ef - a tale of memories. Release Schedule

[relentlessflame]

Geneon's updated the official website (http://www.ef-memo.com/) with release details for ef - a tale of memories. A show that I'm very much anticipating!

6 DVDs x 2 episodes = 12 episodes total

Vol. 1: 2007-12-07
Vol. 2: 2008-01-11
Vol. 3: 2008-02-08
Vol. 4: 2008-03-07
Vol. 5: 2008-04-04
Vol. 6: 2008-05-05

Volume 1: Limited Edition (GNBA-1280/6,800 Yen) or Regular Edition (GNBA-1281/5,000 Yen).

Volume 1 Limited Edition Includes:
- Naru Nanao-illustrated DVD Box
- Minori Desktop Accessories CD
- 32p. Manga
- CD-sized Calendar pages (May/June 2008)
- 12p. Booklet
- Anime character design-based DVD Jacket
- 4p. Liner Notes

Volume 1 Regular Edition:
Just the jacket and liner notes.

Volume 2-6: One Edition (5,000 Yen), but with firstpress benefits:
- Naru Nanao-illustrated DVD Jacket
- CD-sized Calendar page (1/month)


After the excellent Prologue DVD (and the amazing song currently playing on the website), I'm looking forward to this.

[treatment]

nice catch.

Tho not yet listed on AmJ except for the Prologue, I think I might be getting this series instead of Clannad-TV. The designs are better. The prologue (http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/B000RKVIUE/ref=dp_change_lang/503-2505587-7191949?ie=UTF8&language=en%5FJP) was very interesting in indicating good drama.

[sailor53]

Can't wait. I'll definitely be preordering the volume 01 Limited Edition next month.

[TheFly]

I bought the Prologue DVD for this purely on a whim, based on the gorgeous art and fantastic music (I own and love the soundtracks to both Voices and Place Promised so I was expecting the music on this show to be something special).

Assuming the show turns out to be good it's going to be very hard to resist buying the rest of the DVD releases.

[relentlessflame]

Oh, by the way -- one little clarification about the solicitation as it relates to the "CD-sized calendar" they mention, since it might affect any other "collect them all" people like me. :sd:

You can complete the entire calendar for 2008 by buying all the various merchandise. It's as follows:

January: OP Single (euphoric field - rel. 10/24)
February: ED1 Single (Adagio - rel. 10/24)
March: ED2 Single (Vivace - rel. 11/21)
April: OST (rel. 02/08)
May & June: LE DVD 1 (rel. 12/07)
July: ED3 Single (Andante - rel. 12/21)
August through December: DVDs 2 to 6 (Firstpress only - rel. see above)

So, for those who feel so inclined, collect them all! :sd:

P.S. What happened to the "e" in "ef" in the titles of the replies? Silly forum... :sd:

[The Great Bear]

P.S. What happened to the "e" in "ef" in the titles of the replies? Silly forum... :sd:

It got eaten by the "e" in "Re:" It's a stupid quirk of the forum software. Any word starting with a R that begins a Subject header, the R will get eaten. If the Subject starts with an Re, both letters get eaten. And you've just now shown that even just a lowercase "e" will get eaten in Subject heads sometimes.

Silly forum indeed :sd:

So, for those who feel so inclined, collect them all! :sd:

I was inclined to get the Prologue disk to check it out. But to then create this little gimmick of the calendar to force me to buy everything, or else be left with an incomplete calendar. Well… :sigh:

Ah, Japanese marketing departments. They really know how to exploit completionist urges. :sigh:

[relentlessflame]

I was inclined to get the Prologue disk to check it out. But to then create this little gimmick of the calendar to force me to buy everything, or else be left with an incomplete calendar. Well… :sigh:

Ah, Japanese marketing departments. They really know how to exploit completionist urges. :sigh:
Haha - no kidding! :cry:

I really do recommend the Prologue if you can get your hands on it, especially for all the lovely artwork that comes with it. 10 postcards, 3 mini-posters... it's just all so pretty! Considering all you get, I think the price is well worth it, even if it's just a short preview video.

[littleharlock]

I guess I'm among the minority of ef fans that purchased the prologue and were not hooked at all by it then ^_~
I'd say that the ef - a tale of memories. prologue actually failed its purpose on selling me or even raise the anticipation for the actual TV series. While just a short promo it actually supported my initial impressions that the coloring patterns for the anime looks rather odd compared to ef - the first tale. (i.e. Yuko's hair coloring and in general the colors used on the characters >_<). Furthermore I really hope that the anime staff won't force the drama for the series. I mean there's lots of drama included in ef - the first tale. but mikage & Co. managed to stage this in a very... delicate and subtle way which was a major element as to why the first tale. left a huge impact on me when I completed my way through the soft the very first time.

I guess I'm going to give the first episode of a tale of memories. a chance (after all it's minori and Nanao-sensei we're talking about) but won't enter it with high expectations. If anything, the prologue managed to get me back re-starting ef - the first tale. at last ^_^"

[relentlessflame]

I'll actually be quite curious to see your reaction after watching the first episode, in fact. While the prologue emphasized the drama, the series is an interesting blend of elements, and very much a "Shaft production". It's changing a lot of opinions in both directions, so I wonder where you'll stand? Then again, though I've had my ef - the first tale copy on my shelf since launch, I somehow haven't gotten around to playing it yet, and I've noticed that it's the game fans that are having the biggest mixed reactions.

Anyway, we can discuss it more in General Anime, I'm sure.

P.S. I feel obliged to applaud your nice Corti avatar. :P

[Darkex]

Now I'm tempted to buy the first dvd LE. :sweatdrop: I have never played the game but I kind of love the character design. And chances that it will be released in the USA are rather slim. So after watching the first two episodes as fansubs I will probably order it.
Damn and I really planned to spend less on anime. :sigh:

[TheFly]

The official site (http://www.ef-memo.com/) now has pictures up of both sides of the box that comes with Vol. 1 LE (click "Item"). And wow, it's gorgeous. I was probably going to get this anyway but now I'm totally sold.

[Draneor]

I'm totally glad I chose to pick this one up. The box looks divine. Geneon USA may be dead, but <3 Geneon Japan.

[The Great Bear]

:sigh: You people. Tempting me with beautiful boxes like that. Now I'll have to actually consider it.

[treatment]

*sigh*

preordered all volumes now. after much internal deliberations. :sd:

good thing I was cutting back on alot of R2-J's lately and this series won't actually hit my wallet until next year. plenty of time to change my mind, too. :sigh:

At any rate, other than Votoms-PF, this EF-series is prolly the last R2-J I'll be collecting in the near future.

[treatment]

since I'm finally getting mine next week with vol-2, I'll just re-quote Jumbo's pics of Prologue and vol-1:



-ef- a tale of memories. Prologue DVD First Press: DVD cover (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef01.jpg) | box cover (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef02.jpg) | postcards 01 (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef03.jpg) | postcards 02 (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef04.jpg) | postcards 03 (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef05.jpg) | stick poster 01 (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef06.jpg) | stick poster 02 (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef07.jpg) | stick poster 03 (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef08.jpg)
-ef- a tale of memories. DVD Vol. 1 First Press: box side 1 (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef09.jpg) | box side 2 (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef10.jpg) | DVD cover (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef11.jpg) | bonus comic and CD (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef12.jpg) | CD postcard/calendar (http://home.centurytel.net/unbeknownst2u/R2/December/ef13.jpg)


way too pretty to be left in the jpg-orgy. :notworthy:

[TheFly]

My Vol. 2 will be shipping from YesAsia tonight so hopefully I'll have it by the end of next week. I'm just hoping that they send the first press edition - I did e-mail them to try to verify, but they weren't able to tell me. The picture on the site shows the first press packaging, so fingers crossed.

[treatment]

the vol-2 stuff (http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efstuff002hq2.jpg)

just another shot of the vol-2 stuff (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efstuffzl0.jpg)

[bluesilo]

I wish r2 could be english subbed. especially in this case. (hmmm pun intended maybe)

[Whoomp]

I wish r2 could be english subbed. especially in this case. (hmmm pun intended maybe)
Me too, I am really curious about this series. But if it hasn't made its way to R1 territories until next winter I will order it anyways :P

[treatment]

vol-3 dvd outer and calendar face-1 (http://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efv3azn2.jpg)

vol-3 dvd inner and calendar face-2 (http://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efv3bzt2.jpg)

* sample booklet-scan and cards (http://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efv3cdf2.jpg)

* - sorry, guys. even tho it's low-rez, gotta add the "sample only" text on booklet-scans and bonus-cards from now on.

[treatment]

upcoming art of vol-5 (http://www.ef-memo.com/item_dvd.html#05jckt) :notworthy:

a nice follow-up for the extra-sweet vol-4 art (http://www.ef-memo.com/item_dvd.html#04jckt). :beat:

[Lunatic_Sae]

Volume 5 looks beautiful!!! :notworthy:

I just hope that Amazon JP stocked a lot of the first press for Volume 4 since mine won't ship to me until early April...almost a full month after its release.

Hmm...I watched the whole series, but is Yuko's role in the story ever fully explained in the anime? She looks like one the more intriguing characters of the story, but I have no idea what she was really there for.

[Draneor]

So far, I've missed out on first press versions of every volume except two. >_< Actually, I only missed out on volume three.

Well, my fault for having it ship three weeks after it was released through Amazon.jp. I seem to have better luck with HMV as far as first press editions go. Although, sadly, they stopped giving points for most anime DVDs.

Four is through Amazon.jp Five is HMV.jp And I haven't decided yet for six.

[Lunatic_Sae]

That's not very reassuring >_< I've been lucky in that I got all the first press editions for the first three volumes even though they shipped 2 weeks after it was released through Amazon.JP. Volume 4 is the longest wait for me yet since I added Spice and Wolf Volume 1 to my last order since the first volume is releasing so early in April.

*Prays that we get the First Press Editions of Volume 4*

[pianocello]

I'll actually be quite curious to see your reaction after watching the first episode, in fact. While the prologue emphasized the drama, the series is an interesting blend of elements, and very much a "Shaft production". It's changing a lot of opinions in both directions, so I wonder where you'll stand? Then again, though I've had my ef - the first tale copy on my shelf since launch, I somehow haven't gotten around to playing it yet, and I've noticed that it's the game fans that are having the biggest mixed reactions.

Anyway, we can discuss it more in General Anime, I'm sure.

P.S. I feel obliged to applaud your nice Corti avatar. :P

My impression of the 1st episode was rather meh and I hated Shaft's artsy direction. However after ep 7 or so, the show did somewhat get better.

[treatment]

Don't think anybody have posted these, yet, but here's the ef-clock desktop-accessory from the cdrom that came with the vol-1 LE:

http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efclockdesktop4rc3.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efclockdesktop6dc8.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efclockdesktop5ow4.jpg

with my usual non-ef background: http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efclockdesktop1jo1.jpg

The clock's kinda neat as the characters gives out a brief vocal and intro-pose (http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=efclockdesktop5ajo2.jpg). They eyes blink every few seconds or so, and you can actually set an alarm-schedule. There are six different clock-faces to choose from. The art-backgrounds are in three sizes (1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200). And of course, the screensaver features cute chibi-versions of the characters messing with your screen.

Just wish they made an Ubuntu-version of it, tho, as I have to boot to XP to install it. Would've been a nice replacement for my xclock. :sigh:

[bluesilo]

regular volume 5 is hawt. lol. Media Blasters I know your next Geneon title to release. please.

[treatment]

regular volume 5 is hawt. lol. Media Blasters I know your next Geneon title to release. please.

I'm thinking ef will be particularly too expensive and not enough ROI for MB to R1 even at subs-only.

[bluesilo]

Well if not them I don't see TRSI picking it up due to being too expensive as well. That leaves ADV and Funi. I don't think ADV is on good enough terms with Geneon at this point so I think Funi would be the best bet at this point. If shuffle! does well maybe they'd look at a show like this.

[treatment]

vol-4:
vol-4 LE stuff front (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2april08003ss6.jpg) :beat:

vol-4 LE stuff inside and back (http://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2april08004qj5.jpg) :beat:

vol-5:
vol-5 LE stuff front (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2april08005ql3.jpg) :beat:

vol-5 LE stuff inside and back (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2april08006ur3.jpg) :beat:

one more volume to go!
:notworthy: :susel: :beat: :cool: :neko:

[Draneor]

Four was first press for me. \0/ Hopefully, five and six will be too.

[Lunatic_Sae]

Four was first press for me. \0/ Hopefully, five and six will be too.

:D

Mine comes in in a few hours, so I'm hoping mine is a first-press also. *prays*

My volume 5 is also coming in today with volume 4, so I should be safe for the first-press for that volume.

Edit: Got the first-press for Volumes 4 & 5 :D

[treatment]

upcoming vol-6 LE/RE covers!!! (http://www.ef-memo.com/item_dvd.html#06jckt) :beatingheart:

[The Great Bear]

I'm hoping this will get a R1 release. I can't afford to buy too many R2s (with the exchange rate and being on a tighter budget and all). I really like the character designs for this show.

[Draneor]

I'm hoping this will get a R1 release. I can't afford to buy too many R2s (with the exchange rate and being on a tighter budget and all). I really like the character designs for this show.

I've probably mentioned this before, but the females were done by Nanao Naru (Elis and Kiri in Canvas2, the females in Sola and Suika, and and Kotori, Sakura, and Nemu from D.C. Da Capo). Personally, she is my favorite character designer. Long, thin ribbons are generally a dead give away that it's her. I bought this show sight unseen based on my love for her and Minori, the company that made the game.

But yeah. I do hope it gets a R1 release. I am doubtful though. >_<.

[TheFly]

But yeah. I do hope it gets a R1 release. I am doubtful though. >_<.

I figure our best hopes are ADV and Media Blasters.

ADV have recent precedent for releasing bishoujo game adaptations with their Key/KyoAni titles. And tenuous though this may be, there's also a connection to their Makoto Shinkai titles with the Tenmon soundtrack and Shinkai himself having worked on animation for the game.

As for MB, we already know they have further Geneon Japan licences to announce as John has said so. I reckon ef would work well as a low-priced sub-only release. However it's not really the type of show they've been releasing recently, so who knows.

[Draneor]

As for MB, we already know they have further Geneon Japan licences to announce as John has said so. I reckon ef would work well as a low-priced sub-only release. However it's not really the type of show they've been releasing recently, so who knows.

My understanding is that all anime licensed by Media Blasters usually fall into five categories: adult, bloody/violent, yuri, yaoi, and shows about anime fandom and/or spin-offs from such shows. I can't seem to recall them ever doing one based on a visual novel that wasn't at least pseudo-yuri (OtoBoku, basically). If they ever did do another one, School Days would be the best bet, I think.

So yeah. I sort of agree that I don't think they will touch it. Both ADV and Funi have released shows based on visual novels, but they were mostly ones super-popular in the English fandom already such as Shuffle, Kanon, Air, and KimiNozo. ADV did license some obscure ones, such as Kita He Diamond Dustdrops, during the anime boom. RightStuf has also licensed properties by Leaf. Geneon, of course, had a few too (Fate/Stay Night, Higurashi--well that was actually a sound novel). The best gauge, Wind -a Breath of Heart-, remains unlicensed. Of course, there are some I didn't mention, but I think I listed enough to indicate the type various companies have licensed. But don't let me pessimism infect you.^^U

[treatment]

ADV did license some obscure ones, such as ... Popotan, during the anime boom.

Wrong.

Geneon-USA licensed and released Popotan in R1.

[Draneor]

ADV did license some obscure ones, such as ... Popotan, during the anime boom.

Wrong.

Geneon-USA licensed and released Popotan in R1.

OK. I stand corrected. That's what I get for going off of memory this late at night.

[treatment]

Chihiro says "hi!" :cool: (http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=14481pe5.png)

*** pics of the v6-LE stuff ***:

http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2may08002gy8.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2may08003ie4.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2may08004lk9.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2may08005hn6.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image=r2may08006gh4.jpg

**** since this is the last R2J-volume, here are a few snapshots-comparo between R2J dvd-version (left-side) and tv-version (right-side) from episode-11: ***

http://img369.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ef11dvdtvcomparo5tw9.png

(might be NSFW for some)
http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ef11dvdtvcomparo1ahq0.png
(might be NSFW for some)

(might be NSFW for some)
http://img369.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ef11dvdtvcomparo2am6.png
(might be NSFW for some)

(might be NSFW for some)
http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ef11dvdtvcomparo3ex3.png
(might be NSFW for some)

(might be NSFW for some)
http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ef11dvdtvcomparo4do6.png
(might be NSFW for some)

(might be NSFW for some)
http://img102.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ef11dvdtvcomparo6and2.png
(might be NSFW for some)

Just something to look forward to in the R1-version IF (a really big IF) this title ever gets R1-licensed, I guess.

:cool::catgirl::bowsmiley:

[angelx03]

I find it funny that in the last screenshot, the things that are different are added sweat and more of Chihiro's cleavage. :blush1:

[TheFly]

I thought I was done buying ef-memo goods, but apparently not.

Just noticed these on the melodies site (http://www.ef-melo.com/news.html):

前作／新作カットを追加した総集編DVD発売！
「ef - a tale of memories. ～recollections～」
9月26日（金）発売
約60分／税込￥4,725／GNBA-1289
★初回生産分は七尾奈留描きおろしジャケット仕様

前作／最終話ED曲「悠久の翼 07.mix」のシングル発売決定！
カップリングには「euphoric field」のlive Re-mix他を収録！
「悠久の翼 07.mix／euphoric field live Re-mix」
9月26日（金）発売
定価￥1,260／GNCA-0120

Not sure what ~recollections~ is (can someone translate?) but if it's anything like the prologue it should come with lots of cool stuff.

I already have the eternal feather 07 mix on the second OST, but I'll buy it again here for an instrumental version and the remix of euphoric field.

Gah, Geneon Japan sure know how to empty my bank account.

[littleharlock]

前作／新作カットを追加した総集編DVD発売！
「ef - a tale of memories. ～recollections～」
9月26日（金）発売
約60分／税込￥4,725／GNBA-1289
★初回生産分は七尾奈留描きおろしジャケット仕様

Not sure what ~recollections~ is (can someone translate?) but if it's anything like the prologue it should come with lots of cool stuff.

From the description / spec's you posted for it, the ~recollection~ is going to be...well a recollection DVD that features a summarization of a tale of memories. plot or better put it's highlights within a 60 min. new cut. Also like it's been done for the Volumes of the series itself the firstpress ltd. ver. is going to contain a Naru Nanao illustrated jacket.


前作／最終話ED曲「悠久の翼 07.mix」のシングル発売決定！
カップリングには「euphoric field」のlive Re-mix他を収録！
「悠久の翼 07.mix／euphoric field live Re-mix」
9月26日（金）発売
定価￥1,260／GNCA-0120

I already have the eternal feather 07 mix on the second OST, but I'll buy it again here for an instrumental version and the remix of euphoric field.

The *live* Re-mix is the bit that peaks my interest the most regarding this release...especially since ELISA has been announced to participate on the upcoming Animelo Summer Live 2008 it'll be interesting to see how this version of "euphoric field" will sound or work out.

[The Great Bear]

前作／新作カットを追加した総集編DVD発売！
「ef - a tale of memories. ～recollections～」
9月26日（金）発売
約60分／税込￥4,725／GNBA-1289
★初回生産分は七尾奈留描きおろしジャケット仕様

Not sure what ~recollections~ is (can someone translate?) but if it's anything like the prologue it should come with lots of cool stuff.

From the description / spec's you posted for it, the ~recollection~ is going to be...well a recollection DVD that features a summarization of a tale of memories. plot or better put it's highlights within a 60 min. new cut. Also like it's been done for the Volumes of the series itself the firstpress ltd. ver. is going to contain a Naru Nanao illustrated jacket.

Since I skipped buying this series for budget reasons before, maybe I'll pick this up as a way of seeing the main parts, and as a preview, even if spoilerific, just in case it gets an R1 license.

[Draneor]

I thought I was done buying ef-memo goods, but apparently not.

September is going to kill me.^^U Curse my completionist nature.

[kuhmuh16]

does anyone now there i can buy the dvd (with english subtitels)?

[sailor53]

does anyone now there i can buy the dvd (with english subtitles)?

Nowhere as no one has licensed the series yet.

[Njr Scrawl]

What ef show is this? http://www.henshinonline.com/images/ef_tatu-anime.jpg

[littleharlock]

What ef show is this? http://www.henshinonline.com/images/ef_tatu-anime.jpg

Right now there is only one "ef show" and that's ef - a tale of memories. (with the 2nd series ef - a tale of melodies. (http://www.ef-melo.com/) coming up). The image you posted has absolutely *nothing* to do with ef neither the Original Soft by minori it's based on nor the TV Anime for it.

Sadly I do remember that image or better said the project it was supposed to be from though...t.A.T.u. PARAGATE - the announced but never made Anime about the Russian Girlband t.A.T.u. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.A.T.u.). Why one would label or even associate it with ef is beyond my understanding though O_o But the URL part of "tatu-anime" is pretty telling anyways...

[TheFly]

With ~recollections~ and the eternal feather 07mix/euphoric field live Re-mix CD about to be released, the official site (http://www.ef-melo.com/) has been updated with dates for the CD releases for ef - a tale of melodies. So much Tenmon goodness to look forward to!

This is taken from the news page on the official site:

OPENING THEME「ebullient future／ELISA」
11.5 on sale
GNCA-0122 定価\1,260（税込）
初回生産分は七尾奈留描きおろしデカ帯仕様！

---------------------

ENDING THEME／羽山ミズキ
11.5 on sale
GNCA-0124 定価\1,260（税込）

---------------------

ENDING THEME／雨宮優子
11.26 on sale
GNCA-0123 定価\1,260（税込）

---------------------

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK １
11.26 on sale
GNCA-1165　定価￥2,800（税抜）

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK 2
2009.2.27 on sale
GNCA-1166　定価￥2,800（税抜）