You can appreciate why she needs the support, and I like to “spread the...Streamers
Ξ August 6th, 2009 | → 2 Comments | ∇ The Anime Annals |
I’ll be completing the post for the Summer ’09 anime season (or at least what I’m watching of it) in (yet another) few days, mainly because (a) I’m a little tied up around here what with job-hunting, house-cleaning (in-lieu-of-rent), and taking-care-of-business modes, and (b) when not in said modes, I’ve been completely involved in mini-marathonning an older series, Honey and Clover. What a delightful surprise this series has been!
Animax' group shot promo
It’s very much a straight slice-of-life show, with equal doses of romance, drama, and comedy thrown in. But the characters are really what drives this story as we track these starving art students at first through college and then onward into their discoveries of real life and their interactions with the real world, their close relationships with each other and the various shifting love triangles that ensue between them. Even this is oversimplifying it though, and I’d suggest merely watching it without pre-suppositions to fully enjoy it. If you can remember (or are going through) those years, then this series will resonate with you.
The main cast (and friend)
And now I’ll tell you how to watch it for free, legally, online! The following link will send you to the ever-reliable Anime News Network’s encyclopedia entry for Honey and Clover where you’ll see a button to “Watch it now!” After reading the synopsis (and noting the rating, so you’ll know that it’s high regard isn’t simply mine), click the button and away you’ll go 
You’ll probably have to put up with a minimal advertisement or two, but that’s kind of the price you pay to watch it streaming. At the least, you’ll be able to check out a few episodes and see if you don’t get hooked like I did. They only have the first 12 episodes, so be forewarned that to get the rest you may have to satisfy your addiction through YouTube or Veoh, since Crunchyroll doesn’t have it. Or, through “other means”. *cough*
Link to the Honey and Clover page at Anime News Network!
...the good old days...
By the way, if you’re into the darker stuff, they also have the excellent Phantom – Requiem for the Phantom, which is still ongoing since the spring, and one other series I’ve been addicted to. Check out this review at ANN, and then watch it on their streaming site via the right-hand link on their home page. The article is very right on, and the series is gripping, suspenseful, and at times quite intense. And the OP, “Karma” is beautiful, haunting, and very, very apt…
…unfortunately, I can’t seem to find the OP featuring Karma, just an extended version over a still photo 
So, knowing how you much prefer some action, here’s an official promotional video:
Gotta go; have fun
on August 7th, 2009 at 7:04 am
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 ^^
on August 8th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
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
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
)
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