Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei Anime!

[Andrew Cunningham]

Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei (http://easternstandard.pbwiki.com/Sayonara%20Zetsubo%20Sensei), a gag manga by Kumeta Kouji, recently showed up on a list (http://bbs1.whocares.jp/bb/view?bbn=oroshi&cid=253) of Kodansha manga being turned into anime.
No other mention has been made of this, and given the nature of the manga, there is a strong possibility this is a practical joke.

[BluWacky]

Apparently there's a picross puzzle in volume 7 that reveals an anime announcement. Since all those other anime are definitely happening (some of which have only just been announced) I'd say it's probably right.

I know nothing about the manga other than it's about a suicidal teacher, but I s'pose it could be interesting in the right hands.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I linked to my review for a reason; not a well known title.
Horrifically funny, completely untranslatable.
The book's willingness to go after anyone and everyone might prove problematic on TV, but this does bode well for its future...

[Andrew Cunningham]

Haven't solved the picross puzzles yet (need to find a pencil) but the saga does continue:
Kodansha briefly listed the series here:
http://shop.kodansha.jp/bc/comics/eizou/#anime
Screenshot:
http://zetubou.mine.nu/itoshiki/nozomu/zetubou5654.png
Appeared and vanished in hours. Apparently called "Flying joho/information" in Japanese, which is awesome.
Almost as good as paper driver.

[Jumbo]

Hey Andrew, sorry to jump off topic a bit here but since you mentioned the little rivalry in the back of the book with his former assistant now handling Hayate no Gotoku and seeing as this is getting an anime too was curious what you thought of the manga. Is the manga itself worth looking into?

[Andrew Cunningham]

What do I think of Hayate? Love it. Not as biting as Zetsubo Sensei, or as cynical as Gintama, but lines up with them as the three funniest manga coming out right now in Japan. The more mainstream romantic comedy aspects seem to have helped make it successful, and certainly don't detract. Don't be turned off by the moe touch to the covers -- it's the real deal. Makes me laugh myself sick several times a volume.
Speaking of which, why hasn't it been reviewed by AoD?

[Jumbo]

Thank you for wading trough that jumbled pile of crappy grammar I considered a post. Having given up on school rumble way back around vol. 9 I'm in the market for a new comedy, I'll be sure to check it out. And you're right, there is an English version out and no reviews here. Odd. Thanks again.

Edit: checked the reviews section of the site to no avail.

[Andrew Cunningham]

First episode of the anime - absolutely flawless.
I am completely amazed by how good it was. The pacing of it really lets the humor shine, and the directors gimmicky tricks really enhanced it, blending with the style of the manga perfectly. Even the songs are good.
Miserably untranslatable, of course - even if the original dialogue weren't bad enough, there are jokes scrawled in the background all the time, and the opening credits swipe a trick from Holy Grail and randomly go off on a long anecdote that can only be read in freeze frame on a really big HD TV.
Fantastic.

[Dagger]

So does Shinbo's style blend well with the tone of the manga?

[DiGiKerot]

the opening credits swipe a trick from Holy Grail and randomly go off on a long anecdote that can only be read in freeze frame on a really big HD TV.

It wouldn't surprise me if they change it, if not every episode, then certainly fairly frequently. Shinbos directorials have had a habit of making changes to the OP and ED on an unusually frequent basis.

On the subject of the ED, catchy song and stylistically awesome.

Still, as much as I'd like to watch the actual show, I'll probably have to give it a miss - I wouldn't stand a chance in hell of following it :sd:

[Andrew Cunningham]

So does Shinbo's style blend well with the tone of the manga?

Yeah, shifting from silent movie captions to black and white to pastels to heavily stylized poses - a lot of visual tricks taken from the manga get enhanced to fit the anime style, but without overpowering the material or becoming the point of the joke.

[Dagger]

Thanks. As much as I like his visual bag of tricks, that's always my main worry with Shinbo adaptations.

Anyway, episode 1 really clicked with me... at least up until the classroom scenes were well underway and I went a little crazy trying to read the board & listen to the dialogue. I didn't understand much after that point, and I'm sure most of the jokes went way over my head even earlier on, but I love the concept and the character designs. I hope (against hope, perhaps) that it gets licensed or translated soon.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I pretty much gave up on reading the board instantly.

[Lego]

I pretty much gave up on reading the board instantly.

Yeah, thats the first thing I noticed when going into the classroom scene. Interesting way of covering up fanservice though :virgin:

[masterpez]

Interesting way of covering up fanservice though :virgin:

Was the guy's face that attractive??

I guess all I can say about this one is that it looks good. I probably would've enjoyed it more and laughed if I could understand what was being said.

[Lego]

I had some time to actually sit through this and read the blackboard, man I hope whoever licenses this can keep up with it. The music is OUTSTANDING, mainly the various background vocals. I enjoyed the manga but wow, what a complete package by SHAFT. The character designs were pretty good and everything flowed nicely. I haven't had a show(besides Emma and Gigantic Formula) that has really made me a dedicated follower for a while, so this is a welcome find.

I have to agree with Andrew in that this is pretty much as good as it gets being an anime fan.

[untoldsorrow]

That first episode was quite fun to watch. I actually took the time to read all the random stuff on the blackboard, lol. The style is different somehow, random at times but loving it so far. When I saw the opening and that guy's face came out randomly out of nowhere, I was like WTF but he kept showing up during the "naughty" scenes and it was hilarious.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Apparently that guy is one of the manga artist's assistants.

[Lego]

Apparently that guy is one of the manga artist's assistants.

He was shown on the schools clock a couple times besides the fanservice scenes. What was up with all of the voting questions on the chalk board near the end?

[roastedpekingduck]

Lord, I usually hate anime comedies, but the first episode of Sayonara was just so strange that I couldn't help but to burst out laughing, especially during the hanging part and the part with the guy's face covering the fanservice. :D I definitely look forward to more of this.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Kind of offtopic, but the Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei Wiki:
http://zetubou.hewl.info/wiki/
(In Japanese) is doing an impressive job of cataloging all the references.

[roastedpekingduck]

I had some time to actually sit through this and read the blackboard, man I hope whoever licenses this can keep up with it. The music is OUTSTANDING, mainly the various background vocals. I enjoyed the manga but wow, what a complete package by SHAFT. The character designs were pretty good and everything flowed nicely. I haven't had a show(besides Emma and Gigantic Formula) that has really made me a dedicated follower for a while, so this is a welcome find.

I have to agree with Andrew in that this is pretty much as good as it gets being an anime fan.


The music was great, I must agree. Instead of being just good music, it added to the sense of hilariousness as well. Somehow, I could just tell it was the composer of the score for Genshiken who did the music. There is no great semblance of style between the music in the two series, but when I heard the music for Zetsubo Sensei, I immediately thought of the music from Genshiken.

[Lego]

Yeah. I was listening to it and it had this strange familiarity to it that I couldn't place. Then it dawned on me. The orchestral piece that opens the show is nicely done as well as the op and ed.

[Dagger]

Episode 2 was absolutely hysterical. I could not stop cracking up over the long string of stalkers at the end. What I particularly liked, though, was that it seemed to indicate that this is way more than a one-gag show and that it won't just take place in a classroom with the students staring at Itoshiki. School-based comedies are so common that it's nice to have something even slightly different to look at once in a while.

[Andrew Cunningham]

They're still setting up the characters now, but it's more about language than school.
Taking buzzwords and hot button issues and looking at them in a new light - hikikomori and stalker this week, for instance.

The completely surreal montage in the middle just blew my mind.

[Dagger]

The completely surreal montage in the middle just blew my mind.
Yeah, speaking of which, was that actually connected to something prior, or was it just random? It seemed to fly off into its own universe by the end... :sd:

[Andrew Cunningham]

I'm guessing the episode came in short, and they just told someone to improvise.

[Ty]

Caught episode 1 and am looking forward to catching 2 soon. Knowing it was a shaft/Shinbo project going in I got pretty much what I was expecting. The style works much better for shows like this than it does for, say, Negima IMO. Definitely one of the better shows of the season, and the weird animation style still manages to come across as cute for the girls somehow so bonus points there. I reacted negatively to his spinning face on anything remotely fanservicey at first but I caught myself laughing at it in short order so there you have it. I still don't get why his spinning head was on the school clock tower though.

The messages on the chalkboards literally had me in stitches laughing so much, though it got a little old having to pause the video every few seconds to be able to read them.

I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

[leongsh]

Episode 2 was absolutely hysterical.
Yup, had a good laugh watching Episode 2. Definitely an improvement over Episode 1. Looks like Itoshiki, or should we just call him Zetsubo per the title :P , in trying to perpetuate his despair to his class and send them into depression ends up helping them. In the ensuing madness, the show takes great delight in skewering whatever they can get their hands on and they do it with unusual panache.

[roastedpekingduck]

Episode 2 was absolutely hysterical. I could not stop cracking up over the long string of stalkers at the end. What I particularly liked, though, was that it seemed to indicate that this is way more than a one-gag show and that it won't just take place in a classroom with the students staring at Itoshiki. School-based comedies are so common that it's nice to have something even slightly different to look at once in a while.
I went into Zetsubo with really low expectations as I thought "school comedy=cliched" as well, but the show managed to be so ridiculous and different from the norm that the school aspect didn't matter to me at all. I simply love the absurdist and surrealist humor. The premise also isn't that ridiculous surprisingly enough, which is another thing I like about the show. Zetsubo Sensei has the potential to become the best comedy-centric shows this season, so I really hope it doesn't squander its potential. I just couldn't get into Hayate no Gotoku or Lucky Star, both of which didn't crack me up one bit, so I certainly hope Zetsubo Sensei maintains its great absurdist humor.

[redxxii]

I just finished watching episode 2... and it's so completely insane but utterly fantastic. I'm really enjoying this one so far, from the great artwork to just really creepy and screwed up cast of characters. I look forward to watching this on R1 DVD someday.

[roastedpekingduck]

Episode 2 was even more fantastically surreal and absurdist then the first. I know Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei basically targets all things and is hard to categorize, but somehow, though the humor is really biting and ridiculous, some of it is still grounded in reality, and that's what appeals to me about the show. It's like an exaggerated satire that satirizes anything it can get its random hands on. Most anime comedy is rather dumb and straightforward, so Sayonara really stands out from its crowd of fellow anime comedies with its style. I sincerely can't wait to see more and really hope the creative people don't screw this special show up.

As for an R1 license, I frankly don't quite see that happening. The show is really hard to translate, and a licensor would have to figure out how to sub the stuff on the boards. Also, the humor in Sayonara does require sort of an acquired taste, and I could easily see most of the humor flying over casual buyers.



Edit: Jesus, I have reached post number 4000. O.O I know it's a farcry from the post count of something or Patchouli, but still, I must wonder how much time I have spent on this site.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I think that's what makes the more edged humor work so well. Things like the Best of Enya CD in the suicide kit are funny because they fit perfectly into place.

[roastedpekingduck]

Definitely, the really random humor starts to become not so random and makes sense after a while. I'm even seeing some commentary on society...or I could be reading into things too far. :sd:

On another tangent, I can't gush over the soundtrack enough. The flowing tunes are really beautiful. The ironic thing is that the soundtrack would fit just as well in a really epic and completely serious show. :D

[Ty]

I think that's what makes the more edged humor work so well. Things like the Best of Enya CD in the suicide kit are funny because they fit perfectly into place.
I laughed so hard I had to pause it for a bit when I saw that.

Did anyone else catch the multiple (and pretty blatant) Lucky Star references? They seem to be going out of their way to give it some free publicity.

[roastedpekingduck]

There were also Death Note references. For certain there were a couple references to other anime I forgot about.

Edit: Now I remember. The reference to Honey & Clover as Itoshiki was learning about true love was quite funny. :D

[redxxii]

As for an R1 license, I frankly don't quite see that happening. The show is really hard to translate, and a licensor would have to figure out how to sub the stuff on the boards. Also, the humor in Sayonara does require sort of an acquired taste, and I could easily see most of the humor flying over casual buyers.


My opinion is, if Kashimashi can get licensed... anything is possible. Some shows that I thought were dead in the water are showing up on R1 DVD (AIR, When They Cry, ect). I'll hold out faith that I'll see this one... someday...

[Ty]

If it gets picked up for any reason I'd bet it's simply for the pedigree it has in where it comes from and who's working on it. All of Shinbo's stuff has come over here so far, including things like Pani Poni which are also a pretty acquired taste, though definitely not as much of one as Zetsubo of course.

[Lego]

I'm sure the whole hikikomori room scene was a reference to something as well due to the doll and the weirdness. I really enjoyed this episode, perhaps even more than the first one. I was ready to roll on the floor laughing when the line of stalkers started to show up person after person. The thing that really made me go "wow" though was the little animation interlude before going to the tea club. It reminded me a lot of Monty Python with random scenery. That and the crazy stalker girl made it a good episode. I didn't get the whole nurse room thing though but it seemed like a joke about them laying next to each other.

Although I'm glad that they put it in the episode as I got to hear that beautiful main orchestral piece again. I can't wait till a soundtrack comes out so I can put that track on loop for hours and hours. Other than that it was a pretty good episode and little gags like the "Best of Enya" CD really cracked me up. Is it me, or is the hikikomori girl really cute :virgin:

[Andrew Cunningham]

You might want to look around for the manga then - under each slip cover is a picture of the hikikomori girl in her underwear, begging the reader not to look.

[Lego]

You might want to look around for the manga then - under each slip cover is a picture of the hikikomori girl in her underwear, begging the reader not to look.

Hmm, interesting..

I love how the hikikomori girl popped up in random places though. Man I can't get enough of that orchestral melody as it has a tinge of familiarity to it. Hopefully it'll be on the soundtrack :cry: :cry:

[Ty]

You might want to look around for the manga then - under each slip cover is a picture of the hikikomori girl in her underwear, begging the reader not to look.
Picture?

[TheGreenMan]

First, this show is freaking awesome.

Second, I kept on getting a Pani Poni Dash vibe with the multi colored portraits and random stuff on the backboard (yes, I know it's the same director). Is that the director's picture covering the girl's body parts and other things? The director definitely has interesting animation style (he also did Hidamari Sketch).

Third, the girl's name is Fuura Kafuka? Is this some of reference to Kafka? I heard it was a reference maybe to Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami.

[Lego]

Most of the cast names are verbal puns.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Is that the director's picture covering the girl's body parts and other things?
It's one of the manga artist's assistants.

[Lego]

I'm not sure if this is against the rules or not, but I ripped the orchestral piece from that transition scene from the raw and tagged it via mp3. I've had it on loop for a while and it's addicting heh. Heres the link (http://www.divshare.com/download/1329175-a2f) if anyone wants it as well.

[something]

I know not the slightest thing about this show. I haven't even seen the character designs. And... GO!
Episode 1:

- SHIT. YES. The first words spoken come from the mouth of Nonaka Ai, my beloved Shipon! THINGS HAVE STARTED WELL!
- Bwhahah, the OP just ended and it's already awesome. "Damn Twisted Person"? XD
- Wow, I can already tell that... ::does an ANN comparison:: YES! Same director (Shinbo Akiyuki) and animation production house (SHAFT) as Hidamari Sketch! This is going to be another feast for the eyes, that must is for certain.
- Kafuka wins hard. This trashcan is a treasure chest for the homeless! XD
- Oh she and Nozomu make such a perfect pair. Her mother and father often tried to "make themselves taller" :sd:
- 糸色☆望! With that, your name is fixed! Awesome XD! Or how about 糸色@望?
- Chiri-chan, the perfectly imperfect perfection friend for Kafuka! Oh, and to hell with those faces >_> I know it's just comedic censorship, but that kinda thing gets annoying fast.
- Nozomu is utterly despondent because of the 手-like logo the baseball team he roots for has... because the logo being like 'hair' on the cap of the manager who is bald... just... bwaha it's too stupid, which is why I love it.
- Bwhaha, she raised the royalty fee and included tax XD
- List your three despairs for the future! (and the PPD reference stock student gasps XD )
- God! Time traveler! Pororocoian! Kafuka LOVE! The way she and Momoiro Kakarichou debate the nature of hope and despair in class is just written so perfectly.
- Haha, the ED is just as awesome as the OP. And yay for some 'translation notes' at the end of the ep, explaining the names. I love the pun with Otonashi Meru XD I suppose the only way I can say what I want to say is... I am so, so happy that of all the potential 'translators', it's this particular group of people that are on top of this show. I can't imagine anyone better. This is going to be a fantastic... ::checks:: 12 episodes, I guess? <3

And seriously, anyone who is enjoying this and is into 4koma-style humor with a surreal twist, you MUST go watch Hidamari Sketch as well. That show is such a hugely overlooked gem. I was singing its praises to the high heavens by episode 2, in love by 5, and I am absolutely dying to get the last 3 episodes... And I like it for exactly the reasons I think I'm going to love this show.

Between this and Hidamari, I think this director is officially a genius. And he also did Pani Poni Dash... Tsukuyomi Moon Phase... and... NANOHA SEASON ONE!?

I am utterly in love with him now. I'm going to have his babies.

ON TO EP 2!

[something]

Episode 2:

- Chie-sensei is scary. I foresee her putting Nozomu in his place often XD
- Kafuka's optimism knows no bounds! A hikkikomori isn't real, instead it's just a benign spirit residing in the home that isn't allowed to leave! XD
- LUCKY CHANNEL! bwhahaha. Kafuka is... is scary. She's so positive it bends band around again to evil.
- Oh god... The Hikikomori is... Kiri Komori XD And she's cute! And he puts her down in his "Death Note" XD Gah I love her. She leaves home only to confine herself in the science lab at school XD KOMORI LOVE!
- The next day, she's in his locker XD And I love her voice, and it looks like she hasn't voiced any major characters I'm familiar with.
- KONATA!!!!! XD　　And of course Kafuka comes in and says that it's not stalking (after all that only exists on TV or in the news), it's DEEP LOVE!
- Chiri's perfectionism strikes again. 4 people, 4 strawberries! Then 5 people... six people... seven people... HEAD ASPLODE! CAKE SMOOTHIES!!
- Tsunetsuki Matoi, the crazy stalker, is now in love with Nozomu. And that means her love carries the extra baggage of his obsession with death... :sd:
- ::looks at chalkboard:: MASSUGU GO! XD
- Magaaaaaaaare!
- ORENJI JYA NAI!!!!!
- Katsura, not Casserole! And they just keeps coming! :sd:
- As Tsunetsuki continues her stalking of Nozomu, I'm practically in tears laughing XD I think it's giving me a headache o_O
- A chain of stalkers!! Wow, just... wow.

Yes, I'm pretty sure this has a hugely good chance at being best of the summer season, since Doujin Work is so devastatingly short.

[something]

As for an R1 license, I frankly don't quite see that happening. The show is really hard to translate, and a licensor would have to figure out how to sub the stuff on the boards.
I just watched someone (a group of someones really) nail it amazingly well, twice in a row. It can be done, just not with the way R1s are generally made, and not with the technical limitations of softsubs.

[something]

under each slip cover is a picture of the hikikomori girl in her underwear, begging the reader not to look.
...Oh my god. Want. Or maybe fanartists will just get a hold of this show and do it for me.

[roastedpekingduck]

As for an R1 license, I frankly don't quite see that happening. The show is really hard to translate, and a licensor would have to figure out how to sub the stuff on the boards.
I just watched someone (a group of someones really) nail it amazingly well, twice in a row. It can be done, just not with the way R1s are generally made, and not with the technical limitations of softsubs.
It's just going to take a lot of hard work to get that to work. Perhaps a licensor would simply have to leave the blackboard unsubbed and leave the blackboard translations in small booklets packed with the DVD?

Anyhow, it's certainly strange to see we've liked a show to the same degree for once. :D Since this week was rather slow for me in terms of waiting to watch shows I've been following, I've actually watched the first two episodes twice because of how fun they are. The catchy ending theme, cool opening, and manga artist assistant certainly helped. :D

[something]

Anyhow, it's certainly strange to see we've liked a show to the same degree for once. :D
You say that *every* time we like a show to the same degree :sd:

[roastedpekingduck]

Anyhow, it's certainly strange to see we've liked a show to the same degree for once. :D
You say that *every* time we like a show to the same degree :sd:

I think that's the only show we've liked to the same degree though this season . I don't like Lucky Star or Nanoha, and I'm utterly obsessed about Denno Coil, Claymore, and Darker than Black.

[Ty]

Shinbo-san did Tsukuyomi? What the hell went wrong there I wonder?

[Lego]

Shinbo-san did Tsukuyomi? What the hell went wrong there I wonder?

Gonzo?

[DiGiKerot]

Shinbo-san did Tsukuyomi? What the hell went wrong there I wonder?

Gonzo?

Tsukuyomi was Shaft. I thought it was alright myself, though.

[something]

I think that's the only show we've liked to the same degree though this season . I don't like Lucky Star or Nanoha, and I'm utterly obsessed about Denno Coil, Claymore, and Darker than Black.
Well, that's mixing spring and summer, but what makes you think I'm not completely in love with the latter three as well? The only reason I stopped watching DtB was that it got licensed, not because I disliked it. Dennou and Claymore in particular are two absolutely top notch shows.

[something]

Shinbo-san did Tsukuyomi? What the hell went wrong there I wonder?
It was so awesome it bent around again to bad for you? I absolutely loved Tsukuyomi, and finding out he was the director doesn't surprise me at all. It has the same great feel the other shows do. I'd say Nanoha is the odd one out, and while I easily like it the best of all of them, it has a very different feel.

[roastedpekingduck]

I think that's the only show we've liked to the same degree though this season . I don't like Lucky Star or Nanoha, and I'm utterly obsessed about Denno Coil, Claymore, and Darker than Black.
Well, that's mixing spring and summer, but what makes you think I'm not completely in love with the latter three as well? The only reason I stopped watching DtB was that it got licensed, not because I disliked it. Dennou and Claymore in particular are two absolutely top notch shows.
Oh, I know you like those three, but as Nanoha and Lucky Star are just on another level for you, I ridiculously love those three shows, compared to some other shows this season that I just really like. Denno Coil and Claymore are still "tier two" shows for you, right?

[Ty]

Shinbo-san did Tsukuyomi? What the hell went wrong there I wonder?
It was so awesome it bent around again to bad for you? I absolutely loved Tsukuyomi, and finding out he was the director doesn't surprise me at all. It has the same great feel the other shows do. I'd say Nanoha is the odd one out, and while I easily like it the best of all of them, it has a very different feel.
Neither feels like the Shinbo style I know and enjoy. No, I didn't like Tsukuyomi for the record. I wanted to so badly but just couldn't. It was nothing but annoying for me. I could've even forgiven the atrociously cheap animation if I hadn't wanted to reach through the screen and choke Hazuki half the time. Though I guess anybody who knows me knows that there is a fine line between enjoyable and angering with me and tsundere.

I thought Tsukuyomi fell down in lots of ways though, including story coherence and direction. Basically it's Shaft before they learned how to rock IMO. I'd forgotten they were involved until I was reminded just now.

[something]

Denno Coil and Claymore are still "tier two" shows for you, right?
Yeah sure, but that doesn't mean anything. They're only tier two because they're not Nanoha or Lucky Star, but then again most shows in the history of anime aren't =P Nanoha continues the franchise sitting in my #2 spot. Lucky Star stands a good chance of jumping right up in the top 10 too. But none of that downplays the significance of all those wonderful 'tier 2' shows. So, I'm betting I like em just as much as you do, it just so happens there are two others I like even more, but they were shoe-ins before they ever aired.

Anyway, summer is still too new to call, but I'm loving what I've seen. Umisho, Nanatsuiro, Sky Girls, Zero no Tsukaima S2, Doujin Work, and now this. This probably the best of those. Doujin Work still has the upper hand in terms of pure "laughing so hard and so constantly that I can't breathe"-ness, but Zetsubou is has more overall potential. It's also twice as long in total runtime despite being slated for the same number of episodes. Still have a number of other shows to try though, and it's still waaaaay early.

[Lego]

This episode wasn't as good as the first two, but it had its moments. It focuses mainly on the new split personality exchange student and the illegal immigrant "Maria-Chan". For me it dragged a little in the beginning before Kaere showed up. Other than that I enjoyed the Death Note and DBZ references in the episode. The whole lawsuit thing was pretty good and we got a few select panty shots of Kaere and the weird school nurse(her name escapes me) that fills in for him.

Probably the biggest laugh for me though was the end where "Maria-Chan" was going on about Japan and she mentions that "people are so nice to children here". There was a laugh out loud moment where you see a heavy, presumably otaku talking to a little girl going "don't worry I'll be gentle". It was pretty fucking hilarious to see that they actually put that in there.

So the episode was pretty good with the little impromptu music video at the end with Kaere.

[roastedpekingduck]

I agree that this episode was a bit weaker than the last two, but it would be a bit unrealistic to assume that the rest of the episodes would all be as funny as the second. I still love how random Zetsubo Sensei is, but I wish they wouldn't get that carried away with all the references. In the first five minutes, I saw a Death Note reference, a Jigoku Shoujo reference, a Gurren Lagann reference...then I stopped counting. I must have also missed a lot of other references. The one thing that made this episode a bit weaker than the last two were that the last two actually had relevant themes that were a hilarious take on actually serious issues, so the first two actually provided some thought-provoking stuff besides the hilarious laughs. Sometimes, this episode seemed like it was just trying to get as random as possible for the sake of being random and it didn't really feel like it was as united by central themes like the other two episodes were. Granted, there was the whole "foreign" aspect being tossed around the episode. Of course, this episode was still able to get me to crack up, so I most definitely am still excited. Bring on more despair!


Edit: One more thing I would like to mention is how great the sound direction and music are. The use of music to add to the humor is just great, and though the music could also certainly fit in a more serious and epic series, there's a certain caracturistic aspect about the music that heightens the humor aspect at the same time.

I also forgot to mention how random and giggle-inducing the opening was. :D Dear Boys came out of nowhere with that epic award music. :D

Edit2: Christ, there was even a reference on the blackboards to The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. :D There must be references to at least 10 different shows or perhaps even more now.

Edit3: After rewatching the episode, I think I saw Hana-Ichigo from Rozen Maiden near the end, but I'm not sure. That "shoujo-ish" picture of everyone at the end was also damn random, but quite giggle-inducing. I noticed that there was even a reference to the Chinese cardboard meatbun scandal. :sd: Even if the majority of references may fly over one's head, with the sheer amount of references in Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei, one has to be able to catch something. :D The more I watch, the more I'm convinced that Zetsubo Sensei will be quite the hard sell for a license. To find a lot of stuff funny, you just have to know what you're dealing with, or some things may come across as extremely confusing and pointless. To get a lot of the fast-paced references for example, one would have had to have watched a lot of shows already, for example.

[leongsh]

Uneven show. The first episode was above average, the second episode was really good but Episode 3 was disappointing after the fantastic platform set up by the previous episode. It looks like this show will have episodes that will fluctuate between hit and miss.

[Lego]

Uneven show. The first episode was above average, the second episode was really good but Episode 3 was disappointing after the fantastic platform set up by the previous episode. It looks like this is show will have episodes that will fluctuate between hit and miss.



Well hopefully it isn't a trend and they come back strong with episode four. The episode did have funny parts though but it just dragged on and on for 26 minutes or so.

Did anyone else find Yu Kobayashi's voice incredibly sexy as Kaere? :virgin: :virgin:

[Ty]

Uneven show. The first episode was above average, the second episode was really good but Episode 3 was disappointing after the fantastic platform set up by the previous episode. It looks like this is show will have episodes that will fluctuate between hit and miss.


That's pretty typical Shaft at this point. Their awesomeness isn't terribly consistent. I think they went to the Gainax school of awesome. :)

[Lego]

It's better than the Gonzo school of awesome where you get a two week course on animation then your instructor is replaced by a chimp and instead of a diploma you get a gift certificate to Wendy's.

[Andrew Cunningham]

New opening credits. Words just absolutely fail me. Holy shit.

Also, while looking for the new credits on Youtube (to show people now) I found this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqoETJ2CWYY) . SZS to the second Death Note opening. GENIUS.

[Ty]

True enough. :)

[roastedpekingduck]

That ningen sucker/ningen fucker bit still cracks me up. :D

[TheGreenMan]

New opening credits. Words just absolutely fail me. Holy shit.

Also, while looking for the new credits on Youtube (to show people now) I found this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqoETJ2CWYY) . SZS to the second Death Note opening. GENIUS.

I really like the part with the blond girl with guitar at the beginning. She freaks me out, but in a good way. Who is the band?

[leongsh]

New opening credits. Words just absolutely fail me. Holy shit.
Wicked priceless opening credits :D :D :D Should not be missed.

"Normal" service resumed as Episode 4 redeemed the show from the mundane Episode 3. Hopefully, Episode 3 is a one-off blip.

*Goes back to watch the new opening credits again* :D :D :D

[Lego]

Bah, you're all are making me tempted to check out the raw :cry: . Although Sayonara is more of a vocal show and I can't get all the in jokes and the like from a raw like I can summarize with Gigantic Formula. So you'll get a post from me soon :>

[TheGreenMan]

New opening credits. Words just absolutely fail me. Holy shit.
Wicked priceless opening credits :D :D :D Should not be missed.

"Normal" service resumed as Episode 4 redeemed the show from the mundane Episode 3. Hopefully, Episode 3 is a one-off blip.

*Goes back to watch the new opening credits again* :D :D :D


Lesbians, bondage, and kissing legs, oh my!

[Andrew Cunningham]

Lesbians, bondage, and kissing legs, oh my!
And at the end, when the little blue words move up towards the red circle? The red circle says "egg" and the blue words say "sperm."

[mifuneral2]

I just finished the first episode of this and loved it! I quite enjoy the artistic style, the witty wordplay, and especially the opening song. What a refreshing show! :)

[Lego]

I just finished the first episode of this and loved it! I quite enjoy the artistic style, the witty wordplay, and especially the opening song. What a refreshing show! :)

You'll really like a certain moment in episode two then.

[something]

Episode 3:

- Tsunetsuki is... strangely hot. Viewed from a safe distance, that is. So it's... hot to watch her stalk other people.
- I love how Chiri's overriding concern with Nozomu hanging himself is that the rope being nicely wound up afterwards.
- Overseas student! Kimura Kaede, tall and blond, and Nozomu is terrified of her already XD He thinks she's going to sue him for sexual harrassment if he looks at her >_>
- And she's insane. Perhaps moreso than all the others. The shock of dealing with multiple cultures has made her come down with a sort of split personality, one foreign and one Japanese :sd: And of course she falls in love with Nozomu as her Kimura Kaede personality, turning around to sue him for sexual harassment in her Kaere Kimura personality. The two personalities don't seem to be aware of each other, because she had no idea why she was hanging off the school roof with Nozomu staring down at her strawberry panties :sd:
- Haha oh wow, "Tarou", a dumpster diving illegal immigrant actually named Maria :sd: "How could illegal immigrants possibly exist?" asks Kafuka XD
- And so, the entire class falls in love with her. "I want to protect her..." Even Kaede.

Bizarre, bizarre episode. My favorite girl is still Komori, but I don't think she's going to get as much screen time as the others, so I think Chiri might have a good chance at being the best of the main ones. Kafuka is awesome as well, and stalker matoi is always amusing.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Looks like Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei is big with the YouTube crowd; already filling with videos.

Zetsuvangelion definitely worth seeing:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_cu6FQnFC44

Kind of overshadows the new opening:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mqsdlv9GTh4

[something]

Kind of overshadows the new opening:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mqsdlv9GTh4
Ooh a real OP for the most recent ep? Awesome. I think it looks great, and definitely look forward to seeing it full size. It's all like... erotic and evil and disturbing and stylish and all sorts of things the show itself is.

[Dagger]

Okay, that might have to be one of my favorite OPs ever. +10 for devious usage of rope.

[Andrew Cunningham]

The bit at the end where the little blue words saying "sperm" head up to the red circle that says "egg" is also jawdropping.

[something]

The bit at the end where the little blue words saying "sperm" head up to the red circle that says "egg" is also jawdropping.
I'm partial to about 0:48-50 in where he has Matoi in his arms and suddenly kisses her thigh and then we see her reaction XD

[HitokiriShadow]

*watches first three episodes*

Wow, this show is awesome. Quite possibly my favorite new show of the season (most definitely so if I don't consider Higurashi Kai a 'new' series). It's absolutely hilarious. Virtually the entire cast is nuts. Kafuka is the most insanely optimistic character since, well, probably ever.

Komori is the cutest character at the moment, but if I had to pick a favorite, I'd probably go with Chiri (probably the most sane one in the class)... but because I hate picking favorites, I'd have to add in Komori as well.

As for episode 3, well, Maria was hilarious. Japanese people are so nice to children! I cracked up.

I'd love to see this show licensed; after the second episode, this instantly became one of my most wanted licenses. It seems that a lot of people are worried about how a R1 release would handle this. I guess I don't see how its a big problem, at least if ADV gets it. From what I hear, Pani Poni Dash was far worse with the black board messages. And ADV seems to know the ins and outs of the subtitle tracks. The VidNotes aren't exactly standard fare and ADV seems to be about the only company that realizes that subtitles can be added anywhere on the screen, not just the top and bottom, and the font and colors can be toyed with (why use white or yellow in a boring font, when you can make it red and looks like dripping blood?).

[Lego]

Yeah, that line was the best of the episode :>

As for subtitles, I think it could be handled if a company put effort into it. Maybe a separate subtitle track just for the overlays and board?

[Ty]

The children line was soooo wrong. Even for Shinbo that was a bit out on a limb. Pretty funny in the proper context though. It left me slack jawed for a moment simply because they went there.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Done with character intros at last! Onto the meat of the show - riffing on random idioms and buzzwords, distorting them all out of proportion. Apparently, backed by exciting music that would not be out of place in a Bond movie.

[Lego]

Done with character intros at last! Onto the meat of the show - riffing on random idioms and buzzwords, distorting them all out of proportion. Apparently, backed by exciting music that would not be out of place in a Bond movie.

Bond like music? Oh man this show just keeps getting better and better :virgin:

[roastedpekingduck]

I was going to write my impressions regarding episode 4, but the episode tickled me in the exact right way so that I can't stop giggling right now and can barely type. Bravo! :D :D :D This is the first comedy in a while that has done that to me.

[roastedpekingduck]

I finally can type now. :sd:
Anyhow, the thing I love most about Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is that it cynically makes fun of really serious and relevant issues, such as child abuse, internet harrassment, disabilities and animal poaching, and makes fun of them in such a way that you temporarily forget about how serious some of those problems actually are. I applaud Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei for its world awareness and the fact that they were able to stuff in a reference about the Chinese cardboard buns hoax incident again. :D Intelligent anime comedies come few and far in between, so I will be continuing to cherish Zetsubou Sensei for sure.

[Lego]

Just watched it as well, wow what an episode. While domestic violence isn't funny, that part of the episode was hilarious. Every time the guy tried to go to a shop and buy something he ran into it. That and surviving with one volume of Orange Road. The little boot camp segments were pretty good as well. I didn't get the "where are you?" one though but it was still funny. The whole tail thing was pretty good as well.

But the shining moment of the episode came via the email abuse girl. The series poked fun at itself and it was great. From calling a certain someone a "panty shot character, show your panties" to "look into my eyes", it was a great sequence. That and the nice Final Fantasy homage at the end and the yaoi fan girl and it made this an enjoyable episode.

Am I the only one thats loving those little transition scenes like the sailboat one we had this episode?

Mail Mail
Mail Mail

:>

[roastedpekingduck]

Oh, I love the transition scenes too. They're not really funny, but they're really beautiful in a surreal sort of way.

By the way...that workout video... :D :D :D

[Lego]

Episode 2's "orchestral interlude" transition was oddly beautiful. It really reminded me of something like Monty Python and The Holy Grail where they had these little transition scenes to bridge the gaps or introduce things. I don't think episode three had one though. Of course episode four had the sail boats and the little "american comic" one.

The workout thing was great. Some great one liners were

"watch my ass"
"where are you? , ***** camp!"

Anyone spot the negima reference?

[masterpez]

Anyone spot the negima reference?

I did. There were at least 2 that I saw. The first was the shot of the class from the blackboard perspective, which is how the classroom in Negima was set up. Then there was the shot of Motsu (sp?) on Meru's cel. Lastly, to me at least, Kaere reminds me a lot of Yukihiro Ayaka (Iincho). She even sounds like her to me. I have to check to see if they have the same seiyuu.

[edit] Nope, Kaere's seiyuu, Yu Kobayashi, actually voices Setsuna according to ANN. Go figure.

[roastedpekingduck]

I love how Kaere has a slight tinge of an American accent. It's most apparent when she says "address" during the mail-assault, and "wow" at the end during that massive panty shot.

[Lego]

I love how Kaere has a slight tinge of an American accent. It's most apparent when she says "address" during the mail-assault, and "wow" at the end during that massive panty shot.

Kaere has this weird voice that just works. Both when she is in "Japanese mode" and "American mode", she sounds great. They didn't make her stand out from the rest of the class that much accidently.

[something]

Episode 4:

- Oooooh, Abiru episode! So what's the truth behind bandage girl...
- Shit yeah OP is sooooo much better when seen in full quality~~
- Haha oh man, if Abiru's father is innocent (as he certainly is) I feel sorry for him XD Branded a violent criminal by the whole shopping district. A man who kills with Ichigo 100[0]%!
- Meanwhile, Kafuka manages to find the bright side of being eaten by a tiger...
- OH GOD YES GOTO YUKI! Abiru is Goto Yuki! XD I adore her so much~ She's always injured because she plays around with tigers... Wahaha
- ...Specifically... she has a tail fetish. She pulls animal tails... and of course gets mauled for it. Haha, oh god, what the hell is going on XD So absurd~~~~~~
- Meru! Yay it's her turn <3
- KOMORI! God daaaaamnit she's so hideously underused. I want more of her, now now nowwwwwwwwww~
- Hah, awesome, Nozomu loves passive girls like that, and unilaterally decides she deserves preferential treatment and is the teacher's pet XD
- Oh wow, I don't even know how to put into words what I just watched. Meru is horribly abusive over text messaging and email, Nozomu is IN DESPAIR, Kaede shows more panties, Kafuka's mother was possessed by a demon, and she uses that experience to... smash Meru's phone (and skull) with a giant cross. Also, Kafuka tells Meru to communicate via eyes, and Kafuka's eyes say... KILL KILL KILL XD

Oh man, this show is sooooo deliciously twisted. Absolutely fantastic.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm glad to see Abiru and Meru finally officially introduced. Awesome episode, especially Meru's portion. At this point, Meru seems to be the only girl (other than Kafuka) who didn't fall in love with Nozomu after their introduction.

[masterpez]

At this point, Meru seems to be the only girl (other than Kafuka) who didn't fall in love with Nozomu after their introduction.

Would Kaere be included in that, since technically, it was Kaede... :P Also, I don't remember that happening with Chiri, but then again, I don't even remember her introduction. So I'll use that as a excuse to rewatch the episode.

[something]

Would Kaere be included in that, since technically, it was Kaede... :P Also, I don't remember that happening with Chiri, but then again, I don't even remember her introduction. So I'll use that as a excuse to rewatch the episode.
Hell, Chiri was coming straight at him with marriage papers :sd: When she rolls onto him in the infirmary beds, she wakes up, sees her situation, and in order the make it "perfect" demands they get married >______>

[masterpez]

Hell, Chiri was coming straight at him with marriage papers :sd: When she rolls onto him in the infirmary beds, she wakes up, sees her situation, and in order the make it "perfect" demands they get married >______>

Oh yeah. :sd: :sd: I can't really think straight since my mind is stuck in the Edo period from having watched Oh Edo Rocket while in the midst of a Shura no Toki marathon. I'll give it a rewatch anyway though.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Hell, Chiri was coming straight at him with marriage papers :sd: When she rolls onto him in the infirmary beds, she wakes up, sees her situation, and in order the make it "perfect" demands they get married >______>

Since when did marriage have anything to do with love?
Only the stalker and Komori's crushes are ever really mentioned again.

[something]

Since when did marriage have anything to do with love?
Only the stalker and Komori's crushes are ever really mentioned again.
It doesn't, I'm just pointing out that the gag is there for Chiri too. Never said it had to develop into a plot point. (99.9% of things in the show don't seem like they will, such is the nature of a comedy.)

[Lego]

"Ms. Stalker" had a cute little scene under his desk to :>

[Ty]

"Ms. Stalker" had a cute little scene under his desk to :>
I keep waiting for the moment I'm not shocked by these kinds of gags in Shaft anime, but they still managed to unhinge my jaw pretty frequently.

[masterpez]

Well, I went back and rewatched all 4 episodes in a row.....at about midnight last night....with the lights out. I'm going to designate that as the best way for me to watch it, since there's nothing to distract me so that I won't miss anything. And wow, did I miss a lot (that chalkboard is a living being). Also, did anyone else notice Detective Conan in the hospital in episode 4 (that little guy seems to pop up in a lot of shows). And there was a woman standing next to him whom I'm not sure if she was someone from that series, or someone from a different series (or no one special at all).

[roastedpekingduck]

I never expected it to happen, but I got a friend of mine who once disliked anime interested in it with the first four episodes of Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei. Of course he wouldn't get the references to other shows, but the absurdist humor made him really laugh nonetheless. I guess that's how good the show is. :)

[Lego]

Conan is in episode 4? I must check this out :P

[Ty]

I have a love/hate relationship with that chalkboard already. I must pause the show 60+ times per episode to read all the messages.

[Lego]

I have a love/hate relationship with that chalkboard already. I must pause the show 60+ times per episode to read all the messages.

He seems to be a huge Gurren fan.

[TnAdct1]

I have a love/hate relationship with that chalkboard already. I must pause the show 60+ times per episode to read all the messages.
That's pretty normal when it comes to a Shinbou anime. :D

[Ty]

I have a love/hate relationship with that chalkboard already. I must pause the show 60+ times per episode to read all the messages.
That's pretty normal when it comes to a Shinbou anime. :D
I know, it's worth it though. :)

[Andrew Cunningham]

I think they were trying to set a record for number of eyecatches.

[Lego]

I think they were trying to set a record for number of eyecatches.

Hmm, sounds interesting.

[roastedpekingduck]

Though I quite liked this episode, strangely enough, I didn't find myself laughing too often. Instead of tickling my funny bone, the cynical humor instead actually got me to seriously think about "living according to your status". :sd: Beyond the thinking though, I still found the episode both racy and amusing.

By the way, I liked the onslaught of eyecatches. I thought I saw a stab at Studio Ghibli when the blue eyecatch came on, but I'm not certain.

[Dagger]

That's the reaction that Zetsubo Sensei gets from me most of the time, come to think of it. It's funny, but it's also so sharp and true in its observations that I can't really giggle it off. Of course, there are plenty of moments that do startle laughter out of me (such as the wall of tails and the "What if I had died!?" line).

Loved the wetsuit scene--and the ensuing commentary--in this episode.

[something]

Heh, RPD, you're still splitting up the episode discussions :sd: Andrew already had a Ep 5 subthread going (the one I'm responding to here).

Episode 5:

- Aw, wheres my awesome OP...
- Physical exams! Kaere is gonna sue...
- There's the OP! Yay~
- Disgusted with their obsessing over physical traits, he decides to have an examination of their inner selves. Also, KOMORI LOVE, argh please let her do more things, tiny appearances each ep are NOT enough.
- Haah, I love Nozomu's "test" XD Uptight receeding hairline guy is a 50 yen loser!
- Chiri is impressed (for once), and agrees to make everyone live within their status. And she just crushes whatsherface, trashing her doujin XD PHOTOCOPIES ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU! God she just tears half the class apart XD
- Oh wow, Nozomu's celebrity suicide rant was real XD I live Matoi's face when the hooker gives him a kiss XD
- ONSEN! ONSEN! ONSEN! Bandage sarashi is quickly making Abiru the hottest girl in this show.
- The censorship makes me so sad =( Wonder if it'll be in the DVD version... Even steam would be better.
- NAKED KOMORI! ...for a few seconds.
- Everyone "detoxes" =D And they all lose their insane traits (temporarily).
- O_O naked Chie-sensei washing down a naked Komori... DO WANT SO BADLY
- ..."why dont we get in together?"... ...Oh wow. DO WANT EVEN MORE BADLY DO. SO. FUCKING. WANT. #@!&*)^#!@&*(#!@^#^!@&*
- Abiru's other eye is blue =D
- And more stuff happens, and it's twisted and awesome but nothing can possibly top Chie and Komori's embrace in the 'bath' so I'm not going to even to try and say more. That and Abiru's breast bandages.

Arererererereregh this show is so hot, and since it's TWISTED hot it's like ten times as awesome.

[roastedpekingduck]

Awww crap. My bad. I didn't see an episode 5 subject title as I skimmed through the thread, so I apologize for my carelessness.

[Lego]

The episode had its moments. The intro caught me off guard but was good then right into the main intro after the "physical exam" part. The whole 50yen guy was pretty good as well. The shining part of the episode was the "Detox" hot spring. Lots of fanservice from various girls with the "Unlucky Channel", "Chokotto yellow keep out tape" and the "censored for TV" thing. I still love that "mail mail pin.." sound effect they use. Chie and Komori was pretty good as the joke was they were playing into some sort of doujin fantasy and some nice screen time for her.

There seems to be a running joke where she'll randomly appear only for him to mark her present. What was the song they used when talking about "BJ"? It sounded oddly familiar but something that I'd want to keep on loop for hours.

Other then that the episode was a little bit average to me. There were parts when I just listened to him talk wanting to get to the next gag.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Puppets!
And fantasy style eyecatches...wonder who drew those? Based on Alfons Mucha, apparently.

First half was brilliant. Forgot how great that is. Kind of hangs on you already knowing what Ki Sho Ten Ketsu is, though.
Pacing went south in the second half, but worth it for the giant shit it takes on Socrates in Love.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Ah, I knew I recognized the second opening from somewhere! Alias!

The picross puzzle has already been solved: http://zetubou.hewl.info/wiki/wiki.cgi?page=%C2%E807%CF%C3
(Scroll down)

[Lego]

Sounds good, can't wait to watch it after episode six.

Does anyone recognize the music used in episode 6? It's around the 18:30 mark in(raw or whatever you want to use) when he is talking about BJ(Black Jack). I've heard it somewhere before but I can't place it.

[Lego]

The full version of the opening is out and I rather like it. The other track is a nice song sung by all of the girls heh.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Does it sound oddly low key to you? Like they should have tweaked the levels a little higher to really get the full impact across.
Like the first round of CDs for The Who, before they digitally remastered them.

[Lego]

Does it sound oddly low key to you? Like they should have tweaked the levels a little higher to really get the full impact across.
Like the first round of CDs for The Who, before they digitally remastered them.

Which one, the op or the "girl compilation"?

Parts of the op sound really low or off key at times, but I like the long version. The Girls' song sounds kind of like that to where there are times they could of boosted it a little. I personally think it's the way they were recorded.

[Andrew Cunningham]

The Ootsuki Kenji one.
The other song is way too upbeat and I ignored it.

[Lego]

The Ootsuki Kenji one.
The other song is way too upbeat and I ignored it.

I liked the upbeat one, anyway..

Yeah, parts of it did sound "muffled". I'd turn the volume up and it still sounded like it was stuck at a low volume. I still think it's a recording issue.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I meant in comparison to the TV version, though. It sounds...quieter.

[Lego]

I meant in comparison to the TV version, though. It sounds...quieter.

Oh, that happens all the time. I've seen many a series that have slight alterations in their opening themes on air then on CD.

[roastedpekingduck]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLIPX3p2JTc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fbonkurasu%2Eanimeblogger%2Enet%2 F%3Fp%3D51

For those that are curious, the video shows what some of the stuff from Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei referenced.

[Lego]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLIPX3p2JTc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fbonkurasu%2Eanimeblogger%2Enet%2 F%3Fp%3D51

For those that are curious, the video shows what some of the stuff from Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei referenced.

Wow thats an awesome video.

[Andrew Cunningham]

The shower scene from Psycho was awesome.

[Lego]

The shower scene from Psycho was awesome.


This is the one series that I'm trying not to watch raw as I can't understand most of the jokes and word play. Still the Psycho parody sounds funny :D

[Andrew Cunningham]

Zekkou finally shows up.
The ending, where the class successfully proves that Itoshiki is not actually their teacher at all, was particularly masterful, but on the whole this is one of those episodes that is amusing cerebrally but not actually laugh out loud.

[Lego]

Zekkou finally shows up.
The ending, where the class successfully proves that Itoshiki is not actually their teacher at all, was particularly masterful, but on the whole this is one of those episodes that is amusing cerebrally but not actually laugh out loud.

Hmm, sounds like a good one.

[Andrew Cunningham]

New opening credits?! I guess that explains the B-side on the single.
Not nearly as much fun as the previous credits, sadly.
But the guy humming the fake credits music being unable to get through the take without laughing was definitely gold.

[Lego]

New opening credits?! I guess that explains the B-side on the single.
Not nearly as much fun as the previous credits, sadly.
But the guy humming the fake credits music being unable to get through the take without laughing was definitely gold.

Bah, I'm missing all the good stuff. Did they keep the same song?

[Andrew Cunningham]

No, they used the B-side to the OP single.

[Lego]

No, they used the B-side to the OP single.

Ah, that must be the one with all the girls singing. I actually like that song although it seems a little to peppy for the show.

[YamiKakyuu]

Ahhh I didnt realize that, wonder if itll say the same or go back to the old one next week. Kinda odd for an anime to change its OP with only 2 epis left but I wouldnt expect anything less from SZS :P

[Andrew Cunningham]

Two of the better ideas this time around.
Also, penultimate episode...so it ends on a ridiculously dramatic cliffhanger.

[Lego]

Two of the better ideas this time around.
Also, penultimate episode...so it ends on a ridiculously dramatic cliffhanger.

Much like Baccano I've kind of fallen out of step with whats been going on. I'm sure I'll catch up somewhere down the line, but Sensei is almost over :(

[something]

Gah! It's been so long... I've been left in despair!

But finally, someone takes up the slack. Thank goodness this isn't a plot driven show.

Episode 6:

- It's been too long since I saw this OP sequence <3
- Hah, there's something about Kafuka telling Abiru to "take care of herself" that cracked me up way too much :sd:
- Ahahah, Kafuka goes to the doctor's office and it's... Nozomu? No, his "brother", Mikoto. Whose name turns into "Doctor Death" XD
- Oh god. Zetsumei-sensei! Chiri flips out because Mikoto says Nozomu is off to an arranged marriage meeting... "He has ME!" Chiri is going to go track him down now...
- O_o They're carting Kiri away! Her voice got really scary just now.
- Hah, various... circumstances... result in Kaere, Maria, Meiru, and the lovely, sexy Abiru all accidentally winding up in the same place as Chiri and Kafuka. And they're met by the Itoshiki butler, Sebas--Tokito.
- Oooh, sexy (and terrifying) Itoshiki Rin! Nozomu's younger sister, and the master of the dojo...
- Hahaha, poor Nami, she's too... normal to be there on time. :sd: But what really surprises me is, where is his stalker Matoi? Of all the people you think would be there...
- Figures, just as I say that, there she is, lurking in the shadows XD
- The girls all get roped into participating in the strange Itoshiki marriage game. The first one to meet his eyes with hers has to marry him on the spot.
- Kaere <3 Sexy short Kimono~
- Oh man, Chiri and Matoi are not going to let him get out of this one easily. He dodges their gaze with his elite "turning away from reality" skills, but they're persistent...
- KIRI! KIRI! LOOK AT HER! No wait, I know! Look in one of her eyes (the other covered by hair) and one of Abiru's eyes (the other bandaged)... AND GET THEM BOTH!
- o_O Kafuka calls upon a many-eyed demon of the abyss >_____> But as it's not human, it's invalid :sd: And so as they finish and leave - just as poor Nami is arriving.

...Demonic eye pantsu!

God I missed this show dearly. Please, please let more be coming soon <3

[Delariean]

Did you catch the little subtitle that was left at the end of the OP sequence.....it kinda says they has left us in despair...

[something]

Did you catch the little subtitle that was left at the end of the OP sequence.....it kinda says a.f.k. has left us in despair...
Yes, I did, but generally we aren't supposed to mention groups by name here, so I didn't note it :sd:

[Westlo]

LTTP and behind but I've recently watched episodes 1-4, I couldn't wipe a grin off my face for the entirety of episode 4.

[YamiKakyuu]

anyone watching the raw besides me? Cuz epi 11 made me O__O

Also best lines from epi 6

Sensei!
Yes?
No I meant, Sensei!
Yes?
Like I said, Itoshiki-sensei!
Yes.

That and Sebastien jumping on Itoshiki made me rofl.

[something]

anyone watching the raw besides me? Cuz epi 11 made me O__O
I'm definitely not, but if you just look up at the other subject lines and see things like "episode 7" and 8 and 9 and 10 and 11, then yeah, I think there are some people watching the raw :sd:

Me watching SZS raw would be sort of like taking a blind person to an art gallery (and not a please touch museum either) though, so no raw for me.

Sensei!
Yes?
No I meant, Sensei!
Yes?
Like I said, Itoshiki-sensei!
Yes.
Haha, yeah, it was a long time before I *really* believed it wasn't him, rather than him pretending to have a brother :sd:

[YamiKakyuu]

Sensei!
Yes?
No I meant, Sensei!
Yes?
Like I said, Itoshiki-sensei!
Yes.
Haha, yeah, it was a long time before I *really* believed it wasn't him, rather than him pretending to have a brother :sd:

I spoiled myself on the wiki page so I knew he had brothers and sisters, just at the time I wasnt sure they were gonna be shown in the anime :D

[Andrew Cunningham]

Last episode. With Baccano and Mononoke both MIA, this has been a frustrating week, but at least we got to finish this show off. Original OP returns, two new characters introduced. Mitame's voice was amazing.

[roastedpekingduck]

Shit, I wonder just how many things they're going to reference. :sd:
There was even an Ookiku Furikabutte reference in there. I guess that makes sense though since Oofuri is doing quite well in the yaoi doujinshi circuit. :sd: By the way...hemorrhoids...uggghh... :D

[Andrew Cunningham]

They also take an enormous shit on the Japanese World Cup team.

[roastedpekingduck]

And along with that, it seemed pretty obvious to me that Japanese journalism, and just journalism in general was being satirized.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm in despair because certain people seem to have abandoned the show (though I can't blame them too much with the shit-load of on screen text in this show) and the replacements are... not up to par. They barely translated any of the on-screen text and they seemed to do it at random.

Er, anyway, I guess it was a good episode. There was a lot text in this episode though, and it wasn't the chalkboard variety, so I missed a lot.

Edit: Damn, there was a second version that probably had all (or most) of the text translated. But I don't feel like watching through it again when I have too many other things to watch. Arg.

[jojo_home]

I'm not sure I "get" the humour in the show half the time (it's very language specific at times), but there seems to be a skill and precision to the crafting of the scripts that many anime lack. There's a very rat-tat-tat delivery to the dialogue that's uncommon in anime comedy, which usually resorts to screaming or talkingreallyfastfornoreason. Not that there isn't talkingreallyfast in Sayonara...Sensei, but it's usually more like a rapid fire exchange you find in old Hollywood screwball comedies.

Would like to see if this ever gets released here.

[Lego]

Not so much abandoning it, just keeping an eye on it. It's one of those shows where I can't follow it without help to save my life due its reliance on the Japanese language to execute puns, references, and jokes.

[HitokiriShadow]

Actually, I was referring to people who provide the, uh, translations, not people in this thread.

[something]

Ep. 7

- Oh I love Harumi. There are few character types more awesome than cute girls who draw naughty doujinshi. (Tsuyuri, love! Hiyori, love!)
- Heh, her conversation with Nozomu leads to many... misunderstandings. Nozomu at Comiket... this will be disastrous.
- People think he's cosplaying XD And whee, Kafuka Konata finger pointing! Harumi Lulu Geass pose!
- Kafuka buys his "doujinshi". He's overjoyed.
- Oooh... more Kiri/Chie hotness in the eyecatch.
- Haha, Chiri berates Harumi. "I don't accept anything other than 4koma manga!"
- Kiri panties <3
- The forbidden 5th koma! The Kaere one is the best of course =P
- Kaere is pantyshot girl... she can even give pantyshots from a kimono :sd: That's impressive.
- Geh, this whole "mikoshi" thing is going on entirely too long. They need to finish it... five minutes ago. ::starts skipping ahead::
- Heh I liked the part about the "net idol" though :sd: Photoshock!
- And we need way more Chie x Kiri, and not just in eyecatches.

Ok, second half of this ep kinda... failed. Hoping for better from 8+.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Moon Phase have a listing up for a second season in Spring 08...
Wonder if that's confirmed or based on pure rumor.
I'd be up for a second season, but I hope they'll be a little more selective about which chapters to adapt. The first season was decidedly uneven, and the sad part is that some of the worst bits in the anime were bits that were great in the manga (and vice versa.)
Hopefully they'll have locked on to what kinds of jokes benefit from animation.
The manga was always uneven but crammed so many jokes on to a page you end up not caring anyway; with animation it becomes more obvious that you only laughed once for the entire second half of the episode. They've captured the style and spirit of the manga so well that I can't help but like a lot anyway.

[HitokiriShadow]

- Geh, this whole "mikoshi" thing is going on entirely too long. They need to finish it... five minutes ago. ::starts skipping ahead::


It wasn't even a very funny joke to begin with. Talk about :horse: Good grief. While the first half was alright the second half was really lousy. Definitely not one of the better episodes.

[relentlessflame]

Moon Phase have a listing up for a second season in Spring 08...
Wonder if that's confirmed or based on pure rumor.
Apparently this (http://blog-imgs-11.fc2.com/k/a/r/karabou/20071006222420.jpg) is in this week's Weekly Shounen Magazine, so I guess it's official.

[Lego]

Yaaaaaay!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to inform everyone about this..

mail mail
mail mail
mail mail

[Westlo]

Good to see a second season is coming.

[something]

Episode 8:

- Usui Kagero, your typical invisible male. Nobody cares abut him! Nobody notices him! Nobo--Oh shit. Chiri and Kafuka, <3
- Hmm, all this talk of being overshadowed. Kaere is certainly someone who doesn't have to worry about that... usually. Looks like Chie-sensei has some points even over her.
- XD Poor Usui. Even Nozomu doesn't know who he is. He just assumes Chiri is the class rep XD I would too...
- Fairy-san!
- Critism training. And... and they have an instructor in charge of just thaOH GOD KIRI IS FUCKING HOT. ::rewatches scene five times:: "Minaide~~" I'm going to be really disappointed if there isn't more Chie x Kiri at some point.
- So criticism instructor starts attacking everyone... Poor Chiri! Leave Chiri alone! Chiri has no flaws.. well expect being perfect.
- Kafuka has the best ideas. To stop cut everyone off before they can criticize Usui's baldness, have a pretty woman do it first! And so Chie is recruited. But Usui likes it >_> Masochistic!
- Valizougon KICK!
- .......::blinks:: I've never seen Psycho but yeah, wow, that a was bizarre, and random, parody right there.

And Chie gets a brisk business in insults going...

::rewatches Kiri scene again:: GIVE HER MORE SCENES And curse that blanket.

[roastedpekingduck]

Meh, I liked the message the episode had to present about criticism, but I didn't laugh once this episode, or even crack a smile for that matter. The joke about the kid being invisible just got old really quickly.

Meh, for the last few episodes, the series has repeatedly worn thin on their jokes. No episode has yet approached the level that episode 4 reached.

[HitokiriShadow]

I don't think I've found anything particularly funny since episode 5. The first 4 were great, but then they suddenly... weren't. Oh, there were chuckles here and there but that was about it. I'm hoping some of the remaining episodes hit some more home runs because those early episodes were gold.

[Lego]

Episode 5 and 6 were great, at least for me. Once episode six got going, it was pretty good. For some reason the start of episode six just seemed really stilted and awkward.

[Lego]

Just got a chance to sit back and watch episode seven, it was OK for SZS. I felt that the "characters on a stick" gag was getting a little old about half way through. I did enjoy the whole doujin aspect, and they took a huge shot at Socrates in Love. Concealed though was an interesting little rant on otaku culture and how everything in the anime world is hyped.

I was a little disapointed that we didn't get the little ending "extra" that every other episode has had. I did enjoy the episode, but it was one of their off ones.

[pianocello]

I just finished this. I thought that episodes 2,4,5 were the best and some of the jokes actually made me laugh out loud. Unfortunately after that , the show went downhill. None of the jokes made me laugh as the show became more obsessed with being weird than being funny. I did like how the show went all out to fit in all the yuri innuendo between Chie Arai and Kiri Komori.
This show succeeds in creating a lot of hot characters (I'm surprised there isn't more doujinshi at this point). Plus, it was unique for being one of the rare shows to feature tribadism in the OP. :blush:
Unfortunately, the pacing of the show was off in the last 2 episodes. Humor of this sort can only go so far before it becomes repetitious especially since the show doesn't seem interested in giving enough character development to the big cast (I barely knew much about the background of most of the class - I knew more about Negima's class despite the fact that the numbers are bigger there). I mean what the heck - they used the last episode to introduce 2 new characters? And here I was thinking that they would become serious and dramatic. They should have used the last few minutes of ep 11 and the funeral scene in ep 12 and expanded those scenes for the finale instead. Had they done that, this might have been my no 1 of the year.

[Andrew Cunningham]

The last two episodes were swapped at the last minute; the season was supposed to end on the cliffhanger.
It was certainly uneven, but I found myself laughing all the way through; but so many of the jokes are essentially an elaborate riff on idioms and catchphrases that are largely impossible to translate, that I understand wishing it was something it isn't. Definitely not the show to look for character development, since there are no characters in it...

[Lego]

There is a second season in production for next Spring. Just like Azu, Sensei is more about the antic of the class itself. I'm enjoying the show immensely and consider it one of the best shows of the year.

[Lego]

Watched this tonight and wasn't to impressed. I did love the "BUTTFACE!" the Criticism drills though. Baldie just isn't an interesting enough character to fill up a whole episode even though I loved the "whats with calling a fat ass a fat ass? remark. Kaere was fun this episode with her and Chie at the pool. I could of swore I saw a Loveless picture for a split second somewhere in the episode..

The only thing that really stuck with me were the Criticism Drills, the "Psycho" homage, and the little scene at the end with Chie insulting everyone. The Psycho scene was well done and I liked the different attackers. Although SHAFT gets added points for using the word "numbnuts". The last two episodes have been kind of average for a show like Sayonara Sensei. I guess I expect this to hit a home run every episode, but I really found the last two episodes shockingly average. I know you love Kiri something, and the little moment with her "Don't Look" was fun. It seems like its replaced the "Seeeeeeensei" "random pop up moments" that we had in the starting of the series.

Did anyone else get a feeling of deja vu when the fireman walked in? The music made me want to say Bond or Batman, but I couldn't place it.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Okay, the soundtrack to this is just unnecessarily good.
The big show stopping tracks you actually remember hearing in the show are accomplished classical pieces with more depth than I expected, and the goofy tracks that generally pad out soundtracks and get themselves deleted are a bit too good for that - soulful refrains played on a recorder, one romantic track that appears to be played on a saw; novelty tracks with melodies a little too good to be dismissed.
There's even a track on here which is like the most perfect 60s spy show theme never written.

[roastedpekingduck]

I'm enjoying the soundtrack more than I ever enjoyed the show. Some of the tracks could easily fit the scene of an sweeping epic or bittersweet romance.

[Lego]

I'm extremly happy that I finally have a full version of the "theme" track used during the show. My favorite version of it is used when they're talking about "love" early on in the series. Aside form that I liked that they included the little music video song that they reused in episode 8. I can't get enough of this soundtrack.

[Lego]

I watched episode 9 and really wasn't feeling it until the end of the episode. I liked the fact that his brothers kid(or was it brother in law?) showed up but this episode just felt off. Add to the fact that they did a "last time on SZS" and I just couldn't get into it. The episode had it moments but it seemed like the show is trying to run on fumes for the last couple of episodes. Now this could of been(and I hope it's) an off episode like three or four was but I guess I hold this and Baccano to a higher standard than other shows.

Still it was mildly enjoyable.

[something]

Didn't know I'd gotten this far (thought I was around 6-7). Well, now I can finally finish it off, so let's get that started.

Episode 9:

Some highlights:
- Sexy Chie-sensei... need more.
- Chiri, Harumi and Nami coming to Maria's defense, making Nozomu look like a bully XD
- Nozomu's child! Or not... but I like Matoi and Chiri's reactions.
- Majiru becomes the class' pet? And Nozomu makes Chiri prove she is who she is >_> And it... gets out of hand. "You're not teacher if you're not wearing cat ears!" <3 Harumi.
- Chie and Kiri! Chie and Kiri! So not even remotely enough of them. Pet her moar, Kiri, pet herr~ They deserve their own full episode.
- Exploded hair Chiri! Poor Majiru...

This is closer to the humor I remember liking so much in he beginning. I'm still having to stop myself from pausing to read the blackboard and such though. Most of the time it's either something I don't get, or something not funny enough to warrant the time it takes to read it all, so I'm going to try to just ignore it.

And I still love all the girls <3

[pianocello]

- Chie and Kiri! Chie and Kiri! So not even remotely enough of them. Pet her moar, Kiri, pet herr~ They deserve their own full episode.
<3

There needs to be more Chie x Kiri yuri.

[something]

Episode 10:

Some highlights:
- "This script is too high level!" "I randomly wrote words with my left hand while watching TV." XD
- Chiri's part blushes! Oh god.
- Meru's phone being out of date :sd:
- "So that's why you weren't in A part."
- Kiri isn't in nearly enough in either part =( "akenaide yo~"
- Harumi is in despair!
- CHIE-SENSEI CENTERFOLD! Kiri likes...
- "akenaide yo~" O_O ...but I wanna...
- Ahaha, there's no such thing as a come, he's previewing the afterlife XD
- Panty preview!

Another two gag episode but they were both amusing. Also, like a dozen "akenaide yo~"s. Even though I want much more...

Guess I'll try to finish this tonight, I imagine it'll be better that way. So much for getting a decent amount of sleep for once.

Edit: Oh whoops, almost forgot the last part. That was awesome. The blow off the criticisms XD

[something]

Episode 11:

Some highlights:
- Oh duh I didn't mention the new OP last time. It's alright, and I like all the shots of the characters, but yeah it's not nearly as unique and nuts as the first one.
- Haha, the "I followed the original!" escape route. Literally. So many escape routes...
- Hand on boob. Just what Chiri wanted.
- Ah there's Matoi. I missed her. Also, Kiri in the closet <3
- Chiri comes to clean! God I love her. And Majiru totally has a crush on Maria. And it's good to see Kiri with the rest of the cast for once, even if she's not saying much. Just watching her wave at Matoi was nice.
- Wow, Chiri cockblocks Nozomu. ...What I wouldn't give to "hibernate" with Kiri. And Harumi just entered as well... My happy place (though an Abiru is fine too). And where's good old Nami?

Woah woah woah wtf is this? A cliffhanger in my Zetsubou? Even after the ED! Haha, wow, that caught me completely off guard.

Also, Chiri crying was... oh god, I love you Chiri. Be happy~~

[something]

Episode 12:

Some highlights:
- Oh hey return of the original OP.
- Holy shit, who is this girl? She's awesome. And nuts. ...Ai... Kaga Ai! GET ME MORE OF HER IN SEASON TWO. OR ELSE.
- Also, isn't Nozomu supposed to be in surgery? I know this isn't a serious show or anything, but are they really just pretending that never happened? :sd: Because he's right there...
- "If I were to wear this, the brand's value would fall!" This girl is fucking hilarious.
- Guilt complex crossing... Also, Ai, don't listen to Nozomu, you're juuuust fine for Okinawa! Yummy bikini...
- Hmm, part B isn't something that feels like an ending, I guess they knew by now that they'd do a second season. Instead it's Mitama Mayo and her evil eyes. Too much evidence!
- Chie-sensei x Kiri twister!!
- She blew up his house o_O

Ok, good thing there is a second season coming because that's a really... I don't want to say inconclusive way to end it, because there's nothing to conclude. But it didn't have that final episode feel at all. And I still think the episode 11 cliffhanger being completely ignored was a little weird even for this show. But I absolutely love Kaga Ai and demand she become a regular in season two. Which... which airs in like a day or so. Awesome. And more Kiri, goddamnit.

The last four episodes were a lot better than some of the middle eps that made me iffy on the series, and so SHAFT can chalk up another win here. Definitely going to follow season two as it comes out, though hopefully the uh, "release schedule", will be much more... reliable.... this time.

Edit: just noticed this elsewhere in the thread:
The last two episodes were swapped at the last minute; the season was supposed to end on the cliffhanger.
Oh? What the hell, why did they do that?

No wonder it made no sense to just dump the cliffhanger.

[TnAdct1]

Edit: Oh whoops, almost forgot the last part. That was awesome. The blow off the criticisms XD
Personally, I wonder if the "Chidamari Sketch" comment was a nod to a different type of criticism that the people behind this show had: the possibility that Hidamari Sketch was one of the reasons why the SHAFT version of Negima went downhill come the show's second half.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I sort of dug the extreme dadaism of ignoring the cliffhanger and deliberately introducing new characters in the last episode. Deconstructionist meta jokes are a big part of the series.

Kaga Ai is around reasonable often, probably at least as much as tail girl.
Mitama Mayo is barely ever in it, sadly. Her character trait must make her harder to work in regularly. She's in it about as much as the male cast members...

[something]

I sort of dug the extreme dadaism of ignoring the cliffhanger and deliberately introducing new characters in the last episode. Deconstructionist meta jokes are a big part of the series.
Maybe but that can only go so far. If you let it, it can excuse... well, pretty much anything any show does. I'm not decided on whether or not this instance takes it too far or not. But I can say that it just felt sort of dumb to do it this way, and I'd be somewhat annoyed if I had watched it when it initially aired and had to wait all this time for a second season. If they had alluded to the swap in-show in some way (they love breaking the fourth wall) I could have accepted it as a comedic decision, but as is it it just seems silly.

But moot with Zoku airing, like, tomorrow or so. Course if the second season ignores it too, *then* I'll get annoyed. I'm not expecting intense romantic drama, but they gotta do something with it.

Kaga Ai is around reasonable often, probably at least as much as tail girl.
Mitama Mayo is barely ever in it, sadly. Her character trait must make her harder to work in regularly. She's in it about as much as the male cast members...
Mmm. I love Abiru, and she's sort of in it a decent amount, so it's better than nothing. Mayo is alright but I won't much miss her if she's a minor character.

[something]

Personally, I wonder if the "Chidamari Sketch" comment was a nod to a different type of criticism that the people behind this show had: the possibility that Hidamari Sketch was one of the reasons why the SHAFT version of Negima went downhill come the show's second half.
They aired concurrently, or something? I haven't seen any Negima but I have seen Hidamari and think it's one of the best damn shows of the year, so in my infinite selfishness I'm willing to accept Negima as a sacrifice on the altar of Yuno =P

[Ty]

I'm not. Nodoka > Yuno..... if only by the slightest of margins, but this ain't horseshoes. Since I was planning to buy the second Negima series this is disheartening. Maybe if we're lucky we'll also get the chance to buy Hidamari so I can console myself.

[TnAdct1]

Personally, I wonder if the "Chidamari Sketch" comment was a nod to a different type of criticism that the people behind this show had: the possibility that Hidamari Sketch was one of the reasons why the SHAFT version of Negima went downhill come the show's second half.
They aired concurrently, or something? I haven't seen any Negima but I have seen Hidamari and think it's one of the best damn shows of the year, so in my infinite selfishness I'm willing to accept Negima as a sacrifice on the altar of Yuno =P
Yep. Hidamari Sketch aired on TV around the same period the second half of SHAFT's version of Negima aired (with Negima airing on Wednesday afternoons, while Hidamari aired late night Thursday). Since both shows were done by SHAFT (and the director of Negima was the supervising director of Hidamari), I kinda expect some of Negima's quality dropping as a result of SHAFT making Hidamari at the same time.

[Lego]

The second season is coming up in a day or two, so I'll have to catch up with the last two episodes before then. It sounds like they're good even after a little rough patch with some hit or miss jokes.

[Nephenee13]

I found the last second Lupin parody to be the funniest part of the episode.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Taking a cue from the manga dust jackets, the opening is one long burst of surrealism, an elaborate backstory that has nothing to do with the actual show at all.
Opening credits back to the stripped down version, with a new song; not bad, but not quite as catchy as last season.
They finally go back and do Nami's introduction...
And then the end credits...mysteriously done in the Nana art style.

[Lego]

Taking a cue from the manga dust jackets, the opening is one long burst of surrealism, an elaborate backstory that has nothing to do with the actual show at all.
Opening credits back to the stripped down version, with a new song; not bad, but not quite as catchy as last season.
They finally go back and do Nami's introduction...
And then the end credits...mysteriously done in the Nana art style.


The shots on 2chan looked pretty good. I loved the opening of the first season but wasn't to fond of the ending, I'll have to check it out.

[TheGreenMan]

Taking a cue from the manga dust jackets, the opening is one long burst of surrealism, an elaborate backstory that has nothing to do with the actual show at all.
Opening credits back to the stripped down version, with a new song; not bad, but not quite as catchy as last season.
They finally go back and do Nami's introduction...
And then the end credits...mysteriously done in the Nana art style.


I think they look like characters from Hellsing in the ED.

[Westlo]

A special just got released by the group who subbed the first season, what is it? worth getting?

[Sweeped]

A special just got released by the group who subbed the first season, what is it? worth getting?
Seemed like some kind of recap

[William K]

Kaga Ai is around reasonable often, probably at least as much as tail girl.
Mitama Mayo is barely ever in it, sadly. Her character trait must make her harder to work in regularly. She's in it about as much as the male cast members...
Mmm. I love Abiru, and she's sort of in it a decent amount, so it's better than nothing. Mayo is alright but I won't much miss her if she's a minor character.

If I read the ED credits correctly for Episode 12, Mayo and Kiri are voiced by the same person; so I guess Mayo is considered so minor that they didn't bother hiring another VA.

[Andrew Cunningham]

She also never speaks.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Beyond imagining.
They appear to have animated the chapter in which Perry goes around forcing things open, decided it wasn't funny enough, dubbed the entire thing in gibberish, and subtitled it with a new script.
Doing three chapters in one episode allows them to keep the pacing up and avoids them filling with fucking random logos and cut aways.

[Westlo]

I'm reading on "that" site that the first season didn't follow the manga that much while this season will (according to what's happened so far and the special), is that true?

Also I looked at the screencaps for ep 2 and lol'd at the skirt opening and than he goes for a guys pants, this ep looks insane.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I'm reading on "that" site that the first season didn't follow the manga that much while this season will (according to what's happened so far and the special), is that true?

It's not like I remember every joke from every episode, but there's never been anything that struck me as different. I think the new pacing is working better, though. A few of those mid-season bits (like the matsuri one) were hilarious in the book and just dragged in the anime. The more breakneck pacing should manage to keep them from falling into that trap.

[pianocello]

So any yuri in the 1st 2 episodes yet?

[Lego]

They've come out swinging this season. A couple episode just seemed to drag on but the opening bit in a random language was great.

[something]

Er, so I just watched something entitled "Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - Preface - Zetsubou Girls Collection" which as far as I can gather is just... Ep. 1 - a lot of the extra jokes + Kiri's introduction. Minus the censorship, but also minus the sexy bath fanservice scene, which makes the lack of censorship utterly pointless.

...So I guess there will be another 1-2 of these "Zetsubou Girls Collections" as a condensed version of the other introductions?

All in all I guess it was sort of pointless, but I *do* love Kafuka's, Chiri's and Kiri's introductions. Kiri especially, because holy shit she's changed from the angry girl they first met. The Kiri now wouldn't hurt a blade of grass.
r
Anyway, let's Zoku!

Episode 1:

- Woah boy. So Nozomu goes from running a pyramid scheme, to being chased down as a traitor by cultists he's never seen before, to getting turned into a mole cricket man thing, to being tortured by pirates, then washing up on shore at a girls' school where he's dubbed Left-Wing Guerrilla-sensei, and when he tries to kill himself he's asked to marry some crazy girl from an unknown land. ...So says the inside cover blurb in Vol. 1 of the manga. Well *that* was bizarre XD
- New OP. Not anywhere near as catchy as BURE BURE! but the animation's a big part and we don't have an actual animated OP yet.
- "Can you tell which is poisonous? They're both poisonous! You can't eat either! But we still ate them." Ahaha. So, we get nami's introduction, truant all this time just like her. She wants attention but nobody gives it to her. Nozomu one ups her on truancy, Abiru one ups her on injuries, Maria one ups her on poverty. Awww, poor Nami =P
- Damnit, missed opportunity for a Nami/Chiri underboob shot. Close with Nami though... ahem, I mean, even one upped on suicide!
- Ooh, since this is farther back, Kiri has a bit more of an edge to her. Before Chie-sensei softened her up with bountiful, silky smooth breasts... ::cough:: Nozomu wants to show Nami that refusing to come to school is nothing compared to refusing to leave school. Kiri makes the point clearly >_>
- "She's a zashiki warashi! If she leaves the school it'll be destroyed! In fact the house she was previously living in was tragically destroyed." Kiri: "...eh?" Ahahaha. Poor Nami, totally one upped again. Kiri leads an interesting life at school..
- Meh on the ED too. Guess I won't be watching the opening and ending sequences too much this season.

So Nami might be normal but she gets almost a whole episode to herself. I'm actually sort of glad I watched that weird recap thing now, it went well with this episode going back to the beginning.

Now let's keep this up, SHAFT. No mid-season slump!

[GyroidFanatic]

Er, so I just watched something entitled "Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - Preface - Zetsubou Girls Collection" which as far as I can gather is just... Ep. 1 - a lot of the extra jokes + Kiri's introduction. Minus the censorship, but also minus the sexy bath fanservice scene, which makes the lack of censorship utterly pointless.

...So I guess there will be another 1-2 of these "Zetsubou Girls Collections" as a condensed version of the other introductions?

All in all I guess it was sort of pointless, but I *do* love Kafuka's, Chiri's and Kiri's introductions. Kiri especially, because holy shit she's changed from the angry girl they first met. The Kiri now wouldn't hurt a blade of grass.
r
Anyway, let's Zoku!
What you saw was the TV version. The DVD version is about 70 minutes long and covers all the girls. And there's actually 4 girls introduced in the TV version. Did you remember to watch after the ED?

- Meh on the ED too. Guess I won't be watching the opening and ending sequences too much this season.And there is apparently going to be more than one ED. Wikipedia lists three different songs right now.

[Lego]

Just caught up with 11, 12, special, and episode one of season two. Wow, 11 and 12 were great. It felt weird to have them introducing new characters in the last episode.

Season two was almost night and day budget wise, at least for episode one. Things looked like "shiny SHAFT" but worked well. It was good to see Nozomu's past that was hinted at in the first season. Pretty good with the "at least make me a grasshopper man" bit. I was worried that the new opening wouldn't be that great, but now I have Rumba Rumba Rumba stuck in my head :notworthy:

This episode seemed like a catch up episode but was still nicely done. I really enjoyed Kiri's little bit about the issues about staying in school all the time. The thing that stuck with me the most was how the production values increased for the second season. It's almost night and day. The new ending was interesting in the way they animated it, I presume to take a shot at Nana.

[something]

What you saw was the TV version. The DVD version is about 70 minutes long and covers all the girls.
Guess that'll be forthcoming eventually, though probably no point in watching it again.

And there's actually 4 girls introduced in the TV version. Did you remember to watch after the ED?
That doesn't count. Her real intro was in Zoku.

[Ty]

It seems to me like the animation is subtly different in the new season. Like they're using less of that odd textured shading now. It makes everything stand out a bit better now.

[Westlo]

- New OP. Not anywhere near as catchy as BURE BURE! but the animation's a big part and we don't have an actual animated OP yet.

I didn't pay much attention to Bure Bure until it got that proper opening animation. SHAFT have been pretty awesome with their OP sequences lately so I'm looking forward to the proper Rumba Rumba opening sequence.

[Suwako Moriya]

All right then after watching this first episode, I need to decide who I'm more afraid of here. Mr.Negative or Miss Positive? Then again it would be easier to be afraid of both. Still the show has an interesting art style to it and looks to have potential.

[Suwako Moriya]

I've come to a conclusion. Kafuka Fuura is the "master" of logic. Kiri Komori is rather cute hikkimori. Stalker Girl Matoi Tsunetsuki is scary. Only way to make one stalker scary is to have more. The cake division part with Chiri Kitsu was kind of fun.

So far this is turning out to be a nice series. Although I'm sort of having trouble getting the names of the characters to stick right now. Let's just say I kept pausing episodes. Also yeah I know I'm far behind. I'm also behind on other shows. Although in the case of certain series I'm going to remain behind on purpose.

[Suwako Moriya]

Tsunetsuki is... strangely hot. Viewed from a safe distance, that is. So it's... hot to watch her stalk other people

Well for certain one has to admire her "dedication". Yeah she's not stalking, she's just dedicated.

I love how Chiri's overriding concern with Nozomu hanging himself is that the rope being nicely wound up afterwards.

Ah yes this is we call getting your priorities straight.

- And she's insane. Perhaps moreso than all the others. The shock of dealing with multiple cultures has made her come down with a sort of split personality, one foreign and one Japanese :sd:

Kimura has potential to be a strange, but interesting character depending on how they handle the split personality thing of course.

- And so, the entire class falls in love with her. "I want to protect her..." Even Kaede.

Given how cute Maria is, I can totally understand why the class feels that way. Also I'm not sure why, but her voice makes me like her for some reason.

[Lego]

This series is great at making political and society issues in an easy to understand format. Just look at episode one with the "rush to judgment" bit. The added name puns just make it sweeter.

[Suwako Moriya]

Awesome episode, especially Meru's portion.

Ah yes Meru Otanashi, she's uh let's just say quite evil. Which is kind of surprising giving the way she looks. In any case the boot camp stuff was well wrong. Still nice to have RPG related stuff in this.

[Westlo]

The first 8 minutes of ep 2 was just wtf lol. Nice shot of Chie later on.

[Suwako Moriya]

It was kind of fun getting to see the detoxified versions of the girls. Plus the fanservice was interesting. The whole status thing was kind of scary near the end. Ah yes bandaged breasts really stand out.

[Westlo]

I liked the new opening animation they included with this episode. First half was just weird, last was awesome, SHAFT please never change.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Could have used more dancing, but it worked.

Three chapters an episode is definitely working to their advantage, even if they seem hell bent on fucking with the first one. Playing the entire chapter on the radio in the background while she sits around in her bra drawing slash manga? Definitely something.

[Suwako Moriya]

Nozumu has a rather strange family. Especially with that whole marriage ritual thing they have going. Seems like Chiri and Matoi are both quite well uh I'll just say competitive.

[something]

Episode 2:

- ...What the hell? Ok, there's a text translation and a speech translation, but I thought the speech was just nonsense. But maybe it's some pig Latin-ish version of Japanese? And which do I read? Why are they different? What the fuck is going on? I can't read two sets of subs at once.
- At least not consistently, which is what this is. I mean it's fine when it's the occasional scene with two characters talking at once, but this... is not working. And I don't want to keep pausing.
- Ok, I'm getting better at it but... holy fuck this is irritating. And just not all that funny, which is the big problem.
- MERU, CHIRI AND ABIRU IN SWIMSUITS! Thank god, that helps ease *some* of the pain.
- ...back to one subtitle.　And two again.　And... and thank god it's done. That was as bad as the mikoshi gag.
- Chiri in a kimono! She looks so pretty~ and that again soothes some of the pain.
- Maria doesn't wear underwear o_O And Harumi is love. And Abiru and Nami and... oh I love the girls in this show, don't waste them on crappy jokes like the Perry thing. There were maybe 2 short scenes in that that were funny, but SHAFT not only ran it into the ground, they made it practically incomprehensible to boot. It would have been funny if it were... about 45 seconds long.
- Heh. "A DVD that comes with so many extras you can't tell which one's the main item!"
- I don't know why they're all in kimono this whole scene, but I like it. Even Kiri!
- Chie-sensei's underwear...
- Sugita Tomokazu and Koyasu Takehito GET.
- Rin-chan! It's been entirely too long since she was in the show. Even if she still doesn't get to do much other than get tied to a pole >_>

Also, war rages in the background. Nobody really notices. And Maria marries off some immigrants.

Well, okay then! The ep got progressively better but damn I almost didn't bother finishing it. At the very least I was about to skip ahead when the Perry part ended. Here's hoping for a more consistently enjoyable episode next time. Also, hoping for an actual OP animation.

[GyroidFanatic]

Episode 2:

- ...What the hell? Ok, there's a text translation and a speech translation, but I thought the speech was just nonsense. But maybe it's some pig Latin-ish version of Japanese? And which do I read? Why are they different? What the fuck is going on? I can't read two sets of subs at once.
- At least not consistently, which is what this is. I mean it's fine when it's the occasional scene with two characters talking at once, but this... is not working. And I don't want to keep pausing.
- Ok, I'm getting better at it but... holy fuck this is irritating. And just not all that funny, which is the big problem.
- MERU, CHIRI AND ABIRU IN SWIMSUITS! Thank god, that helps ease *some* of the pain.
- ...back to one subtitle.　And two again.　And... and thank god it's done. That was as bad as the mikoshi gag.

They took the chapter and dubbed it with jibberish, and "subtitled" that dub. For the version you're watching, the lower English sub is the translation of the Japanese sub, and the upper English sub is the translation from the manga chapter.

[something]

They took the chapter and dubbed it with jibberish, and "subtitled" that dub. For the version you're watching, the lower English sub is the translation of the Japanese sub, and the upper English sub is the translation from the manga chapter.
Yeah, I started to suspect that after I read Andrew's comments. Well, just goes to show that in Japan, some shows (or at least some eps of them) are only meant for the manga fans. :sd:

[Andrew Cunningham]

I think it would have worked just fine as gibberish with a translation of the subs, but including a translation of the original manga chapter as well sounds like overload.

[something]

I think it would have worked just fine as gibberish with a translation of the subs, but including a translation of the original manga chapter as well sounds like overload.
Even if you ignore the top trans (as I did at times), it's still going to be incomprehensible to someone unfamiliar with the manga. "Why the fuck are they calling him Goku-san?" etc. And well, the Perry joke just isn't funny enough to last more than a minute, tops. I would have gladly traded it all in for more Rin.

The sub could have used a quick note at the beginning explaining what was going on though. Or maybe they did and I missed it.

[Delariean]

Hmmm Ep 3 has a new op...seems unfinished in a way. I would put a link to it but I'm not sure if that's allowed....

I'm just wondering if......naaaaahhh.....

[Lego]

So I'm watching episode two(Finally I know), some quick thoughts
-Ah so Commodore Perry is back..
-I'm loving the made up language in the beginning here
-My eyes are going to hate me for reading both parts of the screen at once
-Nice DBZ reference
-Haha, show me your 0000
-Random pool shot
-Stop bitching buttface!
-Well that sure was surreal...
-So Maria doesn't like underwear..
-Nice dig at manga artists
-Surprised they mentioned Baskin and Robins and Starbucks
-Another dig at DVD's that have to many extras hiding the DVD
-Kiri made avatars of everyone, shes getting lots of screentime this season
-Nice ass shot
-So Mr. Jinroku is yakuza..
-Kei Itoshiki, another fun family member
-Fun putting the scene at the beach with everything going on in the background
-Old, old, old, old
-The dog with a stick in his ass seems to be a recurring joke now
-Army guys on the beach with Rin tied up
-Tank
-Maria is trying to get her immigrant friends married to be Japanese citizens
-Everyones oblivious to the war going on in the background
-Melos eh?

Yu Kobayashi is amazing in this show.

[Suwako Moriya]

So doujin goodness in the first half and quite a bit of err hype in the second half. The second half has the problem that it's essentially a running gag and those can get tired due to the "running". Still at least we got some interesting eye catches.

[Ty]

I cannot take my hand off the pause button on the remote while I watch this. It was annoying at first but now I'm used to interrupting myself 300 times per episode to catch everything on screen. Like I've said before, this show is exhausting to watch to the point where it borders on work but it's still very fun and worth it.

[Lego]

I cannot take my hand off the pause button on the remote while I watch this. It was annoying at first but now I'm used to interrupting myself 300 times per episode to catch everything on screen. Like I've said before, this show is exhausting to watch to the point where it borders on work but it's still very fun and worth it.

My eyes were focuses on the whole screen instead of the bottom while watching. Quiet a weird feeling to see if you can keep up with the bottom and top lines while looking at whats happening :grin:

[Suwako Moriya]

The psycho scene was kind of fun, but the criticism drill definitely dragged quite a bit. Although the first half of the episode was kind of fun even if it makes me feel sorry for whoever that guy was.

[Lego]

Speaking of that, does Akiko Yajima(Chie-Sensei) have a really hoarse voice or is she trying to remain in character? IE the yelling scene at the end.

[Suwako Moriya]

It's nice that Chie gives Kiri someone to interact with. In any case compared to the previous of episode there seemed to be more variety and better flow to the jokes. Ah yes mistakes and impostors.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Alien invasion!?
Definitely not what I was expecting.
Doing this one first sort of blew the Kudo-kun has terrible clothes joke, which nearly killed me when I read it, and was much more interesting than the storytelling gag, which sort of slogs around a bit in the middle of the episode.
The last third, with Komori prancing around in a bikini while Majiru blushes furiously, was mainly notable for the mind blowing posters on the wall.
And right at the end, Mataro is standing next to the assassin girl of mystery! No idea who this girl is, but she keeps popping up in the manga and trying to kill Zetsubo-sensei. No explanation at all!

[Lego]

The Kimori bit at the end was great :grin:

[Suwako Moriya]

All right then let's see talk about being too cultured. A discussion on previews. Ah yes preview the afterlife... Random Kiri scenes. Finally reading critical letters. Decent episode over all.

[Suwako Moriya]

Ah yes I like how they took a direct stab at the debates and arguments over how adaptations should be handled. Plus there's the whole the whole fun with hibernation. Still the way the episode ended was kind of unexpected. In any case this episode is starting to make me realize one thing. That the one I should be worshiping is Chiri. Or maybe it's her getting good focus in the episode making me think that way. Well whatever works.

[Suwako Moriya]

Ah so we get a girl with a major guilt complex and a girl who can't be "evil" because she looks evil. Mayo seems like the type of character that could get old fast if you used too much. Although Kaga sounds like she could be fun and I won't feel guilty for thinking that. Heh so I'm finally finished with the previous season. Maybe this means I won't fall behind with the second season.

[Suwako Moriya]

They finally go back and do Nami's introduction...

Ah yes and it quite the fun introduction. Definitely helps make her more interesting. Ah Nami may be normal, but the fact she's normal will always make her the true odd ball.

[Suwako Moriya]

To be honest the "Perry" stuff was a bit weak. Although the rest of this episode was thankfully better.

[Suwako Moriya]

Ah nothing like having a Yes! Pretty Cure 5! reference. The first 1/3 was interesting because it felt like we were getting a two in one deal almost. The stuff on duties was kind of interesting. Although the casual talk eventually got weird and dramatic.

[Lego]

Couldn't find Zoku 3 to reply to, so I just replied to mine..

-I like the new opening even if I'm not a huge fan of anatomy class
-Nice little dance and Ghibli reference..
-Don't call me normal!
-I like the Sayonara Sensei audio drama going on in the background
-Harumi sure loves her anime
-Hey Harumi boobs and tight biker shorts
-More Harumi fanservice and panties
-Indirect bath!
-High school housewife, what a way to introduce a new character
-Ass..
-Its like the regular episode is going on while we watch Harumi
-More panties
-Majiru loves his idols
-Haha, generic fanservice character
-dropkick through the door
-I love the bit about feeling responsibility if someone lends you something to watch it
-the fiftith panty shot flies by
-Komori is cooking dinner
-Komori sure has a lot of screentime this season
-My husbands in prison right now..
-Your fathers girlfriend..
-Poor Harumi
-So Rin is one of his students now
-Sensei hasn't eaten lunch yet!
-I like the subtle jab with overreactions to normal statements
-Guy busts through the wall..

Good episode. Just like last weeks episode the starting forced you to do two things at once.

[something]

Let's see if they can make up for the grave sin that was the first half of episode two.

Episode 3:

- Woah, that was weird. I've actually come to like this OP song more than season one's, as time has gone on. And now it finally gets an animation, sort of. There was this straaaaaange feeling of disconnect between the animation and the song the whole time, as if it were ever so slightly out of sync but not enough that I could point to any one transition and say "Aha!" So I had this oddly uneasy feeling from the moment the anatomy stuff ended until the end. But it was a pretty interesting feeling, and I think it worked. I like.
- Harumi working on her doujins. Girls who draw doujins are a favorite fetish of mine, even if it's bl stuff. And so, I love Harumi. Also, damnit, too much background conversation! I keep missing pieces :sd:
- However, in occasionally pausing I happened to pause just as Harumi's bra attacked the screen. SCORE!
- ...Harumi has been so neglected, so this is wonderful =D Oh Harumi and your Setsuna figure :sd:
- And then the slip a character intro in in the radio show background chatter o_O
- Inoue Kikuko! ...But more importantly, Harumi ass <3 Forget following even one line of subs, I'm too busy looking at Harumi.
- Poor Harumi... her BL pairing isn't popular. But she likes it too much to stop. And the radio show ends.
- "Everyone looks forward to the blackboard jokes so we couldn't stop even if we wanted to" :sd:
- And then we switch to Duty jokes. I love the part where Nozomu encounters people whose recommendations he hasn't followed yet :sd: We all know what that's like.
- KIRI! Love the part where she's "spoiling" him. God Kiri is cute.
- I also love the "casual revelations" gag. This is more of what Zetsubou needs. Awesome. Poor Abiru.
- Oh shit yeah, this sketch is one of the best of the franchise. And even better... CASUALLY RIN!!
- God fucking damnit the "dramatically state minor things" bit was even better. So far this is one of the best episodes of either season. Delicious Harumi fanservice in the first half, and absolutely hilarious gags in the second.

Aww, but it's over. Anyway, I completely forgive them for the Perry sketch. This episode was amazing.

[Suwako Moriya]

Anyway, I completely forgive them for the Perry sketch. This episode was amazing.

I'm sure several feel the same way. Hopefully that will be the last we see of Perry. After all we should spend more time with Chiri instead. *Waits for eventual corrections from others*

[something]

Anyway, I completely forgive them for the Perry sketch. This episode was amazing.I'm sure several feel the same way. Hopefully that will be the last we see of Perry. After all we should spend more time with Chiri instead. *Waits for eventual corrections from others*
No correction here, Chiri is fucking awesome.

But then, they all are.

And I still need more Ai. So, so much more Ai. NOW.

[Andrew Cunningham]

About time Kenjiro Hata drew the end card.
Weirdly 60s new ending theme that totally threw me by going slow when I thought it was going to speed up.
something gets his wish; loads more Kaga Ai.
Mid-section is probably the weakest, though it is hard to follow the first act.

[Andrew Cunningham]

First two chunks were pure gold. Especially Jojo Usui.
Third segment again tries to spice up a less amusing bit with dadaist stunts; musical voice actors. Constantly swapping who voices who throughout the segment. Curious to see if this was funnier if you actually knew who any of these people were.
As it stands, should probably not have come last...

[Andrew Cunningham]

HOLY SHIT.
If you haven't been keeping up, make a point of watching this one.
Fucking magical girl opening credits were a sign of the mind blowing experience to come, but the first story is fairly ordinary; a few good jokes, particularly the Shonen Magazine one, but basic SZS stuff. Then they start channel surfing, which was weird enough...and then the final story is done in as many disparate animation styles as possible. Shadow puppets, pastels, claymation, and finally just blatant surrealism.

[Lego]

Then they start channel surfing

Oh hell yes. I still remember the episode of Bebop where Jet went flicked through some of the channels.

[TheGreenMan]

HOLY SHIT.
If you haven't been keeping up, make a point of watching this one.
Fucking magical girl opening credits were a sign of the mind blowing experience to come, but the first story is fairly ordinary; a few good jokes, particularly the Shonen Magazine one, but basic SZS stuff. Then they start channel surfing, which was weird enough...and then the final story is done in as many disparate animation styles as possible. Shadow puppets, pastels, claymation, and finally just blatant surrealism.

Saw the magical girl intro. Hilarious stuff!

[Suwako Moriya]

Wow this episode was awesome. Diversions from the main point. Alien invasion with Chiri goodness. Story telling gag was kind of silly. Also wow lots of sexy Kiri goodness. A good reminder of how nice her body is. Yeah I was studying for the sake of education.

[Westlo]

HOLY SHIT.
If you haven't been keeping up, make a point of watching this one.
Fucking magical girl opening credits were a sign of the mind blowing experience to come

Do want spin off ova episodes!

[Andrew Cunningham]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqEQQjeBI4Q
That is the Konami code Meru taps out on her phone at one point, by the way.