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)
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kyoani
This tag refers to any series that is animated by Kyoto Animation, an animation studio in Japan.
Endless Eight in a Nutshell
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)
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The Fiasco of Suzumiya Haruhi: Endless Eight Continues and Fan Reactions
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:
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?”
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 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
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).
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Yamaoto's response on Endless Eight
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
Suzumiya Haruhi Second Season – Episode 5… Thats it… I’m putting Haruhi on hold!
Episode 5 like the two episodes before it is almost exactly the same thing, except the airplane… More people continue to rage after this episode… the question is… how much longer…. According to one source, Kadokawa planned for a 6 episode long Endless Eight arc… but isn’t it a bit excessive considering the Endless Eight Chapter in the light novel is only 26 pages… 6 episodes is just a bit excessive for Endless Eight…
If theres a person to blame… blame Kadokawa… not Kyoani… Kadokawa only controls how many episodes they want to make and I hold Kadokawa responsible… especially after their trolling they done with Haruhi-chan and also the second season being cancel… until the Endless Eight arc finally end, I’m temporarily putting Haruhi Second Season on hold… and I won’t forgive Kadokawa until they give me 6 strawberry sundaes (it’s from a very familiar visual novel)!
Clannad – Kyou's Arc – Impressions
Kyou’s arc in Clannad is probably my most favorite arc in the whole visual novel… and it took 15 hours to complete it and I usually spend my time playing her arc right after I got out of classes in college…. I can say, Kyou’s arc have the best comedy and also drama … but can the Kyou OVA live up to the original arc in the Visual Novel? Sorta… but not quite… While the animation is good, the problem is the length caused it to be so abridged… that most viewers don’t have a good idea of her arc and make it feel rushed.
Here is some stuff I felt that was missing:
– Tomoya’s preference of girl’s hair length. The player have a choice of liking a girl with long hair (Kyou) or short hair (Ryou, which automatically ends you up with the bad ending)
– Tomoya’s first and second date with Ryou.
– Tomoya’s gift to Ryou (which the player selects what gem to get… Amethyst is the one you get since it’s the color of Kyou’s eyes… but you actually give Ryou the tarot cards bought by Kyou which is important later in the arc)
– Tomoya’s last fortune by Ryou using tarot cards (it’s symbolizes something bad)
– Kyou showing the place she met Botan
– Tomoya’s and Ryou’s 2nd and 3rd time using the fortune telling machine at the arcade.
– Tomoya actually calls out while Sunohara and Kyou try to kiss each other.
Overall, the OVA is not bad… but it didn’t have the protential of being perfect since it lacks some of the part of the arc… I wished they did it for 45 min, then it would be alot better… but oh well..
Rating
8.7/10
Full comparison of Kyou’s arc will be posted soon.
This is the !00th post!
Suzumiya Haruhi Second Season – Episode 4… When will it stop?!
There is not much I can say for this… but this is what I can say:
Auuu~ Have watched the 4th episode, and I have the feeling that this is the worst episode so far… it’s almost a complete rehash of Episode 3. I know that summer supposed to repeat in Endless Eight and they want to make it so it repeat until they solve the mystery, but is it really necessary to have 3 episodes of the same story. I rather have them complete it in two episodes.
Because of the repeating of the same thing, I didn’t enjoy it that much… and I cannot give it a high rating, so I give it a 6.5/10 . I would give it a lower rating on the forums, but people would start complaining if I done that, but actually… It should really be rated 5/10
Hopefully the rest of the season don’t come out like this episode. This episode is a complete letdown for me.
Verdict
5/10 (lowest score ever for a Haruhi Episode… and I retracted my last rating, so it’s now 5/10)
Suzumiya Haruhi Second Season – Episode 3 Impressions
I thought Episode 3 would be exactly the same thing as Episode 2, but I was proven wrong… Apparently, Haruhi made the two weeks in summer in a ever repeating spiral time space which make the future not exist because of it. This Episode atleast have a good twist to it so it was more interesting, but at the same time, contained unnecessary fanservice that I protested earlier, but atleast it was not overdone. Regardless, the episode was more interesting than the latter part and hopefully Kyon solves the mystery of the repeating summer… and yes, 15,000+ repeats of the two weeks is alot.
Verdict
8.7/10
K-ON! (First Season) – Final Series Review
Notice: This is a review of the first season of K-ON I have written two years ago, not on the second season. A full review of the second season will be written in the near future.
After watching all 13 episodes of K-ON!, it is probably the most enjoyable slice of life/comedy/music anime so far in the spring season. Despite some drawbacks in a few episodes, the content of the series is pretty good and paired up with better animation than Lucky Star, K-ON! Is probably the 2nd best Kyoani comedy/slice of life series behind the Haruhi series.
Content
K-ON! Anime adaptation is adapted from the 4 panel manga which two are published so far up to this date and still continuing. The story involves with a new freshman named Yui and don’t know what club to join. Meanwhile Ritsu and Mio wants to join the light music club, but since there is a lack of members, the club was almost about to be cut. Soon, Tsumugi, a high-class girl who owns a music shop joins after changing her mind about joining the chorus club. Then, After Yui saw a poster on the light music club, she decides to join, but not able to play the guitar. After she obtained the guitar, over time she got better at playing. Club activities usually involve having tea and cake after school and cosplaying by Sawako towards the middle of the season. Next year, Azusa joined the club and soon they perform at the 2nd festival and named the band “Afterschool Tea Time” (or something like that)
Although there were a few instances of the beach episode being complete rehashes, the most of the series were different and also enjoyable with good comedy. In some report, the anime series cover 90% of the manga, although some of the content is made up to fill in the missing parts like in Lucky Star, it’s still good.
Animation
The animation style of K-ON! Is a mix between Haruhi and Lucky Star, but K-ON’s animation was a lot more detailed compared to Lucky Star. However, the animation is lacking a bit and not up to the beautifulness of Kyoto Animation’s Air, Clannad, and Kanon remake and the awesomeness of Haruhi and FMP.
Characters
In K-ON! We have the four main girls, including two others who play a part later of the series and also the irresponsible teacher, Sawako-sensei who rather drink tea and also cosplay with other members.
Many will find who watched Lucky Star that the character designs are very similar with some exceptions. Ui, Yui’s younger sister who is a lot more mature than Yui and takes care of her and Azusa-chan, a Tsundere, but not that much… and have a very timid personality.
Lucky Star to K-ON! Character Comparisons (for comparison
sake):
Tsukasa -> Yui
Kagami -> Mio
Miyuki -> Tsumugi
Konata -> Ritsu
Music
Although some will find the background music somewhat bland, the performances are the selling point of K-ON! The performance music and the single albums of K-ON! sound outstanding although there are a few instances. Another thing is that the OP and ED sold over 100,000+ copies within a few weeks which means that it’s proved as a success.
Conclusion
K-ON! is a great, lighthearted slice of life/comedy series that most people who are a fan of slice of life/comedy series should watch. However, some naysayers continuously said that the series is horrible… which isn’t the point. K-ON! may disappoint some because it’s not like Beck which have music performances frequently also with some fights, but if you look for what it is and have a open mind, you may end up enjoying it. Although some may be bothered by the moe factor in K-ON, the moe don’t bother me nor I have praised it because it have moe. However, if you enjoyed Lucky Star, you will definitely have no problem enjoying K-ON! Like Lucky Star, some people might want another season… but with the fate of FMP so far, not for awhile.
Overall Rating:
8.8/10, B+
K-ON! – Extra Episode Impressions
K-ON! Extra episode pretty much gave the same results as the Haruhi S2 Episode 2, Endless Eight with various people in the light music club doing their things which caused Yui to wanted to make a hotpot all alone with her younger sister, Yui during winter vacation. This involves with Azusa-chan taking care her friends cat, Mugi getting a part time job, Mio going to the beach and try to make up lyrics for the next song and Ritsu babysitting her younger brother. IIn the second part, they started to have trouble and eventually Yui texted all of them on hotpot ingredients and her getting a reply. In the end, all of them meet up at the fast food restaurant.
The episode was enjoyable and also somewhat mediocre like the Endless Eight, but it was still not a bad episode as some naysayers make it out to be. However, this episode is a lot better than some of the Lucky Star episodes.
Verdict
8.5/10
Final review on the whole K-ON! Season will be posted in the next post.
Interesting Findings
The computer Mio is using is the White Macbook which is made by Apple. It seems that K-ON! have alot of product placement throughout the series. A comparison
Another finding is that Ritsu looks wierd with the bangs down.
Suzumiya Haruhi Second Season – Episode 2 Impressions
After waiting for decent fansubs, It took me awhile, but I finally got on hold of good-enough fansubs. In this Episode, Haruhi decides to do a epic list of summer activities ranging from swimming, buying yukatas and going to the summer festival, goldfish scoping, fireworks, insect catching, bonfire dancing, and etc and able to do it in few weeks… but Kyon never finishes his homework after that..
I found the episode entertaining… and yes, it’s slightly better than the 2nd beach trip in K-ON!, but still not as exciting as I want it… and Endless Eight is probably the most mediocre chapter in the Haruhi light novel series. Regardless, it was a entertaining episode, so I will give the benefit of the doubt and give this episode a 8.5/10…
Also, Episode 2 revealed the new OP, which sounded okay, but I still perfer Bouken Desho Desho? still…
Verdict
8.5/10
K-ON Episode 12 – END
This is the final episode of K-ON (story wise, there are two more episodes, one airing next week and one on a DVD/Bluray) and the finale was done pretty decent dispite not pleasing some people who watch K-ON! for the wrong reasons which I will explain in a different post… but most will enjoy this light hearted series… never the less.
The Good
Ui impersonating as Yui: This is probably the funniest part in the first half of the episode… Yui’s younger sister, Ui look very similar to each other despite having very different personalities and Ui… surprisingly plays perfectly compared to her older sister.
However, her cover was blown after saying Azusa’s, Ritsu’s and Tsumugi’s name.
Yui’s obsession of fishing lobster: Nodaka tells them a story about Yui acting strangely and fishing for baby lobster. After Nodaka goes into the bathroom, she finds the bath tub filled with them… It’s pretty eccentric behavior to me… and also, hilarious.
Yui’s singing of Fawa Fawa Time: If you thought Mio sang that song well… I seem to like Yui’s version alot better… It kind of reminds me of Kyon’s Imouto singing in her Character Song Image album…. Not to mention, the performance was done pretty well…
And lastly…. Tsumugi’s picked radish eyebrows:
Now… The Bad
Slow Start: Although the second part was more exciting, the first part was a bit slow… until Ui impersonates Yui which is funny…
Unnecessary Cosplay scenes: Yes, I would count these cosplay scenes as fanservice, but wasn’t necessary for the final episode.
Ending Thoughts
Dispite a few things that bother me, the finale was outstanding… and it’s almost on the level of awesomeness of Haruhi’s performance…. However, some people might miss K-ON! like people missed Lucky Star soon after the season end and people who like this show will probably want more… just like the Haruhi fans want a second season which came true and hopelessly, the FMP fans who want a second season but haven’t got one… However, the manga of K-ON! is not ending yet… and more is coming so it’s highly recommended to read the manga to ease the pain of K-ON! ending… K-ON!, to me was a good experience with it’s flaws, but it’s a great lighthearted show after watching something tragic like Ef or any of the Key anime adaptations.
Verdict
9.4/10
Haruhi-chan and Churuya-san… Worst comedy anime seen so far from Kyoani?
There are a few people who seems to disapprove of K-ON!, but I think Haruhi-chan and Churuya-san is the worst show done so far besides Munto seen from Kyoto Animation. Don’t get me wrong, I like Suzumiya Haruhi Season 1 and I also think they did a good job accurately adapting more of the light novel in Season 2, but Haruhi-chan and Churuya-san was extremely disappointing because of the poor animation, production values not usually seen by Kyoto Animation compared to other adaptions and rehashed comedy, done over again… alot more than just one episode of K-ON! I was disappointed about recently.
I may be a little harsh on it because it’s material is based on 4koma which is also the same for Lucky Star and K-ON!, but I was disappointed to the fact that each episode is actually very similar in nature which made the originality go down the drain. The poor animation and art style doesn’t help either because Haruhi (normal series) had alot better art and animation style which compare to the likes of Kyoto Animation’s Key adaptions… I know this is supposed to be a parody of Suzumiya Haruhi… but I expect them to have better animation style and have more originality instead of having every episode of Nagato abusing Achakura every time and Churuya-san wanting “smoked cheese” in every episode which drove me to put it on hold and eventually dropping the whole series all together.
Although Haruhi-chan is pretty mediocre (a step down from Lucky Star, atleast a 7/10), Churuya-san is alot worse from the two….
K-ON! – Episode 11
With the festival approaching, crisis started to occur within the light music club.
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Kanon Complete Series Boxset Unboxing – First Impressions
It’s the “girls in the snow ani…” Oh Shi—-
Since the ADV meltdown occurred, it became increasingly difficult to obtain 6 DVDs of Kanon just as mentioned in the unboxing of the Air Boxset until ADV transfered it’s licences to Funianimation…
Here is the unboxing pics:
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K-ON! Episode 10 Impressions
Azusa-chan ironicly having fun instead of practicing.
Since I’m two days late on the post, I won’t be doing a typical summary post and reaction… I’m just going to post my thoughts about this episode. The episode was alright and we learned more about Azusa’s “dere side” of Azusa’s personality, Episode 10 is a rehash of Episode 4 all over again with 20% more new content and differences from Episode 4. Yes, Mugi made the sandcastle again and Mio scared of barnacles… but what disappoints me the most is the lack of originality to Episode 4. What they should of done is make it a bit different and more interesting…. like have them actually practice more..
I pretty much agree with this author who pointed out the same thing to a certain degree…. Although I sorta enjoyed the episode, I was a bit disappointed to the above reason… they can do better than that… Yet”s hope the last three episodes don’t disappoint me towards the end of the season.
Verdict
8.3/10
Air – Episode 4
Kano seems to me just as cute and energetic even in her childhood.
Episode 4 is the conclusion of Kano’s arc…
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K-ON! Episode 9
After Azusa-chan join the club, she finds that most of the members and the advisor of the light music club are laid back and don’t practice at all.
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Air – Episode 3
Yukito and Misuzu finds themselves in a field of wheat caused by Kano’s procession by a unknown curse at the shrine.
Mostly a Kano focused episode.
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K-ON! – Episode 8
The Light Music Club gains another member… a Freshman…
Yes, I guess this week is busy with the new Episode of Haruhi aired yesterday, but it doesn’t mean that K-ON! isn’t a enjoyable show because Haruhi just aired…
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Suzumiya Haruhi Season 2 – Episode 1
Haruhi is back…. but a bit too overhyped… but doesn’t mean it’s not good….
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Air – Episode 2
In Yukito’s search to find the “girl in the sky,” he finds out more mysterious things about the three girls in this town.
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K-ON! – Episode 7
Airheads and Santa Costumes don’t mix… in that case.
It’s finally Christmas Time, the best time of the year…