Oreki. She wants him desperately.
-He may not be cut out to be Sherlock but Satoshi will always be Oreki's Watson.
-Time to rewatch the mystery. Like I'm sure we all did at some point over the week.
-Uh oh. Satoshi's boyfriend is here and he's angry.
-Alone with his thoughts, Oreki is haunted by the video.

-Oh so it is the Seventh Guest.
-Tanda-chan suddenly got shy?
-But there was no hanging! *dun-dun-dun*

The mystery is over. But the mystery continues! Circles withing circles. I guess we have to go back to Hougou's list of Sherlock stories for the true ending.

- Chocolate hangover. Oh Eru, never change.

And what is up with Eru...?

Tanda-chan has entered herself in a twelve step program. She hasn't made it far enough to make amends to Oreki yet. Hang in there little sleepy drunk.

dsmith

06-25-2012, 01:59 AM

Mayaka is very quickly becoming one of my favorite female characters ever. Of course she's been my favorite of the crew ever since she was first introduced, but it's refreshing to have a female with that sort of thoughtful intelligence (without it feeling utterly contrived), even if Oreki overshadows her in raw genius talent.

A bit sad seeing Satoshi so down on himself like that. It's clear that he feels his position relative to Oreki exactly mirrors the athlete story, and it's surprising to hear him praise Mayaka as he did (though more because it's so rare to hear of a female described in those terms). While Satoshi certainly appears to have a great many talents, all of those talents appear to be rather mundane in nature, making him seem to be the type who would always be in the shadow of greatness rather than having the chance to ever be the hero himself.

His evaluation of the other club members would appear to be:
Oreki is the genius
Eru is the intuition, the motivation, the dousing rod
Mayaka is the one with talent that easily blooms with hard work
He himself is 'just' the database

What value is there in a database versus those with skill, talent and luck? And it's actually rather difficult to answer, since that value has to be considered within the scope of his circle and their activities, not just a broad, general world value.

His value as a friend is obviously far more important to them, but that's not something you can easily build self-worth on.

ookamigirl

06-25-2012, 10:39 AM

The movie story continues.
Looks like they only wanted Oreki to solve this case, not the Classics club.
Irisu sees him as some kind of prodigy and I must say she's right.
Oreki is talented, but also lazy.
The only thing that save him from his boring life was the Classics club.
He really is something like a Japanese version of Sherlock Holmes.

bear

06-25-2012, 12:38 PM

His value as a friend is obviously far more important to them, but that's not something you can easily build self-worth on.

In a way he is much like Oreki. He doesn't see the worth in his talents because they are just second nature to him. They just don't seem special to him. He recognizes the others talents because he lacks those. Not only is he a data base but he is very perceptive of others. Not exactly minuscule talents.

Fencedude

06-25-2012, 12:59 PM

Yukana just steals the show from people, doesn't she?

Interesting solution to the mystery, but like before, it doesn't seem to be complete quite yet...

bear

06-25-2012, 03:49 PM

Interesting solution to the mystery, but like before, it doesn't seem to be complete quite yet...
The title of the next episode seems to be related to this one. I think....

Fencedude

06-25-2012, 03:51 PM

Interesting solution to the mystery, but like before, it doesn't seem to be complete quite yet...
The title of the next episode seems to be related to this one. I think....

Well yes, its the title of the second novel, which is where this story is from.

Damius

06-26-2012, 12:03 AM

- Eru ponytail!
- Onsen episode!
- Rie and Kayo sure are adorable.
- Eru planned it and Mayaka had the connections, a great duo!
- Did Eru wanted a mixed bath???
- It was only a couple of seconds, but it was so well done, Eru at the onsen…
- Time for some ghost stories.
- Mayaka saw a hanged shadow…and she is scare.
- Eru saw it too. And here we have our mystery.
- Here we have it again, a Mayaka epic face.
- Eru would have like to have a sister, I would have like her to have one too.
- Mystery solved!
- The shot of Eru in the shadow and light is lovely.

Another wonderful episode.

tytan88

06-27-2012, 05:09 PM

I loved the twist ending. And the dark character development with Satoshi, who realizes he is not Oreki but wishes he was. Perhaps a little fear of trying to be a Sherlockian but failing is a worse fear than never trying at all or pretending to be something you really aren't. But that May be Oreki's issue as well. I can't wait to see it developed.

A bunch of rope and a missing author? Something tells me this is going to be an interesting end....

something

06-28-2012, 09:06 PM

http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/kotenbu/character/

KyoAni has been drawing Hyouka characters in cosplay (summarized here: http://0taku.livedoor.biz/archives/4231436.html) on the official website. They also drew Miku, Rin, Len and Luka from Vocaloid!

It says the Vocaloids are "Manga club member cosplay". Also an image of Mayaka cosplaying as I don't know what.

Oh and lots of images to scroll through for Eru and Mayaka. Eru's bikini blinds me with the sexy.

superdry

06-29-2012, 01:26 AM

Oh and lots of images to scroll through for Eru and Mayaka. Eru's bikini blinds me with the sexy.

Oh, god, yes, Eru looks fantastic in her bikini. I remember first seeing it on the Hyouka site - can't wait for the pool episode bundled with the manga(?) unless she'll be wearing it before then.

superdry

06-29-2012, 01:37 AM

Using the bad acting and limitations of student filming to make the cameraman a seventh character and a murderer was a pretty cool direction to go.

It was pretty cool. I was wondering why everything was being filmed first person style when Mayaka questioned the camerawork while they were rewatching the movie.

The solution Oreki gave makes sense, but what is the deal with the rope. The other thing too, don't remember if the keys were easily accessible (currently on my tablet and no episodes on hand to re-watch) - either all the other characters really took their time searching the hotel or the 7th character would have had to known where to get the keys quickly, go to the back, commit the crime and then run back as if nothing happened. But, as mentioned before someone could have seen what happens in the lobby from the second floor and being such an old building, it could be very hard to be quiet. What I say is probably disproved if I went back to watch episode 9 again, but whatever.

::sad face:: that there wasn't enough Eru in this episode.

Damius

06-29-2012, 06:52 AM

pathos

07-01-2012, 08:23 PM

So, I'm assuming the person that Irisu was typing away to was Oreki's sister, I guess?

I'm still trying to figure out the conversation beween Oreki and Irusi though. I think I'll need a second watch.

Well, I'm not sure if it's just me being stupid, or if it was just a strange conversation. Probably the former.

Fencedude

07-01-2012, 08:30 PM

Huh, so Irisu is involved with Oreki's sister. Isn't that interesting?

Anyway, Oreki's despair was palpable this episode.

bear

07-01-2012, 08:39 PM

Huh, so Irisu is involved with Oreki's sister. Isn't that interesting?

Anyway, Oreki's despair was palpable this episode.

His sister seems to have her finger in a lot of things related to her brother.

His despair was interesting in that the professed "low energy" person was upset that he was wrong. I don't think he would have cared at the beginning of the show.

I liked the fact that the others saw the flaw in his reasoning. It elevated their abilities to a level that is closer to his so they're not just there to react to his deductions.

something

07-01-2012, 09:51 PM

Episodes 11:

- Damn that was an interesting opening scene. So much just happened with Mayaka. There was a definite conflict for her - should she gloat that she outsmarted Houtarou for once? Feel bad for him when he realizes he missed something? Second-guess herself about the importance of the rope? Praise Houtarou for what he was able to come up with? How about all of the above? Very nice. God I love Mayaka.

- In this episode, people get really, really serious about amateur film. Heh. This really comes at the worst time for Houtarou. Ths is the first time he's really taken a mystery on and been excited about it, actually wanted to solve it and believed he might have something special. And it's quickly shown to be a total misunderstanding by both Mayaka and Satoshi. Hell maybe even Eru thinks it's wrong (she acted oddly after the movie), and she was drunk when everything was being explained.
- Yep. Eru too. She wants to know, "Why didn't they ask Eba?" Heh.
- I like how each of the objections fits the character. Mayaka remembers a small detail from days ago, which befits her precise personality. Satoshi the Sherlockian Database calls on his stores of genre knowledge. And the very people-oriented Eru turns her attention towards the feelings of the human behind the script. Goddamn. Why is this show so good? So much packed into every last thing.
- Sad Houtarou on the bridge. No, don't jump! You have so much left to live for! At the very least you can't die before seeing Eru in a bikini.

- Man. That's one angry Houtarou. Irisu played him and he's not happy about it.
- Heh, Holmes spoiler warning for the audience.
- A leak of secret internal production documents!
- Nice. Irisu was really putting on a scriptwriting competition. And manipulating everyone all the way.
- ...Houtarou is working through some pretty deep issues here isn't he? :sd:

- Irisu is totally talking to Houtarou's sister, isn't she? Why else mention the other person is "on the other side of the world?
- Man, Irisu gets put in her place. Heh.
- And then a recap of what Hongou probably actually wrote. Definitely not as good of a film.

Another fantastic story arc. Better than the first even. This is such a wonderfully subtle and intelligent show.

Next time: super happy bouncy Eru!

strangefour

07-02-2012, 03:21 AM

-But at the end of the tale... THERE WAS NO ROPE! *dun-dun-dun*
-Oreki your ending is wrong because it wasn't Sherlockian enough.
-Well if you want to be technical about it Satoshi, the narrative tricks did pop up in more than a few tiny examples. They just tended to pop up in horror not mystery.
-Et tu Tanda-chan?
-HAH! Tanda-chan is finally asking what I've been wondering all along. WTF is up with Hougou?
-Hehehe. A controlled lion. Nice Tarot jab Satoshi.

-Elementary my dear Iris. You lied.
-Hehehe. Oreki's sister just outwitted Iris on IRC. Or whatever weird messaging program that is.
-Kininarimas~
-Yeah Iris was right that is kind of an unsatisfactory story.

Houhou is a bad writer for a mystery. Oreki did it better. Even if it tore him apart after doing it. Chitanda is a good lion tamer.

ookamigirl

07-02-2012, 09:31 AM

The mysterious rope problem.
Looks like Oreki got tricked by that girl.
It's interesting how he overlooked a major inconsistency.
Oreki's in-depth analysis of the club members' behavior and movie was amazing.
So it looks like he was set up to fail from the start.
They sure complicated the hell out of this one and if you don't pay attention you could get lost easily.

dsmith

07-02-2012, 06:06 PM

Built this on comments on a blog post, but realized that the implications actually go a fair bit further.

So Houtarou's sister is playing Mycroft to his Sherlock. Amusingly appropriate.

In a sense, this is almost "Sherlock Holmes: The High School Years", since presumably there must have been a point when Sherlock himself was less than perfect. And 'Mycroft' is clearly trying to bring out the potential of her younger brother.

On Houtarou's overreactions -- I'll grant that they do seem a bit over the top, but only when viewed in the abstract, from the point of view of an outsider. I find that if I try to fit inside his head, they make far more sense, and do a great deal to help explain his inner character.

For example, the 'talent' that Irisu said he had, was important. Mycroft was, to Sherlock, always, and in almost every way, better than him. Smarter, more talented, better connected, and relied on by more important people. Houtarou's sister likely fits a similar position relative to him. To have someone completely unrelated (ie: not a friend who's likely to tell him things just to make him feel better), and presumably (though not actually) unconnected to his sister, see him and consider him to have actual talent of his own? That means a great deal to him, even if it's not something he'd ever want to admit.

And then to find that it was all a sham? A cold manipulation of his own feelings and desires? That anger isn't just at Irisu, that's the bottled anger of his entire life with his sister. He's not good enough, and will never be good enough. And not just not good enough, but someone who can easily be toyed with and manipulated due to that desire.

This is made even worse because of his friends in the club. They don't want to hurt him, but they still point out his failings: he missed factual information (the rope); he didn't consider the capabilities of the writer (narrative trick); and he completely missed the motivations for the event in the first place (why not ask Eba?). Add in being manipulated so easily, and basically he failed in every way imaginable in this little show. His 'talent' is a lie (both in the manipulative sense and the evidential sense), and any hope of being acknowledged for being himself rather than his sister's brother went up in smoke.

So, the dramatic reactions? Those are the cracks that show that there's a lot more going on under the surface than might otherwise be obvious. We had a hint of that with Satoshi last week, and now we get the hints for Houtarou. There's the smell of more going on with Mayaka, which I expect will start showing up in the near future. Eru, I'm not sure of; we got one of her secrets out in the first story, so she might remain the idealized Fool, but who knows.

But then it doesn't end there. In particular: "luck". The story Satoshi told Houtarou about the great athlete and the benchwarmer. That particular story had the obvious implication about how Satoshi views Houtarou, but neatly sidesteps a much subtler question: Why would Houtarou consider it 'luck' that he solved the case in the first place? More than anyone else, he should know that there's no luck involved; it was all logical deduction.

In other words, from Satoshi's point of view, it's the irritation of the benchwarmer at the athelete because the athelete is being dismissive of his own skills. However it fails to try to understand things from the athelete's point of view. The athelete is probably mostly unaware of the benchwarmer, and isn't saying anything to be deliberately hurtful. However the athelete himself has his own circumstances that lead to why he feels and acts that way.

The simplistic answer is that it's just a phrase people use; however we've already been reprimanded about avoiding a question simply because "that's the way things are", vis a vis Eba. If my above speculation about Houtarou's background holds true, there's a darker answer as well -- namely, that to Houtarou, solving -any- mystery (not necessarily just the one immediately at hand) is a matter of luck. Luck that they asked him rather than his sister; luck, perhaps, that he caught wind of a clue before his sister saw it; luck that a hastily put-together solution simply for the sake of giving an answer before his sister ended up being correct; luck that his sister isn't around to butt in and take the limelight herself.

And back again to the final talk in the cafe. Upon Houtarou's demans, Irisu's response: "Those words were not what I really think. Whether you consider them lies or not is up to you."

Those words confused me the first time I heard them, and they're still ambiguous now. However I think I understand the implication. The reason "those words" were not what she really thought is not because she made them up in order to fool Houtarou. If they were, then they must inherently be lies, which invalidates the second sentence of her response. Rather, they were the words that she was told to tell Houtarou. They aren't her words, so their truth or falsehood is outside her responsibility to judge. In other words, they were words from Tomoe, Houtarou's sister, to Houtarou.

However... "That makes me feel better." Why does her answer make him feel better? And his questioning of Eru at the end seemed almost as if he were checking that no one else could have been involved in the initial prompting. Does he suspect his sister's involvement? His sister somehow finding a way to mess with him from the other side of the world would seem less of a humiliation than some other random schoolgirl doing the same?

How long have Houtarou and Satoshi known each other? How much does Satoshi know about Houtarou's sister? Reviewing the first episode, they've known each other since middle school, so could be anywhere from 1 to 3 years. Satoshi is also at least somewhat familiar with Houtarou's sister, as he seems to be aware of her martial arts skills. He also makes a couple comments that indicate he might be aware of something more.

I had been thinking about the Tarot card assignments that Satoshi made, and Houtarou recognizing his sister as being one of the possible "kindly women" in control of him. Wasn't sure if Satoshi had intended that connection or if it was something incidental (ie: he meant Eru, while Houtarou made the connection with his sister as well). However the first episode seems to indicate that it may have been deliberate.

Damius

07-02-2012, 11:57 PM

- He was right, Mayaka was mad because they were late.
- We meet a new character. Eru’s friend! Let me just say she can present us all her friends. Let me rephrase, she needs to present us all her friends.
- Hmm... the light music club and the drama club... Let's see.
- Time to watch the movie.
- Mayaka still make faces! How many of them will she have done at the end of the series?
- The movie is unfinished…
- They need to know who the culprit is.
- So the problem is that the scriptwriter fell ill.
- Eru said the word.
- Even if he had something better to do, he doesn’t have the choice anyway.
- He doesn’t want to get out? Well, Eru is there.
- Well, there is something between Kurako and Hongou because of the way she answered how he was...

This series continues to be fantastic. Can’t wait for next episode.

bloo

07-03-2012, 07:13 AM

@dsmith
That was a very nice post. Good analysis and I agree with your points for the most part. That being said, I do have an issue with the theory quoted below:

And back again to the final talk in the cafe. Upon Houtarou's demans, Irisu's response: "Those words were not what I really think. Whether you consider them lies or not is up to you."

Those words confused me the first time I heard them, and they're still ambiguous now. However I think I understand the implication. The reason "those words" were not what she really thought is not because she made them up in order to fool Houtarou. If they were, then they must inherently be lies, which invalidates the second sentence of her response. Rather, they were the words that she was told to tell Houtarou. They aren't her words, so their truth or falsehood is outside her responsibility to judge. In other words, they were words from Tomoe, Houtarou's sister, to Houtarou.

However... "That makes me feel better." Why does her answer make him feel better? And his questioning of Eru at the end seemed almost as if he were checking that no one else could have been involved in the initial prompting. Does he suspect his sister's involvement? His sister somehow finding a way to mess with him from the other side of the world would seem less of a humiliation than some other random schoolgirl doing the same?

There isn't really any indication in the arc that Oreki's sister had any involvement other than pointing Irisu in the direction of her brother. I believe you're reading into the sister angle a bit too far here and misunderstanding the meaning behind Irisu's words.

To try and illustrate what Irisu meant with her line, I'll use an anology.
Imagine a wife asking her husband,
"Do these jeans make me look fat?"
The husband does not really care, but in the interest of keeping his wife (and by extension, him) happy says,
"Of course not, you look great."
The wife responds,
"Do you really mean that or not?"
The husband says back,
"Well, whichever makes you feel better."

Much like the husband in my analogy, Irisu does not exactly believe what she told Oreki. She simply told him what she felt he needed to hear in order to get the results she wanted. When pressed about it, her response was basically telling Oreki that it was up to him to decide if he thought what she said was true or not. Of course, Oreki being Oreki, decides that it wasn't true. This is key in understanding why he said that he felt better after hearing Irisu admit what she thought.

As you pointed out, Oreki has a bit of an inferiority complex. He believes himself to be talentless and in possession of no special skills. He is also loathe to "take responsibility" as he pointed out in episodes 3 and 8. This is also reinforced by the first part of his motto; "If I don't have to do it, I won't." He is the type of person who prefers to not try at all rather than trying and risking failure. But when Irisu builds him up, he decides to put himself out there and take on responsibility as a detective. Little did he know, of course, that Irisu was really intending for him to act as a detective writer rather than a detective. After his inevitable failure as a detective, Oreki, as you pointed out, feels horrible. He had finally decided to believe he was talented and put that talent to use by taking on the responsibility of finding out Hongou's true intentions, and he failed.

He felt better after hearing what Irisu said because it absolved him of his responsibilities. After all, you can't really blame a talentless, amatuer baseball pitcher for allowing nine runs in an inning against Major League players, can you? By admitting she didn't really believe what she said and that it was his decision to decide whether or not it was true, she allowed Oreki to default back to his "I'm talentless" belief. In Oreki's mind, it was no longer his fault that he failed, because he was out of his league to begin with. He would rather believe himself to be talentless than to acknowledge failure. Irisu's response left open that option, as opposed to as if she had said that she really did believe that he was talented, which would have backed him into a corner and forced him to acknowledge his shortcomings. Thus, "That makes me feel better." It wouldn't be too hard to imagine him later saying to himself, "I was just unlucky this time."

HitokiriShadow

07-03-2012, 10:44 AM

Oh man, Houtarou didn't just forget the rope. Satoshi also thought he was wrong and had a different reason for it. And the idea that he was wrong, that he missed something that the others saw, really bothers Houtarou.

So it turns out that Irisu was manipulating everyone, particularly Houtarou and Hongou. And the "A-ta-shi" person she was talking to seems to be Houtarou's sister.

That was an interesting way to wrap this story up. I liked the trick Houtarou came up with better, but that's kind of the point.

tytan88

07-03-2012, 01:37 PM

Satoshi and Oreki seem to have the same issue. They are afraid of failure enough that they define themselves as less than they could be. Its easier for Satoshi to just be a source of information and Oreki to just be lazy then to try and fail.

The first time Oreki actually tries to make efforts to be what people say he is he gets manipulated and fails miserably. Its like a confirmation of what he has feared about himself.....or at least that is what he is thinking is wrong about himself. But the truth is he has to be willing to fail or even be used at times if he wants to find the real him. What people do to you is not the issue and what happens is not the issue, its how you respond to it. Maybe his sister is pushing him a little to get him to be more than he has been up until now.

It will be interesting to see how this progresses.

something

07-03-2012, 02:13 PM

Satoshi and Oreki seem to have the same issue. They are afraid of failure enough that they define themselves as less than they could be. Its easier for Satoshi to just be a source of information and Oreki to just be lazy then to try and fail.
And Eru is a fascinating catalyst here because she's the opposite, she has pretty much no concept of inhibiting her actions due to fear of failure. As long as she's ki ni narimasu-ing, all she wants to do is plow ahead.

Where she does show restraint, I feel like it's always been because she's trying to be considerate of others' feelings. She can be pretty pushy when she wants Houtarou to investigate something with her, but I also think she's quite sensitive about the feelings of other people. You can see this, like I mentioned before, in the way she approaches some of the mysteries. It's not "why didn't the math teacher realize his dumb mistake" but "what were his personal circumstances that led to it?" And her objection to Houtarou's movie conclusion wasn't about some missed plot point or technical point of storytelling, but just a feeling that she and Hongou are similar on a personal level and it just didn't feel right. Eru is very very interested in the feelings of others - another way she differs quite a bit from Houtarou.

As for Mayaka, well, she's by far the hardest character in the show to read if you ask me. In spite or or maybe because of the way she seems so straightforward. It just makes any exceptions stand out more.

tytan88

07-03-2012, 02:58 PM

And Eru is a fascinating catalyst here because she's the opposite, she has pretty much no concept of inhibiting her actions due to fear of failure. As long as she's ki ni narimasu-ing, all she wants to do is plow ahead.

You're right, she IS reacting the in the same way only opposite. very interesting. I'd be interested in them doing a series around Mayaka and/or Satoshi, kind of like the way Toradora would dedicate episodes to flesh out the minor characters. I'm willing to bet that they will do exactly that.

something

07-08-2012, 06:39 PM

How bad did you think the quality of this streamed episode would be? Whatever you guessed, it's so so so much worse. This is absolutely tragic. KyoAni has the best animation in the business, Hyouka is the prettiest TV series KyoAni has ever done, and this episode is the one that most needs good video quality. And yet... ;_; But I have no idea if episodes 12+ will assume you viewed this, even a little bit, so I guess I have to watch it now.

Episode 11.5:

- Holy shit Houtarou's sister is back! And she's in the shower! And I think she's ridiculously hot but I can't be sure because all I see is video quality that would have made a .rm from 1999 throw up!
- And the audio quality sounds like it's choking on a frog while trapped in a tin can buried underground.
- To top it all off, a quarter of the screen is permanently covered by advertisements. Can I really survive 25 minutes of this? There's no way this is required viewing for 12, they'd never do that to us, right?

- Looks like we won't be seeing onee-san's face. Not surprising. She can't be a mysterious force of nature if she just becomes a normal character.
- And there's Eruuuuuuuu.... ...fuck. I can't do this to myself. There's Eru in a bikini right there and I can barely even see what's supposed to be going on. This is cruel. Too cruel.

I give up. Waiting for the BDs. ;_; But hey, here's your ep 11.5 subthread then, if any of you are crazy enough to sit through this version.

something

07-08-2012, 07:44 PM

Episode 12:

- Okay, this is more like it. Back to the beautiful Hyouka we know and love.
- Eru is walking around outside by herself at night.
- We get a glimpse of Mayaka's room! It's... completely overflowing with stuff. Especially manga.
- It's now October. Presumably 11.5 took place a at least two months prior.
- Mayaka can't sleep. Eru can't sleep. Satoshi can't sleep. The culture festival must finally be coming!
- Yep, it starts the next day. Even Houtarou can't sleep, and spends his time on the school website.
- Eru was heading to a shrine to make an offering and pray for the festival's success. How Eru-like. I love when her hair is tied off to one side like that.

- Oh, and I bailed on 11.5 after 6 minutes of awful streaming quality, but if you skipped it entirely, yes, Houtarou's sister is back. And she's really, really hot. But we don't see her face.
- Houtarou really is powerless against his sister. She completely controls the pace.

- Mayaka in her cospl---DON'T DAY THAT WORD! She is super embarrassed. :sd: And super super cute in her embarrassment. Will we really see the other members dressed as Vocaloids? God I hope so.
- She... she's so shy and quiet and reserved, and it's killing me. This is so unlike her normal personality. Gap moeeeeeee!!!
- Awww, part of why she's so quiet seems to be that she feels bad that she's going to be busy with the Manga club all day, and can't help the kotenbu. You're a good girl with a good sense of responsibility, Mayaka. <3
- But Satoshi's cheerfulness is rubbing off on her. Good man, Satoshi.

- And there's Chii-chan, as lively as ever!
- Ohhhhhhhhhh! So that's the main reason Mayaka feels so bad. She messed up the order for printings of the anthology and got 200 instead of 30. Aww... it's okay, Mayaka.
- Ohh, and that explains the "mountain" (they did a closeup when she spoke the word) Eru prayed they could overcome. Heh. And also why Mayaka simply couldn't sleep at all.
- Oh god. Satoshi's outfit. It's amazing. :sd:
- Yay, Mayaka cheers up. God I love her so much.
- Their goal? Sell all 200 copies! Ei ei OH! ...oooh? ......oh.

- SUDDENLY, THE BREAKDANCING CLUB. Heh.
- And now let's follow Eru around the festival.
- Heh. Calligraphy as befits a rice farmer's daughter.
- Karuta club is her next distraction.
- Eru is the wonder child. She can do calligraphy. She's a pro at karuta. She's collecting trophies!

- She's not so great at negotiation, though.
- "Isn't Fukube-san supposed to be helping me out for this part?" Haha yeah where is he?
- Oh and it's very surprising to see a student council executive who isn't one of the main characters actually be a nice person.
- He can't help her, but he does have some good advice.

- Awww... Mayaka is still beating herself up over her mistake. Cheer up, Mayaka!
- WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! HATSUNE MIKU KITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! (And a cute Nakoruru too.)
- And there's Rin and Luka! Goddddddd it is so weird seeing them so detailed and up close. All of the other Vocaloid cameos I can think of in anime were a lot less substantial. KyoAni Vocaloid anime where? ;_;
- But they're talking a bit of shit on Mayaka. =/ So this is another reason Mayaka feels bad. She didn't want to cosplay, but ended up doing it anyway and was only able to half-ass it.
- But awwww, she gets some interest in her costume (Frol from Juuichinin Iru! aka They Were Eleven) and

- Miseban banzai! Haha, Houtarou you're so Houtarou.
- A customer! A real live customer!
- HAHAHAH, Houtarou trying to smile is a very very scary sight.

- Eru... you just got scouted. By AKKARIIIIN!
- Haha and before she knows it, it's a full-out Eru photo shoot. She looks amazing...
- Eru, the most easily tempted girl. She's overwhelmed!

SUCH A DAMN GOOD EPISODE! Absolutely everything was gold. Houtarou happy with his lack of need to do anything. Lots of good Mayaka focus. Eru in ki ni narimasu overdrive. Satoshi's crazy costume. MIKU, RIN, LEN, AND LUKA!

And a new ED too! I will miss Madoromi no Yakusoku, the sexiest ED ever. But this one is fucking adorable. Sherlock Holmes, Hyouka-style!

Must be a new OP next week. Oh man, can't wait.

bear

07-08-2012, 08:25 PM

Ok, I didn't heed your warning. That was.... painful to watch. My eyes kept trying to focus something that was out of focus. Doubly painful because Eru is wearing a bikini and I can't really see it. Cruel is right.

Fencedude

07-08-2012, 08:25 PM

Oh god this episode. Just...this episode.

VOCALOID COSPLAY!

MAYAKA BEING ADORABLE

ERU BEING ADORABLE

SATOSHI BEING WHATEVER THE HELL HE IS

ONEE-SAN BEING OMG HOT

And then the ED. I miss the lingerie, but this was just adorable.

superdry

07-08-2012, 08:28 PM

- And there's Eruuuuuuuu.... ...fuck. I can't do this to myself. There's Eru in a bikini right there and I can barely even see what's supposed to be going on. This is cruel. Too cruel.

What a tease Kyoani is pulling here with the terrible low-quality stream.

I give up. Waiting for the BDs. ;_; But hey, here's your ep 11.5 subthread then, if any of you are crazy enough to sit through this version.

Ill wait for the BD to come out before watching the episode. As much as I as want to see Eru in a bikini (lol my tablet decided to autocorrect Eru to Eruption instead...haha), Ill wait for better quality video.

ultimatemegax

07-08-2012, 09:10 PM

And a new ED too! I will miss Madoromi no Yakusoku, the sexiest ED ever. But this one is fucking adorable. Sherlock Holmes, Hyouka-style!

According to the character name boxes (http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/kotenbu/gallery/):
Houtarou- Lupin
Eru - Holmes
Satoshi - Moriarty
Mayaka - Poirot

superdry

07-08-2012, 09:10 PM

That was a really fun episode. A nice mid-season break from solving mysteries.

-Very cool to see Houtarou's sister back home. She's pretty awesome.
-The culture festival is damn nice and huge too.
-I loved Houtarou's reaction to sitting in the quiet club room - it is the best job for him in this situation
-I would also love to see him go to the fashion show for a makeover. It'd be fun and I think Eru would love it too.
-The whole culture festival is sensory overload for Eru. Its so cute seeing her get distracted.

Speaking of which - she is such a joy to watch on-screen. She has an overabundance of energy and curiosity. I dont want to spend pretty much a year collecting the show, but I think this episode just sealed the deal.

- WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! HATSUNE MIKU KITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! (And a cute Nakoruru too.)
- And there's Rin and Luka! Goddddddd it is so weird seeing them so detailed and up close. All of the other Vocaloid cameos I can think of in anime were a lot less substantial. KyoAni Vocaloid anime where? ;_;

That was pretty awesome. I guess it makes sense for them to appear at some point since KyoAni did show them at some point. I also loved the Samurai Showdown display - too bad the girl couldn't get a fake hawk perched on her shoulder.

[quote]
And a new ED too! I will miss Madoromi no Yakusoku, the sexiest ED ever. But this one is fucking adorable. Sherlock Holmes, Hyouka-style!/QUOTE]

That was a really cute ED. Man...Eru looks good in pretty much any clothing.

strangefour

07-08-2012, 09:30 PM

I am curious! How bad can 11.5 be...

-Why is everything a murky shade of grey?
-Mycroft-neesan is home.
-This quality brings me back to my very early days of digital fan subs. Who here remembers RM files?
-OH GOD THE TINY BLURRY CREDIT TEXT!
-Oreki!? JOB!?
-The graininess is making my eyes itch.
-WHY IS TANDA-CHAN BIKINI IN THIS QUALITY? WHYYYYYYYY?! :cry:
-I want to be part of Tanda-chan's penalty too. :x
-Oreki is special.

-Tanda-chan's chest is special.
-Curiosity has struck!
-Some woman had something white on her ear but now it's gone... oh no. No no. This is not a mystery you want to be involved in Oreki. It's too dirty.
-Oreki. Her curiosity is not down there.
-He is not slacking. he is oogling.
-Damn Mayaka stop complaining. You don't see Satoshi making a fuss about picking you up and he's gay.
-Tanda-chan has Mugi strength.
-Tanda-chan was a creamy white thing all along!

I think this episode gave me a headache. Also teased with sexy Chitanda bikini I couldn't really see. Looked more like someone had spread some whipcream on her.

strangefour

07-08-2012, 10:30 PM

-Satoshi has so many purses hanging up in his room.
-Happy Chitanda's sacrificial uncle festival!
-My Saturn!
-Uh guys, why not just sell the book in the manga club's room? I'm sure they have a table selling doujins there already.
-Aye. Aye. . . . Oooh~

-That was a short speech.
-Breakdancing has finally arrived in Japan!
-*facepalm* DAMN IT CHITANDA!
-Okay while she is being stupid and not doing what she was instructed to, I could watch a whole episode of Tanda-chan visiting every club on her way to the offices.
-Nakaruru! and some teal twintail chick. :q (http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=597821)
-Damn it Mayaka. Grow some balls and ask your manga club president.
-Oooh, wow. Someone else remembers They Were 11? How old are you Mayaka? And why did you cosplay as a transgender character? Well it is to see a fan of the classics.
-Best. Job. Ever.
-One customer destroys Oreki.
-Tanda-chan is lost again. :3
-Tanda-chan is cosplay lost. This is awesome.

This episode was amazitastical. Chitanda was so adorably easily distracted. But my main take away is that Mayaka wants to become a pretty boy.

strangefour

07-08-2012, 10:31 PM

And then the ED. I miss the lingerie, but this was just adorable.

I didn't really like the first ending. :x But this new one is fun!

Damius

07-08-2012, 11:54 PM

- Whiskey chocolates, really? This can turn to be interesting.
- Eru is taking a second one… this can be really interesting…
- Mayaka is really interested. Love it.
- Eru hiccupped! Wow!
- Is Eru…getting…it’s so awesome to watch!
- “You are drunk” Oh wow…this is great!
- Drunk Eru is more direct and then "It's like a kaleidoscope." And falls on the desk. Fantastic!

This episode was only to have Mayaka involve and let us see a drunk Eru, right? I totally agree with that! I love it! It was so fantastic. Oh and I sure won’t forget “Chow” for a long long time!

ookamigirl

07-09-2012, 08:13 AM

11.5 (OVA)

Oreki as couch potato was kinda LOL
Never thought I'd see him working at a part time job.
Chitanda thelling him how special he is was nice ^^
His friends just can't leave him alone even for trivial mysteries..
Still, it was a nice at-the-pool episode.

ookamigirl

07-09-2012, 08:14 AM

Kanya cultural festival.
Looks like Oreki is not a fan of cultural festivals.
Fukube wants to promote their club at the festival.
Chitanda was funny with trying to participate in the events of other clubs and still promote Classics club.
Their anthology sale needs more promotion..

bear

07-09-2012, 01:15 PM

What a way to start a second season.

The club really screwed up on their location.

For some reason I found the break dancing just awesome. Mostly because it was unexpected.

I was laughing my head off at Eru trying to thread her way through all the distractions (and failing). How does that girl manage to get to school without being side tracked?

That pen has got to lead to a major plot point.

OMG one of the groups was singing Sukiyaki ("Ue o Muite Arukō")!

HitokiriShadow

07-09-2012, 01:23 PM

Eru photoshoot! Maid outfit! Penguin outfit! Cheerleader! God bless the photography club.

Ee ee OOOOOHH!!! So much excited Eru in this episode. This was a glorious Eru episode. And I like the club's negotiating strategy: Crush their will to resist through cuteness and genki power, show no mercy.

We start to get a bit of a look at Mayaka's club as well. There's clearly some tension between her and some of the member, but the leaders seem to be good people and she clearly gets along with some of the members, so she's obviously not remotely in one of those situations where she somehow ended up totally ostracized from the rest of the club.

And new ED. Sherlock Eru! It's really, really cute. As much as I appreciate Kyoto Animation giving us Eru and Mayaka and those amazing outfits in the first ED, I actually like this one more.

HitokiriShadow

07-09-2012, 01:26 PM

Fencedude

07-15-2012, 07:50 PM

Hyouka has basically ruined the Culture Fest episode. None will ever live up to this arc.

Anyway. Houtarou discovering Eru's gravure was great, especially at the end when she realized he'd seen them. JUST TELL EACH OTHER ALREADY DAMMIT

Satoshi was having way too much fun at the quiz fest, though that friend of his is kinda irritating.

Mayaka's bad day continues, Nakoruru-senpai basically taunts her into an argument, though it seems that they were counting on that.

Of course, Mayaka's rebuttal depends on her finding a manga that she read last year, but has gone missing from her room. I know that feel Mayaka, I know it.

bored@lazy

07-15-2012, 08:02 PM

How bad did you think the quality of this streamed episode would be? Whatever you guessed, it's so so so much worse. This is absolutely tragic.

I give up. Waiting for the BDs. ;_;

Yeah, I already planned on that. I saw a 40MB rip and figured this would be nearly unwatchable and didn't see any point in bothering giving it a try.

I did watch it, the 'mystery' of the episode is pretty lame so apart from Chitanda in a bikini(which is probably the whole reason for this episode's existence anyway) the episode is a complete throwaway.

strangefour

07-15-2012, 08:54 PM

-New Op. Oreki is trapped in a horrific half life behind reflections and blackboards.
-Grand-o sponsor wa--whoa! Gun. I smell Murder. *thunderclap*
-The great god Saturn is pimping the Classics club's anthology.
-Tanda-chan epic quest to visit every classroom activity is nearly complete. Aloha!
-Zettai ryouikki photography has a gravitational attraction to the human eye.
-Occult club teepee?
-Tanda-chan eats mysteries like candy.
-Saturn has a hat!
-Satoshi your ex is rather pushy.
-Oreki say hello to Chekov's gun.

-Makaya vs Nakoruru's wicked grin! FIGHT!
-Hehehe aggressive marketing. Nakoruru wins by losing.
-She knows you saw her penguin!
-Left, right, left, right. Mayaka's manga is anally organized.
-Yet not organized enough to prevent loss of an archaic text.

Not enough Chitanda visiting classrooms and goofing off! But fun though. Wanna see what SNK character Mayaka has to face tomorrow and what androgynous character she herself uses.

Hyouka has basically ruined the Culture Fest episode. None will ever live up to this arc.

Yeah well most shows only have a one day one episode culture festival. This one has room to spread out.

something

07-15-2012, 08:58 PM

Episode 13:

- Haha Satoshi you are no help at all.
- New OP! Kodama Saori is the vocalist. Huh, as far as I can find she's written lyrics for a number of OP/EDs, but never sung one before. Anyway the OP sequence is awesome, like every KyoAni OP/ED sequence ever. That hair animation when Eru pulls him out of the glass was great.

- Super vocabulary quiz show!
- Satoshi you are amazing, really. I love you. Adjusting his planet hat after it spun too far around his face was great.

- And finally, Eru arrives. :sd: Seeing her like this makes me think of the old Looney Tunes-type gag where a delivery takes a wrong turn and finally shows up at its destination with customs stamps from half the countries in the world.
- Uh oh. Houtarou has spotted the cosplay photos. This is going to be too much for his heart.
- Ooooooh, one of Eru's friends. Kaho. Hayami Saori! <3
- And I suddenly realized what felt so weird about this scene. Kaho calls her Eru. Almost nobody ever calls her Eru. It's either Chitanda or Chitanda-san or Chii-chan.
- Kaho has given Eru a mystery. KI NI NARIMASU!
- Kaho moves very slowly and precisely. It's a bit weird.

- Back to the quiz. What a remarkably even game. 6-6-5-6. And Shimizu is cute! Mugibrows!
- And she wins! But Go club guy seems to be trying to rope the kotenbu into a mystery too, like Kaho with Eru. I kinda smell onee-chan's hand in this, somehow. Probably not, but onee-chan has established herself as a near godlike figure already so I'm tempted to see her work in everything...

- Houtarou has the pictures. His face may be calm, but his youthful energy is undoubtedly coming to a boil underneath!
- I think Houtarou unwittingly became part of a video game trading quest.

- And Mayaka is having a pretty shitty culture festival. First she's beating herself up over messing up the Hyouka order, and now she's dealing with some pretty bitchy club members. I actually hadn't pegged the Nakoruru as one of the mean ones last time for whatever reason, but man she is a total bitch. =/
- Which just makes me feel even worse for Mayaka, who is being relied on by half of the manga club to stand up to her. ;_;
- Y'know, I'm totally in love with Mayaka, but my own opinion on the matter is a lot closer to Nakoruru-senpai's. Even if she's stating it in a really damn obnoxious way. Personally, I don't give a damn about what a "critic" considers a masterpiece or not. I find attempts to objectively measure fictional entertainment in a way that makes one opinion "better" than another to be of minimal value. Useful for an intellectual circle jerk maybe but I see no reason why that should have any impact on what I watch/read or like.
- Ahahahaha and someone capitalizes on the debate. MIKO VS SEXLESS BEING!

- "Ki ni narimasen" WHAT? ERU, ARE YOU OKAY!?
- Oh god... Eru realizes Houtarou lookd at the photos. HAHAHAHAHAHAH. Goddamn the sexual tension. If they don't make out by the end of the series I'm going to be so disappointed.

- Why is watching a character search their room for an old manga so fun? Why are you so damn good, Hyouka?

A whole arc of the culture festival, goddamn I'm loving this. And Mayaka, oh Mayaka... My love for her grows and grows and grows.

bear

07-15-2012, 09:07 PM

bear

07-15-2012, 09:17 PM

Anyway. Houtarou discovering Eru's gravure was great, especially at the end when she realized he'd seen them. JUST TELL EACH OTHER ALREADY DAMMIT

Somebody could make a mint selling copies of those pics.:beatingheart:

I hope somebody gets the bright idea of taking the girls character designs from the ED and making a show about them as detectives. :beatingheart:

Oh, and now the mystery is starting to jell. Missing Go stones, Tarot card...

Episode 13:
- New OP! Kodama Saori is the vocalist. Huh, as far as I can find she's written lyrics for a number of OP/EDs, but never sung one before. Anyway the OP sequence is awesome, like every KyoAni OP/ED sequence ever. That hair animation when Eru pulls him out of the glass was great.

Eru "saving" him was just a great visual metaphor for how she's changed his life. These are just some of the best characters and the two girls are just...sigh.

ultimatemegax

07-15-2012, 09:19 PM

- New OP! Kodama Saori is the vocalist. Huh, as far as I can find she's written lyrics for a number of OP/EDs, but never sung one before.

She actually was a singer back in 1998-2002 before she became a lyricist. She had 6 singles (3 in 1999, 2 in 2000, and 1 in 2001), 3 albums (1 each in 1999, 2000, and 2002), and one mini-album (1998), but none of those were anime-related songs. I was quite surprised when I discovered she was singing it due to that long period between music releases. (That storyline fits Tari Tari better IMO)

superdry

07-15-2012, 10:02 PM

This is probably the best and largest culture fest I've seen in anime. I'd really love to go to this one.

For some reason I thought Oreki would be selling a lot more anthologies after Satoshi advertised the club and then would curse him out in his thoughts for making him do work. But, it didn't happen...oh well. Good advertising on Satoshi's part.

Tensions in the manga club? Ehh...not particularly interested in the goings on with the club. But, I did wish that instead of Nakoruru, the president would have dressed up as a Chinese-Vampire like in the novels (much cooler even though Nakoruru is pretty good).

I love that Oreki looked through the pictures of Eru's photoshoot and then seeing her get super-embarrassed afterwards. So, cute!!

The end was fun since we get to Mayaka's room which is pretty nice

Damius

07-15-2012, 11:55 PM

- When Fuyumi speaks it’s impossible to cut her Houtarou, don’t even try to place a single word.
- Fuyumi makes Houtarou questioned himself, after denying he was special. She is good.
- I can’t stop to notice every faces, expressions Mayaka makes…she is so great with that.
- Eru with a hangover.
- Mayaka was really interest in the last episode and now she is taking the lead, love it.
- Satoshi has no choice but to leave the room.
- Houtarou figured it out.
- There was a seventh person? He was the cameraman.
- Fuyumi smiled!
- Eru said: “Maybe later” Hmm… what’s happening…
- Mayaka… remembers about the rope. Next episode?

Another fantastic episode. Love this show so much…

dsmith

07-16-2012, 12:48 AM

- Y'know, I'm totally in love with Mayaka,

More Mayaka love, yay!

but my own opinion on the matter is a lot closer to Nakoruru-senpai's. Even if she's stating it in a really damn obnoxious way. Personally, I don't give a damn about what a "critic" considers a masterpiece or not. I find attempts to objectively measure fictional entertainment in a way that makes one opinion "better" than another to be of minimal value. Useful for an intellectual circle jerk maybe but I see no reason why that should have any impact on what I watch/read or like.

The main sad thing about that scene is that Mayaka's assertion about recognizing a masterpiece is essentially directly using Nakoruru's own arguments -- it's something the reader themselves determine as soon as they read it. At that point Mayaka had already lost the debate (and I was a bit surprised she wasn't called on it, but the reason became obvious later).

However the role of the critic is still absolutely essential, from "what's recommended" lists, to general reviews (eg: AOD or ANN, etc), and even going all the way back up the production chain to editors and proofreaders. Without critics, you get stuff like the morass of fanfiction.net; there are certainly gems to be found, but the morass of mediocrity written by thousands of people who never get any notable criticism leaves you in a wasteland of dross, with poor hope of ever finding the stories you -do- like.

But maybe that's the point. Despite how painfully distorted the characters, how gruesomely butchered the spelling and grammer, how mind-numbingly awful the story and plot, there will always be a few people leaving reviews saying, "That was great!", and "Amazing story! Write more!". Kouchi's point is that no matter how bad I or anyone else thinks it is, someone out there likes it, and that should be all that matters.

Not that I think she actually believes her own point; it was said solely to get a rise out of Mayaka. As soon as Kouchi stood up to begin the little debate, her little hench-partner ran outside with the sign; it was all prepared and waiting. Missed that on the first watch through, but it's a bit painful to watch Mayaka be manipulated like that. It's a bit like Irisu with Houtarou.

Fencedude

07-16-2012, 01:12 AM

something

07-16-2012, 07:32 AM

However the role of the critic is still absolutely essential, from "what's recommended" lists, to general reviews (eg: AOD or ANN, etc), and even going all the way back up the production chain to editors and proofreaders. Without critics, you get stuff like the morass of fanfiction.net; there are certainly gems to be found, but the morass of mediocrity written by thousands of people who never get any notable criticism leaves you in a wasteland of dross, with poor hope of ever finding the stories you -do- like.
I see the creative process itself (though even that is driven as much by market forces aka "stuff people like" as by any objective quality measures, and of course someone needs to teach the technical tools of the trade to new creators) as a different beast than after-the-fact point-of-consumption criticism. The former is a lot more complex and (usually) needs that kind of guidance, or at least advice. But once the work is created and released to the public, all the voices clamoring to do "professional reviews" and such things are so very irrelevant to me. I'll skim critics' "best ever" lists occasionally for shits and giggles, but never take them very seriously or think there's special validity there. After all, outside of a handful of indie productions (of which there's very little in anime) all the "professional" praise in the world isn't going to get you funding for a sequel. So while I do think popularity and quality have to be seen as separate things, I also recognize the distinction as non-objective (no matter how loudly some scream otherwise) and of little practical use. If I were to ever read criticism, it'd be for criticism's own sake, and not much more.

And about Nakoruru-senpai, yeah, I agree by the end that she was just using Mayaka, though the mess she blundered into about that old manga made me wonder. Shes just hard to read. She was manipulating Mayaka for advertising value, but that itself is pretty douchey, and it didn't help that she seemed to be hanging out with the girls who were talking shit on Mayaka. She might have chided them for it last time, but now I feel like that was just to make herself look mature and impartial. I have a hard time thinking she genuinely likes Mayaka. Maybe grudging respect at best, but the way Mayaka is treated by that half of the club isn't very respectful.

Of course I'm sure Mayaka gets overbearing from time to time with her opinions on manga, but in this case she's just being repeatedly provoked for no reason. At least she does seem to have friends in the club... or maybe just people who rely on her to do the dirty work.

ookamigirl

07-16-2012, 08:19 AM

Fukuda sure was resourceful with his advertising the anthology & classics club.
Eru gave her best to promote it as well.
Sometimes she can really be clueless ^^"
Looks like there were other clubs who didn't do well with sales.
This cultural festival is going to be a long one..
Oreki & Eru awkward moment was kinda LOL
Can't wait to see the cooking contest next time.

HitokiriShadow

07-16-2012, 11:42 AM

Satoshi has a bright career ahead of him as a salesman.

Eru sure gave Houtarou a nice gift. And he continues his item trade quest line and gets a water gun.

Kouchi seemed like a decent person last time, but now it seems like she's being a bitch to Mayaka. But its fun to watch her chew scenery doing it.

And it lets Mayaka wax philosophical (sort of) about Masterpieces and personal opinion.

Kouchi-sempai sure had an odd reaction when asked if she had read "A Corpse by Evening".

Ahahaha "Girls at War! Priestess vs. Sexless Being!" Ouch. OH! the whole thing was Kouchi putting on a show, presumably to sex up what she saw as a boring exhibit and help sell their book. Though there was probably still some maliciousness on her part, given that "sexless being" line, and she was clearly enjoying it.

Well, maybe Satoshi's career prospect as a salesment aren't quite as bright as I thought. Though I guess double digit sales is pretty good for what he was advertising.

Wait. Waitaminute. Ooooooh. Ahahahaha, Eru didn't give Houtarou the photos, he just opened the envelope and looked at them on his own without her knowing. Now she finds out. Embarrassment (from both of them) and cuteness ensues.

Uh oh, Mayaka can't find her masterpiece to make Sempai STFU. Dai-Pinchi! .... More importantly, Mayaka's pajamas are quite cute.

HitokiriShadow

07-16-2012, 11:51 AM

Not that I think she actually believes her own point; it was said solely to get a rise out of Mayaka. As soon as Kouchi stood up to begin the little debate, her little hench-partner ran outside with the sign; it was all prepared and waiting. Missed that on the first watch through, but it's a bit painful to watch Mayaka be manipulated like that. It's a bit like Irisu with Houtarou.

I didn't notice anyone run out, that's a nice little touch. It seemed pretty obvious it was a planned show based just on the sign though. It was a boring event and the nature of the work didn't get anyone regardless of its merits, so Kouchi decided to put on a show to help sell it. I'm not really sure what to think of Kouchi, because at this point, I can't tell if this is purely her way of spicing things up and maaaybe getting a few shits and giggles out Mayaka in the process but just for its own sake rather than any maliciousness, or if there's actually some maliciousness in it and she's being a bitch because she's actually a bitch.

something

07-16-2012, 12:16 PM

HitokiriShadow

07-16-2012, 12:25 PM

Ahahaha "Girls at War! Priestess vs. Sexless Being!" Ouch. OH! the whole thing was Kouchi putting on a show, presumably to sex up what she saw as a boring exhibit and help sell their book. Though there was probably still some maliciousness on her part, given that "sexless being" line, and she was clearly enjoying it.
I still think Kouchi is being at least somewhat mean even if her only intention is to drum up interest, but the "sexless being" was accurate since Mayaka really is cosplaying a sexless being. Or from skimming a few pages of Juuichinin Iru last night, a being that can freely choose a gender a la Simoun (show you've seen, and I'm pretty sure it's not a spoiler but can't remember 100%).

Yeah, a little after I typed that I kinda remembered something about that being brought up last time when people were discussing who/what she was cosplaying, but I decided to just leave it. I'm sure Kouchi just loved having an excuse to call Mayaka something like that, whether it was malicious or not.

And that's definitely not a spoiler. That was a pretty basic part of the world set-up and was revealed in episode 1. Maaaaaaaybe they somehow held off on that until episode 2, but its definitely not remotely a spoiler. That's like "spoiling" Lord of the Rings by saying it has dwarves and elves and wizards in it. Always good to be on the safe side, of course.

dsmith

07-16-2012, 01:34 PM

Going back to episode 12 to review things, but noting a couple things from ep 13, so keeping in ep 13 thread.

Mayaka in bed, can't sleep. Takes some meds.. dori-- something. Anyone have a clue what those might be? Was thinking dramamine, but that doesn't seem quite right, and I'm not very well versed on medical drug names. Maybe something akin to benedryl to help her sleep, but wondering if she's literally feeling sick from the nervousness/anxiety.

Eru passes the fortune-telling teepee right after her Caligraphy Club diversion.

"Global Action" shouts were heard twice (once near the executive committee office, the other after Eru's photo shoot). Wondering what's up with that.

Manga club:
Kouchi - priestess, apparently the one 'suggesting' cosplay to people (including Mayaka, who avoided said suggestion)
Yuasa - Club president, loose sidetail, the one who put up and took down the sign advertising Mayaka & Kouchi's argument
Who is Fuku-chan? (mentioned by Mayaka in ep 13 as Kouchi starts baiting her)

Who's the Classics Club's fifth club member? Houtarou's math really seems an odd mistake to make. (Think someone mentioned this in another post somewhere, but can't find it.) 2 per club member, 1 for the supervisor, 1 for archiving, for a total of 12. The only way that's possible is if there are 5 club members.

From most anime, clubs tend to need either 4 (K-On) or 5 (Tari Tari) members to officially operate. So even if it's just a ghost member, there (probably) has to be a 5th student somewhere who's officially in their club, right? But I don't remember anything indicating who it might be. Maybe Houtarou's sister has permanent membership...

On the other hand, Kaho (ep 13) is the only member of the Fortune Telling Club, which implies there is no minimim membership requirement for clubs. Of course she didn't have a room, just a tent in the hallway, so there's uncertainty about the degree to which such a club exists.

More math oddness: Houtarou says they sold 14 copies. Marks on the page total 27. Given that he started from 12, there should have been 26 if 14 were sold, or he should have said that 15 were sold.

something

07-16-2012, 02:12 PM

Mayaka in bed, can't sleep. Takes some meds.. dori-- something. Anyone have a clue what those might be? Was thinking dramamine, but that doesn't seem quite right, and I'm not very well versed on medical drug names. Maybe something akin to benedryl to help her sleep, but wondering if she's literally feeling sick from the nervousness/anxiety.
Can't check a screenshot right now from work, but when I saw that I figured it was the first part of "dorimu", dream, as in help you sleep and start dreaming.

Who is Fuku-chan? (mentioned by Mayaka in ep 13 as Kouchi starts baiting her)
Satoshi, I assumed (Fukube Satoshi). She's called him that before, I'm pretty sure.

Ingraman

07-16-2012, 05:12 PM

Episode 13:

- And I suddenly realized what felt so weird about this scene. Kaho calls her Eru. Almost nobody ever calls her Eru. It's either Chitanda or Chitanda-san or Chii-chan.
Why's it weird? You're using her given name. ;p

I'm often getting lost in early discussions for various series, when people commenting in forum threads are using a character's given name, and that character is almost always referred to by their family name. When the name's hardly used in the anime, I find it hard to attach a face to it for at least a few episodes. Eventually, I catch on, but for a while "Who?" is in my head frequently. ^^;

I'm loving the series so far, even if I don't have all of the character names down in my head. I ordered the first two BDs last night (with a bunch of other discs).

something

07-16-2012, 05:41 PM

Why's it weird? You're using her given name. ;p
I don't hear myself speaking in the anime as a character though!

I'm often getting lost in early discussions for various series, when people commenting in forum threads are using a character's given name, and that character is almost always referred to by their family name. When the name's hardly used in the anime, I find it hard to attach a face to it for at least a few episodes. Eventually, I catch on, but for a while "Who?" is in my head frequently. ^^;
What I use depends a lot on the context in the show. But generally it's like the following, though this is largely not a conscious decision:

- Female characters: Given names by default in most cases. I've occasionally reverted back to family name if characters don't get addressed by their given name in-show. I called Urabe Mikoto "Mikoto" for a time until I just started naturally drifting back to "Urabe" by the end of Nazo no Kanojo X.

- Male characters: Depends in part on what kind of impression they leave. Sometimes it's just "male protagonist"/"whatshisname"/"that guy" if I really can't be fucked, sometimes it's family name, and sometimes it'll be given names if I like the character and/or that's what everyone calls him.

On average, guys get given names later than girls, but generally by the end of a show I'd prefer to be on a given name (or nickname!) basis with everyone.

I try to learn the full names of all the characters I care about, and even some I don't, in any show. Either by researching it directly, or just by coming across it when looking up seiyuu or browsing danbooru. I don't like not knowing half a character's name, if they interest me at all.

bored@lazy

07-16-2012, 06:40 PM

Personally I think reviews are a double-edged sword. Since I personally don't have the time to check out every new anime/game etc. they can be handy in determining what's worth my time to begin with. However reading reviews can also subconciously skew your opinion slightly as it can create a preconceived notion of what the show will be like.
Now I tend to check out reviews of various people I generally agree with but I also take note of reviews of people that I often disagree with(ie. certain ANN staff) as having both sides can certainly be helpful.
As for the debate, what consitutes a masterpiece is completely in the eye of the beholder and shouldn't be based on anyone else's opinion. However reviews aren't useless in themselves as they can often help expose people to media they may have not paid attention to otherwise.

dsmith

07-16-2012, 08:18 PM

I'm often getting lost in early discussions for various series, when people commenting in forum threads are using a character's given name, and that character is almost always referred to by their family name. When the name's hardly used in the anime, I find it hard to attach a face to it for at least a few episodes. Eventually, I catch on, but for a while "Who?" is in my head frequently. ^^;

I have that problem a lot, too. People constantly referring to characters by names I haven't even heard in the show several episodes in (or at most, once or twice along the way). Have to keep a wiki page open just to follow along with the posts, sometimes.

For me, 'given' vs 'family' name is mostly irrelevant, unless it's literally about distinguishing members of the same family. I only care about "the word people use to refer to this character". If the family name is what I'm mostly hearing when watching the show, that's who that character is, to me. Talking about someone in a manner other than that is only useful when there's some sort of easily recognizable fan name (eg: Subara! in Saki), that's usually more a characteristic than a name.

To take a recent example, when I asked about 'Fuku-chan', it never even occurred to me that that was referring to Satoshi, because Satoshi is Satoshi. Fukube is something I never hear, and simply isn't part of my mental construct of him. I'd have a hard time naming more than a dozen Hollywood actors, or more than three or four seiyuu. Characters are no different, except that I get to hear their name fairly frequently over a relatively short period, so can usually maintain a memory of the commonly used form of their name.

Of course I'll grant I'm a bit strange in that regard. For me, people are an abstract combination of image, personality and concept; it takes a fair bit of work and repetition to be able to associate a word -- a name -- with them. Maybe too much time immersed in math and programming, where labels are arbitrary and transitory, only useful as a descriptor for the immediate needs. To me, names are largely a temporary and easily forgettable notion.

Oddly enough, now that I think about it, they're taking a somewhat similar approach to things in "Humanity Has Declined". The only character with anything approaching a name is "Y".

superdry

07-22-2012, 07:07 PM

And, the culture festival arc continues. Definitely the enjoying this arc and the whole culture festival at the school is just amazing. As someone mentioned before, I don't know if any other anime can top this one going forward.

Looks like no hard feelings between Mayaka and the club president (dressed as another SNK character - King from Art of Fighting). Were they in a competition of some sort? Didn't know that Mayaka was really good at drawing either.

Chii-chan! So, much cute, adorable, lovable Eru this episode. I melted when she was confused when Irisu (did she give advice on trying to hook up with Oreki or was that just in general?) put her hand out and she put her hand over it. So cute!! Ponytail Eru during the cooking competition. All my love to her.

Speaking of which, screw the mystery of stolen items, the episode spends the rest of the time with an awesome cooking competition. That was a really exciting watch with Satoshi doing decently, Eru cooking up a storm and Mayaka running out of time flustered. Oreki (who is probably loving the culture fest sitting in the club room doing nothing) saves the day thanks to Eru's super-keen hearing.

And, at the end, the mystery of stolen club items comes back (they had to come back to that, right?). The culture fest arc continues next week. Very excited.

Fencedude

07-22-2012, 08:56 PM

Ooooh...I think Irisu's got it for Eru. Those eyes don't show up for everyone.

Anyway, Eru is, unsurprisingly, an amazing cook. And Mayaka's no slouch either. Houtarou's trading quest comes to and end and saves the day...and then Eru finds a mystery.

MAYAKA. WHY ARE YOU SO MOE!?

something

07-22-2012, 10:02 PM

Episode 14:

- Aww she couldn't find it. Also, some new cosplay going on.
- ...Mayaka, you look cute. Too cute. Have mercy on me! I'm only a mortal man!

- Oh wow. Satoshi totally just KI NI NARIMASUed when the student council president told him about the other thefts. Those eyes! Those are ki ni narimasu eyes!
- Irisu will help. Hell, it's the least she owes them.
- Haha, Eru really is a puppy dog, isn't she?
- HAH! Wow. I don't think we've ever seen Irisu looking flustered before. Everyone is helpless before Eru!
- And then Irisu gives Eru advice straight out of the playbook she used to manipulate Houtarou. HAH again!
- Eru is totally marveling at Irisu's wisdom. This is fucking hilarity right here.

- Meanwhile: Houtarou.
- Trick or Treat! Yaaaaay!
- Wow. Those two are insane. And Houtarou's trading quest continues! He gets... a bag of flour? What the fuck? XD
- Haha aww, Houtarou, you do care about the club.

- I want to see Mayaka's poster!
- Satoshi is a very considerate guy. Why is it only KyoAni who can so consistently make male characters likable? Why does the studio that most specializes in cute girls get right what everyone else gets wrong at least half the time? WHY IS THIS SHOW SO GOOD?

- Round 1!
- Ohgodohgodohgod that ponytail!
- Oh hey it's Misaki!
- Haha, Eru's pose is to flex her muscles. That feels like something Kotobuki Tsumugi would do. Actually, shit, I think that's why I like Eru so much. She's like a ditzier Mugi. I always have had a thing for down-to-earth ojou-samas.
- That little gesture where Eru puts her fingers to her chin and cheeks, I'm dyyyyyyyyyying!
- ERU! The miming attempt! The miming!

- Round 2!
- Satoshi seems like he did okay, but it might be up to Eru to make up the difference. She said she was good at cooking, right? Her critique of Satoshi's work implies she at least knows the basics.
- ...Oh yeah, yeah she's really good. Fuck yeah Eru! You don't get enough respect so it's nice to see you do something very well in front of a lot of people.
- Hahahaha, Misaki has a very scary look on her face... pyromaniac in training?
- ...Oops. Eru used up all of the ingredients. She got a little too into it. :sd:

- Round 3! Run Mayaka, run!
- She then finally realizes she's in cosplay. And blushes. And MY HEART EXPLODES INTO FIFTY MILLION PIECES. MOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! !!!!!
- Oh. Oh! The flour! Run Houtarou, run!
- Or just call from the window. Hahah, oh man, this has to be incredibly embarrassing for him. All this attention is the exact opposite of what he wants. But he'll do it for the Kotenbu!
- GO GO MAYAKA! The announcer is ki ni narimasu! XD

- Kotenbu wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiins! Heh heh Houtarou's little clap was cute.
- Man, Mayaka is so hard on herself. They won and she's still disappointed she didn't have time to do better.
- But the missing ladle? Chii-chan makes the connection. It's part of the thefts!

Absolutely blown away by this episode. Hands down the best of the Kanyasai episodes so far. Between this and the K-ON! movie, this weekend has been a very clear reminder of why KyoAni is the best in the business - ever. The attention to detail, the lovable characters, the amazing subtlety in everything... man. It's crazy.

And Mayaka, goddamn I can't express what a phenomenal character she is, and how incredible this arc has been at developing her. Hands down my favorite character in the show.

dsmith

07-23-2012, 01:57 AM

Re: Mayaka --

And so much of her perfectionism coming through. Kouchi in the manga club finished her poster in hardly any time at all, but Mayaka kept working on hers right up to the last minute (past the last minute, actually, since she didn't even leave until it was time for her to start in the cooking contest). In the contest, the dish should have been cooked for one more minute. From last episode, books all carefully packed into boxes, and being incredibly precise about the order that they're unpacked.

All things considered, it's easy to see why Satoshi would consider her as having the potential for being an exceptional Sherlockian. For her, the details are important. She doesn't aim for 'good enough', she aims for 'perfect'.

Someone referenced one of Satoshi's comments about Mayaka from the novels a while back (don't remember if it was in the threads here or on a blog comment), that I'd just about forgotten. Very minor spoiler (barely even warrants a spoiler, but since it technically isn't from the anime, will err on the side of caution), but cements together all of the above into a simpler whole: How her actual intelligence isn't really reflected in her grades, because she spends so much time fussing over her answers that she tends to not complete her tests.

Further analysis that uses a bit of allusion to the above spoiler:

All of which leads to a rather interesting dichotomy, that strongly lends itself to supporting her view about the 'worth' of manga: her obsession is about perfection within the process itself, not the end result. She was disappointed that the dish she made wasn't done perfectly; the fact that they won the contest was a minor afterthought. Same thing with the above spoiler bit. She's not trying for the stereotypical "must be #1!" type of perfection, but instead perfection by absolute mastery of what she chooses to do.

Which leads right back to the manga argument. Kouchi's argument was about masterpieces being those which stood the test of time and remained popular; that is, they were recognized by 'others', being #1 in popularity, like getting 100% on a test, etc. Yet getting 100% on a test isn't the same as perfection; it just means you know everything that's being tested. However what's being tested is a very small subset of everything that can be known about a subject.

So to Mayaka, Kouchi's definition of a masterpiece -- a popular work that remains popular -- is equivalent to getting 100% on a test. It's an author putting together exactly what the teacher/readers wanted. It means you're good, but only within the limited space of giving people what they want. It does not necessarily reflect true mastery of the subject itself. Mayaka's definition of a masterpiece is something that can't be contained within that space. To her, it's something that approaches -actual- perfection, as evaluated by those with the greatest understanding of all aspects of the subject matter. That's why, to her, critical reviews are important, and also why time is not a factor (ie: a masterpiece can be recognized as such immediately; it doesn't need a 'test of time', though that is somewhat flawed, given that time allows for greater and more detailed analysis to be done, which may shift the overall evaluation).

In any case, for Mayaka a masterpiece is something that strives for perfection, not something that strives for popularity. Those two elements may coincide, but there is no requirement that they do so.

Likewise, Mayaka didn't try to win the cooking contest, she tried to make the best dish she possibly could. In fact, you might say that she epitomizes the phrase, "Try your best!", as it seems to be something she takes quite literally. It's the effort, not the (secondary) results, that matters.

All in all, she seems to embody the literal concept of the 'perfectionist' better that pretty much any other standard character I can think of. It's not about being praised for being the top in her class, or the school (any 'top student' archetype). She doesn't do it for recognition or popularity, or leverage that she can use against others. It's not about personal preferences, as often seen in obsessive-compulsive types (eg: Kid Death in Soul Eater). Rather, it's about absolute mastery of her chosen interest, perhaps best reflected by those who are already masters within their fields, rather than the characters we normally follow.

In fact, similar comments could be made about all of the people in the club. That, even though they're just high schoolers right now, we're watching the growth of true Masters here. So many series give us characters that they try to force into greatness, but so few give us characters where we can see the greatness within them even though they're doing absolutely nothing spectacular.

Houtarou with logic, and thought over effort (the exact opposite of virtually all shounen heroes); Satoshi with minutia and details (who cares about the details anymore?); Mayaka with perfection (where showiness and bragging rights are the norm); Chitanda with curiosity (seeking out the strange, no matter how mundane, rather than waiting for events to come to you; or, solving the small problems before they become big problems).

Hyouka forces things to remain mundane and minor. If the characters can't sell themselves against such a backdrop, then they probably weren't very interesting to begin with.

Also mildly personally interesting to note more of Satoshi's first name being used (including Mayaka directly addressing him as Fuku-chan). Maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention during the earlier episodes. Kinda wanting to rewatch everything anyway, just to pay closer attention to Mayaka.

ookamigirl

07-23-2012, 08:50 AM

Chitanda really is clueless sometimes.
At least she was giving her best to sell the remaining copies of the anthology.
Oreki sure got some weird customers.
He did more trading than actual selling...
Cooking contest was fun to watch ^^
That lucky flour bag saved the day! Who knew it would come in handy.

HitokiriShadow

07-23-2012, 11:19 AM

Eru and Irisu talk one on one! Eru kininarimasu's for Irisu! And gives THE EYES. Then Irisu teaches Eru how to manipulate people. -_-; Oh man, that was definitely one of the best scenes in the show yet..... though this arc seems absolutely full of those.

The cooking competition was great stuff, especially Eru's part. And Mayaka's little victory clap/head tilt was absolutely adorable.

It looks like Houtarou's item-swap quest chain finally comes to an end, though he still has two bags of cookies left, and he could trade one of them.

And was that Astronomy club girl at cooking contest the girl who gave a theory for the end of the movie? I'm pretty sure she was. And her face was scaaaary. She was thinking of all the ways she could kill people with that fire. And then you see or hear what her teammates were doing.... I wish we could have seen the results of what they were cooking. But maybe its funnier to leave it to the imagination in this case.

Anyway, this is officially the best school festival arc ever. My feelings on the show has a whole have been that its a very good, amazingly animated and interesting show, but one that I only moderately liked. But I've enjoyed this festival a lot. Probably not a coincidence that its also barely had any mystery in it at all.

ultimatemegax

07-23-2012, 11:33 AM

And was that Astronomy club girl at cooking contest the girl who gave a theory for the end of the movie? I'm pretty sure she was. And her face was scaaaary. She was thinking of all the ways she could kill people with that fire.

I saw a screencap prior to watching the stream yesterday and it was even better in motion. Yes, Sawaguchi Misaki (http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/kotenbu/character/#sawakiguchi) was one of the three who gave a theory for the movie. She was in charge of promotion and theorized about a ghost killer.

HitokiriShadow

07-23-2012, 11:43 AM

Yes, Sawaguchi Misaki (http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/kotenbu/character/#sawakiguchi) was one of the three who gave a theory for the movie.

For some odd reason, that doesn't actually go to Sawakiguchi. Instead, it shows the profile for the person below. That confused me at first. "Huh? Not only was I not talking about this person, I don't even remember seeing them. ... Ooooh." Anyway, thanks for the confirmation.

tytan88

07-23-2012, 12:12 PM

powerful episode as always. Interesting argument on masterpieces and criticism. One takeaway that I have from this is that not everything is a masterpiece because someone thinks it is, but then by that same argument not everyone is a critic because they appoint themselves to be one. Some people are critics who don't have that sort of gift at all, they are just collecting a paycheck.
That's why I come here, because many of you here have the real gift of recognizing quality. I suppose true beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and true criticism is found in the overflow of real relationships, not abstract examination. Though abstract examination does have its uses.

I loved eru's reaction at the end. This is certainly going to get fun!

Ingraman

07-23-2012, 02:41 PM

Episode 14:

- Trick or Treat! Yaaaaay!
- Wow. Those two are insane. And Houtarou's trading quest continues! He gets... a bag of flour? What the fuck? XD
As soon as the cooking contest announcers mentioned that supplies from anywhere on campus were allowed, the fate of the flour bag became rather obvious. I loved how all of the traded oddities connected. ^^;

- ...Oops. Eru used up all of the ingredients. She got a little too into it. :sd:Once she builds momentum, she can't stop!

Heh...

- Round 3! Run Mayaka, run!
- She then finally realizes she's in cosplay. And blushes. And MY HEART EXPLODES INTO FIFTY MILLION PIECES. MOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! !!!!!I presume that there's a consensus somewhere about who she was cosplaying as? I might have seen the outfit before, but nothing came to mind while I was watching...

Absolutely blown away by this episode. Hands down the best of the Kanyasai episodes so far. Between this and the K-ON! movie, this weekend has been a very clear reminder of why KyoAni is the best in the business - ever. The attention to detail, the lovable characters, the amazing subtlety in everything... man. It's crazy.KyoAni's stuff is beautiful to watch. I'm glad that I decided to buy the Hyouka BD singles, although they'd be even better if they'd had English subtitles to add to them like with the Clannad BD sets. ;_;

And Mayaka, goddamn I can't express what a phenomenal character she is, and how incredible this arc has been at developing her. Hands down my favorite character in the show.She is the most interesting character so far. Let's see how the others get developed. ^_^

something

07-23-2012, 03:03 PM

I presume that there's a consensus somewhere about who she was cosplaying as? I might have seen the outfit before, but nothing came to mind while I was watching...
Well, let's see... ::googles::

Himitsu no Akko-chan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himitsu_no_Akko-chan). 1962. More super old school manga. Apparently it's getting a live action adaptation this year.

bear

07-23-2012, 04:54 PM

Re: Mayaka --
.

Which explains her irritation with Hontarou. He doesn't take what he's doing seriously and only wants to get by. She sees that as almost morally wrong. Anything less than trying for perfection is antithetical to her belief system. Being forced to work under a time limit, for her, must be excruciating.

strangefour

07-26-2012, 09:23 PM

-KING! Lady go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDwEWgd5WD8)!
-Iris consoling a Tanda-chan on the verge of tears. This is how love starts.
-She does carry a sample copy. I guess Tanda-chan is kinda stupid.
-*holding hands* "Teach me how to do that!" Gaaaaay~
-Iris has taught Tanda-chan how to be a woman.
-Trick or treat~ Yaaaay~
-The laziest item fetch & trade quest continues. hehehe
-Shouldn't all the manga posters have been made ahead of time... Are you artists really this fucking lazy? I mean yes we are horrible about waiting until the last minute of a dead line. But this is ridiculous.
->_< Next time show the in hall add before I rant!
-*pretends K-ON's occult club is in the audience*

-Chitanda: "Daikon... Hadouken!"
-Chitanda... cooking... so cute.
-FIIIIIRE!
-SOUP DAMN IT! MAKE SOUP! THROW OREKI! THROW!
-Shrimp heads...? So no onion soup. :\
-AHAHAHAHHAHA! Yes. Yes for you that was hard work Oreki.
-Why is Tanda-chan doing the robot as she excuses herself to look for the missing ladle?
-Rut roh Oreki. A clue!

The master thief is totally Oreki's meddling sister. Who else would be this cryptic and random. Or maybe it's the SNK loving manga girl.

strangefour

07-29-2012, 08:59 PM

-Damn Jumonji. Why are you stealing all these things Robin Williams?
-Ten little letters.
-Mayaka you are platinum angry.
-Tanda-chan fails at seduction but is good at curiosity teasing.
-Spoilers~
-The item trading quest isn't over yet! :D
-Tsundere about cosplay. Silly Mayaka.
-Vocaloids being catty will end up in so many AMVs and MADs.
-King! SURPRISE ROSE!
-Mayaka has wandered into a melancholy story of unrequited lesbian love in the manga club.
-137 issues left to sell.
-That is one big happy eggplant.

The mystery of the stolen items thickens. Who is stealing from clubs alphabetically? Why? Will Satoshi be able to catch them in the act? Will Chitanda collapse from curiosity over load? Why is Makaya going to cosplay as Oolong the pig? What SNK character will Ayako cosplay as next time? How sexy will it be? CAN IT BE MAI SHIRANUI!? Yuri Sakazaki? I just hope and pray it's not Athena Asamiya.

Fencedude

07-29-2012, 09:05 PM

Why is this show so gooooood?!

Just everything. SO. GOOD.

something

07-29-2012, 10:28 PM

Episode 15:

- I half expect Houtarou to start hallucinating Eru in cosplay every time he sees her now.
- And I need to mention again just how absurdly cute Mayaka is.
- Bwhaha, that look on his face when he realizes Eru has found a mystery...

- He can feel it coming on. Inexorably. Like the one way march toward death that comes for all mortals. Eru is right on the verge of a ki ni narimasu!
- Wait, he drives back the the ki ni narimasu! ...Only to get flanked by Satoshi. Fuku-chan and Chii-chan, you make a fearsome team.
- I love Mayaka's "I'm scolding you right now" face.
- A I U E O thieves.
- Ka Ki Ku Ke KOTENBU!
- Oh my Satoshi. You're hiding something. At first I thought he was just disappointed that Houtarou beat him to the conclusion again. But then he started to say something else. I wonder if the annoying guy who keeps "competing" with Satoshi is involved, and that's what Satoshi was getting at.
- But the newspaper club guys are also really, really suspicious. And I assume their leader still holds a grudge against the Kotenbu for episode 3.
- Mayaka isn't angry, GODDAMNIT! :sd:

- Speaking of the newspaper club guys.
- Hahah Eru goes right to #3.
- Irisu, I think your advice was a little hard for Eru... :sd:
- But hey she made it work.
- Heh. He's not happy to hear Houtarou's name mentioned.

- Back in the club room, Houratou is completely in detective mode. He will protest and stall and complain, but once things get going he is just inherently unable to stop his thought processes. Meanwhile, Satoshi runs around all excited and eager to solve the mystery, exerting far more effort to accomplish what Houtarou will probably do just sitting in a chair running thought experiments.
- Heh! Mayaka calls Houtarou on getting interested. And is exceptionally amused when he gives his excuses about Eru. She knows exactly what his inability to say no to Eru is all about.
- Bwhaha, Houtarou wants to continue the trading quest.
- And silly Mayaka. Cosplay is cosplay. Embrace it!

- A who's who of Kamiyama High attends the magic show.
- And the candle was stolen before the show. Well, yeah, I really wasn't sure why Satoshi thought the theft had to happen during the show. Turns out he's not sure why he thought so either.

- Why does the world hate Mayaka!? ;_; Also, damnit KyoAni, don't put such mean words in the mouths of my Vocaloids. Miku would never be mean to Mayaka! Miku would totally appreciate Mayaka's hard work. =(
- Oh hell yeah Kouchi totally tells them off.
- Yuasa-senpai is a gentle person, but isn't doing anything to help Mayaka's situation.
- Kouchi-senpai was totally hot for Haruna. Aww, poor Yuasa, you need to lock yourself in a room with Kouchi and make her forget her old woman.

- Satoshi is definitely feeling jealous of Houtarou. He didn't take well to hearing Houtarou basically it made no sense to think the thief would at during the show.

Huh, no ED. Eru is tiring herself out pretty badly. Mayaka is being intensely self-critical as usual, and doesn't want to rely on the thers. Satoshi is getting really fired up about beating Houtarou, but might be in for some disappointment.

0 good ideas who the thief is. Tougaito and annoying guy seem to be out of the running now.

137 anthologies remain.

And 6 episodes. That's not nearly enough. ;_;

ultimatemegax

07-29-2012, 10:37 PM

Satoshi is getting really fired up about beating Houtarou, but might be in for some disappointment.

And 6 episodes. That's not nearly enough. ;_;

I really liked the added focus on Satoshi for this episode. He needed a good episode like this to keep track with the development Mayaka has gotten lately. I would like to see him pull one over on Houtarou just so the club can go "We have two great detectives (and one "curious" enchantress) in the Classics Club!"

It could be 7 more episodes; the 11th BD volume is the same prices as the others, so 22 wouldn't be out of the question. (And it fits a hypothesis I have about the series composition)

something

07-29-2012, 10:40 PM

0 good ideas who the thief is. Tougaito and annoying guy seem to be out of the running now.
Oh so I was looking at the character page again to see if anything new went up, and was reminded that Kaho (fortune telling club, Eru's friend)'s family name is Juumonji (written the exact same way). Eru even asks about that but Kaho shows her the card, and Kaho's reply is a rather non-committal "dunno."

And it's Kaho who calls out to Eru and tells her about it. She also says "You like this sort of thing don't you?" when she shows Eru the card. And being one of the victims would be good cover. Don't think that's enough to say is behind it, but there has to be some relationship to her. It's such a weird coincidence otherwise, and one the show very pointedly glossed over.

something

07-29-2012, 10:41 PM

ultimatemegax

07-29-2012, 10:45 PM

It could be 7 more episodes; the 11th BD volume is the same prices as the others, so 22 wouldn't be out of the question. (And it fits a hypothesis I have about the series composition)
The extra should be episode 11.5, which already aired (well streamed).

That's coming separately with the 3rd manga volume (on BD) in January 2013. The BD volume it would fit on (6) is released this November. If it came on the 11th volume, it would be released in April 2013, 3 months later. Wouldn't make sense to double-release an episode that's already on BD.

something

07-29-2012, 10:51 PM

That's coming separately with the 3rd manga volume (on BD) in January 2013. The BD volume it would fit on (6) is released this November. If it came on the 11th volume, it would be released in April 2013, 3 months later. Wouldn't make sense to double-release an episode that's already on BD.
Ah right forgot it was an OAD. 7 more, then. I just hope the last gets broadcast and doesn't get held until the last volume.

Damius

07-30-2012, 12:00 AM

- Wow, I love Mayaka and she gives me more and more reasons to. She was really nice in the Pre-OP scene.
- I wonder why he forgot about the rope… and he wonders too.
- And now it’s the turn of Satoshi to say there was something wrong about Houtarou ending…
- Eru turn… But she wants to know: "Why didn't they ask Eba?" I’m curious about that too.
- Houtarou it’s impossible for you (and a lot of people) to not think why you made a mistake.
- Oh… Houtarou is angry at Irisu…here.
- So that was an scriptwriting contest… done by Irisu.
- Irisu is talking to Houtarou's sister they give some clues about it. Such as “There wouldn’t be any point in pulling a bluff on someone on the other side of the world” And when she says “that idiot” it’s probably his sister saying it. No one else would call Houtarou an idiot.

Eru looks so happy in that preview, love her!

This show is so awesome; I love the importance they put in every details, to make the experience even better.

ookamigirl

07-30-2012, 08:28 AM

Juumonji's messages keep appearing throughout the cultural festival.
There's a whole bunch of things missing as well.
Now that is a case worthy of Oreki.
Interesting how their club was getting the most unusual promotion.
Chitanda was as pushy as always to promote the club ^^"
Sometimes I think she's overdoing it.
Guess this case goes on..

bear

07-30-2012, 05:54 PM

Why is this show so gooooood?!

Just everything. SO. GOOD.

It keeps getting better and better. Satoshi, Mayaka and Eru are really being allowed to shine in this arc.

HitokiriShadow

07-31-2012, 11:49 AM

Aaaaahahaha, Eru gets to use Irisu's "negotiating" tips! Too bad she sucked at it so badly. If she sucked only slightly less, her adorableness, innocence, naivety, and partial competence at it would increase its effectiveness a hundredfold. She would be the most dangerous "negotiator" ever. No one would be immune!

Then the trading quest continues. The best part is, it was at Houtarou's initiative.

Oh man, Kouchi-senpai's reaction to the girls trash-talking the manga Mayaka couldn't find. And Yuasa-senpai is on a first name basis with Kouchi Ayako... or perhaps Kouchi was in love with Haruna, going by the "there's something about her you can't say" thing. At first thought it was that Yuasa just didn't want to tell Mayaka "Yeah, we totally planned the whole thing. We were trolling you for shits, giggles and sales. It was hilarious BTW." but after it ends, I'm not so sure. But still, first name basis and the way she acts.... ZOMG, its a yuri love triangle! ....Yeah, probably not.

And always nice to see more Irisu, of course, though she didn't do much here. Can we have her and Mayaka get a scene like she had with Eru, please?

Ashyukun

08-02-2012, 12:29 PM

Oh man, Kouchi-senpai's reaction to the girls trash-talking the manga Mayaka couldn't find. And Yuasa-senpai is on a first name basis with Kouchi Ayako... or perhaps Kouchi was in love with Haruna, going by the "there's something about her you can't say" thing. At first thought it was that Yuasa just didn't want to tell Mayaka "Yeah, we totally planned the whole thing. We were trolling you for shits, giggles and sales. It was hilarious BTW." but after it ends, I'm not so sure. But still, first name basis and the way she acts.... ZOMG, its a yuri love triangle! ....Yeah, probably not.

My bets are on Kouchi having been the artist on the Manga that Mayaka can't find. Wasn't Kouchi the girl competing with Mayaka in the poster-drawing contest? The manga was a collaboration, so likely Kouchi did the art and Haruna wrote the story...

Fencedude

08-05-2012, 08:01 PM

An Aneki is afoot!

"A Corpse by Evening" arrives, courtesy of the aforementioned aneki.

The illusive, dangerous and very high level SHIRANUI MAI cosplay appears.

Eru appears on a radio talk show.

And just what is, "Kudryavaka's Order"?

something

08-05-2012, 08:28 PM

Episode 16:

- It's Satoshi tiiiiiiime~!

- Scratch that, it's onee-chan tiiiiiiiiime~! Man, her being here throws everything out of whack. She can and will affect the situaton in unpredictable ways.
- Eru recognizes her. Hmmm.

- Juumoji stole from the keionbu! That fiend! It also breaks the pattern, at least in terms of order. Or he's already stolen from a Ku club.
- Satoshi is taking this a little too personally... but it's not so much that Juumoji is beating him, as that he's losing to himself.

- Heh, I like what passes for excitement from Houtarou.
- I love they ways they hide his sister's face. :sd:
- Trading quest continues and Houtaruo gets... A Corpse by Evening! Well I'm sure that wasn't a coincidence at all.
- Ohhhh, ohhhhhhhhh! Mystery. Christie. The next Kanya festival. Hmmmmmmmmm.
- Kudryavka. Finally the book three title comes up.
- So onee-chan left behind a very important item for both the mystery, and for Mayaka if she finds out.

- Oh wow, Eru hit the jackpot. A chance to adevrtise her club on the school radio show!
- And back in the club room. Houtarou rather enjoyed the manga. Rare praise coming from him.
- Eru recognizes the art? It feels like Eru has all the pieces of the mystery in her head somehow but needs to bring them together.
- WATASHI, KI NI NARIMASU! Throw in boob power (in the most modest downshirt fanservice scene ever, that's KyoAni for you) and Houtarou's resistance fades.

- Haha, oh wow, Kouchi really did cosplay Mai!
- Fuuuuuuuck these manga club girls, seriously. She didn't intend to spill the whole thing on Mayaka, but trying to spill any at all was a massive dick move. Feeling bad about it only makes her slighly less of a jerkoff.
- Yay, Mayaka and Chii-chan together for once! Does not happen enough.
- Annnnnnnd I'm only halfway through the episode, haha wow.

- Aww... damn. One of the members of the Corpse by Evening threesome is a guy. So no yuri subplot. ;_; It'll just be a break-up over a hetero love triangle. Oh well.
- Bwhahah, Houtarou either has to have the others thing he doesn't know who the student council president is, or acknowledge he didn't know how to read the name. Neither would be flattering.
- Ooh oh oh oh! gah, I could type up thousanda of words about an episode of this show. There's so much I want to call out, so much I want to praise, sooo much going on. Everything with the four of them back in the club room was great but the highlight for me was Eru's reaction when Houtarou didn't want to talk to her about it. I definietly get the sense she feels left out, or rather feels she's not taken as seriously, when they're solving mysteries. She's just as passionate as any of them but Houratou keeps trying to avoid her.
- And manages it again by scaring her off with talk of adult topics. :sd:
- I do feel a little bad for Houtarou. Satoshi too, but poor Houtarou has no idea why Satoshi is showing such sudden mood swings. That must be disorienting.
- Ouch. 'Don't let us down, Houtarou" sounded to me like Satoshi's admission of defeat. Poor guy.

- Eru's radio debut! Except now she's probably all flustered after what Houtarou said. I hope this doesn't go badly. :sd:
- Hahah, well. Okay, not off to the best start. ;sd:

THIS SHOW IS SO DAMN AWESOME. Seems like next time should end it. That leaves 4 more TV episodes for the fourth novel, and the most recent fifth one won't be covered.

strangefour

08-05-2012, 09:58 PM

-Satoshi (& some fops) vs Juumonji.
-Oreki's sister is a crazy hippie...
-Yui & Mugi are in danger! Must save the light music club from thievery.
-The trade quest continues once more. Wait... that manga!? What are you psychic Oreki aneki?
-Tanda-chan has luck powers.
-Swallow it. Swallow it!
-GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! Nippon Ichi! :D
-Rainbow Parakeet? I though she was a communist pig.
-Jersey-bu! Maru~

-The ears are identical. Yep same artist. Ears are a bitch to draw and we all develop our own short hand for those ugly little appendages.
-Aww that's why Ereki is always so cranky. He has kanji dyslexia.
-Tanda-chan can jump from deep sadness to ecstatic glee in a heartbeat.
-Laika's real name!
-Eru uses Headbutt. It's moe.

Ah hah! I was right. Mai Shiranui was inevitable. Shame she wasn't on screen much. :\ Interesting to see Satoshi get so damn mad at Oreki for this seeming so easy for him. Then just burying that anger that Oreki doesn't even notice. Satoshi puts up with a lot to be a great best friend.

Longest culture festival ever.

ultimatemegax

08-05-2012, 10:16 PM

THIS SHOW IS SO DAMN AWESOME. Seems like next time should end it. That leaves 4 more TV episodes for the fourth novel, and the most recent fifth one won't be covered.

Agreed on the show quality. This week's KyoAni site update included the promotional picture (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/hyoukafinalarc.jpg) for the fourth novel, so it looks like that is next (though surprises may occur).

Having read about the fifth novel, I'm not surprised it won't be covered. I personally don't feel as though it could end a season with its contents.

This show just seems to be getting better each and every week somehow. KyoAni continues to find ways to top themselves. Also, that broadcasting room looks familiar (http://www.kotenbu.com/news/images/120420radio.jpg)....

something

08-05-2012, 10:22 PM

ultimatemegax

08-05-2012, 10:33 PM

Seems like next time should end it. That leaves 4 more TV episodes for the fourth novel, and the most recent fifth one won't be covered.

So I looked into page counts of the novels. This is based on the bunko re-releases with the anime design covers:

Volume 1, Hyouka: 217 pgs, eps 1-5. 43.4 pg/ep.
Volume 2, Gusha no Endroll: 245 pgs, eps 8-11. 61.25 pg/ep.
Volume 3, Kudryavka no Junban: 393 pgs, eps 12-17. 65.5 pg/ep.
Volume 4, Toomawari suru Hina: 410 pgs, eps 18-21. 102.5 pg/ep.
Volume 5, Futari no Kyori no Gaisan: not animated

I'm assuming Kudryavka ends next episode and Toomawari runs the rest of the show, and concludes at ep 21. I can't imagine they'd make us wait for the last BD in mid 2013 for the ending, so 22 must be another side story.

Episode 6 was the "why did Eru's teacher get mad" episode. Not part of a major arc. Same for episode 7, the onsen ghost. 11.5, the pool episode, is anime original if I'm not mistaken.

At first the huge jump in pages per volume for the final animated arc looks a little unsettling, but if eps 6-7 were taken from Toomawari that might knock off 100-150 pages or so and leave us with something a little more manageable, around 65-77 pages per episode.

I'm guessing a sequel is going to be all but impossible. Only one novel remains, and it's already been 11 years since the series started with only 5 total published. I find it unlikely that either 1) enough new material will be written and 2) nearly soon enough to make a sequel at all likely.

Hopefully Toomawari has a good, conclusive ending. I suppose they could do Futari no Kyori in the bonus episode as it's shorter than Kudryavka or Toomawari but it's still 287 pages so I doubt one episode would come close.
Not only did episodes 6 and 7 come from the fourth novel, but the second half of episode 1 came from it as well (stories 1, 2, 3 of 7 total). That gives us four stories (alas, I don't have page counts on hand) for four episodes. The OVA is the only newly-written story, but this month's Wilderness Era contains the first short story written since 2010.

As for the fifth, I disagree that it'll come from the fifth novel. For some reason, an 8th short story was written between 2001 and 2007 but was not published in the fourth novel. Said story just happens to be included with BD/DVD volume 9, which contains episodes 17/18. If we assume 17 ends the Kudryavka novel, then 18 could be Renbou wa Harete iru ka (Are the Mountains Clear?), giving 19-22 to novel four (four episodes for four stories).

I agree with the subpar prospects of a sequel, but that does not mean it won't be animated. It could be a movie or long OVA.

something

08-05-2012, 10:55 PM

Not only did episodes 6 and 7 come from the fourth novel, but the second half of episode 1 came from it as well (stories 1, 2, 3 of 7 total). That gives us four stories (alas, I don't have page counts on hand) for four episodes.
All one-off stories? It'd be a bit of a downer to go out on one-offs after all these great multi-episode arcs. Oh well, I'm sure KyoAni will make it work.

I agree with the subpar prospects of a sequel, but that does not mean it won't be animated. It could be a movie or long OVA.
It could be a movie, yes but I can think of nothing in the entire anime industry that would be considered more precious a resource than the amount of production time that would be required for a KyoAni theatrical film. Hyouka is successful so far, and I bet it could make a great movie, but I guess I don't see it happening. OVA perhaps.

ultimatemegax

08-05-2012, 11:03 PM

Not only did episodes 6 and 7 come from the fourth novel, but the second half of episode 1 came from it as well (stories 1, 2, 3 of 7 total). That gives us four stories (alas, I don't have page counts on hand) for four episodes.
All one-off stories? It'd be a bit of a downer to go out on one-offs after all these great multi-episode arcs. Oh well, I'm sure KyoAni will make it work.
Hyouka has gone in chronological order thus far. The remaining stories appear to take place after the Kanya Festival, so they couldn't be adapted before now and have the Festival end it for us. It's disappointing, but there's no other choice with the material they have.

HitokiriShadow

08-06-2012, 12:29 AM

Lucky Mayaka, she now has access to a copy of "A Corpse by Evening" thanks to Houtarou's sister's amazingly convenient (or is it....?) ability to give him exactly what he needs. Especially lucky after Mayaka's day just looked like it went to shit.

"Kudryavka's Order" Geez, that's mouthful.

And Satoshi looks like he's very close to snapping with his Houtarou complex.

Also, Eru provides us the least fanservicey cleavage shot ever.

HitokiriShadow

08-06-2012, 12:36 AM

- Aww... damn. One of the members of the Corpse by Evening threesome is a guy. So no yuri subplot. ;_; It'll just be a break-up over a hetero love triangle. Oh well.

I thought Kouchi was one of the ones involved in making it for some reason. There could still be a yuri subplot though! Yuasa - Kouchi - Haruna. Which is what I thought the show might be getting at last time, though I had been highly skeptical then and remain so now.

- Bwhahah, Houtarou either has to have the others thing he doesn't know who the student council president is, or acknowledge he didn't know how to read the name. Neither would be flattering.

Name kanji are a bitch. That scene amused me. And man, he must have really felt like a dunce when she pointed out the romaji.

something

08-06-2012, 10:19 AM

So we have one Kud episode left, then four one-off stories in the TV broadcast.

Is that enough time to deal with:
- Satoshi's complex towards Houtarou. He did "admit defeat" after a fashion, at least to himself, in this episode but I don't feel like that's really the end for him. This could be wrapped up next episode, but I don't think it'll get at the real extent of the issue if so.

- Mayaka's manga club issues. I see a path towards Mayaka getting a better understanding of Kouchi's motives and history, and I suppose the rest of the club could just fall in line afterward, but it would have to be a quick change of heart. This would all probably be instrumental in resolving her excessively self-critical outlook too. One of the main reasons she's so hard on herself, and so hard working, is probably the need to constantly fight against half the members of her own club. Perhaps the poor girl could relax a little if she didn't always need to be on edge, waiting for the next nasty comment or childish prank.

- Eru's recently disclosed feelings of being left out - I feel like this could develop into a significant issue based on that scene in this episode. At least I would really like it to be. Perhaps it was just done to be cute, in a "look how quickly her mood can change!" sort of way (and it was cute, so success if so) but I really, really want there to be more there.

- Aneki's... everything. Will we learn something significant about her, or will she remain a deus ex aneki, a mysterious, playful, force of nature without a face? I'm actually okay with either. There's an appeal to aneki just manipulating Houtarou while smiling trollishly and half-obscured by a convenient piece of scenery. But if there's something more, some backstory, I bet it would be fascinating too.

- The romantic relationships. If these don't reach a conclusion, that's not going to kill the show. These characters are a joy to watch regardless, whether it's friendship or relationship. But I am absolutely dying for Eru or Houtarou to confess to the other because it would result in the most magnificent explosion of adorable, flustered, blushing madness this world has ever seen. I'd also really, really like to see Mayaka and Satoshi take a step forward, because they really do need each other. Mayaka realizes how much she needs Satoshi, but wants to keep up the strong facade and hates any sign of weakness in herself. Satoshi I don't think realizes it yet, but he really needs someone to make him feel special right about now. They're as perfect together as Eru and Houtarou are. Just, in two very different ways.

Oddly enough I feel like Houtarou is the one who needs further development least. Maybe that's just an illusion cast by this arc's more intense focus on Mayaka and Satoshi, which has taken the spotlight off any of Houtarou's lingering issues. I suppose he does still need to get out of his sister's shadow, and the conclusion to the Endroll arc wasn't a particularly happy one for him.

But I'm skeptical we'll get any of this in detail. With the novels incomplete, there probably isn't a conclusion to any of this yet, and there's only so much we can do in a handful more episodes.

Ah, if only there were 8 novels out and four cour to work with. The potential of this series is off the charts. I feel like it's going to disappear right at its prime.

ookamigirl

08-06-2012, 01:40 PM

Juumoji turned out to be pretty elusive.
At least the anthology was selling really well now.
Oreki's sister traded him something interesting.
Chitanda and her curiosity... ^^"
That manga sure brought out a lot of curiosity.
Looks like it had a lot more to do with the Juumoji case than previously thought.

bear

08-06-2012, 02:04 PM

Episode 16:
THIS SHOW IS SO DAMN AWESOME. Seems like next time should end it. That leaves 4 more TV episodes for the fourth novel, and the most recent fifth one won't be covered.

I am just in awe of the quality of this show. The animation of the emotions of the characters is outstanding. Devastating to think there might not be any more coming. Well, maybe they can do an anime only series (I am Curious, Chitanda).

Japanese fascinate me with their writing quirks. I'm referring to using romani to write out the name rather than furigana. Not only do they have kanji plus the two syllabaries, but they stick in romaji and English too. :sweat:

I'd write more about the episode, but after reading the comments here, I realize that almost all of my thoughts have been covered by someone else.

strangefour

08-06-2012, 07:10 PM

- The romantic relationships. .... I'd also really, really like to see Mayaka and Satoshi take a step forward, because they really do need each other. Mayaka realizes how much she needs Satoshi, but wants to keep up the strong facade and hates any sign of weakness in herself. Satoshi I don't think realizes it yet, but he really needs someone to make him feel special right about now. They're as perfect together as Eru and Houtarou are. Just, in two very different ways.

What? No. What?

Umm Satoshi is kind of well gay. He likes Mayaka as a friend, and a foil who will tell him when he's gone too far. It's fun to tease her. I get the feeling that she confessed she liked him before the show started and he told her he doesn't like girls. Heck half of Satoshi's annoyance at Oerki not using his brain to his full potential seems to stem from Satoshi's unrequited crush on him.

Makaya herself also comes off internally conflicted thus fueling her external anger. So maybe she's really a lesbian trying to hide it, a boy trapped in a girl's body, or confused by any number of issues. Her love of weird old manga and crossdressing cosplay has to be hinting at something.

Satoshi & Mayaka make a great pair as bitter friends. But romantically? Nah never gonna happen. Nor should it.

something

08-06-2012, 07:23 PM

Umm Satoshi is kind of well gay.
I rather doubt that.

Makaya herself also comes off internally conflicted thus fueling her external anger. So maybe she's really a lesbian trying to hide it, a boy trapped in a girl's body, or confused by any number of issues. Her love of weird old manga and crossdressing cosplay has to be hinting at something.
I think it's nothing more than that she likes obscure artsy manga. They've hinted more than enough about her feelings for Satoshi. With these two, I don't think it's that they wouldn't get together, so much as that the story isn't going to focus on such things. We'd get Houtarou and Eru confessing way before we even get significant movement on Satoshi and Mayaka. I'd still enjoy seeing ti happen though.

something

08-12-2012, 07:27 PM

The best culture festival ever ends... tonight. I'll be sad to see it go.

Episode 17:

- GO GO CHII-CHAN! Be confident! Stress "everybody"! Pumpkins! Wait what?
- Advertise Hyouka! Pumpkins! ...?
- C'mon Irisu. Heed Eru's call! Protect Hyouka!
- Although it may be too late already. I wonder if one is really missing or if Houtarou just forgot to mark a sale down. Did he record aneki's?
- She is so cute. <3 <3 <3
- But she's also worried if she did the right thing. Don't worry, Chii-chan! You did your best!

- And Hyoka is flying off the shelves. Desk. Whatever.
- What the fuck? The manuscript exploded!? Juumoji isn't screwing around anymore. Wow.
- Although frankly I think Satoshi set up this last one. Just to see if Houtarou would be able to do it. The look on his face at the close of that scene seems to be mixing so many different emotions.

- Awww... I love Irisu/Eru scenes. Irisu admits her advice wasn't a good fit for Eru, and I'm rather glad that Eru realized it herself without being told.

- Ohhhhhhh... Well go figure, Houtarou did crack the code. He just didn't tell the others. And Satoshi knows, but Houtarou doesn't know Satoshi knows. So that look... it takes on a new meaning now. Now there's no way Satoshi set up the explosion.
- As for the whole motive behind the mystery, well, it almost doesn't matter. What matters is what it's done to the characters. And it's been fascinating.
- HEH! And Houtarou just outright blackmails him into buying ¥6000 worth of Hyouka.
- Hmm. Houtarou also says he was going to bring Satoshi into the plot. So... Houtarou knows Satoshi knows because he tells Satoshi.
- And a very cute little Mayaka and Satoshi scene after that. So much said with so few words.

- Mayaka confronts Kouchi! Who we finally see outside of costume.
- Kouchi rejects A Corpse by Evening because, essentially, she's madly jealous. Anjou knew nothing about manga and wrote a masterpiece Kouchi could never match. Well, yeah that could be pretty depressing.
- Awwwwwwwww.... Mayaka! ;_; So she realizes that she's in the same position as Kouchi. Kouchi feels she'll never reach Anjou's level. And Mayaka feels she'll never reach Kouchi's level (Body Talk). Don't cry, Mayaka...

- And Tanabe has the same issues as Kouchi. Oh Kugayama and Anjou, you're leaving devastated artists in your wake. Just as Kouchi leaves Mayaka, and Houtarou leaves Satoshi.
- But Kugayama did get the message, as we saw before, so hey, maybe there's hope.

- Aww, Mayaka's eyes are still red from crying.
- And with the last four copies purchased... SOLD OUT! Go go kotenbu! And go go blackmail!
- Hahahaha, and Satoshi gets his revenge by throwing Houtarou under the KININARＩBUS.
- Kotenbu celebratory dinner at Eru's place! Ah, I wish we could see it.

Fucking fantastic ending. And honestly, rather bittersweet. Quite interesting how it was handled in the end.

Now we have a few one-shots to close out on. Four more episodes to go!

Fencedude

08-12-2012, 08:27 PM

That was an interesting resolution. And I can certainly say I did not expect explosions in Hyouka!

Easily the best cultural festival ever animated.

HitokiriShadow

08-12-2012, 09:23 PM

Hahaha, oh wow. Houtarou ends up blackmailing the culprit into buying copies of the book and then goes even farther and offers him and Satoshi to be co-conspirators in the last step of his plan in order to sell the rest of their stock.

We get a cute Satoshi/Mayaka scene as well as as Irisu/Eru part 2.

And all of the subplots (Satoshi's issues, Mayaka and Kouchi, and the answer to the Juumonji situation) all end up connected thematically. A damn shame we will probably never see another TV series and the remainder of this one is unlikely to do much as it will almost certainly be the remainder of the sidestories. I have no doubt they will be entertaining, but sidestories mean they won't really be doing much with the character issues and relationships and certainly won't be able to do anything approaching what this festival arc did.

strangefour

08-13-2012, 01:02 AM

-Fruitheaded girls...
-Pumpkins?
-Tanda-chan, your deliver is too shouty and pleading. You make the master manipulator Iris sad.
-Classics Club vs Juumonji! Nice art Mayaka. That flashed by for two seconds...
-Fire! Water... earth wind heart?
-The best advice for Tanda-chan is to not listen to advice. *nod*
-Holy crap Oreki. You are a Sherlockian indeed.
-*villianous golf clap*

-Hehehe. Hush money. Damn Oreki. You are good.
-Hoo. Lee. Shit. He even works in the trade quest. AHAHAHHAHAH!
-Aww Mayuka is acknowledging Satoshi's crush on Oreki. Silly little girl.
-Manga girls have problems yo.
-FOR FUN! Wh-- Ho-- Gaaaaaah! DRAW AGAIN DAMN IT!!

Hooray blackmail. Massively hitting on the jealousy of someone trying hard just being left in the dust by someone with ungodly natural skill that comes from no effort. Which really hit home with the drawing part of course. Pick up a pen again bastard!

The longest school festival of all has come to a close and it was the most fun from beginning to end. Well okay it could have used more SNK cosplay. Nothing's perfect.

- Hahahaha, and Satoshi gets his revenge by throwing Houtarou under the KININARUBUS.

Kininarubus... Damn it that's crazy enough that I want to use that word as soon as sandwichly possible.

bear

08-13-2012, 06:07 AM

Now we have a few one-shots to close out on. Four more episodes to go!

Noooo! :cry:

Amazingly well done end that managed to tie what seemed like disparate threads into one theme. Satoshi's "always looking up" comment explains his frustrated looks through this arc so well. To see someone who has an ability that you would give anything for just have no desire to exercise it must be incredibly frustrating. To both admire and be jealous of them would just tear you apart.

The trope of the girl lightly grasping the coat or sleeve in an emotional situation (Mayaka and Satoshi) I've always found touching. He may be gay or just likes her as a friend, but I think he really doesn't feel he's worthy of her.

Goggen

08-13-2012, 08:58 AM

Damn you, Hyouka. I had finally made up my mind not to import, then you throw an excellent episode like this at me. Oh well, back to being undecided. Grumble, grumble.

ookamigirl

08-13-2012, 09:33 AM

Juumoji vs Classics club.
Chitanda's hosting on a radio show really fired things up!
Well, at least their anthology was selling now.
Even they got hit in the end. There was no avoiding it.
All that didn't sidetrack Oreki one bit. That guy's a genius.
It's amazing how he figured out the real culprit = Tanabe.
Using him to dump the anthologies was brilliant too.

Fencedude

08-19-2012, 07:12 PM

A very minor mystery, really more about Houtarou and Eru's relationship.

Very nicely done.

something

08-19-2012, 07:58 PM

Episode 18:

- Electric mushrooms? Sounds like a funky drug, Satoshi.
- That helico[pter must have been flying pretty low to rattle the windows.
- And who is Ogi?

- An old English teacher. So this wpisode is going to be about... figuring out whether Houtarou's memory of their middle school teacher's love of helicopters is accurate? :sd: This show can make anything interesting.
- After some chatter about what the teacher may or may not have done, or whether he's actually a mushroom life-form alien who powers up on lightning and pilots deathcopters around in his bid to conquer earth (wait, maybe that's wrong)...
- Hahaha Houtarou very nearly kininarimasu'd. Fuku-chan is shocked. Mayaka pities him. Eru is totally excited.
- 気になります! Eru is curious about what it is that made Houtarou curious!

- And now we've got a date. This is one of the only times Eru and Houtarou have been alone and gone out somewhere like this since, what, their meeting in that cafe when this all got started?
- Awww Houtarou you totally should have rode with her. Even if it would have caused your heart to burst.

- Research start! Hmmmmmmmmm. Restoring nature trails in the mountains. Now I'm thinking Ogi-sensei was hoping the helicopter that time was a search and rescue chopper.
- And yep, I was right.
- Thank goodness Eru gets to be involved, that doesn't seem to happen enough. She also figures out what Houtarou is going for.
- 30 minutes to burn. Resume the date!
- Vegetables! 気になります! Not as strange when you remember she's a farming family's daughter, heh.
- Bwhaha, Eru finds dung beetles cute. Oh Eru. <3
- She also has a warped sense of scale when it comes to homes.
- The date turns a bit morbid when they find out that the stranded hikers Ogi was worried about eventually died. =/

- Maaaaaaaaan. These subtle moments. Eru's persistence in finding out why Houtarou was interested. The look Eru gives him when he explains it. And then her trying to find the right words to explain how she feels. So good, so goddamned good.

Maaaaaan. This show has been just god-tier phenomenal, but it feels like we've just gotten started. Why can't there be 10 volumes of the novels out? There is so much we could do with these characters. So so so much potential.

strangefour

08-19-2012, 08:07 PM

-A news chopper over the school? Is this the beginning of a zombie outbreak?
-A hentai formation? Oooohkay.
-Ki ni kaminari masu~
-THUNDER BREAK!
-Oreki wants to go somewhere? This has to be a zombie apocalypse!
-*GASP* The Curiosity rover has landed on Oreki.
-If you can read this seifuku, the Oreki fell off.

-Stranded at the mountains of Kamikakiuchi.
-Dung beetles are adorable. . . Silly Tanda-chan.
-Ogi was happy to see a helicopter flying to find two bodies. To find proof of the murders he himself committed! *thunderclap* Or not.

Any given episode of Hyouka is three steps from having Oreki wander into a Lovecraftian horror story. He just needs to find a body or some mystic grimoire to start down a dark sanity shattering path. It'd be fun if they just did it as a funny parody that turns out to be nothing. *sigh*

ultimatemegax

08-19-2012, 08:23 PM

For anyone 気になる about the lack of a title at the end, this story was published in the 56th edition (http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/mag/bk_detail.php?pcd=200710000312) of Wilderness Era, released on 2008/06/12. The fourth novel, containing the short stories of the Kotenbu series, was published (http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/book/bk_detail.php?pcd=200707000071) on 2007/10/03, nearly a year before. Thus this will be the one episode in the (main) Hyouka TV series that isn't part of any arc. It's nice to see that KyoAni was able to fit it into their motif for the anime.

I also want to comment on that lighting at the end. I loved the twilight motif used in this episode. It was so soothing and added to the romantic vibes they've been giving for Houtarou/Eru.

superdry

08-19-2012, 10:43 PM

Oh, the two, Houtarou and Chitanda make such a cute couple. I really like that the episode was pretty much the two of them the whole time.

Episode 18:
- 気になります! Eru is curious about what it is that made Houtarou curious!

I love how she has no sense of person space when it comes to Houtarou. It's really cute.

- Awww Houtarou you totally should have rode with her. Even if it would have caused your heart to burst.

He totally should have rode with her, especially the second scenario he thought of.

- 30 minutes to burn. Resume the date!
- Vegetables! 気になります! Not as strange when you remember she's a farming family's daughter, heh.
- Bwhaha, Eru finds dung beetles cute. Oh Eru. <3
- She also has a warped sense of scale when it comes to homes.

She really has ADD finding a new book more interesting than the last. And, when she mentioned to Houtarou she wanted to go see some place, that was his cue to initiate another date. But, nope.

Man...I want another episode of the two alone together.

Damius

08-20-2012, 01:54 AM

- WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! HATSUNE MIKU KITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! (And a cute Nakoruru too.)
- And there's Rin and Luka! Goddddddd it is so weird seeing them so detailed and up close. All of the other Vocaloid cameos I can think of in anime were a lot less substantial. KyoAni Vocaloid anime where? ;_;

I would have love to know more about Vocaloid and have this kind of reaction. I'm sure I would really like Vocaloid, but I can't spend money on it... (JP BDs + CDs cost me too much already) Arg..

Damius

08-20-2012, 01:58 AM

- It looks like no one can sleep; the festival is tomorrow after all!
- Eru is so beautiful in the night as well.
- Houtarou's sister is back. Please show us her face….
- I love Mayaka in that outfit…and I love seeing her embarrassed, she is just too lovely.
- Eru is really excited and the festival didn’t officially start yet. This will be great.
- Oops… they got 200 copies when they wanted 30. Poor Mayaka she is feeling bad because of it…
- “Don’t say that with that outfit” not once but twice. Lol
- They are looking for a way to sell as much copies as possible. I love Eru so much.
- And yeah, Eru wants to sell all 200 copies.
- Now, let’s follow Eru around the festival. She is definitely the best character ever to follow around a festival!
- Oh WOW Eru… Oh WOW!!!
- Well, Fukube can’t change the location of the booth, but at least he gave Eru an advice. Who on earth would not want to help Eru after all?
- Well, it not looks like it is going really well with Mayaka and her club…well, at least with some members.
- “A customer? A real customer?” Yes Houtarou the first one! “I need to smile”
- A photo shoot with Eru? I definitely approve!
- Fantastic, awesome… The outfits Eru wear! WOW!
- I really like the new ED.

Eru is definitely the best character EVER to follow around a festival. The episode was fantastic. Mayaka was great too in the episode. I can't wait to catch up on this next Thursday.

ookamigirl

08-20-2012, 07:33 AM

Ogi and helicopters - the hidden truth.
Looks like they're back to their old patterns.
Oreki being curious? Now that's a new one.
The library visit with Chitanda was kinda nice.
That girl sure is interested easily.
Well, at least they found out what really happened.
It was a pretty interesting story too.

bear

08-20-2012, 04:11 PM

Houtarou's image of Chitanta riding on the back of his bicycle---Kawaii!

Houtarou, please ask her out for god's sake! I know it will break Satoshi's heart ;) but just get it over with.

superdry

08-20-2012, 05:52 PM

Houtarou, please ask her out for god's sake! I know it will break Satoshi's heart ;) but just get it over with.

And, she gave the perfect opportunity when she mentioned she wanted to go to some place in a magazine he was reading! (unless it's too far from where they live).

bear

08-20-2012, 07:15 PM

tytan88

08-21-2012, 06:59 PM

wow.....so good. I loved the fact that this was them researching a minor mystery and not some big deal. It allows them to develop the characters and emphasize the powerful subtlety in the series. It also shows Houtarou's heart for people in a new way.....

so good.

superdry

08-22-2012, 12:58 AM

And, she gave the perfect opportunity when she mentioned she wanted to go to some place in a magazine he was reading! (unless it's too far from where they live).

Yes! I had even thought that maybe she might be going to suggest that they go there. If she'd given him the Eru-eyes look he would have been helpless to refuse.

Missed opportunity...maybe next time. If it is was a place she was curious about, then her magic would have worked, but she knew of the place already.

Damius

08-24-2012, 01:53 AM

- Oh wow! The new OP.
- It’s time for Quiz show!
- Yeah we can say Satoshi has a unique costume.
- Eru is exhausted… I wonder why. ^_^
- Houtarou just spotted Eru’s cosplay photos. I wanna see them!
- And we meet a new Eru’s friend, Kaho!
- And she has a mystery for her. Oh, Eru! ^__^
- And the GO club…
- We finally see the cosplay photos! Gorgeous! WOW! Houtarou, you are a lucky man.
- I feel bad for Mayaka…this is not her day… If only she could go away from that booth…
- And… Eru realizes that Houtarou saw the cosplay pictures! That was an amazing scene.
- You need to find the book Mayaka.
- Wow…Mayaka eyes… WOW!

How can Hyouka makes everything so interesting, so amazing???

HitokiriShadow

08-26-2012, 11:06 AM

ZOMGWTF, Houtaru Kininaru-ed! Fantastic reactions from the rest of the group.

Fencedude

08-26-2012, 07:55 PM

And in the end, he deducted correctly.

Eru's pouty-face was especially adorable.

something

08-26-2012, 08:15 PM

Episode 19:

- Every time Eru pulls Houtarou through the glass at the end of the OP I just feel the need to wriggle around in joy.

- Eru and Houtarou alone again. Oh the cuteness just radiates. It's almost in the visible spectrum.
- Eru gets up her courage and invites Houtarou on a date!
- ...To a graveyard. But hey it's progress! She asks him to come with her to visit her uncle Sekitani Jun's grave and light some incense.
- He agrees! She can barely contain how happy she is.
- Eru is getting so good at handling Houtarou in conversation. He really can't keep up with her relentless positivity.

- Time to play a theorycrafting game!
- ...And the PA system conveniently delivers a mystery for him to work on.
- Eru teasing Houtarou, so cuuuuuute.
- AWKWARD BLUSHING YAAAAAAAAAY
- Bwhaha, Eru's -_- face steals my heartbeats away~
- She's seriously taking her cuteness to new levels here. We totally needed to see more annoyed Eru before now.
- She did it agaaaaaaaain! This episode, I can't take it. My heart, my hearrrrrrt!
- Oh and there's also crazily detailed aanalysis of a 5 second announcement gong on.
- Ahhhh, once he pulled the money out I remembered the counterfeit bill news article. And there you have it.

- Or not. ERU ERUPTS! CATASTROPHE DESU!
- Cue Eru taking apart Houtarou's theory. Oh wow, yes please, we don't get nearly enough of Eru analyzing mysteries on her own.
- ...But first I need to watch her outburst again. THAT WAS TOO CUTE. And their mouths were so, so close. Then that blushing! I love the way it naturally fades a few moments later as she calms down. What a great touch.
- Eru knows a lot about counterfeit money.

- Hmm, but Houtarou manages to stick to his counterfeit theory. Well, I wanted to see Eru totally overturn it, but at least she forced him to think it through a lot more.
- Oh wow, the episode is almost over? Straight through the credits even! Holy crap I can't believe that was a full episode of anime. This was literally two people sitting in a room going through a totally theoretical analysis of something that they played no part in. And it was riviting. Goddamn, this show. Still, I'd absolutely love if it turned out that there was no mystery behind it at all. :sd:
- HEH. Now they've completely forgotten why they were even playing the game. So... so cute.

Next episode... OH GOD YUKATA ERU. Looks like another Houtarou/Eru episode. Volume 4 must have been a lot of that. As much as I love them getting some alone time, I do want to see Mayaka and Satoshi again before the show ends. But it seems like next episode will be a new year's episode and 21 will be the visit to Eru's uncle's grave. Maybe in 22, though do we know yet if that's getting broadcast? I thought it was just 22 broadcast and an extra on BDs.