Comments on: Streamers http://unbound.org/wordpress/?p=156 ...where the Spirit of Solitude, Alastor, reflects upon his Being... Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:16:03 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Rob http://unbound.org/wordpress/?p=156&cpage=1#comment-442 Rob Sun, 09 Aug 2009 06:38:33 +0000 http://unbound.org/wordpress/?p=156#comment-442 I wanted to rewatch H&C episode 7 before answering, and yes, it's a great episode. Hagu-chan is such an amazing (little) character; the first part of this episode focused on her and her past, interweaving it with the present beautifully. The juxtaposition between present and past is as flawless as that between light-heartedness and melancholy, and companionship and solitude. "This is the world that Hagu-chan sees?" Yes it is, and she sees what others can't; a remarkably talented artist but such a tiny vessel to contain that brilliance. Or try to... (BTW, she's as old as the other students, around 19-20; she's just stunted. Really a lovable character though :-) ) And then it goes forward to her support group of "older" friends, and THEIR interactions are shown so subtly while discussing her, and how they all care about each other, mostly revealed through their concerned thoughts and affectionate gestures, not only these two "elders" but her compatriots as well. Another unique thing about H&C is the different insert songs playing over collage-like scenes in almost every episode; probably moreso than in any other anime these songs really give a "soundtrack/movie" feel to each episode. This ep was a key to the whole series, especially where later on in it they all helped Hagu search for a certain parting gift for her guardian. And at that going-away party, one of them reminisces about the events of the day, while looking at Hagu, in this voice-over of his thoughts: "As I looked across the table at everyone's faces, I dreamily remembered the blue sky that I saw from the riverbank. The day will surely come when everything ends and turns into a memory. But... I'm sure that I'll reminisce about it again and again. You were there. Everyone was there. The day we searched for that one thing, under the blue sky. And the scent of the wind permeating through the area..." And the one thing they were looking for is shown blowing up, up, and away... But you really have to see it for yourself ;-) Thanks for the credits-info; I really learn a lot from your knowledge of directors and animators. It's hard to believe that this episode was done by just one man; two really if you add the director. It's almost as if you've already watched it, so spot-on was your analysis. And a big WOW in seeing that the person responsible for Kara no Kyoukai's remarkable 5th movie is also the animator for this episode! He goes from high-action in the former to no-action in the latter with the same excellent quality and attention to loving detail. And now I see that I will *have* to watch Aoi Hana :-D I do plan to watch H&C season 2, especially in light of the fact that Toradora's Tatsuyuki is directing it! That show's pacing, animation, and character designs and their expressions really carried it all the way through to its end. Although I *really* disliked To Aru Majutsu no Index, I'm hoping that the Railgun sequel will be much better. Index was a real disappointment after starting out so strong; I liked it quite a bit at the beginning. But I've never seen a series fall so flat on its face, while having good charcaters (mostly), a halfway decent story (mainly) and some good animation (largely). The sum just didn't total its parts however :-( The pacing failed, the characters didn't develop, and the dialogue was just... awful. Normally I'll forgive the efforts of a creative team, but this series just bled all over the place, from every orifice. And not in a um... "good" way LOL By the way, straying from the topic CAN'T be helped, so no worries xD Your replies are most welcome, and more rewarding to read than one-liners (though all replies are welcome :-P ) I can relate to your busy anime-watching schedule; I'm only tracking 8 from this summer season (with two from the spring) and my plate is full to capacity! In fact, I have to get in four more eps tonight so I can finish up my Summer season post! But do try to watch Honey and Clover, if it's a genre you enjoy :-D I wanted to rewatch H&C episode 7 before answering, and yes, it’s a great episode. Hagu-chan is such an amazing (little) character; the first part of this episode focused on her and her past, interweaving it with the present beautifully. The juxtaposition between present and past is as flawless as that between light-heartedness and melancholy, and companionship and solitude.

“This is the world that Hagu-chan sees?” Yes it is, and she sees what others can’t; a remarkably talented artist but such a tiny vessel to contain that brilliance. Or try to…

(BTW, she’s as old as the other students, around 19-20; she’s just stunted. Really a lovable character though :-) )

And then it goes forward to her support group of “older” friends, and THEIR interactions are shown so subtly while discussing her, and how they all care about each other, mostly revealed through their concerned thoughts and affectionate gestures, not only these two “elders” but her compatriots as well.

Another unique thing about H&C is the different insert songs playing over collage-like scenes in almost every episode; probably moreso than in any other anime these songs really give a “soundtrack/movie” feel to each episode.

This ep was a key to the whole series, especially where later on in it they all helped Hagu search for a certain parting gift for her guardian. And at that going-away party, one of them reminisces about the events of the day, while looking at Hagu, in this voice-over of his thoughts:

“As I looked across the table at everyone’s faces, I dreamily remembered the blue sky that I saw from the riverbank. The day will surely come when everything ends and turns into a memory. But… I’m sure that I’ll reminisce about it again and again. You were there. Everyone was there. The day we searched for that one thing, under the blue sky. And the scent of the wind permeating through the area…”

And the one thing they were looking for is shown blowing up, up, and away…

But you really have to see it for yourself ;-)

Thanks for the credits-info; I really learn a lot from your knowledge of directors and animators. It’s hard to believe that this episode was done by just one man; two really if you add the director. It’s almost as if you’ve already watched it, so spot-on was your analysis. And a big WOW in seeing that the person responsible for Kara no Kyoukai’s remarkable 5th movie is also the animator for this episode! He goes from high-action in the former to no-action in the latter with the same excellent quality and attention to loving detail.

And now I see that I will *have* to watch Aoi Hana :-D

I do plan to watch H&C season 2, especially in light of the fact that Toradora’s Tatsuyuki is directing it! That show’s pacing, animation, and character designs and their expressions really carried it all the way through to its end.

Although I *really* disliked To Aru Majutsu no Index, I’m hoping that the Railgun sequel will be much better. Index was a real disappointment after starting out so strong; I liked it quite a bit at the beginning. But I’ve never seen a series fall so flat on its face, while having good charcaters (mostly), a halfway decent story (mainly) and some good animation (largely). The sum just didn’t total its parts however :-( The pacing failed, the characters didn’t develop, and the dialogue was just… awful. Normally I’ll forgive the efforts of a creative team, but this series just bled all over the place, from every orifice. And not in a um… “good” way LOL

By the way, straying from the topic CAN’T be helped, so no worries xD Your replies are most welcome, and more rewarding to read than one-liners (though all replies are welcome :-P )

I can relate to your busy anime-watching schedule; I’m only tracking 8 from this summer season (with two from the spring) and my plate is full to capacity! In fact, I have to get in four more eps tonight so I can finish up my Summer season post!

But do try to watch Honey and Clover, if it’s a genre you enjoy :-D

]]> By: Max http://unbound.org/wordpress/?p=156&cpage=1#comment-435 Max Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:04:50 +0000 http://unbound.org/wordpress/?p=156#comment-435 So you've been watching Honey & Clover recently? I've wanted to check out this anime for a long time as the credited staff is really promising, but I'm also a bit stressed at the moment and try mainly to keep up with the airing series. Anyway, H&C is directed by Kenichi Kasai, what makes it a must-see for any fan of slice of life. The currently airing Aoi Hana is also directed by him, when it comes to natural feel and flow, there aren't many others who are that accomplished. The natural feel comes mainly from the low-key nature of the drama and the composure in depicting character interacting and characterization. His shows shine also animation-wise, he emphasizes rich and nuanced animation which makes the character feel so real and their acting so effective, but he obviously has his share of contacts to talented directors and animators. Based on the credits episode 7 is certainly one of the most promising: episode direction by Koji Masunari (Kamichu!, Read or Die) and animated by only one person (usually there's at least a dozen animators for each episode because it's so much work), namely Tetsuya Takeuchi who is one of my favourite animators of recent years. You certainly remember the outstanding action scenes in Kara no Kyoukai #5 (who doesn't ;)), that was largely Takeuchi's work. So #7 of H&C is probably a very memorable episode, at least quality-wise, right? The second season of H&C isn't directed by Kasai, but by another talented director who admittedly lacks some of Kasai's virtues as his approach is more conventional, but does also a great job at making the characters believable, the compositions cinematic and the animation sensibly backing up the character drama, what makes his stuff so interesting to watch. I'm speaking of Tatsuyuki Nagai, who directed Toradora and Idolmaster Xenoglossia. As I know that you are quite a fan of Toradora (it was mainly his skills which made it so good), don't forget to check out his other stuff, and he has a new series in the making slated for fall (To Aru Kagaku no Railgun). The source material is hardly convincing (only another typical light novel adaption) and I never watched "To Aru Majutsu no Index" due to the same reason, but I believe in his talent and hopefully won't be disappointed. Ah, I always stray too much from the initial topic so I stop here, but I tend to express my opinions thoroughly so it can't be helped ^^ So you’ve been watching Honey & Clover recently? I’ve wanted to check out this anime for a long time as the credited staff is really promising, but I’m also a bit stressed at the moment and try mainly to keep up with the airing series. Anyway, H&C is directed by Kenichi Kasai, what makes it a must-see for any fan of slice of life. The currently airing Aoi Hana is also directed by him, when it comes to natural feel and flow, there aren’t many others who are that accomplished. The natural feel comes mainly from the low-key nature of the drama and the composure in depicting character interacting and characterization. His shows shine also animation-wise, he emphasizes rich and nuanced animation which makes the character feel so real and their acting so effective, but he obviously has his share of contacts to talented directors and animators. Based on the credits episode 7 is certainly one of the most promising: episode direction by Koji Masunari (Kamichu!, Read or Die) and animated by only one person (usually there’s at least a dozen animators for each episode because it’s so much work), namely Tetsuya Takeuchi who is one of my favourite animators of recent years. You certainly remember the outstanding action scenes in Kara no Kyoukai #5 (who doesn’t ;) ), that was largely Takeuchi’s work. So #7 of H&C is probably a very memorable episode, at least quality-wise, right?

The second season of H&C isn’t directed by Kasai, but by another talented director who admittedly lacks some of Kasai’s virtues as his approach is more conventional, but does also a great job at making the characters believable, the compositions cinematic and the animation sensibly backing up the character drama, what makes his stuff so interesting to watch. I’m speaking of Tatsuyuki Nagai, who directed Toradora and Idolmaster Xenoglossia. As I know that you are quite a fan of Toradora (it was mainly his skills which made it so good), don’t forget to check out his other stuff, and he has a new series in the making slated for fall (To Aru Kagaku no Railgun). The source material is hardly convincing (only another typical light novel adaption) and I never watched “To Aru Majutsu no Index” due to the same reason, but I believe in his talent and hopefully won’t be disappointed.

Ah, I always stray too much from the initial topic so I stop here, but I tend to express my opinions thoroughly so it can’t be helped ^^

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