Maria Watches Over Us Season 2 impressions and possible packaging goof(?)

[TheGreenMan]

I got my Marimite season 2 in the mail today. I noticed that the box and DVD cases have "Printemps" printed on them. What does that mean? Did I get a print mock up box?

Anyway, here are the pics of the DVD cases since the box art is up on TRSI's website for a while now. Good to see Tsundere Drill Hair and Shimako's bitc--I mean petite seour--get a cover.

http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mariasama2covers1ma4.jpg

http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mariasama2covers2ql4.jpg

[Suwako Moriya]

I noticed that the box and DVD cases have "Printemps" printed on them. What does that mean? Did I get a print mock up box?

"Printemps" is the subtitle being used for Season 2. It's apparently French for Spring. If I remember right Nozomi is required to use that as part of the name. The Japanese version uses Haru which I believe is Japanese for Spring. I have no idea why the Japanese decided the U.S. version should be Printemps instead of either keeping it as Haru or having it translated to Spring.

[mike.motaku]

Printemps is French for Spring.

[Damius]

I got my Marimite season 2 in the mail today. I noticed that the box and DVD cases have "Printemps" printed on them. What does that mean? Did I get a print mock up box?

Anyway, here are the pics of the DVD cases since the box art is up on TRSI's website for a while now. Good to see Tsundere Drill Hair and Shimako's bitc--I mean petite seour--get a cover.

http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mariasama2covers1ma4.jpg

http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mariasama2covers2ql4.jpg

Nice! Yup Printemps is Spring! First boxset i'll have with something written in french!

[TheGreenMan]

Heh. Okay. I thought it meant "Print Temporary." The Japanese subtitle is "Haru," correct?

[Damius]

Heh. Okay. I thought it meant "Print Temporary." The Japanese subtitle is "Haru," correct?

Correct

[something]

Heh. Okay. I thought it meant "Print Temporary." The Japanese subtitle is "Haru," correct?
Yes. We asked why they couldn't just keep "Haru" (or just translate it to "Spring") but Shawne said it was one of those mysterious "Licensor requirements". A harmless one in the end, but still really... silly.

[Suwako Moriya]

http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mariasama2covers1ma4.jpg

http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mariasama2covers2ql4.jpg

Oh yeah I forgot to comment on the covers. As a whole they seem to be decent. I especially like the expression on Tsundere Drill Hair in the fourth cover. The sooner I can get this the better. Actually I just checked and it apparently shipped on the 26th. Which means I should be getting sometime during the earlier part of the week. This assumes the usual pattern holds up. So yay for me.

[WTK]

Anyway, here are the pics of the DVD cases since the box art is up on TRSI's website for a while now. Good to see Tsundere Drill Hair and Shimako's bitc--I mean petite seour--get a cover.

http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mariasama2covers1ma4.jpg

http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mariasama2covers2ql4.jpg
Thanks for the pics. My copy is reserved @ TRSI. It's probably not going anywhere until they get some of the upcoming BEI releases.

[Rhodes]

ah rainy days... so much angst, it would of been interesting if dubbed.

I hope the JP honorific sub is improved upon... the subs for season 1 was lacking in a number of places since it seemed like it was done as an afterthought and adapted from the regular subs.

got shipping notice for this from right stuf.

[band20]

Thanks for the pics, it looks good. I eagerly await my own copy but I won't be getting it until this other item in an order shows up.

[Alison Roberts]

In honor of the set landing at doorsteps and stores across the country, we have another big Web site update...

- S2 trailer!
- New S2 wallpapers and avatars!
- Lots and lots of pretty artwork!

Be sure to check it out:
http://mariasama.rightstuf.com (http://mariasama.rightstuf.com/)

:catgirl:

[WTK]

In honor of the set landing at doorsteps and stores across the country, we have another big Web site update...

- S2 trailer!
- New S2 wallpapers and avatars!
- Lots and lots of pretty artwork!

Be sure to check it out:
http://mariasama.rightstuf.com (http://mariasama.rightstuf.com/)

:catgirl:
Updates to official websites are always welcome in my book. Nevertheless I hope my copy will ship soon...

[Nork22]

My stuff arrived today but I'm at work at the moment and would be getting in to the box once I'm done.

[Orihara_Kaoru]

My set arrived today, and it looks FANTASTIC! I have no idea who these new characters are on the covers, but I can't wait to find out! :sdsmiley:

I was actually going to re-watch the first season before getting into the second, but I'm too impatient. NEED MARIA-SAMA NOW!!!

::hopes for more kissing scenes:: :catgirl:

[KudosForce]

Heh. Okay. I thought it meant "Print Temporary." The Japanese subtitle is "Haru," correct?
Yes. We asked why they couldn't just keep "Haru" (or just translate it to "Spring") but Shawne said it was one of those mysterious "Licensor requirements". A harmless one in the end, but still really... silly.

Methinks they wanted to "keep it foreign"...

[superdry]

Looks nice. I canceled my preorder to save a bit of money (well...reallocated) for this month. I haven't even watched Season 1 yet. I'll pick up Season 2 soon as I still have a coupon to use and I'll probably use it on that.

[a fist of JUSTICE!!]

"Printemps" is the subtitle being used for Season 2. It's apparently French for Spring. If I remember right Nozomi is required to use that as part of the name. The Japanese version uses Haru which I believe is Japanese for Spring. I have no idea why the Japanese decided the U.S. version should be Printemps instead of either keeping it as Haru or having it translated to Spring.
The series uses a lot of gratiuitous French.

[Suwako Moriya]

Methinks they wanted to "keep it foreign"...

If you want to get technical, they would have made it more foreign in the case of the U.S. version. Since I doubt for the Japanese version their word for "Spring" is considered foreign to them.

[memyselfandi]

I received my copy this morning ... looks great but does fall foul of a normal annoyance of mine. If you are going to have an extra sheet tacked on the back with duplicated art work of the back plus extra text details can they please be slightly smaller so we can take them off and slip them inside the boxset.

Here, like most other sets, the sheet is slightly to big to do this.

[Draneor]

If you are going to have an extra sheet tacked on the back with duplicated art work of the back plus extra text details can they please be slightly smaller so we can take them off and slip them inside the boxset.

This is my second minor annoyance with Nozomi/RightStuf sets so far. If they only made the paper a couple cms smaller, I would not have have to fold it (others cut it, I am told). The first is "don't use clear DVD cases when the inside covers are blank."

[Suwako Moriya]

Here, like most other sets, the sheet is slightly to big to do this.

Hence why I usually either throw away the thing or just put it off to the side somewhere. Beyond that I don't worry that much about it. In any case I got the set myself today and it's definitely nice looking. All that's left is watching it.

[Cyber Inviso]

Just got Season 2 yesterday and looking forward on watching Season 1 and 2 back to back. The artwork is just gorgeous. and the cell phone charm is hanging on my shelves as well.

[something]

This is my second major annoyance with Nozomi/RightStuf sets so far. If they only made the paper a couple cms smaller, I would not have have to fold it (others cut it, I am told).
Cutting is the best solution. You only need to snip off a few millimeters.

The first is "don't use clear DVD cases when the inside covers are blank."
I don't mind this, honestly. I always like clear better than black, even if there's nothing inside.

And these two count as "major annoyances" for you? :sd:

[Suwako Moriya]

I don't mind this, honestly. I always like clear better than black, even if there's nothing inside.

Truth be told I never thought much about which I prefer. However I guess I'd give the edge to the clear case simply because of the following. The only major difference between clear+one-sided and solid+one-sided is the type of empty space you're seeing. However when it comes to clear+reverse vs solid+reverse in the case of the latter you lose the ability to see the other side unless you reverse it. Sames goes for those covers that have something on the inside, but are not meant to be reversed.

[Draneor]

Cutting is the best solution. You only need to snip off a few millimeters.

I can't willfully destroy or damage it. Accidentally, sure. I, sadly, do that more often than I would like. But since it came with the set and has art on it, I can't throw it away. Folding is the only option that also keeps it with the set intact. I realize cutting works for others. I don't want to fold it, but I must. I'd really rather it just be printed slightly smaller so it can slip in the set naturally...

And these two count as "major annoyances" for you? :sd:

OK. I admit "major annoyances" was a poor choice of words. They are, in fact, my only annoyances. Minor as they may be.

I'm not aware of any other aspects of the sets that bother me that aren't industry standard. Even Emma's mono release in the first printing didn't really bother me because I have terrible hearing. Truth be told, had someone not told me I never would have noticed (or mailed away the discs to be exchanged). Honestly, I do really like everything else about the sets design and/or production.

However when it comes to clear+reverse vs solid+reverse in the case of the latter you lose the ability to see the other side unless you reverse it. Sames goes for those covers that have something on the inside, but are not meant to be reversed.

I personally prefer clear cases, but I also like double-sided covers. It could be the same image on the other side (the R2 think pack for ToHeart2 did this). The issue with the Nozomi sets--for me--is the clear cases remind me that the covers are blank on the inside. So opening them up is kind of ugly. On the other hand, a black background isn't so bad.

[something]

I can't willfully destroy or damage it. Accidentally, sure. I, sadly, do that more often than I would like. But since it came with the set and has art on it, I can't throw it away. Folding is the only option that also keeps it with the set intact. I realize cutting works for others. I don't want to fold it, but I must.
The reason I cut, actually, is because it seems less damaging to the art to me. A fold will never smooth out right, but depending on how the art is laid out, cutting a little may result in the better look overall. Might not even notice anything was taken.

That's why I cut rather than fold when I thinpack too.

[Draneor]

The reason I cut, actually, is because it seems less damaging to the art to me.

Just two different philosophies about how to approach the same problem. I should also note I can't cut straight to save my life.

[Fencedude]

Here, like most other sets, the sheet is slightly to big to do this.

Hence why I usually either throw away the thing or just put it off to the side somewhere. Beyond that I don't worry that much about it. In any case I got the set myself today and it's definitely nice looking. All that's left is watching it.

I'm in the "throw it away" camp as well.

[Suwako Moriya]

I'm in the "throw it away" camp as well.

Are you implying you don't want to keep what is essentially an ad more meant for those who might be browsing in the stores?:P In any case, when I do keep such an item, I like to take advantage of the extra space on a shelf. Seriously, the space between the top of the DVDs and the ceiling (or whatever) of an area on a shelf is perfect for loose papers. Loose papers such as the one in question here.

[Suwako Moriya]

I should also note I can't cut straight to save my life.

Welcome to the club. Lucky for the word they don't have to depend on me for delicate work.

[Nork22]

So far watching disc 3 as it contains the whole Shimako/Noriko story arc. Gotta say this whole thing is pure bliss in the yuri department.

And somehow, watching Yumi and Toko interact with each other is amusing considering I'm watching Linebarrels and the image I have of the twins in this position (and vice versa).

[memyselfandi]

I just finished watching the whole series and I think theres a possible issue on the last disk.

Firstly I'll say that I enjoyed the series a lot and it was nice to see more "Good Days" instead unlike on the honorific sub-track on the first series. Whether people will be happy with the onee-sama's versus "big sister" will be a matter of personal taste.

On to the problem. The last special, (6), on the last disk ... getting much strangeness when playing it back. When there are subtitles on screen the rest of the screen goes back, (although you can see through the subtitles, i.e. they are not solid) ... as soon as the subtitles disappear the picture is restored until the next line of dialogue. This is only element I have this issue with throughout the whole series and the other specials. I'd be interested to know if anyone else is having this issue (or if it's just my player which isn't completely unlikely).

[Alison Roberts]

On to the problem. The last special, (6), on the last disk ... getting much strangeness when playing it back. When there are subtitles on screen the rest of the screen goes back, (although you can see through the subtitles, i.e. they are not solid) ... as soon as the subtitles disappear the picture is restored until the next line of dialogue. This is only element I have this issue with throughout the whole series and the other specials. I'd be interested to know if anyone else is having this issue (or if it's just my player which isn't completely unlikely).

I'll pass this on to the appropriate peeps here, and keep an eye out for any other mentions of this. :)

[memyselfandi]

Ok, tried on a second DVD player with the same result. Also found a "fix" for the issue as well, well a work around anyway.

If you have the honorifics subtitle track set in the setup menu then you get the issue. If you have the "normal" non-honorifics subtitles set (which makes no difference with the bonus specials anyway) then it plays back fine. So if you want to watch the episodes with the honorifics then do so but revert the setup to the default subtitle track prior to watching Special 6 from the bonus menu.

This is reproducible on both players.

(Alison, I've replied to your PM regarding this)

[Suwako Moriya]

If you have the honorifics subtitle track set in the setup menu then you get the issue. If you have the "normal" honorifics subtitles set (which makes no difference with the bonus specials anyway) then it plays back fine.

All right then I decided to load disc 4 and check this out. In my case it seems to be exactly the way you described. Hence forth I'll rely on the work around that you've already suggested. Regardless you're not the only one with the issue.

[Orihara_Kaoru]

If you have the honorifics subtitle track set in the setup menu then you get the issue. If you have the "normal" honorifics subtitles set (which makes no difference with the bonus specials anyway) then it plays back fine.

All right then I decided to load disc 4 and check this out. In my case it seems to be exactly the way you described. Hence forth I'll rely on the work around that you've already suggested. Regardless you're not the only one with the issue.

No, not the only ones. The exact same thing happened to me while I was watching the series last night. I played around with the different sub tracks (like you say above), and the problem went away, so I thought it might have just been me.

Just to reiterate, this only happened with the last special (#6), and only when the honourific sub track was selected. Everything else was fine.

Regardless of this minor issue, I think Right Stuf did a wonderful job on this set. The honourific sub track seemed perfect (at least I didn't notice any issues), and the overall production was A+.

Plus it was another excellent dose of MariMite!! :beatingheart: :beatingheart: I loved the Shimako/Noriko relationship development (and their picture during the end credits is just...hee!). Sei turned into an incredibly HOT university student, didn't she? Good lord, thank god she's not too far from the action, because I look forward to seeing her and her new sexy short 'do on a regular basis. Also: Yoshino and Rei are so cute! :catgirl:

Yumi...totally confuses me as a character. I mean, she's so very wrapped up in Sachiko, but she is not AT ALL self-aware or aware of the world outside Lilian like, say, Sei, Rei, or Yoshino. Like, I don't think she sees Sachiko's fiance as a rival (because she's just that dense/naive) and I don't think she's considered where she wants to take her life after high school. But at the same time, I guess that's part of her charm. She's innocent and lives in the moment. I just want to occasionally smack her upside the head is all.

Okay, I'm done. :)

[something]

But at the same time, I guess that's part of her charm. She's innocent and lives in the moment. I just want to occasionally smack her upside the head is all.
If she had a clue, we wouldn't get as many hilarious faces of surprise out of her! =D

Looks like my set just shipped yesterday, so I can't check the glitch out. I guess I can deal with the regular sub track for one short special... if it had effected whole episodes I'd definitely have an issue but it sounds like not.

[Fencedude]

But at the same time, I guess that's part of her charm. She's innocent and lives in the moment. I just want to occasionally smack her upside the head is all.
If she had a clue, we wouldn't get as many hilarious faces of surprise out of her! =D

Looks like my set just shipped yesterday, so I can't check the glitch out. I guess I can deal with the regular sub track for one short special... if it had effected whole episodes I'd definitely have an issue but it sounds like not.

The specials only have one sub track anyway.

[Alison Roberts]

You speedy peeps! I just heard back and was getting ready to respond with the workaround, but you already have it covered. ;)

(If you're viewing the honorific track, you'll have to switch to the regular subtitle stream.)

[something]

The specials only have one sub track anyway.
What do you mean? memyselfandi indicated that they had a choice, and by switching it worked fine.

Edit: Ah, saw Alison's reply. I guess the disc was supposed to automatically switch you to the regular track when the special triggered, but for the last one that didn't work and you have to do it manally.

That's fine.

[MeggieMay]

But at the same time, I guess that's part of her charm. She's innocent and lives in the moment. I just want to occasionally smack her upside the head is all.
If she had a clue, we wouldn't get as many hilarious faces of surprise out of her! =D

Looks like my set just shipped yesterday, so I can't check the glitch out. I guess I can deal with the regular sub track for one short special... if it had effected whole episodes I'd definitely have an issue but it sounds like not.

The specials only have one sub track anyway.

You speedy peeps! I just heard back and was getting ready to respond with the workaround, but you already have it covered. ;)

(If you're viewing the honorific track, you'll have to switch to the regular subtitle stream.)

Well Fencedude, it seems you may be wrong on that :relief: :laugh:

[My guess is it has something to do with the fact there should only be one sub track but technically there isn't, so it's glitching.]

[memyselfandi]

You have two subtitles tracks on the main episodes and specials either have two identical tracks or just the "normal" track. There's the fix as given which means it's all watchable.

The problem aside I really enjoyed the release as a whole. I admit that it is one of my favourite sets of series. I find it easy to empathise with the characters which means that you are drawn into the story. There's nice amount of drama and tension but you also have a reasonable amount of humour thrown in, (normally from Yumi's funny faces and noises). It's nice to have the have the relationships between the characters in a more laid back way than series like Strawberry Panic.

The only issues I have with the series, (and this is a problem with the original not anything that Nozomi/TRSI has done), is that the artists look to have missed nose and car drawing days at anime drawing school as the noses seem to change size and shape at random and the black car in the final plot arc of this series seems to be a different shape from either side, (it's kinda like ToHeart looking like the artist missed the day when they were taught how to do chins). But that's really nit-picking.

Roll on series 3, (and hopefully eventually 4).

Would be nice if the manga and novels were released in English too, (I think Tokyopop Germany has a German language release), but given the apparent state of the light novel market I doubt that will happen.

[Suwako Moriya]

The problem aside I really enjoyed the release as a whole.

Having recently finished the re-watch of printemps by way of the DVDs, I'd say I feel the same way about haru. It helps that spring like the previous season of Marimite was pretty good over all. Yes for the record I'm doing that on purpose because I'm evil. In any case this re-watch also goes to remind me of one thing.

Which is how spread out the focus of the series really is. I mean sure Yumi and Sachiko are clearly the leading ladies of the series, but with the way the series is structured they make sure the other characters get their fair chance to shine. The end result is multiple decent separate and yet connected stories. That and it kept the let's just call Yumi arc from being dragged out.

[memyselfandi]

I have to admit that the Yumi/Sachiko story are my favorite bits of the show with the other arcs really being filler to break up the emotional intensity ... not to say they are bad though just that i prefer the Yumi/Sachiko arcs.

On rewatching did notice two other minor errors on disk 4, (there appears to be a garbage purple hued frame at the end of the preview at the end of episode 10 before the English credits and the English credits on the final episode appear to have the VA for Yumi listed twice right at the very beginning), but that's being really picky though.

[Suwako Moriya]

I have to admit that the Yumi/Sachiko story are my favorite bits of the show with the other arcs really being filler to break up the emotional intensity ... not to say they are bad though just that i prefer the Yumi/Sachiko arcs.

Truth be told, I'm still thinking about which I prefer. The Yumi/Sachiko arc was pretty strong, but I also enjoyed the stuff with Shimako. Yoshino/Rei was less of an arc and more of a break given it being only one episode. That being said, I was reminded of how interesting Toko can be. Her hair is well a national treasure.

and the English credits on the final episode appear to have the VA for Yumi listed twice right at the very beginning

Clearly the reason Yumi is listed twice is because she was extra awesome in that episode.:P Heh, truth be told I noticed it myself, but was too lazy to mention it.

[Rhodes]

part way thru the 2nd disc... still enjoying the show but it is sad that the honorific subs still suck. You can tell its just the regular subs with some of the jp honorifics swapped in, not all just some, and with the names in eastern order...

[Orihara_Kaoru]

part way thru the 2nd disc... still enjoying the show but it is sad that the honorific subs still suck. You can tell its just the regular subs with some of the jp honorifics swapped in, not all just some, and with the names in eastern order...

I watched the whole season with honourific subs and didn't notice any glaring problems. I don't think they "suck" by any reasonable classification. Do you have any specific examples?