Archives for July 2009

Editorial: How to screw up a licensed anime release.

July 31, 2009 by chikorita157 2 Comments

Everyone might be wondering, what ever happen to the True Tears and sola anime releases? Originally Bandai Ent., the licensor of both anime series licensed both series early 2008 with selling volumes that are singles which are expensive without a dub… until they scrap it and instead decide to make it a full box set mid/late summer of last year. Ever since, the release date kept getting delayed and never face a release. Recently, True Tears supposed to release on July 21st, which is this month, but yet pushed back to August 18, 2009, the same date sola boxset supposed to be release.

What is going on here? I know the economy is not in the greatest shape, but it’s gradually improving, Bandi Ent., this is no excuse to keep delaying the release on end so people expect that it would never materialize… You already messed up the Lucky Star OVA release without a dub when it’s a very popular series… Next you are going to disappoint us on August 18 by delaying the release of both anime series again by another month? I am posting this because I am interested in watching sola and want to buy the DVDs, but keep messing with the release dates… If it gets delayed or even canceled, people are going to go into a RAGE somewhat like we have experienced with Endless Eight. There is absolutely NO EXCUSES why it shouldn’t release on August 18, 2009… but I am going to be very upset if it gets delayed or even canceled…

To people who want to buy these series: If Bandai Ent. never materialize these releases, I suggest complaining via written letter. The address is:
5551 Katella Ave
Cypress, CA, USA ,90630
By Email: support@bandai-ent.com
or mention them on Twitter with @bandaient

Also, I suggest boycotting any of their releases if they don’t release them. Delaying it 2 times is more than enough… This will probably be enough to have them listen. ¶

The Fiasco of Suzumiya Haruhi: Endless Eight is Endless

July 30, 2009 by chikorita157 5 Comments

My reaction to the 7th Episode of Endless Eight... Depressed... because Endless Eight is Endless.

Now I’m totally hopeless… because it’s all Kadokawa’s fault of deciding to repeat it more than 6 times when it’s supposed to be 6… Even six is too many episodes.

Seriously… Endless Eight is a big waste of money and time to animate… I rather have Kyoto Animation dump Endless Eight and start putting their efforts to animating Little Busters!, but I still wonder how much money they wasted animated Endless Eight crap… I mean… a Little Busters! anime will be alot better than a whole season of Endless Eight.

Now, KADOKAWA owes me 7 strawberry sundaes to forgive me now! (No, I’m not referring to the 7 strawberry sundaes in the Kanon VN)

Fan Reactions

resoLv777 from AnimeSuki made a downfall of Haruhi.
Also, CCYoshi (the author of Mega Megane Moé) also made two of them,
Haruhi S2 dropped to a 7.50 within one week.

This Music Video by Jinto from AnimeSuki pretty much sums everything up

Cartoon Leap: Endless Eight is still Endless and NICE BUTT!

At AnimeSuki, Episode 5 remains the most negatively voted episode with Episode 7 trailing 5 in ratings.

Endless Eight in a Mathematical Sense

Also, Mathematical proof that Endless Eight is Endless (using Calculus)… Take a limit of f(x)=15527+x as x goes to infinity. x represents how many times Kyon does not do his homework… The solution therefore is:

Infinite, meaning Endless Eight is Endless and will never end.

What’s wrong with the picture? Have Haruhi truely “Jumped the Shark” this time?

Ever since Endless Eight started, we have thought that it would end on the second episode… Instead, the Endless Eight arc have dragged on for so long that people started to blame someone (Kyoani and/or Kadokawa) on the handling of the Haruhi S2 anime… Believe me, Endless Eight is what made the Haruhi series jumped the shark… It will never be the same ever again since expectations have lowered across the board… so, good luck on selling those DVDs, Kadokawa….

In conclusion, This is got to be worst stunt for Kadokawa to play… while hurting Kyoani’s reputation with it, but they will recover someday, but for Kadokawa… not so much. (does this part give you the sense of deja vu?)

If Endless Eight doesn’t end next week, just watch something else so you will keep your sanity… It will eventually end when pigs fly. ¶

Sub-Only Releases? Is this the future of the licensed anime releases?

July 28, 2009 by chikorita157

Although I’m not a big fan of subs because they disappear while I’m reading it and having to go back, I will prefer watching the dub just to get the story and rewatch it the second time with the Japanese voice… but most of that is mostly gone which is sad because the economic downturn which is expected for us to get out towards the end of the year causing licensors to hold back dub releases and just release sub releases.

Unless I’m currently watching a series like Kannagi which I only watched 5 episodes and they licensed it for a sub-only release, thats the only circumstance I will buy the discs because I believe that studios who make the anime should deserve kind of credit… but for something I watched already and only comes out with a sub-only release, I am less inclined to buy the release because there is no added value.

While I’m still waiting forever for ADV to ever release a Clannad dub, I might not ever see it even after a few years and I’m still angry about them changing their decision about the dub release and still waiting up to this day to release a dub and sub release so I can support my favorite anime and buy it even if it cost a little more. The problem is, sub-only releases makes it difficult to recommend a series like Clannad which is very good to someone who haven’t watched anime before. I have nothing against any dubs and I have a open-minded approach, but I still think that series like this should deserve a dub so that other people can enjoy it without the frustration of having to rewind to the subtitle they missed and get what the character is saying. I know there is a economic downturn, but once the economy recovers, they should think about the fans and do what the fans want so that they can pull in more profit… For the meantime… I will be waiting for those dubs until pigs fly. ¶

Shiori Misaka in Air Fanfiction Project

July 28, 2009 by chikorita157 Leave a Comment

Shiori: Yuuichi… I wonder what would happen if I took Misuzu’s place in Air… Would the story become more dramatic?
Yuuichi: I don’t think so.
Shiori: I don’t like people who say things like that…

Although Shiori’s story is probably my most favorite story arc… however, how much dramatic if Shiori and her sister goes in the world of Air… I have been wondering that ever since I played Shiori’s arc… although she have a happy ending at the end, I still wonder about her bittersweet ending.

But why Shiori? Shiori have very similar qualities as Misuzu, except he childishness and also love for dinosaurs… and Ice Cream will pretty much fit in summer.

Read more to find out what I’m planning (yes, it contains spoilers from the VN although most of it is going to be made up)

Air – Episode 6 – Minagi's Arc Part 2

July 27, 2009 by chikorita157 Leave a Comment

Minagi’s arc comes to a end… but this episode was sad, but not as much as Kotomi’s arc.

Minagi finally makes up with her mother with a mental condition and invites Michiru for lunch at her house. (Spoilers ahead)
[Read more…] about Air – Episode 6 – Minagi's Arc Part 2

Endless Eight in a Nutshell

July 25, 2009 by chikorita157 Leave a Comment

While people are frustrating over watching 6 episodes of Endless Eight, I will just sum up Endless Eight as it would happen in the light novel. (Warning, contains solution spoilers)

The Fiasco of Suzumiya Haruhi: Endless Eight Continues and Fan Reactions

July 23, 2009 by chikorita157 4 Comments

My reaction to Haruhi S2 Episode7... Was it susposed to end today? but it didn't. — My reaction to Haruhi S2 Episode7... Was it supposed to end today? but it didn't.

This episode that aired today was susposed to be the end all of Endless Eight and Kyon susposed to do his HOMEWORK for once with the crew, but it didn’t materialize… instead, Episode 7 have shown us what the last 5 episodes have shown… “WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!” Is Kadokawa’s evil scheme is to damage the reputation of Kyoto Animation for their masterpieces they made in the past… Surely, the likes of Clannad, a masterpiece that cannot compare to the epic fail of Suzumiya Haruhi Second Season.

But, it’s not Kyoto Animation that is getting the bulk of the blame this time (since they are controlled and paid by Kadokawa to animate the series), but now, I’m seeing the blame going towards Kadokawa who is milking the cash cow (Suzumiya Haruhi Franchise) and not wanting to bother releasing Disappearance or the other interesting sections of the light novel. If it was Kyoto Animation’s idea of making it six episodes long, Kadokawa have a eviler scheme and will try to make it eight or even the whole season if they wanted… Remember, Kadokawa is in control of everything, although Kyoto Animation have some say, Kadokawa will always come supreme…

What about the fan reactions?

Friends at Cartoon Leap expected it to end, but got more frustrated than ever.

CCY (the author of Mega Megane Moé) on Twitter have mentioned that the rating for Haruhi have tanked .75 after two weeks and .05 points right after Episode 7 have aired and still tanking.

Another blogger who is frustrated with Endless Eight created 4koma on the reaction of Endless Eight with Kyon picking up the phone.

Even I have raged, expecting Kyon and Company to do their homework at the end… to my surprise… it’s the same thing over again.

At AnimeSuki, the ratings tanked on the later episodes of Endless Eight:

Haruhi S2 would still tank with my ratings.

Akiko’s Jamu or Endless Eight?

In a poll made a week ago, I asked readers what they would do. The vast majority of them perfer eating the toast with Akiko’s Jamu instead of watching 6, maybe 8 episode of Endless Eight straight through… I can’t blame them though… The Jamu looks alot more appealing now, even if it doesn’t taste good.

What’s wrong with the picture? Have Haruhi “Jumped the Shark?”

In conclusion, This is the worst stunt for Kadokawa to play… while hurting Kyoani’s reputation with it, but they will recover someday, but for Kadokawa… not so much. ¶

Air – Episode 5 – Minagi's Arc Part 1

July 21, 2009 by chikorita157 1 Comment

After being sidetracked by the rage of Haruhi and also playing Kanon all day long, I almost forgot to post about Air Episode 5 for nearly 5 days (which is a coincidence, Ahaha~)… But yes, Episode 5 starts Minagi’s arc and it finally reveals more about the Astronomy club, which she is the only member… It seems that there is another very familiar character from another familiar series made by the same company who does the same activity that normally most students won’t normally participate (hint: She have purple-blueish hair and wear childish orbs in her hair).
[Read more…] about Air – Episode 5 – Minagi's Arc Part 1

Yamaoto's response on Endless Eight

July 19, 2009 by chikorita157 4 Comments

Continuing the series of “The Fiasco of Suzumiya Haruhi” with Endless Eight and the way Second Season of Haruhi have been going, Yamaoto, the former Director of Kyoto Animation who directed some episodes of notable productions like FMP, Air, Kanon, Haruhi, and Lucky Star and directed Kannagi at A-1 Pictures have revealed the secret at Otakon ’09 that nobody knew… It started last year and Yamaoto was against a 6 episode long Endless Eight and rather go with 2 Episodes (which I really perfer and what they should have gone with).

(begin video)
Yamamoto: “To tell you the truth, I knew this was going to happen a year ago”
Audience member: “Why didn’t you warn us?”
(general laughter)
Y: I’d be in trouble if I did
(general laughter)
AM: I guess I should ask you the other question, why has the show gone in this direction, that basically instead of moving forward with the story as outlined in the novels, they’ve turned a short stor-, a 30 page short story into six episodes.
Y:Um, uh, you have to promise you’re not going to write about this on the net
AM: I won’t
(general laughter)
Y: Not to make self-excuses or anything, the concept for this idea was floating around while I was still at Kyoto Animation. And I was against it. I said two episodes is the most you can do.
(scattered applause)
Y: But, as a person who left Kyoto Animation of his on volition, I can’t help but feel somewhat responsible for the way Haruhi is now. So I’d like to say as a representitive of the SOS Brigade production committee, I apologize.
(general applause)
AM: Thank you sir, you’ve given- you’ve been terribly helpful on this matter.
(applause continues)
Y: But it’s a secret!
(end video)

So yes, Kyoto Animation, as flawless as most people would want it to be have made some mistakes like this big mess… but hopefully once this is over and done with and start producing better stuff then this… then, yes… they will regain their reputation lost in this mess… but then again… what production studio doesn’t make mistakes?

Also, if you wish to watch the video of the response, feel free ¶

Mai’s and Sayuri’s Arc: VN and Anime Differences

July 19, 2009 by chikorita157 4 Comments

Sayuri's laugh is probably the best thing from Mai's arc!

Instead of wasting my time watching Endless Eight and ending up with unnecessary rage, I decided to play more of the Kanon visual novel and now this time… Mai’s and Sayuri’s arcs. Although there are a few differences from the Anime and the VN concerning Mai’s and Sayuri’s arc, they managed to adapt the whole arc with some changes… ones that will be mentioned below (contains VN spoilers)
[Read more…] about Mai’s and Sayuri’s Arc: VN and Anime Differences