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ローゼンメイデン 
November 16, 2007 | 
35 Comments
I'm so bored. I've tried to watch more anime but for some reason nothing really excites me. I think I miss my shoujo fix. Not just any shoujo but a good shoujo like Honey and Clover (yeah, I know technically it's not shoujo) and Ouran High School Host Club. These days, there's nothing that make me want to sit up and write something as soon as possible. This series itself is okay and quite fun to watch but I really do struggle trying to find something to say about the series. This is kind of weird since I didn't have any problem figuring out what to say about Kanon. Oh well, I guess less blogging gives me more time to socialise and learn few new skills that I've been wanting to learn but it feels weird losing interest like this. BTW, what was the joke behind that send off of "X" at the start of the episode? I really didn't get it.
Tomoya arrives at Nagisa's house only to find that Sanae has made insane amount of cream and jam bread in starfish shape. When Sanae asks Tomoya's opinion, however, the brat honestly tells her that it looks horrible. Sanae drops down to her knees and starts sobbing, saying that Akio said the same thing. He also fleed the house as soon as those breads came out of the oven. Before he left, he told Sanae that she's the cutest thing ever but the breads she bake are horrible. Despite this, Sanae decides to stand up for herself and be cheerful again so she asks Tomoya if he'd like some. He refused the offer flat out, causing Sanae to be depressed again. Later on, Sanae decides to go out to look for Akio. Unknown to her, however, Akio called her, trying to apologize. Moving along, Fuko immediately goes into her trance mode again when she sees all of the breads on display. If they don't do anything, Tomoya thinks Fuko's seal will never be broken.
Tomoya then recalls some kind of future tale about a wanderer who goes back to Furukawa's house only to face off with Fuko, the final hitode tsukai. I don't get it. In reality, Tomoya decides to stick a straw linked to a fruit juice up Fuko's nose. Fuko is immediately awakened from her trance and felt like she just taste a fruit juice. Later on at school, Fuko continues to distribute the starfish to the students. Upon seeing her determination, Nagisa decides to find a way to let Fuko and Ibuki-sensei to meet. When Nagisa left to get more scrap woods, Fuko runs up to Tomoya, asking him to protect her from weird people like him. It looks like Fuko has attracted some fans who want to form some kind of a club to protect her. Losers. Despite Fuko's rejection, the guys don't give up and promise to do better next time. Much to Tomoya's dismay, the guys think that Fuko and him are siblings. Fuko thinks that's horrible so Tomoya claims that's his line.
Later on, Tomoya has an idea of using the school festival to invite more people to Ibuki-sensei's wedding. His talk, however, got interrupted when Sunohara comes by and wants to help. His offer is rejected flatout by Fuko who thinks he's weird. Because of this, Sunohara challenges her into a fight. After a while, the two settle on competing to see who can make a wooden sculpture first. If Sunohara loses, he won't join the club but if he wins, Fuko can't refuse him. After Fuko agrees, Sunohara decides that the theme will be "Nue", which is a monster with the head of a monkey, the body of a raccoon, tail of a snake, and limbs like a tiger's. Eventually Fuko finishes her sculpture but instead of a Nue, she makes a Keropi. However, Sunohara cuts himself with a knife so he disqualifies himself from winning. Later on, Nagisa decides to invite Ibuki-sensei to the Founders festival so she can reunite the ex-teacher back with Fuko.
After wondering if Fuko can go home on her own, the two realise that they're acting like her parents. That's kind of awkward. Nagisa immediately blushes and asks Tomoya to forget about it. As the two walk together, Tomoya notices Yoshino Yusuke, who turns out to be Kouko/Ibuki-sensei's fiance. Tomoya informs him that they intend to invite Kouko to the Founders festival. Upon finding out about this, Yoshino encourages them to tell Kouko themselves. Kouko at first hesitates with the offer since she doesn't know any other student except Nagisa. Eventually, however, she agrees to come because she remembers that she once made a promise with Fuko to come to the festival. Nagisa is touched upon hearing this and can't hold back her tears so she excuses herself and runs away, confusing Kouko in the process. The next day is the festival day but Fuko is asleep because she is tired after making all of the starfish all night long.
Because they still need to go to school, Tomoya decides to carry Fuko on his back. He, however, complains about this to Nagisa, claiming that Fuko will probably just say that this is horrible. True enough, Fuko wakes up and tells Tomoya that this is vaguely horrible. She, however, apologises for the remark, claiming that she's often rude without realising it. She then informs Tomoya that she had a dream because he was carrying her. In that dream, she was playing with a starfish on the beach when a creepily hunk-like Tomoya comes over to greet her. 'Tomoya' then takes her hand and the two go to Starfish festival. In reality, Fuko wonders what is Starfish festival so Tomoya yells at her saying that he doesn't know either. At school, the 3 find out that Fuko's fanboys have made all sorts of starfish-related merchandises to support Fuko. Not surprisingly Fuko daydreams again and when she wakes up, she finds herself in maid costume.
She is greeted by Ryou and Kyou who also dress up as maids. They explain that this is collaborative effort between class D and E becaue the class Iinchou from both classes are twins. They then suggest that Fuko give the customers her starfish because the likelihood they'll refuse is small. Because of this, Fuko starts giving out the starfish and good number of students gladly accept her offer. Upon seeing Fuko's hard work, Nagisa promises herself that she'd follow Fuko's attempt and would not give up until she can get members for her drama club. Sunohara then appears, claiming that she wants to help his beloved Nagisa. A jealous Tomoya decides to shift Sunohara's attention to another girl so he starts chasing after her. He, however, is blocked by a student wearing teddy bear costume. When Sunohara becomes rude, the student easily kicks him out of the window. Upon seeing this, Tomoya guesses easily that the student is Tomoyo.
Fuko then appears and offers Tomoyo the starfish. Although Tomoyo usually don't accept gift, she accepts Fuko's starfish upon seeing that Fuko has made it herself. Fuko also succeeded in giving the starfish to Mitsui, who after seeing Fuko's perseverance, agrees to come to the wedding if it happens after the exam. At this point, it's clear that everyone is able to see Fuko quite well and able to converse with her. After lunch, Tomoyo and Nagisa greets the newly arrived Ibuki-sensei. Kouko tells them that she's happy to be here. Having said that, she's a little nervous since it's been a while since she last came here. This is why she feels relieved when she saw the two of them, Tomoya and Nagisa. Tomoya and Nagisa are shocked to hear this because Fuko is actually standing in front of Kouko and yet Kouko can't see her. A flashback shows Fuko telling Nagisa and Tomoya that maybe she's here because she can't talk to her sister.
Impression:
I don't think this episode is as strong as the previous two episodes. It's not as funny and it feels like it's being unnecessarily drawn out. I'm still not sure what I should make of the obvious pairing between Tomoya and Nagisa. I guess it's not a bad pairing but it doesn't make me root for them either. I think Tomoyo is still the most interesting girl in this series but it looks like she's not going to be feature much in this series. I wish there are more interaction between Tomoya and Aoki. I find the interaction between the two to be hilarious since they basically have similar personality. The best thing about the episode is definitely the ending where it's revealed that Kouko can't see her sister. This is quite unusual since everyone else in the school can clearly see Fuko's presence. It makes me wonder if Fuko really is the apparition. Maybe it's actually her sister who is the apparition but the sisters seem to think otherwise.
Aoki? O_o Er, do you mean Akio, Nagisa's dad? XD
haha... A good shoujo like Honey and Clover is going to be adapted into jdorama soon... I wonder how FujiTV gonna screw up H&C this time. Or maybe it will turn out to be good.... curious
Yeah I heard about that new H&C drama too! I hated the casting for the guys in the movie. But maybe this time will be a lot better. They at least won't have to squish all the events into a couple hours anymore.
((( I've tried to watch more anime but for some reason nothing really excites me. )))
me too. i feel there's something lacking this season. besides clannad i'm watching kimi kiss but the anime hasn't got me smitten yet. i hope the story gets better though.
what i am hooked to right now is ef. maybe it's because it's shaft but the art style is really intriguing. the storyline as well. but that remains to be seen...
dragonauts' boobs get bigger every episode that it has just become downright hilarious to me. that's all i'm really following this season. even the jdorama sucks :(
for this season what I'm really excited about is Pushing Daisies! that show is pure genius!
Did you try Moyashimon? It is unlike anything else this series. http://www.kamosuzo.tv/top.html
The whole "Final Hitode Tsukai" was from the game itself, I remember coming across that in the visual novel
Aoki? O_o Er, do you mean Akio, Nagisa's dad? XD
Oops, that's what I get for thinking about "X" (there's a character called Aoki in "X"). I guess I have to fix that now.
haha... A good shoujo like Honey and Clover is going to be adapted into jdorama soon... I wonder how FujiTV gonna screw up H&C this time. Or maybe it will turn out to be good.... curious
I've heard about that and only mildly interested. Considering how they mangled the movie, I want to see how they do this one. If they end up pairing up Hagu with Takemoto at the end, I'm going to throw something at my wall. Keep the story intact, please!
Did you try Moyashimon? It is unlike anything else this series. http://www.kamosuzo.tv/top.html
Okay to watch, not exactly blog material. I'm not a biology class fan unless it got something with genetic.
It's not you but this fall's anime did not catch my interest at all. Hopefully, next winter, it's going to be better. Suzumiya Haruhi is coming next winter right?
Actually, it's not just this season that has been particularly disappointing. This entire year has been a let down, really. Death Note, which I had such high hopes for, started off strong, but towards the end, it was screwed up. The only show I enjoyed this year was Nodame Cantabile. Last year seemed to be a much more solid year, with shows like Honey and Clover, Haruhi Suzumiya and Ouran.
How about something less Japanese-centric for a change like "Emily of New Moon (Kaze no Shoujo Emily)"? It's actually from the summer season but the subs are still being released. Here's a good summary/review of the show:
http://psgels.blogsome.com/category/finished-series/kaze-no-shoujo-emily/
I've picked up Minami-ke and Kimikiss, in addition to Clannad this season.
Between the two of them, Minami-ke and Kimikiss combine to form a pseudo-Hachikuro experience. Kimikiss has the romance and emotional angst while Minami-ke has the humor (albeit more male-oriented).
Clannad, as I believe other bloggers have stated, seems like we've already seen it before with Kyoto's Haruhi and Kanon. So it may be natural that you've less to say, since you've probably said it before already as you've blogged both.
I've also picked up Ookiku Furikabutte from last season as well, since I'm a Touch & H2 fan. Although subbing has stalled for the series currently, so I have it on hold until a new fansub episode comes out. (I could probably get by with the raws; I did it with the Nodame Cantabile J-drama.)
And, yes, there are dead periods but it's probably nothing to lose your mind over. :p
Didn't like this season's either. Blue Drop after episode 1 was a catastrophe, ef was just bad , and Clannad was just like Kanon's alter ego. For some reason, it seems that the designs and movement animation fluency in some companies have really gone down - the colors are bad, the characters are bad (very generic and repetitive), and the background is horrible (does not apply to ef). If you all haven't noticed, there's lots of distorted, portrait-presented, wide-eyed (like Kimi Kiss), and flat characters. It's going backwards. The best years were from 1997-2006, by the way. That was anime's golden period.
>> I'm so bored. I've tried to watch more anime but for some reason nothing really excites me.
>> Oh well, I guess less blogging gives me more time to socialise and learn few new skills that I've been wanting to learn but it feels weird losing interest like this.
Probably it indicates you're not satisfied with (current) anime anymore. I think if blogging becomes a chore like this, you may consider dropping it (or you've already considered?)
When anime or any other kind of shows do not click, why should we watch at all; if it's a form of entertainment and eventually bore you further..
I agree with ipswich, you shouldn't allow blogging about anime to become a chore; otherwise you'll grow to despise it.
On the flip side, maintaining some form of readership is a necessity. Since, even if you decide to comeback, if no one knows, there'll be little point.
Then again, I believe you've come back from something like this before... If memory serves me right, something similar to this happened around the time you stopped blogging about the Fruits Basket manga. Of course, I could be misremembering things.
bored eh. i'm personally enjoying a number of anime from this season, besides CLANNAD (it's one of my fav this season tho -w-) Besides Moyashimon, have you tried Ghost Hound? It's a good piece even if you don't look at the big names and stuff... according to me, at least. Bamboo Blade and Shion no Ou are not bad too, though I'm not sure if they'll be blog material for u... -w-; and Sketchbook ~full color'S~ is a nice "slice of life" style anime... maybe even less of a blogging material for u but it's quite calming -w-
You should drop this anime. Its just another Kannon with less interesting story.
Instead, please watch Baccano. It has already ended, but it will be a very good anime that I think you missed.
Hello Garten.
If you do not find the recent episodes interesting, I suggest you to blog the whole Fuko storyline after it ended.
Minor spoiler below:
From a Japanese Animation Magazine, the Fuko storyline will ended in ep.9.
I can't see why Clannad looks so much like Kanon. I personally don't find Kanon as interesting as Clannad :/ I don't mind if you'll continue pointing fingers at the similarity, possibly being Fuko's case. But how is it similar? Her running around in a dream that wasn't meant to be? Most unlikely.
Kyoto Animation just takes up Key's project who have been producing the harems for years. Instead I praise their enthusiam and how they actually manage to tackle out the similarity by resolving to comedy.
Aside from that, the story so far to me goes in a steady pace, slowly revealing out their message. The animation quality have changed tremendously in a short amount of time. The songs are light-hearted blending in with the background without standing out too much.
In my opinion, a good anime should have good art-style, superb animation, a good plot and unique quality. It doesn't have to be any different from the others. I find myself loyally awaiting for Clannad every Saturday. It's been a while...the last time I ever waited for an anime like this was during Ouran's time, Full Metal Alchemist [although then it suddenly sucked but hey, the manga is generously Hageranicious], FMP-Fumoffu...
Mirrinus has a good point from the previous episode. The combination between Nagisa and Tomoya is considered actually unique and rarely found in harem animes where it only revolves around the main character and the guy alone. Meanwhile, Clannad as far as I can conceive, stresses on family and friend values which could be another reason why I enjoy it a lot. Nagisa's relationship with Tomoya obviously looks close physically but it's another story if you ask them to go on a date.
But anyway, everyone's free to think and choose. ^___^ So it doesn't matter. Just though, it's Garten's freedom if Garten wants to drop it. It's not our decision as its an otaku's wishes. However, let me express my upset when I read posts that deliberately proclaim Clannad another boring anime when it's already Episode 6.
Though Planetarian, a might be future project looks different XD. I'm looking forward to it.
This season it's not as great as the previous one, but it does have some nice anime out there. The second season of Higurashi is better than the first one in many ways, you may want to try Ghost Hound, it seems like the best anime of the season tu me (so far o.o)...
One of this season's anime I am watching is Shugo Chara!. At first I thought it was too childish, but I ended up really liking it, despite its shoujo cheesiness. I recommend watching the first episode at least.
>I'm so bored. I've tried to watch more anime but for some reason nothing really excites me.
Shame about that. The 2007 year hasn't been that great, either - Nodame Cantabile being the only popular good show from winter, Lucky Star and Gurren Lagann from spring (and receiving a lot of backlash due to overpopularity and just plain mediocrity), and summer had a sequel (Zero no Tsukaima) that sucked and had NICE BOATS (School Days - great entertainment due to soap opera-likeness). This coming winter doesn't look promising, either.
For now, I suggest ef ~a tale of memories~ if you want a change of pace due to SHAFT's stylistic art and directing. The one other thing I suggest is to keep watching/blogging Higurashi Kai. Right now, it is on the top of my anticipation list for every week now, followed by ef and CLANNAD. I have been kept spoiler-free (except for a couple obvious ones) and I've been amazed at the story progression and revealing so far, with so many questions answered and a sense of great triumph that reduces me to near tears at the end of each episode.
As for Fuko's story... it seems a LOT like Ayu's story right now... so much that I'm kind of annoyed with it and wished it ended the NEXT episode so there would be more episodes for the remaining 4 girls. Good thing they're getting her out of the way, though. I have a feeling they're going to follow the OP's character introduction sequence in reverse order - Tomoyo's story is going to be next.
well I'll would like to recommend you an anime I just started to see and that might be of your liking.
Ghost Hound
I've only seen 3 episodes so far and it ain't that bad for beeing an anime of mistery, okay it is a little slow but the animation is quite good, it kinda resembles Jigoku Shoujo, and is a production from I.G. along with Shirow Masamune-san celebrating the 20th anniversary.
This sounded so much like a comercial, rihgt.
A last comment, I like a lot this blog
So why don't you watch this season's Shoujo? Shugo Chara is really good. Also Lovely Complex last season was great.
I would have to say the stories in Clannad are far better than Honey and Clover. I found myself crying over side stories in Clannad and not any in honey and clover. The main story in Clannad is the best.
Fuko's story is not like Ayu's >.> for the last time it is different
Clannad is just okay to watch I guess....except that it kinda bores me often...
So I personally think Bamboo Blade is much more interesting and entertaining than Clannad.
Anyway, Denno Coil is deserving the best series of the year, I hope you are still following the series!
Denno Coil is definitely a great series. It has some shoujo elements, though I don't know if I'd keep it secluded to that category. There's a cool air of mystery in it, and there's plenty of action.
Shugo Chara's adorable and charming, but you could go so far as to say it's sickeningly cute. I wouldn't recommend it unless you can handle lethal doses of pink, ribbons, and chibi. The main character is fairly likeable, though.
Moyashimon is really...odd. It's basically about a guy who can see microbes and goes to an agriculture college. It's wonderful, original, bizarre and unique, and the characters are just as strange, yet charming, as those little dancing fungi in the OP.
have you tried hanazakari no kimitachi e(hana kimi) live action? its really good. a very big reminder of ouran high school host club. especially the cross-dressings and randomness. XD a very light-hearted drama like nodame cantabile. its definately recommended. Do try it if you have time.
Simply put theres not enough good anime out right now to talk about. A good lot of em just ended.
I noticed this myself, and quite frankly I welcome it as it gives me time to finally catch up on some of the series I have yet to finish.
I'm not generally interested in any new anime either... I'm down to Baccano and Ghost Hound.
But have you checked out Ghost Hound yet? It's quite good.
I used to look to the new anime seasons with much enthusiasm, but with every passing season, my enthusiasm wanes. Right now, it's at its lowest.
I've been following CLANNAD, but for some reason, it doesn't click with me. Maybe it's the whole Kanon-redundant-feel of Fuko's arc or that I just can't really relate to any of the characters, like I could with, say, those in Honey & Clover. I'll still continue to watch it, though.
I'll probably third the recommendation for Ghost Hound. It's done a good job so far setting up an atmosphere. Not an anime series, but I'd recommend Byousoku 5 cm for a temporary shoujo fix, if you haven't seen it already.
I agree, most of the recent stuff has been pretty dissapointing. Clannad started ok, but every episode has felt like it's reaching since the first two.
There's only really one anime that I would recommend. Have you tried Minami-Ke yet? That's the first anime that's had me laughing out loud in a long time. It feels a lot like early Honey and Clover episodes, but without the melodrama (for me that's both a good and a bad thing). It's a simple slice of life comedy, but it's pretty darn well written and I'm enjoying it. It's strange that I'm recommending a comedy since I normally lean away from Japanese comedy, but that is both a testament to the absence of any good drama/action series this season, and the excellent writing of the series.
Other than that I'm just taking time to watch a few classic anime again, or find some series that slipped under my radar in years past. I can't believe it's taken me so long to watch Berserk. I thought I would hate it just based on the premise, and what I'd seen of the animation and "comic relief," but I've fallen in love with it despite it's flaws. That is an anime where the story and character development is so good that it overwhelms all the flaws.
Anyway, watch the first episode of Minami-Ke if you haven't. If you don't like it then it's probably time to stop watching anime alltogether for at least this season, since it's the best thing out there.
I would recommend Baccano. I really wonder why that anime had a really really poor coverage in the blogging community, despite being a surprisingly good action-mystery-comedy show.
Minami-Ke is also quite nice, and good enough for a quick watch. It is not really the rofl-comedy type, but it makes me smile.
ef too, characters and SHAFT's style got me hooked to the show. (Amazing ep 7 btw, made me shiver)
Don't know if those will provide for good blogging material though.
Clannad is really awesome, most people have not played the game so they don't even know what is yet to come or anything else. I'm awaiting for summary 7 to see what you think.
Garten did you watch Touka Gettan?
I like Kyou most out of all the girls so far since she is Bi :D
Maybe....this is the anime I've been looking for!
Having watched Honey and Clover, my expections for anime seems to have shot very high. = =
I'm craving anime so much! Yet I can't find the one I'm looking for....the cute comedy feel ;-; I like shouen like Bleach too...but they make me impatient....
Does anyone recommend any animes...?
I like shouen, Ouran host club etc. Just to get an idea of my taste =(
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