Gonzo to go mahjong? Saki anime supposedly in the works

[LordGeo]

According to the AnimeNation New Blog:
"The Moon Phase diary reports (http://d.hatena.ne.jp/moonphase/20081121) that Gonzo is tentatively planned to develop an anime adaptation of Ritz Kobayashi’s manga series Saki (http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/saki/), the story of a high school girl with a unique talent for playing mahjong. Japanese producer/distribution company Pony Canyon has registered the website domain saki-anime.com (http://www.saki-anime.com/)."

If Gonzo is really making this anime, then... Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you the Gonzo anime that will probably never get licensed!

In all honesty, if Saki gets animated and gets picked up just because it's a Gonzo title, then that's an insult to a show like Akagi, which is an excellent mahong anime done by Madhouse. If anything, though, this show would be an excellent test to see if anything done by Gonzo is "gold" over here.

I haven't read any of Saki, but I do have a couple of chapters that are out, so I'll probably try it oyut and see how it is.

[Ashyukun]

Color me interested, largely for the fact that (although I hardly ever get to play it against actual people...) I'm rather fond of mahjong. I need to check out Akagi at some point, but when.... who knows. :sd:

[KudosForce]

I find it nice for Gonzo to tackle a completely different subject matter than the usual "action with fanservice" offerings.

Then again, board game anime do tend to be "serious business" in an over-the-top manner...:sd:

[joelgundam01]

I find it nice for Gonzo to tackle a completely different subject matter than the usual "action with fanservice" offerings.

Well, looking at the Saki link. It appears that I found the reason why Gonzo wants to animate this.

Big chest fanservice is one of Gonzo's specialties. :sd:

[Gatts]

I find it nice for Gonzo to tackle a completely different subject matter than the usual "action with fanservice" offerings.

Saki is a Young Gangan (http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/saki/) title, so there will be plenty of T&A to go around.

[LordGeo]

I find it nice for Gonzo to tackle a completely different subject matter than the usual "action with fanservice" offerings.

Saki is a Young Gangan (http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/saki/) title, so there will be plenty of T&A to go around.

But can fanservice make the title appealing to those who aren't interested in mahjong? Any way you look at it, this is certainly on the other side of the spectrum from the shows Gonzo normally does.

[Draneor]

But can fanservice make the title appealing to those who aren't interested in mahjong?

Let's put it this way: I didn't watch Bamboo Blade--another Young Gangan title--because I was interested in Kendo. I'd doubt very many people did.

Miyanaga Saki seems kind of cute (based on the one image I saw of her). I don't know about Gonzo though.

[Fencedude]

But can fanservice make the title appealing to those who aren't interested in mahjong? Any way you look at it, this is certainly on the other side of the spectrum from the shows Gonzo normally does.

I think you are approaching this from the wrong perspective. This isn't Akagi with girls.

(see also: My avatar and sig)

[LordGeo]

But can fanservice make the title appealing to those who aren't interested in mahjong? Any way you look at it, this is certainly on the other side of the spectrum from the shows Gonzo normally does.

I think you are approaching this from the wrong perspective. This isn't Akagi with girls.

(see also: My avatar and sig)

I didn't say it was. It's just that I think that people who are going to watch Saki for the fanservice would stop watching because of all the "indecipherable mahong stuff" (or whatever people could say) getting in the way. Kendo is an easy sport to pick up and understand and watch... Mahjong isn't, and could be more of a detractor for people who don't want to bother understanding even the basics.

As for your avatar/Shion no Ou, from what I saw I honestly didn't see any real fanservice... Of course, I didn't see much, but I still didn't get any real feeling that fanservice would be a big focus. Shion no Ou is part mystery story, part shogi anime, which is how I viewed the show.

Really, the whole focus I put on mahjong was in relation to Saki's chances at getting licensed, anyway, and not what the the show's focus is. I just can't see how any R1 company could successfully release this anime without focusing any bit on the mahjong, which would honestly detract more people than attract.

[Draneor]

Kendo is an easy sport to pick up and understand and watch... Mahjong isn't, and could be more of a detractor for people who don't want to bother understanding even the basics.

I don't think the complexity of the game is really a factor. Many sports anime are watched by fans for other reasons. Like Prince of Tennis and the BL subtext. Umishou. Suzuka. I guess it depends how focused it is on Mahjong though. Will Saki be about Mahjong or about Saki who plays Mahjong?

[Ashyukun]

In respect to Mahjong being difficult to understand and watch... you may be right in the respect of a domestic licensing and release of the show, but it likely won't cause any problems over in Japan. And honestly (though admittedly I'm biased on this as I actually know and play it...) it isn't that hard to grasp the basics, though they'll likely go for lots of really fancy and obscure hands that could complicate things. But still, I've seen a couple of HK Mahjong movies that weren't all that difficult to follow.

Let's put it this way: I didn't watch Bamboo Blade--another Young Gangan title--because I was interested in Kendo. I'd doubt very many people did.
:sweat: Um, that was my initial reason for starting to watch it....

[ArcticMech]

Assuming Saki gets released in the same manner (simultaneous online streaming as the show is airing in Japan) as recent Gonzo titles, potential R1 bidders should have some decent quantitative and qualitative data to crunch in determining whether it makes sense to acquire the license. So who knows at this point? Let's start making guesses after we've seen a few episodes.

[KudosForce]

You know, if Saki gets good sales, this might prompt an anime company to "follow the leader" and license Akagi, which is also a series revolving around mahjong players. This may be just as well, considering that Kaiji, Fukumoto's other series, will be streamed on Joost this January(that one involves gambling, but still).

[something]

::looks::
::Thought process starts::
Cute girl.
Thus, watch.
::Thought process ends::

Ok, to expand a bit I'm hoping for something just as awesome as Shion no Ou, but hopefully without the horrible fluctuations in animation quality that plagued that show. Will keep my hopes in check somewhat though, given how hit or miss Gonzo is. I bet they make all the fucking mahjong pieces 3dcg.

[LordGeo]

I bet they make all the fucking mahjong pieces 3dcg.

Well, Madhouse did use CG for the tiles in Akagi when there were sweeping movements across or around a hand, and traditional animation all other times. But the CG in Akagi was fairly subdued and meant to flow with the animation and not be really out of place.

Gonzo is the type of company that would use CG for the tiles at all times, though...

[ArcticMech]

I bet they make all the fucking mahjong pieces 3dcg.

Don't scare me.

[Westlo]

I have no idea how to play mahjong or even care about it, that being said I've read 9 chapters of Saki and it's awesome.

Moe Mahjong!

You know, if Saki gets good sales, this might prompt an anime company to "follow the leader" and license Akagi, which is also a series revolving around mahjong players. This may be just as well, considering that Kaiji, Fukumoto's other series, will be streamed on Joost this January(that one involves gambling, but still).

Nothing alike.

[something]

I have no idea how to play mahjong or even care about it, that being said I've read 9 chapters of Saki and it's awesome.
Maybe it's like Shion no Ou, where the viewer is expected neither to understand nor to attempt to learn anything about shogi? Nor even to like or care about it for that matter.

Shougi was just the surprisingly intense backdrop to the character struggles in Shion no Ou. Whole matches would go by with the show making little to no effort to explain what was going on, but damn if it wasn't exciting anyway. Because it simply wasn't about the shougi. If this is something like that, then it might be oddly enjoyable.

[KudosForce]

I have no idea how to play mahjong or even care about it, that being said I've read 9 chapters of Saki and it's awesome.

Moe Mahjong!

You know, if Saki gets good sales, this might prompt an anime company to "follow the leader" and license Akagi, which is also a series revolving around mahjong players. This may be just as well, considering that Kaiji, Fukumoto's other series, will be streamed on Joost this January(that one involves gambling, but still).

Nothing alike.

Well, both Saki and Akagi have mahjong involved in some way. I didn't say that those series are the same. I mentioned Kaiji because it has the same character designs as Akagi (which makes sense, as both of the manga based on these respective series were done by the same person).

I hope I clarified things a bit.

[Busaiku]

Knowing Gonzo, this probably will be a typical fanservice romp, rather than something like Akagi.
Not interested in this, but I hope it does open up the possibility of Akagi in the US.

Just read a few chapters of this, and I can safely pass, knowing I won't be missing out on anything.

[Shiroi Hane]

ooh, it's time for Mahjong... IN SPACE!

In all honesty, if Saki gets animated and gets picked up just because it's a Gonzo title, then that's an insult to a show like Akagi, which is an excellent mahong anime done by Madhouse.
Personally, I stopped watching Akagi during the credit sequence not because it turned out to be a 'sports' title (which I have a natural aversion to, although I did watch Shion no Ou and intended to watch Bamboo Blade but never got around to completing) but because the character designs turned me off completely.

[Fencedude]

Personally, I stopped watching Akagi during the credit sequence not because it turned out to be a 'sports' title (which I have a natural aversion to, although I did watch Shion no Ou and intended to watch Bamboo Blade but never got around to completing) but because the character designs turned me off completely.

Oh but you just don't understand the MANLINESS of it and how EPIC it is!

<insert vaguely disguised anti-moe screed here>

[JINROH]

According to the AnimeNation New Blog:
"The Moon Phase diary reports (http://d.hatena.ne.jp/moonphase/20081121) that Gonzo is tentatively planned to develop an anime adaptation of Ritz Kobayashi’s manga series Saki (http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/saki/), the story of a high school girl with a unique talent for playing mahjong. Japanese producer/distribution company Pony Canyon has registered the website domain saki-anime.com (http://www.saki-anime.com/)."

If Gonzo is really making this anime, then... Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you the Gonzo anime that will probably never get licensed!

In all honesty, if Saki gets animated and gets picked up just because it's a Gonzo title, then that's an insult to a show like Akagi, which is an excellent mahong anime done by Madhouse. If anything, though, this show would be an excellent test to see if anything done by Gonzo is "gold" over here.

I haven't read any of Saki, but I do have a couple of chapters that are out, so I'll probably try it oyut and see how it is.


It would be a massive slap in the face to Akagi and Kaiji.Both are far stronger properties,as to story telling and overall sophistication,imho.

ANN had some crap up the other day about GAP running on Hulu or some such garbage.

Subtitles are too large and too bright on thier releases,with literally,total uttter crap video quality,only a step,barely at that above the shite we see on Youtube. :rolleyes:

I DONT want digital downloads idiots ! I want dvd's,get it !!???????! DVD's.I do not expect a dub for such shows,but even a sub only release would be nice.

[Fencedude]

It would be a massive slap in the face to Akagi and Kaiji.Both are far stronger properties,as to story telling and overall sophistication,imho.



Thats a bit over the top, don't you think?

[LordGeo]

It would be a massive slap in the face to Akagi and Kaiji.Both are far stronger properties,as to story telling and overall sophistication,imho.



Thats a bit over the top, don't you think?

Well, I will say that Akagi and Kaiji are both excellent partly because of the settings and overall feeling that both give off. The dark and gritty mood, environments, and stories are part of what make them such enjoyable watches.

Obviously, I'm not expecting Saki to have that same kind of feeling or anything like that. But if fanservice is really going to be one of the main attractions for this show (since it's from Young GanGan), then I just can't see it reaching the same quality as Akagi and Kaiji. But I will still give it a chance and see where it goes... Maybe it will surprise me.

[Fencedude]

Well, I will say that Akagi and Kaiji are both excellent partly because of the settings and overall feeling that both give off. The dark and gritty mood, environments, and stories are part of what make them such enjoyable watches.

Obviously, I'm not expecting Saki to have that same kind of feeling or anything like that. But if fanservice is really going to be one of the main attractions for this show (since it's from Young GanGan), then I just can't see it reaching the same quality as Akagi and Kaiji. But I will still give it a chance and see where it goes... Maybe it will surprise me.

Again, just because it has Mahjong does not mean it should be compared to Akagi. That is pretty much the ONLY thing they have in common.

Also, I found what I saw of Akagi to be ridiculous and overblown, and completely uninteresting. I do understand why people like it, but it did nothing for me, personally.

[LordGeo]

Well, I will say that Akagi and Kaiji are both excellent partly because of the settings and overall feeling that both give off. The dark and gritty mood, environments, and stories are part of what make them such enjoyable watches.

Obviously, I'm not expecting Saki to have that same kind of feeling or anything like that. But if fanservice is really going to be one of the main attractions for this show (since it's from Young GanGan), then I just can't see it reaching the same quality as Akagi and Kaiji. But I will still give it a chance and see where it goes... Maybe it will surprise me.

Again, just because it has Mahjong does not mean it should be compared to Akagi. That is pretty much the ONLY thing they have in common.

Also, I found what I saw of Akagi to be ridiculous and overblown, and completely uninteresting. I do understand why people like it, but it did nothing for me, personally.

Unfortunately, I'm sure that comparisons to Akagi will be inevitable, since that came first and also involves mahjong. That's just going to happen.

But, again, I am not saying that Saki should be like Akagi. All I said was that part of Akagi and Kaiji's appeal are the dark settings and moods both give off while watching.

Another mahjong anime I've seen a few episodes of, Legendary Gambler Tetsuya (which was based on the career of an actual mahong legend from the 40s), was interesting because of it's dark, gritty setting... But it also had a different feel from that of Akagi. I've also heard that Tetsuya also deals a little more in the trickery and methods of cheating that can be done in mahong, so that gives Tetsuya even more of a feel that isn't like Akagi (Akagi himself only really cheats two or three times in the early part of the anime).

If Saki can pull of a good mahjong anime without all of that darkness and grittiness that Akagi and Tetsuya brought with them (since mahjong is a popular game within the dark underworld of gambling in Asia it's inevitable that that kind of backdrop is used often)... Then I will give my full attention to Saki, since it will have a feel and backdrop that differs from Akagi and will be a nice change of pace.

[Fencedude]

If Saki can pull of a good mahjong anime without all of that darkness and grittiness that Akagi and Tetsuya brought with them (since mahjong is a popular game within the dark underworld of gambling in Asia it's inevitable that that kind of backdrop is used often)... Then I will give my full attention to Saki, since it will have a feel and backdrop that differs from Akagi and will be a nice change of pace.

I don't see how "darkness and grittiness" should be required to be a good Mahjong anime.

[something]

I don't see how "darkness and grittiness" should be required to be a good Mahjong anime.
Hah, I don't even seen why much in the way of serious mahjong is required to be a good mahjong anime. Shion no Ou did quite well with shougi being utterly secondary. They could have been playing chess or Hungry Hungry Hippos and the show would have been little different (well, maybe louder in the second case).

[LordGeo]

If Saki can pull of a good mahjong anime without all of that darkness and grittiness that Akagi and Tetsuya brought with them (since mahjong is a popular game within the dark underworld of gambling in Asia it's inevitable that that kind of backdrop is used often)... Then I will give my full attention to Saki, since it will have a feel and backdrop that differs from Akagi and will be a nice change of pace.

I don't see how "darkness and grittiness" should be required to be a good Mahjong anime.

I never said that they were "required"... I just said that part of why Akagi and Tetsuya are good is because of their darkness and grittiness, but those only make up a part of why those shows were good.

But it can't be denied that mahjong is a little infamous for being played in the dark and gritty asian underworld as well as for gambling purposes. Yes, it's played by everyday people in everyday places for fun too, but I honestly will say that if I had to choose which setting I would prefer to see a story take place I would choose the dark and gritty underworld over the normal, everyday place.

I'm sorry if it's annoying you, but the only real mahjong animes/mangas that I have really heard of either deal with gambling or take place in dark and gritty areas, so naturally I'm going to bring up Akagi and such. Saki has neither it seems, so I can't help but wonder how it's going to seperate itself from the others, even if it doesn't seem like a proper comparison.

It might not sound like it, but I'm am rooting for the Saki anime. I want to see how it handles itself and how enjoyable it can be.

[LordGeo]

I don't see how "darkness and grittiness" should be required to be a good Mahjong anime.
Hah, I don't even seen why much in the way of serious mahjong is required to be a good mahjong anime. Shion no Ou did quite well with shougi being utterly secondary. They could have been playing chess or Hungry Hungry Hippos and the show would have been little different (well, maybe louder in the second case).

Yeah, that's true, but from all of the synopsises I've read of Saki it seems that the mahjong is going to be a focus of the story. It doesn't sound like the mahjong will be a catalyst or anything of the sort for another story, like it was for Shion no Ou.

Again, I have to read what I have of the manga, but that's just the feeling I got from story descriptions. In fact, I'll put up the synopsis that the actual scanlators have for the manga:
"Saki is a quiet, studious high school freshman who had a bad history with mahjong: Every new year's, Saki would play mahjong with her family, only to lose all of her New Year's money. She grew to hate mahjong.

However, on one fateful day, Saki's friend Kyotaro dragged her to the school's mahjong club. Saki played reluctantly and broke even every round: a feat thought to be nigh impossible!

After discovering her potential, the club president is determined to bring out Saki's true potential and have her aim for the nationals. Can Saki overcome her hatred for mahjong and come to love this game of chance and wits?"

Yeah, certainly sounds like the mahjong is going to be a focus somewhat.

[Draneor]

Yeah, that's true, but from all of the synopsises I've read of Saki it seems that the mahjong is going to be a focus of the story. [...] Again, I have to read what I have of the manga, but that's just the feeling I got from story descriptions.

Just based on the seeing the covers for the first four volumes and "reading" the sample chapter posted on Square-Enix's website (http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/tachiyomi/saki2/Contents/#), I think I may like this (even with the Gonzo factor). There is a lot of mahjong in the first chapter, but I don't really mind learning about it as it unfolds (I've never hated sports anime--I just won't watch an anime solely because I like a certain sport). More importantly (to me), I really like the art style, and the girls are really cute.^^

[Fencedude]

Yeah, certainly sounds like the mahjong is going to be a focus somewhat.

And that still doesn't mean it has to be "dark and gritty".

It is not going to be Akagi with girls. That would be ridiculous.

[LordGeo]

Yeah, certainly sounds like the mahjong is going to be a focus somewhat.

And that still doesn't mean it has to be "dark and gritty".

It is not going to be Akagi with girls. That would be ridiculous.

Did you even read my recent posts fully?

I AM NOT EXPECTING THIS TO BE AKAGI WITH GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!

Again, from my second-to-lats post: It might not sound like it, but I'm am rooting for the Saki anime. I want to see how it handles itself and how enjoyable it can be.

[LordGeo]

Well, ANN is now reporting it, and with it comes some staff and cast revelations:
Cast:
Kana Ueda: Saki Miyanaga
Ami Koshimizu: Nodoka Haramura
Rie Kugimiya: Yuki Kataoka
Ryoko Shiraishi: Mako Someya
Shizuka Itou: Hisa Takei
Jun Fukuyama: Kyotaro Suga

Staff:
Director: Manabu Ono (Dragonaut - The Resonance, Transformers: Cybertron)
Script: Tatsuhiko Urahata (Card Captor Sakura, Hajime no Ippo, Strawberry Panic!)
Character Design: Masakatsu Sasaki (Erotic Torture Chamber)
Background Design: Hiroki Matsumoto (Itazura na Kiss, Shikabane Hime: Aka, Welcome to the NHK)
3D Animation: Sanzigen
Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka (Air, Clannad, ef - a tale of memories)

The only real problem I have with the staff is that the director of Dragonaut will be handling the Saki anime... Dragonaut had one of the most generic and boring first episodes I have ever seen, and I hear that the rest of the show wasn't much better either.

[angelx03]

I anticipate that there will be epic 3D mahjong tile action in this series! :laugh:

[Ashyukun]

Cast looks solid, and honestly with a few exceptions I don't worry too much about the staff unless I really know a lot about them- which in this case doesn't apply. With that cast, I'd probably have been guaranteed to at least check it out even if I didn't really like Mahjong...

[something]

Well, the seiyuu cast is fucking amazing.

[Westlo]

Cast:
Kana Ueda: Saki Miyanaga (perfect for role)
Ami Koshimizu: Nodoka Haramura (will do it effortlessly)
Rie Kugimiya: Yuki Kataoka (I'm waiting for the day she complains she's typecast)
Ryoko Shiraishi: Mako Someya (Easy)
Shizuka Itou: Hisa Takei (nice fit)
Jun Fukuyama: Kyotaro Suga (will do it effortlessly)

Good cast and it matches nicely.

[Fencedude]

Cast:
Jun Fukuyama: Kyotaro Suga (will do it effortlessly)


So are we getting "generic male lead" Fukuyama Jun, "WATASHI WA ZERO" Fukuyama Jun, "You are not getting any Apples Horo" Fukuyama Jun, or a mixture "THESE ARE MY EXECUTIVE ORDERS" Fukuyama Jun?

[Westlo]

Cast:
Jun Fukuyama: Kyotaro Suga (will do it effortlessly)


So are we getting "generic male lead" Fukuyama Jun, "WATASHI WA ZERO" Fukuyama Jun, "You are not getting any Apples Horo" Fukuyama Jun, or a mixture "THESE ARE MY EXECUTIVE ORDERS" Fukuyama Jun?

It's Angelic Layer Fukuyama Jun though probably a bit more snarky, character seems to have about the same amount of focus, not a main at all, supporting character period. Two mains are Saki Miyanaga & Nodoka Haramura and they seem to get the most focus, a rival/opponent or two might be mains as well but who knows at this stage.

[JINROH]

It would be a massive slap in the face to Akagi and Kaiji.Both are far stronger properties,as to story telling and overall sophistication,imho.



Thats a bit over the top, don't you think?



Maybe,but I still feel those two are far,far better then Saki.I'll will admit the va cast is damn good.

[Fencedude]

Maybe,but I still feel those two are far,far better then Saki.I'll will admit the va cast is damn good.

Which is entirely beside the point. Akagi and Saki shouldn't be compared extensively in the first place.

[LordGeo]

Maybe,but I still feel those two are far,far better then Saki.I'll will admit the va cast is damn good.

Which is entirely beside the point. Akagi and Saki shouldn't be compared extensively in the first place.

Well, the first post over at ANN in regard to Saki had an Akagi mention also.

So, while they shouldn't be compared extensively, they will be in the end since there is nothing else to really compare Saki to. It's inevitable and just has to be accepted in the end.

[Gatts]

Different series with a different styling and a different focus. Comparing Akagi and Saki is like comparing Initial D and Cyber Formula or Gundam and Evangelion.

[Westlo]

It's like comparing Street Fighter to Killer Instinct, sure they are both 2d fighting games but one's chess with fireballs and the other is dial a combo.

[Fencedude]

It's like comparing Street Fighter to Killer Instinct, sure they are both 2d fighting games but one's chess with fireballs and the other is dial a combo.

God dammit I nearly spit Diet Pepsi all over the Front Desk.

[Natsume_Maya]

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but the official Saki anime blog has character designs:
http://www.saki-anime.com/blog/

I'd been wondering whether this would be made into an anime. I've got both versions of the Saki mah jong sets. Version 1.5 here:
http://www.animate.co.jp/saki/

[Natsume_Maya]

There was a PV for the Saki anime shown at Comiket.

You can view it here if you have a Nico Nico account:
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm5749498

Sound isn't good due to the crowd.

Otherwise, I'll host it for a short while. 8.21Mb mp4 file:
http://natsumemaya.net/temp/Saki_PV.mp4

If you have a Nico Nico account, please use the first link to save my bandwidth. Thanks :)

[Westlo]

That "battle" scene dumbfounded me and I've read 9 chapters.

[Natsume_Maya]

That "battle" scene dumbfounded me and I've read 9 chapters.

Yeah, odd (and worrying). Hopefully it's mainly for promotional purposes. IIRC, in the manga the characters' "avatars" are sometimes drawn in the background at "important" stages of their mah jong games, but I don't recall it going this far.

[Natsume_Maya]

Cast:
Kana Ueda: Saki Miyanaga (perfect for role)
Ami Koshimizu: Nodoka Haramura (will do it effortlessly)
Rie Kugimiya: Yuki Kataoka (I'm waiting for the day she complains she's typecast)
Ryoko Shiraishi: Mako Someya (Easy)
Shizuka Itou: Hisa Takei (nice fit)
Jun Fukuyama: Kyotaro Suga (will do it effortlessly)

Good cast and it matches nicely.

I've been revisting the manga and drama CD.

I note that the anime cast is the same as the 2007 drama CD cast for the 6 named roles.

All the actors were suited to their roles IMO. Yuki I found annoying, but I find her character and speech pattern in the manga annoying anyway. In particular, I thought Itou Shizuka and Shiraishi Ryoko did well, since they didn't try to make their voices sound too cute (and Hisa's probably my favourite character).

The drama CD also had the following cast for minor characters:
Horie Yui: Miyanaga Teru
Onosaka Masaya: Saki's dad
Nakata Kenji: Nodoka's dad
Fujita Saki: Nishida Junko (female reporter)
They all do fine, but they're bit parts anyway.

[KudosForce]

Excuse me for bumping an old thread, but ANN has a promo video for the series now.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-31/saki-high-school-mahjong-anime-promo-video-streamed

[Draneor]

CG Mahjong. ^^U Also, I dislike the character design adaptations. I think I'll pass. It is Gonzo.

[Gatts]

CG Mahjong.
It is Gonzo.

The second quote explains the first one.

[Ashyukun]

CG Mahjong.
It is Gonzo.

The second quote explains the first one.
Yup. Being surprised by or not expecting 3DCG in a Gonzo title is akin to being surprised by the use of live-action objects in a Shaft title or an undue amount of attention to the physics of bouncing breasts in a Gainax title (well, OK- that's not just limited to Gainax.... )

[ArcticMech]

No surprise here, but CR will be streaming this one: http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1550145&postcount=75.

[TheGreenMan]

2nd promo:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-25/saki-high-school-mahjong-anime-2nd-promo-streamed


This show looks absolutely hilarious due to over the topness of it. Lolis, large boobs, moe, contact mahjong. What's not to love?

[Fencedude]

Manabu Ono (Dragonaut - The Resonance, Transformers: Cybertron) will direct, and Tatsuhiko Urahata (Card Captor Sakura, Hajime no Ippo, Strawberry Panic!) wil be in charge of scripts.

This combination will either produce pure awesome, or something so horribly bad it will warp right back around and be awesome anyway.

[HitokiriShadow]

This combination will either produce pure awesome, or something so horribly bad it will warp right back around and be awesome anyway.

I watched the trailer.... it looks like Moe-YuGiOh meets Mahjong. That's not a bad thing, by the way. It looks like it will be awesome, but a "It's over-the-top dumb" (probably with tongue firmly in cheek) awesome.

[Ashyukun]

This show looks absolutely hilarious due to over the topness of it. Lolis, large boobs, moe, contact mahjong. What's not to love?
This bears repeating. :sdsmiley: I'd planning on following it anyway, but the PVs pretty much confirmed that it's right up my alley.

[something]

Excuse me for bumping an old thread, but ANN has a promo video for the series now. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-31/saki-high-school-mahjong-anime-promo-video-streamed
Designs look absolutely fantastic and cute girls playing mahjong = win. So whether or not I stick with this will probably depend entirely on how irritating the 3dcg gets. (Seriously Gonzo, mahjong pieces? You can't handle animating that normally, of all things?)

Edit: Apparently that was PV 2 I watched. Let's check out PV 1... Okay that looks even better, but the 3dcg looks even worse. I'll probably drop this 2 eps in.

[Ty]

The coverart for the manga volumes is incredibly cute, as is all the promotional art so unless the show ends up being dumb it can survive on my list as a guilty pleasure alone.

[LordGeo]

So whether or not I stick with this will probably depend entirely on how irritating the 3dcg gets. (Seriously Gonzo, mahjong pieces? You can't handle animating that normally, of all things?)

Well, to be fair, Madhouse also used CG for the tiles in Akagi... The only difference is that the CG in Akagi was only used for special effects like rotation and wasn't used every time a tiles was shown. I think the last time a mahjong anime was done without CG was Legendary Gambler Tetsuya back in 2000 by Toei, but that was slightly before CG was the big thing to do in anime.

But this is Gonzo, who loves their CG... So I guess it can't be helped. Hopefully it will at least blend in nicely overall... But, again, this is Gonzo.

[Draneor]

Well, to be fair, Madhouse also used CG for the tiles in Akagi... The only difference is that the CG in Akagi was only used for special effects like rotation and wasn't used every time a tiles was shown.

Hmm. I really hope the Saki discussion thread will not be full of comparisons to Akagi.

[Ashyukun]

(Seriously Gonzo, mahjong pieces? You can't handle animating that normally, of all things?)
Well, that they'd use it for the Mahjong pieces actually makes a good bit of sense- they're extremely easy to animate, and once they've got the full set built they can just re-use them easily. No 'moving parts' to worry about like mecha or characters. And they can do all sorts of fancy FX on them like the lightning effects they showed in the PV easily.

I'm thinking we should start making predictions as to when exactly you'll be left with no series to watch anymore because they've all gone to using 3DCG in some way or another... :P

[LordGeo]

Well, to be fair, Madhouse also used CG for the tiles in Akagi... The only difference is that the CG in Akagi was only used for special effects like rotation and wasn't used every time a tiles was shown.

Hmm. I really hope the Saki discussion thread will not be full of comparisons to Akagi.

What the hell... I am no longer comparing the two from a story-telling perspective since people complained about that, which I ended up accepting since they're obviously going to be different from that perspective... But now I can't even compare them from an animation/CG perspective, especially when it has a proper reason?

I thought it was a valid comparison, since it was complained that the tiles would be CG... I was only pointing out that it has been done before and probably shouldn't be a problem in terms of mixing in with the animation. As someone else pointed out, they're simple and easily reuseable, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[something]

Well, that they'd use it for the Mahjong pieces actually makes a good bit of sense- they're extremely easy to animate, and once they've got the full set built they can just re-use them easily.
But exactly that, they're normal regular geometric shapes, stop being lazy fucking bastards, Gonzo!

I'm thinking we should start making predictions as to when exactly you'll be left with no series to watch anymore because they've all gone to using 3DCG in some way or another... :P
Most shows already do use 3dcg "in some way or another" but most of them aren't significant, hence it doesn't matter. And it probably averages out to maybe 1 show a season dropped if that, so I doubt it'll be the end of my fandom any time soon. Eventually, yes, but not in the remotely near future.

[Westlo]

But this is Gonzo, who loves their CG... So I guess it can't be helped. Hopefully it will at least blend in nicely overall... But, again, this is Gonzo.

It doesn't matter how well it blends, he dropped Macross Frontier and Rideback after one episode due to CG. He really should give Saki a go even though compared to the two above the CG is more out of place and pointless (Acrobatic cg Mecha moves which would cost heaps to animate normally compared to spinning cg tiles.. lol?) since it should be right up his alley. Than again I'm sure he would have enjoyed Frontier and Rideback as well so whatever.

[something]

He really should give Saki a go
I already indicated I planned to. This just puts a damper on my enthusiasm. But as long as it stays on the safe side of the CG abyss that Nodame Cantabile teetered on the brink of (man Paris-hen was hard to watch at times), I'll probably survive it. On the other hand, Nodame is an otherwise exceptional series and by no means do I expect Saki to be of that quality, so... yeah there's no real guide to it, I just go with whatever my gut tells me while watching.

[Westlo]

Oh true it's no Nodame but I'm pretty sure it will press your guilty pleasure buttons.

[Gatts]

2nd promo:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-25/saki-high-school-mahjong-anime-2nd-promo-streamed

More so than the 3dcg, I would be more worried about the lack of actual animation shown in the second PV. The first one was an early PV so I could forgive the use of still frames moved over a static background, but the second PV should have shown me something more fluid than what it did. Maybe I'm asking for too much.

[Westlo]

2nd promo:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-25/saki-high-school-mahjong-anime-2nd-promo-streamed

More so than the 3dcg, I would be more worried about the lack of actual animation shown in the second PV. The first one was an early PV so I could forgive the use of still frames moved over a static background, but the second PV should have shown me something more fluid than what it did. Maybe I'm asking for too much.

I think they are putting most of their resources into Shangri-la this saeson... I say think because that still doesn't have a promo ffs... but the shots they have released have really detailed backgrounds...

http://www.anime-shangri-la.jp/blog/SHANGRILA_PV_0020.jpg

[something]

More so than the 3dcg, I would be more worried about the lack of actual animation shown in the second PV. The first one was an early PV so I could forgive the use of still frames moved over a static background, but the second PV should have shown me something more fluid than what it did. Maybe I'm asking for too much.
I consider movement somewhat optional in my "cute girls do cute things" animu.

Though I didn't notice anything that unusual when watching the PV. The designs were really good so I guess it didn't matter.

[Draneor]

More so than the 3dcg, I would be more worried about the lack of actual animation shown in the second PV.

The CG is an issue, but I'm more worried about the creature I saw in the PV that did not appear to be female or a trap. What is that doing in there? ;)

The opening song was nice.

[Suwako Moriya]

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-25/saki-high-school-mahjong-anime-2nd-promo-streamed

On one hand, I'm not so sure about things like glowing mahjong pieces. On the other hand, some of the girls are rather cute. I'm partial to pink haired longer twin tails and brown haired shorter twin tails.

This show looks absolutely hilarious due to over the topness of it. Lolis, large boobs, moe, contact mahjong. What's not to love?

It sounds like there might be some potential. Whether or not that potential is actually met is another story. I might check out an episode or two, but I can't say beyond that yet. I guess it depends on whether or not I get attached to any of the characters beyond just the design.

[Suwako Moriya]

I consider movement somewhat optional in my "cute girls do cute things" animu.

I'm actually undecided on whether I want to agree or disagree with this statement.

[Suwako Moriya]

I think they are putting most of their resources into Shangri-la this saeson... I say think because that still doesn't have a promo ffs... but the shots they have released have really detailed backgrounds...

http://www.anime-shangri-la.jp/blog/SHANGRILA_PV_0020.jpg

*Looks* I have to admit that actually does look pretty nice. Granted there's a definite difference between select images versus actual video. So the real test is obviously still coming. Also there's the fact that some companies like to blow the entire budget in the first episode.

[angelx03]

Saki, a series involving mahjong. :bowsmiley:

http://f.imagehost.org/view/0398/saki

[Ashyukun]

I consider movement somewhat optional in my "cute girls do cute things" animu.

I'm actually undecided on whether I want to agree or disagree with this statement.
I think it's highly dependent on what is or isn't moving...

[Draneor]

Saki, a series involving mahjong. :bowsmiley:

http://f.imagehost.org/view/0398/saki

So that's what majong is. I think my heart has been set ablaze for this game...

Looks like the girl on top is going nopan too, although her breasts appear to be ridiculously huge.

[something]

Looks like the girl on top is going nopan too, although her breasts appear to be ridiculously huge.
Yeah, what's with that? Nodoka is indeed large breasted, but the artist really screwed up the proportions there. :sd:

[Senku]

Looks like the girl on top is going nopan too, although her breasts appear to be ridiculously huge.
Yeah, what's with that? Nodoka is indeed large breasted, but the artist really screwed up the proportions there. :sd:

I think the artist let their "personal tastes" take over a little too much :sdsmiley:

[Ty]

Saki, a series involving mahjong. :bowsmiley:

http://f.imagehost.org/view/0398/saki

There is some, uhhh, interesting contrast in that picture. Suffice to say both preferences seem covered, though I can't imagine even big breast fans liking something so ridiculously out of proportion. I doubt it will be that bad in the show since promo artwork always exaggerates proportions, but coverart from the original manga has that character endowed with oversized party balloons too so maybe it is right on the money.

[Suwako Moriya]

http://f.imagehost.org/view/0398/saki

If the breast size got reduced by at least one or maybe two cups (or whatever) then that might actually be hot. Maybe the girl on top can give up part of her chest to the girl on the bottom? As it stands what could have been a perfectly good image has a major problem.

[Suwako Moriya]

http://f.imagehost.org/view/0398/sakiThere is some, uhhh, interesting contrast in that picture.

*Looks* Ah, now I understand why Nodoka's breasts are that large. With Saki's chest being that small, it's effecting the balance of the universe. Thus Nodoka has enough chest for two people in order to restore balance. Or wait would that be three people?

[Ty]

Or wait would that be three people?

About five regular people by realistic standards.

[Suwako Moriya]

Or wait would that be three people?About five regular people by realistic standards.

See? That proves she's a hard working girl. Takes a lot of dedication to have such a chest.:P Even if that chest is on the creepy side.

[Quarkboy]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

For example, if I said I had a menhon tanpin tenpei does that mean anything to people?
What if I said I had a waiting concealed pinfu half flush of all simples?

Do people know how to count minipoints or the difference between fan and yaku? Or the various limit hands?

I suppose knowing what all the terms means isn't completely necessary to understand the show, but what's the general knowledge level of mahjong of people, here?

[Fencedude]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

I suppose knowing what all the terms means isn't completely necessary to understand the show, but what's the general knowledge level of mahjong of people, here?

Its something about tiles and...wait were those tits I saw over there?

*wanders off*

[Westlo]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

For example, if I said I had a menhon tanpin tenpei does that mean anything to people?
What if I said I had a waiting concealed pinfu half flush of all simples?

Do people know how to count minipoints or the difference between fan and yaku? Or the various limit hands?

I suppose knowing what all the terms means isn't completely necessary to understand the show, but what's the general knowledge level of mahjong of people, here?

I've read 8 chapters of manga and still have no idea what you're talking about.

[Quarkboy]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

For example, if I said I had a menhon tanpin tenpei does that mean anything to people?
What if I said I had a waiting concealed pinfu half flush of all simples?

Do people know how to count minipoints or the difference between fan and yaku? Or the various limit hands?

I suppose knowing what all the terms means isn't completely necessary to understand the show, but what's the general knowledge level of mahjong of people, here?

I've read 8 chapters of manga and still have no idea what you're talking about.

Scanlations, I presume? Can you follow what's going on in the games in the manga?

Menhon tanpin tenpei is how "waiting concealed pinfu half flush" is abbreviated in Japanese.
That means you have a hand that's one tile away from a mahjong that has no declared sets (concealed, i.e. all tiles still hidden), contains no minipoints i.e. 4 valueless chows, i.e. 4 sets of 3 tiles in a straight with no terminals i.e. 1's or 9's (pinfu), and all of those chows are in the same suit (half flush).

So then, I guess people can enjoy the manga even if they have no idea what's going on when it comes to the actual mahjong?

[Suwako Moriya]

To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong??

For the record, I'm mainly interested in trying the series eventually. So I'm not sure if that counts as looking forward to it. However just to answer the question in general, I'll say that knowledge is very lacking.

Then again it would be the first time I tried a series without any real knowledge of the subject. Actually I think more often than not that's the case anyway. I'd probably have very few shows to watch if I only watched what I was familiar with.

[something]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?
About as much as I knew about shougi when I watched Shion no Ou, or go when I watched a bit of Hikaru no Go. I.e., absolutely nothing. But I also expect understanding mahjong will be completely unnecessary for this show, as it was for Shion no Ou. HnG was perhaps a little different, but maybe that's just because it got me to try the game out for a short while (I sucked and gave up of course).

I may not know mahjong, but I know cute girls, and thus I know all I'll need to know about Saki.

[Draneor]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

It involves cute girls almost touching each other's hands as they shyly place a piece on the table, right?

[Quarkboy]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

It involves cute girls almost touching each other's hands as they place a piece on the table, right?

No, not really. It's more like "hot blooded moe mahjong".

[Ashyukun]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

For example, if I said I had a menhon tanpin tenpei does that mean anything to people?
What if I said I had a waiting concealed pinfu half flush of all simples?

Do people know how to count minipoints or the difference between fan and yaku? Or the various limit hands?

I suppose knowing what all the terms means isn't completely necessary to understand the show, but what's the general knowledge level of mahjong of people, here?
I'm capable of playing the game, and have taught a small group of friends over the years- but I primarily just know the basics and not all the special hands that will doubtless come into play in Saki. I pretty much taught myself and have only ever gotten to play against others who knew how to play without my teaching them once or twice and otherwise have just have computers to play against. I really wish I got to play more, but I don't know of anyone where I am now that plays...

In a game with people who really know how to play I'd doubtless get annihilated, but I'd say I probably know enough to not be totally lost watching Saki. Besides, I've been kind of figuring that it will be a bit like Bamboo Blade- they'll assume the viewers have at least a basic knowledge of what Kendo/Mahjong is but will explain a decent bit of the finer points they touch on as they come up...

[Quarkboy]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

For example, if I said I had a menhon tanpin tenpei does that mean anything to people?
What if I said I had a waiting concealed pinfu half flush of all simples?

Do people know how to count minipoints or the difference between fan and yaku? Or the various limit hands?

I suppose knowing what all the terms means isn't completely necessary to understand the show, but what's the general knowledge level of mahjong of people, here?
I'm capable of playing the game, and have taught a small group of friends over the years- but I primarily just know the basics and not all the special hands that will doubtless come into play in Saki. I pretty much taught myself and have only ever gotten to play against others who knew how to play without my teaching them once or twice and otherwise have just have computers to play against. I really wish I got to play more, but I don't know of anyone where I am now that plays...

In a game with people who really know how to play I'd doubtless get annihilated, but I'd say I probably know enough to not be totally lost watching Saki. Besides, I've been kind of figuring that it will be a bit like Bamboo Blade- they'll assume the viewers have at least a basic knowledge of what Kendo/Mahjong is but will explain a decent bit of the finer points they touch on as they come up...

Which type? American? Chinese? Japanese? There are a ton of different variations. Unfortunately, Japanese riichi mahjong is one of the most complex (especially scoring, which involves massive tables because doing the actual calculations takes a calculator).

[Ashyukun]

Which type? American? Chinese? Japanese? There are a ton of different variations. Unfortunately, Japanese riichi mahjong is one of the most complex (especially scoring, which involves massive tables because doing the actual calculations takes a calculator).
From my understanding (and some checking up on Wiki- which led to the considerable amusement of finding that the game was introduced and popularized here in the States by someone who shares the same surname as me but isn't that I know of related to me) what I primarily know is Chinese Mahjong, though honestly I don't know what the differences are between American and Chinese to really say.

It's definitely not Japanese, but then as I said I've rarely gotten to play against other people anyway, and most of the time we weren't really concerned with scoring since I was often simply trying to teach them the basic rules and gameplay- and when I play on the computer (or increasingly, my iPhone) the program handles the scoring. I'd love to learn (and play) the more advanced versions, but that would require having people to play against. :sweat:

[Quarkboy]

Which type? American? Chinese? Japanese? There are a ton of different variations. Unfortunately, Japanese riichi mahjong is one of the most complex (especially scoring, which involves massive tables because doing the actual calculations takes a calculator).
From my understanding (and some checking up on Wiki- which led to the considerable amusement of finding that the game was introduced and popularized here in the States by someone who shares the same surname as me but isn't that I know of related to me) what I primarily know is Chinese Mahjong, though honestly I don't know what the differences are between American and Chinese to really say.

It's definitely not Japanese, but then as I said I've rarely gotten to play against other people anyway, and most of the time we weren't really concerned with scoring since I was often simply trying to teach them the basic rules and gameplay- and when I play on the computer (or increasingly, my iPhone) the program handles the scoring. I'd love to learn (and play) the more advanced versions, but that would require having people to play against. :sweat:
The best resource I found on the rules for Japanese mahjong are here:

http://mahjong-europe.org/filer/riichirules.pdf

Scoring is extremely crucial in Saki, since the whole point is that Saki plays in order to end up with exactly plus-minus 0 points (30,000).

[Ashyukun]

Yeah, that's pretty complex alright, though the only thing in there that I haven't heard of/seen before is the Riichi itself- the rest of the hands & scoring I've at least seen before (even if I don't remember most of it... :sweat:).

[Ty]

I know nothing about mahjong. I'm just on board because the original manga looked really cute. Since I'm trying to cut down on fluff this actually has to be fun to watch if I'm going to stick with it though.

[Senku]

Hey, I'm curious about something: To the people looking forward to watching Saki, how much do you actually know about how to play Japanese mahjong?

Something's post:


About as much as I knew about shougi when I watched Shion no Ou, or go when I watched a bit of Hikaru no Go. I.e., absolutely nothing.....

Basically sums up my knowledge and feelings as well, except for the part about playing Go. Still haven't done that yet. But I also want to watch and see if I can actually learn anything about mahjong too. So, it's not all just pretty girls for my curiosity.

[LordGeo]

The basics of mahjong are probably most similar to poker, but the rounds last a hell of a lot longer than poker rounds last.

I'd bring up the show that actually helped me learn the basics of mahjong, though the whole scoring element is still beyond me, but people have complained everytime I bring it up, even when it's a valid comparison.

[Ashyukun]

The basics of mahjong are probably most similar to poker, but the rounds last a hell of a lot longer than poker rounds last.

I'd generally thought it closer to Rummy in terms of play with making sets of 3 (either of the same or in sequence), though obviously at lot of things don't equate between the two.

[Quarkboy]

Yes, it's closer to rummy, of gun rummy, which are really just the card game version of basic mahjong.

Japanese mahjong is all about points, though, and scoring, and a lot less about winning hands. It doesn't matter how many times you declare mahjong if you only score 1,000 points for each one... One "mangan" from another player for 8,000 would wipe the floor with you.

Heck, it's theoretically possible to score 96,000 points on a single hand (which would instantly end pretty much any game immediately since there's only 100,000 points total between the players anyway).

[einhorn303]

I know next to nothing about Mahjong, I'll just be watching for the cute girls.

[kijakusai]

Heck, it's theoretically possible to score 96,000 points on a single hand (which would instantly end pretty much any game immediately since there's only 100,000 points total between the players anyway).

In Reform without Mudazumo, the players adopting the 'sky's the limit' rule, Koizumi scored 90,865,195,024,359,483,499,283,685,761,351,700 points. <grin>

As to Saki, since the sōsakkan is Sasaki Masakatsu, who was one of the key animators of Nobita's Dinosaur 2006 and drew the Time Tunnel scene and the Pterosaurs' Canyon scene, the sakuga of Saki might not be bad.

In Uraomote Jinseiroku, Asada Tetsuya wrote:
　マージャンは点棒のやりとりのように見えるけれども、実は運気のうばいあいなんだね。ところが運気は眼に 見えないから、点棒の状態でお互いの様子を判断することになる。それでは不正確なんだけどね。

[Quarkboy]

I wrote a complete guide to the rules on CR's forum...

http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-490271/how-to-play-japanese-riichi-mahjong/

In case people are interested.